Meals Make Memories

Please join us in celebrating National Family Meals Month™ by recreating some of our favorite family recipes. We hope these recipes empower your family to share more meals and memories together.

It’s time to put away distractions, set the table with care, and indulge in the simple pleasure of eating together as a family.

September is National Family Meals Month™,
here's why your family should participate...

Health and Nutrition: Family meals often lead to healthier eating habits as home-cooked meals tend to be more balanced and nutritious than fast food or takeout options.
Communication: Sharing meals provides an opportunity for open and meaningful conversations, strengthening family bonds and relationships.
Emotional Well-being: Regular family meals can create a sense of security and belonging, contributing to emotional well-being and reduced stress.

Research provided by the FMI Foundation.

of Americans surveyed say they are more likely to share family meals, when told about the benefits of family meals.

0 %

How Do I Make Time for Family Meals?

In our fast-paced lives, finding time to eat together is truly rewarding. Research shows that having family meals brings us physical, social, and mental health benefits. Learn how to plan and make time for these valuable moments with your loved ones.

Getting The Kids Involved!

Ignite kids’ creativity during Family Meals Month with our interactive coloring pages.

What To Make for Family Meals Month?

Here’s some of our favorite recipes you can try.

5-Ingredient Pantry Chili

A hearty chili that combines ground meat, beans, and Mexican-style tomatoes for a comforting and robust flavor experience. Top with optional garnishes for an extra layer of delight.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 can (15.5 ounces) black, kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 ounces) Mexican-style diced tomatoes
1 cup beef, chicken or vegetable broth

Toppings:

sour cream or plain greek yogurt
shredded Cheddar cheese and/or pickled jalapeño slices (optional)

Directions:

In large saucepot, add beef and chili powder; cook over medium-high heat 8 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally.
Stir in beans, tomatoes and broth; heat to a simmer.
Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 10 minutes.
Stir in salt and pepper to taste; serve topped with toppings, if desired.

Tips:
For a vegetarian version, 2 cups of your favorite cooked grain can be substituted for the ground meat. Add all ingredients to the saucepot at once, and heat to a simmer over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.

Garbanzo beans or cannellini beans, and any canned diced tomatoes (up to 15.5 ounces) can be used in this recipe.

5-Ingredient Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

A delightful Italian-inspired tomato pasta soup that effortlessly combines condensed tomato soup with frozen spinach and Italian seasoning. Topped with Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch of flavor.

Ingredients:

2 cans (23.2 ounces each) family size condensed tomato soup
½ (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ (16-ounce) package small, shaped pasta
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In large saucepot, heat soup, 2 cans water, spinach and seasoning to a simmer over medium heat
stir in pasta and cook 15 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Serve soup sprinkled with cheese.

Tips:
4 (10.75-ounce) cans of condensed tomato soup can be substituted for the 2 family size cans of soup.

Classic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

A classic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich featuring thinly sliced ribeye steak sautéed with bell peppers and onions, all tucked inside a toasted French sandwich roll with melted provolone cheese. A satisfying blend of flavors and textures that captures the essence of Philadelphia’s famous sandwich.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons Stater Bros.® Unsalted Butter, 2 tablespoons softened
1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium white onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 ribeye steak, thinly sliced (about 1 1/4 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 Stater Bros.® French Sandwich Rolls
8 slices Stater Bros.® Provolone Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F; line rimmed baking pan with aluminum foil. In large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon unsoftened butter over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Transfer to bowl. Makes about 2 cups.
In same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon unsoftened butter over medium-high heat. Add steak, garlic powder, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper; cook 8 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Makes about 3 cups.
Place rolls, cut side up, on prepared pan; spread insides with remaining 2 tablespoons butter and bake 7 minutes or until toasted.
Fill rolls with bell pepper mixture, steak and cheese; bake 3 minutes or until cheese melts.

Tips:
To thinly slice steak more easily, freeze steak for 30 minutes before cutting.

French Bread Pizza

Empower kids in the kitchen during Family Meals Month with this delightful recipe. A French baguette becomes a crispy canvas, ready for children to personalize with their favorite toppings, making mealtime a creative and tasty family affair.

Ingredients:

Full Circle Market Organic Pizza Sauce
Garlic Butter French Bread
Stater Bros. Markets Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
Stater Bros. Markets Sliced Pepperoni
Jalapenos (Optional)

Directions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Slice the Baguette: Cut the Garlic Butter French Bread in half lengthwise. This will create two pizza crusts.
Spread the Sauce: Lay the French Bread halves on a baking sheet, cut side up. Spoon the Full Circle Market Organic Pizza Sauce evenly over each half. Use the back of the spoon to spread the sauce to the edges.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle the Stater Bros. Markets Mozzarella Shredded Cheese over the sauce-covered halves. Make sure to cover the surface evenly for gooey goodness in every bite.
Top with Toppings: Distribute the Stater Bros. Markets Sliced Pepperoni over the cheese. If you’re adding sliced jalapenos for some heat, scatter them on top.
Bake the Pizzas: Place the baking sheet with the prepared French bread pizzas into the preheated oven. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Serve: Once the cheese has melted and the pizza is golden and crispy, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the pizzas cool for a minute or two before slicing.
Slice and Enjoy: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, slice the French bread pizzas into individual portions. Serve them up while they’re still warm and delicious.

Note: Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences or what you have on hand. This recipe is all about letting kids get creative, so encourage them to try different combinations of toppings!

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Elevate Family Meals Month with these scrumptious sliders. Shredded Cleo & Leo Rotisserie Chicken meets the bold flavors of Sweet Baby Rays Buffalo Wing Sauce and Stater Bros. Ranch Dressing. These sliders are baked to perfection for a satisfying and shareable treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cleo & Leo Rotisserie Chicken
• 3/4 cup Sweet Baby Rays Buffalo Wing Sauce
• 1/2 cup Stater Bros. Ranch Dressing
• 1 1/2 cups Stater Bros. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 12 ct. Kings Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Butter for brushing top of buns

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Shred the rotisserie chicken.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
4. Keeping the rolls connected, slice them carefully, creating a top and bottom.
5. In a baking pan, or on a rimmed baking sheet, place the bottom half of the rolls and sprinkle on a layer of the cheese.
6. Add the buffalo chicken mixture and spread evenly.
7. Top with the remaining cheese.
8. Brush the top of the rolls generously with melted butter.
9. If desired, add seasoning to the butter like Italian, pepper and a little salt.
10. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes.
11. If you prefer a more toasted bun, do not cover. Otherwise, place foil over the rolls and remove for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

More Recipe Inspiration

Visit our blog to view some recipe ideas we have that would be perfect for your family!

A Surprisingly Healthy & Delicious Smoothie

The first smoothie was created by Julius Freed in the 1920s as a way for him to avoid the stomach pain he experienced when drinking orange juice. Due to his...

3 New Year’s Sparkling Wine Cocktails

Toast in the New Year with a little sparkle and a whole lot of fizz! Grab your favorite bottle of sparkling wine, and a few other ingredients to make these...

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe Ideas

Thanksgiving is always a special time; family and friends come together to celebrate and enjoy delicious food. Friendsgiving and potluck invitations are flying left and right, the smell of pumpkin...

‘Tis the Season for Chex™

Ready to kick off the holiday season with a blast from the past? Chex™ is teaming up with a couple of familiar faces, PEANUTS®! Celebrate all season long with Charlie,...

6 Easy & Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes Ideas

Thanksgiving is one of the tastiest times of the year! If you’re looking for some inspiration on what dishes to cook, we’ve got you covered. From sweet to savory, here...

How To Make Tamales: A Beginner’s Guide

For many families with Latin heritage, it’s a tradition to gather around the kitchen with family and prepare dozens of sweet and savory homemade tamales. If you’re new to tamale...