While I could wax rhapsodically about the joys of the Turkish dish called lahmacun–otherwise known as “Arabic pizza”–let’s take things down to a toddler’s level (literally and figuratively) here: it is, essentially, a meat and veggie flatbread. But that’s precisely what makes it so brilliant–and so perfect a dish for young people.
Our version keeps the flavor profile of the original but takes two critical liberties: a) we add more veggies to enhance its nutritional value and b) we use pre-made/pre-cooked dough to reduce the time and stress needed to get this to the table. Of course, you can totally make your own dough–we have a recipe for that, in fact–just like you can totally change out the seasoning/flavor profile to whatever you and/or your child(ren) like best–heck, use taco seasoning for all we care! Make it your own.
(Also: check out the stuffed-pita version of this dish!)
(Also also: Check out our other great toddler ground beef recipes!)
Q: What kind of bread works best for this recipe?
A: Thin and soft flatbreads like mini pitas or naan work best — thick sandwich bread or baguette slices don’t crisp properly in a 3-minute bake. newdadskitchen.com
Q: Can I swap the meat for ground chicken or turkey?
A: Yes. The recipe is flexible: you can use ground turkey, chicken, or lamb — but adjust cooking slightly if the meat is leaner so the pita doesn’t dry out.
Q: My child is a picky eater — can I sneak in more veggies?
A: Absolutely. You can finely grate or mince additional mild vegetables (carrot, zucchini, spinach) into the mix. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture and keep the paste thick enough to spread on the bread.
Q: Is this suitable for freezing or make-ahead meal prep?
A: Yes. You can assemble the topped flatbreads, freeze them (on a sheet until solid), then bake directly from frozen — you might need to add a minute or two for the topping to warm through.
Q: How do I adapt this for younger toddlers or finger-food stages?
A: Cut into small, manageable strips or triangle bites, ensure the topping isn’t too thick, and let them explore it like a soft “pizza-slice” — the familiar format often helps with acceptance.
A simple, veggie-packed meat-and-tomato flatbread topped on mini pita or naan — juicy, mild, and full of hidden veggies, perfect for toddlers or picky eaters. Ready in under 20 minutes and easily cut into kid-friendly pieces to make dinner stress-free and nutritious.
How does your kid like pizza? I’d cut it the same way: triangles, squares, little circles–whatever they’re comfortable with. Heck, I’d even suggest telling your child it’s pizza. Feel free to top with cheese or serve with tomato sauce (or ketchup) for full effect--that’s what I had to do the first two times I served this in order to acclimate my child to eating this.
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 small flatbread
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Thin and doughy is the key to making the dish work. I’ve found miniature pitas, naans, and other similar flatbreads work best; sandwich bread or baguette slices do not work as well. You can use pizza dough/crust, but be sure and cook it fully before topping with the meat–the recipe’s quick cooking time does not leave enough time on its own for a crust to go from raw to crisp.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
