18 Mexican-Inspired Meals for the Whole Family

Some like it spicy, and some definitely do not, but regardless of how much heat they can handle pretty much every kid we know is a fan of tacos and tortillas. Lucky for us, Mexican-inspired meals are a cinch to make at home and the ingredients are often inexpensive and adaptable, making them perfect for families. So this month we're paying homage to the Mexican recipes we like the most. Whether you're planning a weekend fiesta for a crowd or simple weeknight dinner for four, these 18 ideas are guaranteed to get your kids excited about what's on the table. Olé!

Inspired by the flavours of Mexico, rather than the country itself, these taco meat-topped baked potatoes are the perfect weeknight dinner. Make the meat in advance and store in the fridge or freezer until needed. Then, when you're in a hurry, simply bake a few potatoes, topped with your pre-cooked taco topping and garnish with cheddar cheese and green onions. Click here for the recipe.

This moist, rich dessert bathed in three milks is one of the most well known Mexican desserts you can make. Perfect for potlucks and picnics, book this recipe for your spring and summer entertaining needs. Tip: Although we love this with berries, feel free to swap them out for whichever fruit can be found fresh and in season at the market. Click here for the recipe.

A cross between a hard-shell taco and quesadilla, you'll have a hard time eating tacos any other way once you give this pan-fried crispy version a try. Feel free to get creative with the fillings by changing the type of bean (they're also great with Pintos) or using chicken or steak instead. We can confirm that these also make a popular party snack, especially when sliced in half and served with bowls of salsa and guacamole for dipping. Click here for the recipe.

Great for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack these Mexican open-faced sandwiches are essentially the Latin version of beans on toast. While you can make homemade refried beans if you like, using a store-bought version make these a fifteen minute meal you won't be able to get enough of. Click here for the recipe.

Nothing says ‘party on a platter' quite like grilled corn on the cob slathered with seasoned mayonnaise and sprinkled with feta and cilantro. This quick-cooking side dish is certain to steal the show at any backyard barbecue you're hosting this season, including a casual weeknight one with the kids. Click here for the recipe.

Mac and cheese is the ultimate classic comfort food, but when you add a Mexican twist to spice things up the dish becomes downright irresistible. To make this for a party, skip the individual portions and pile the pasta into a large baking dish set in the middle of the table. Serve with sides of sour cream, cilantro, green onions, and salsa. Click here for the recipe.

Certain to become a family favourite, these tostadas are a fancied up version of tacos with less work thanks to the slow cooker. If you have vegetarians in the group, swap the pulled pork with seasoned pinto beans and use those as the main protein. Click here for the recipe.

Agua frescas can be found all over the busy, bustling streets of Mexico. Fortunately you don't have to travel that far to sample these vibrant fruit-infused waters because they are simple to make in your home kitchen. Feel free to experiment with other fruits and consider using coconut water in place of the regular kind for a tropical twist. Click here for the recipe.

The beauty of this dish is that it can be made with fresh or frozen corn, so use whatever is readily available to you. An ideal dish for dinner, potlucks, parties and picnics, the flavours are mild enough to be enjoyed by the kids as well. Click here for the recipe.

This cheater's version of the classic crispy, yet soft, sugary Mexican-inspired doughnut is sure to become your kids' new favourite sweet treat. Serve with a side of chocolate sauce for dipping, or cups of hot or frozen hot cocoa for a snack they won't be able to resist. Click here for the recipe.

Our food editor Jan says, ‘when in doubt, make pulled pork.' To which we say, ‘Yes, Chef!' Even a good-quality piece of pork shoulder is fairly inexpensive, making it a great budget-friendly meat, and the leftovers happen make fab lunches for the lunchbox. Click here for the recipe.

Turn this humble pot of soup into a supper sensation by letting your family members garnish their own bowls with a variety of Mexican toppings, such as shredded lettuce, shaved radishes, chopped tomato, sour cream, grated cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese, tortilla chips, cilantro, or lime wedges. Click here for the recipe.

Kids like to eat miniature versions of everything big so we made these meatloaf muffins just for them. They're easy to eat, can be prepped in advance and frozen until needed making them the perfect make-ahead meal. Top with cheese and salsa for a little extra flavour. Bueno. Click here for the recipe.

You can't go wrong when you combine the flavour or fresh mangoes and crispy fish in a meal. Add a squeeze of lime and dollop of sour cream and you're left with a fish recipe the kids are sure to eat, mostly because they can't taste the fish with all that flavour bursting in their mouth! Click here for the recipe.

Spice up the sweet table with these cinnamon and chili-infused cupcakes topped with swirls of sweet icing. Don't worry… the kids will be able to handle the heat in these sweet treats, but if you're worried about the spiciness factor, simply eliminate the cayenne from the cake. Click here for the recipe.

What could be better than Mexican enchiladas served healthy style? Here we've used turkey in place of the traditional beef, and stuffed the tortillas with kale and corn, adding an extra dose of nutrients to the dinner plate. Click here for the recipe.

A few basic pantry ingredients magically transform into a weeknight dinner (or midday meal) the whole family will love. Feel free to add more flavour to the adult tortillas like aged Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, green onions, sundried tomatoes, spicy salsa, jalapeno peppers. Click here for the recipe.

Fun fruit cups with watermelon, mango and lime are just sublime. Top with shredded coconut or salt, chilli and a shower of lime for a spiced up snack that takes minutes to make. Click here for the recipe.

If you love to eat food from any corner of the globe, it's helpful to keep a pantry well stocked with the supplies you'll need to mimic the flavours you're craving. This means you're more likely to cook a favourite food, rather than order take-out, which is great for both your wallet and your waistline. Once you fully stock your cabinets with the ingredients listed here, and start cooking a few of our favourite Mexican recipes, a whole new world of possibilities awaits you in your kitchen.