Tacos, sliders, and handheld empanadas are made for little hands. These five beef and pork dinners keep the flavors mild, come together in 20 minutes with Ellsworth Foods, and pack up easily for tomorrow’s lunch.

These recipes lean into familiar, mild, kid-friendly flavors — minimal spice, familiar textures, and shapes little hands can manage. Each one also includes a Lunchbox Remix tip, so tonight’s dinner turns into tomorrow’s easy school lunch, whether that is a thermos meal or a cold grab-and-go item.

Packing tip: send cold items with an ice pack, and fill the thermos with hot water for a few minutes before adding warm food so it stays hot until lunch.

1. Mild Beef Tacos with Cheddar

1. Brown ground beef with finely diced onion over medium heat, about 8 minutes.
2. Season lightly with salt and pepper (skip spicy seasoning for younger kids).
3. Warm soft tortillas or taco shells.
4. Fill with beef and top with shredded cheddar.

2. Classic Cheeseburger Sliders

1. Season beef patties with salt and pepper.
2. Grill or pan-sear 4–5 minutes per side.
3. Top with shredded cheddar during the last minute to melt.
4. Serve on slider buns.

3. Cheese & Beef Empanada Night

1. Bake empanadas according to package directions until golden.
2. Let cool slightly before serving so the filling is not too hot.
3. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
4. Serve whole as a fun, handheld family dinner.

4. Soft Pork Carnitas Tacos (Mild)

1. Heat pork carnitas according to package directions.
2. Sauté a little diced onion in a dry pan until soft, about 4 minutes, and mix in with the pork.
3. Season lightly with salt and pepper (keep any spicy toppings on the side for grown-ups).
4. Serve in soft tortillas.

5. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

1. Heat the BBQ pulled pork according to package directions.
2. Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Pile onto slider buns.
4. Serve with a simple side like corn or fries.

More Kid-Approved Fall Dinners

• Crispy Chicken Favorites
• Cozy Chicken Comfort Food