Easy Camping Meals the Whole Family will Love

Camping trips are 100 times more enjoyable (for the grown-ups!) when easy camping meals are on the menu! We love to camp as much as we can during the summer here in the PNW and over the years I've decided simpler is better when it comes to camping meals. Simpler in two ways: 1. We basically eat the same meals every camping trip (I LOVE the Deicide ONCE principle when it comes to motherhood and travel) and 2. These recipes are easy to prep ahead of time and require little effort once we get to camp. That's a mega mom win in my book! So without further ado, keep reading to plan a yummy menu for your next camping trip!

Easy Peasy Camping Meals No 1: Camp Tacos

Camp Tacos

I precook a pound of taco seasoned ground beef and freeze it. Throw it in the cooler, along with your favorite taco toppings (we do lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, and avocado). Don't forget to pack a bag a Fritos or tortilla chips with the dry foods--this what makes camp tacos soooo yummy! When it's meal time:

1. Warm up the ground beef in a pan over the campfire or camp stove.
2. Pass out bowls; places Fritos in the bottom of bowls.
3. Top Fritos/tortilla chips with taco meat.
4. Top taco meat with aaalllll the toppings.
5. CHOW!

This is seriously the easiest camping meal--minimal prep, minimal cleanup and so so yummy. My kids love it so much they regularly ask for camp tacos as home!

Crowdpleaser No 2: Campfire Pizzas

Campfire Pizzas

I buy mini prepackaged naan bread, and then throw shredded mozzarella, a jar of pizza sauce, and all the yummy toppings (we do pepperonis, precooked ground beef, sliced green peppers, & mushrooms if we're feeling fancy) into the cooler.

1. Roll out 2 large pieces of foil and place naan in the middle. (You want to double up on the foil here to make this little pouch sturdy and leak proof!)
2. Top naan with sauce, cheese, and toppings.
3. Wrap the pizza in foil, creating a little pouch by pinching two edges together above the pizza and roll down (like how you'd roll down a paper-bag lunch-this makes it easy to peek in on them during cooking) and then fold in the sides.
4. Place pizza pouches on outer edges of campfire grate, checking every few minutes. They cook fast!
5. When the top is all gooey and the bottom is crispy, CHOW!

Side note-I've assembled the pizzas ahead of time, wrapped in foil, and frozen them. It was super easy throwing them in the cooler and then onto the campfire. It was nice to skip the prep step for me (less clean up) but the kids missed the fun of making their own pizzas.

Quickie Camping Meals No 3: Camping Charcuterie

Camping Charcuterie

This is our go-to for almost every lunch while we camp. We get sick of sandwiches so this is a fun way to spice up lunch and make sure there is something for everyone on the board. Buy pre-sliced cheeses, meats, fruits, and veggies to make it extra easy. I love shopping at Trader Joe's for the charcuterie board goodies- My fave is their taziki dip and pita chips! I also pack a cookie sheet in my camp kitchen box to serve as a super fancy "board".

1. You can't really go wrong here for the set up (we're not trying to be featured in Bon Appetite after all!). Ask the kids to help and start spreading out all the goods on the cookie tray!
2. CHOW!

Side note: Give kids wooden skewers and let them turn lunch into an art project, creating the most beautifully colored and patterned charcuterie sticks! Also, have ziplocks and/or Tupperware available for clean up. The best part about this meal is that there's almost always leftovers so it makes lunch even easier the next day!

All Day, Anytime Camping Meals, No 4: Camp Scramble

Camp Scramble

This is one of my favorite camping hacks: crack and scramble eggs at home. Then (carefully!) pour them into an old (washed and dried) plastic bottle for easy, mess free cooler storage. I precook a pound of crumbled sausage or bacon and freeze to make camp cooking as easy as possible. Prep any additional ingredients you'd like for the scramble (we like green peppers, mushrooms, cheese, and spinach).

1. Melt butter in a pan, or spray with cooking spray.
2. Dump prepped veggies & cooked meats into the pan for a quick saute.
3. Pour eggs, stir continuously until cooked.
4. CHOW!

Last but Not Least, the EASIEST Meal, No 5: Lentil Bruschetta Salad

Lentil Bruschetta Salad

I saved the easiest for last because by the time you get to the last day of your camping trip you're usually so. over. cooking. This doesn't even really count as cooking, but it is suuuper tasty. You're welcome! Head to Trader Joes for these items: precooked steamed lentils, bruschetta sauce, crumbled feta, and french bread.

1. Grab a large bowl and mix together lentils, bruschetta sauce and crumbled feta.
2. Slice french bread. Optional: grill slices on outer edges campfire. Careful, it only takes a few seconds!
3. Top bread with lentil/bruschetta mixture. Optional: you could also serve with pita chips/crackers.
4. CHOW!

I hope these super easy camping meals have helped you plan your next camping menu! I'm all about adventuring more and cooking less during the summer! New to camping and need more guidance? Check out this post about packing. Looking to plan an epic camping trip in the Pacific Northwest? Check out out top ten camping spots in the PNW! Adventure on, Momma!