Sneaky Suppers for the Real World: Hiding Veggies, Dodging Tantrums, and Winning Dinner (Mostly)

I recently got some reader feedback.
(Translation: my daughter called me out.)

She told me that while my AI cooking adventures are fun and all, not everyone is out here trying to spiralize zucchini and soak organic chickpeas. Some people are just trying to feed a first grader something—anything—other than chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, or those little pizza rolls that come out of the microwave hotter than lava.

She also gently pointed out (with her usual sarcasm, which I clearly passed down like a family heirloom) that not everyone eats the way I do. Nuts, seeds, organic, no red meat… cool story, Mom—but some of us just want to know how to hide an onion in dinner without our child staging a full-scale rebellion.

Fair. Very fair.
And probably what a lot of parents are thinking while reading this.

So let’s be clear: this post isn’t for the gluten-free, tahini-stirring, Pinterest-perfect version of yourself you see in your dreams. This one is for the version of you who has $20, a half-empty fridge, and a first grader who just declared he won’t eat “anything green or squishy or weird.”

This one’s for the moms (and dads!) who shop tired, cook tired, eat standing up, and just want to feel like they didn’t totally lose the dinner battle tonight.

The Dinner Dilemma: Real Life Edition

Let’s talk about my grandson for a second. When he came to visit, his preferred menu was a sacred trifecta of:

• Mac & cheese
• Pizza rolls
• Chicken nuggets

That’s it. He said it with the confidence of a seasoned diner reading off the chef’s specials.

So when my daughter asked me, “How do I get this child to eat something remotely healthy without him knowing it’s healthy?” First, I had to chuckle to myself “hello karma, so nice for you to come back around!” but, I knew she wasn’t alone. That’s a real challenge for a lot of parents. She also wanted to know things like:

• “How do I add onions to dinner without him noticing?”
• “What’s something fast I can make with a tiny budget that still feels like a meal?”
• “Can AI help with this or is it only for people who own a spiralizer?”

And yes, my daughter eats very differently than I do. She’s not going to whip up almond flour muffins or swap pasta for cauliflower. She’s using pre-made sauces, red meat, and gluten—and she needs ideas that work in that world. Realistic. Fast. Familiar. Picky-eater-proof. That’s the vibe.

“I’m not buying weird ingredients, okay?”

Prompt:

“Give me easy dinner ideas with minimal prep, no weird ingredients, and foods my picky kid will eat. Use jarred sauce or prepackaged shortcuts if needed. Prioritize speed and familiarity, but sneak in something a little healthy.”

What you’ll get:
Think spaghetti with a jarred sauce that hides pureed veggies. Sloppy joes with ground beef and finely chopped mushrooms. Tacos with cheese and beans mashed into the meat. Pasta bake with some frozen spinach that disappears in the layers. Comfort food, but with a twist your kid might not notice.

“I have $20 and no energy to think.”

Prompt:

“Give me a $20 grocery list and a fast dinner recipe for a picky eater and a meat-and-potatoes husband. I want it to feel like real food, but be easy to make and sneak in something healthy without anyone noticing.”

This one could result in:

• Rotini pasta, ground beef, jarred marinara, and a hidden shredded zucchini.
• Chicken quesadillas with canned black beans and finely chopped bell peppers.
• Hamburger helper-style skillet meals with added frozen veggies and a little grated cheese on top for good measure.

“How do I add onions without getting caught?”

Prompt:

“How do I sneak onions into a meal without my kid tasting or seeing them?”

Ideas include:

• Grating onions instead of chopping
• Cooking them until soft and mixing into sauce
• Adding onion powder instead of real onions
• Using premade sauces that already have blended onions in the base

Bonus tip: if your kid already trusts a certain meal (like spaghetti), that’s the place to sneak stuff in—not something totally new.

Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Fine

Here’s the thing: no one is handing out trophies for healthiest dinner. You are not a failure because you didn’t make homemade soup stock or serve a rainbow of vegetables tonight.

Using AI doesn’t mean you suddenly have to overhaul your family’s eating habits. It means you have a free, 24/7 brainstorming buddy that can meet you where you are. Even if that’s at the grocery store with 10 minutes to spare and a toddler asking why cookies aren’t a vegetable.

Just like I tell my daughter—start with what you already know your kid (or your partner, or you) will eat, and build from there. Toss in something just a little bit better. Use the shortcuts. Use the pre-made sauce. Ask AI for help and keep what works.

You’re not failing. You’re feeding people. That counts.