3 Yummy Family Campfire Meals That Can Be Prepared Ahead

When you go camping, especially if you’re with family, you don’t have to limit yourself to hot dogs and beef jerky. Spending time with your family while camping is a wonderful opportunity to tell amazing tales and enjoy delicious meals. Sure, you can enjoy hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows around the campfire, but you can also choose to make these convenience campfire meals at home.

Amazing Fried Pizza

What you need:

• 1 package pizza dough
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup pesto
• Parmesan cheese, for topping
• Fresh basil, for topping
• Red pepper flakes
• Canola oil for frying

Pizza dough should be prepared as directed on the package, then divided into 6 equal portions. Each piece should be rolled into a ball before being flattened into an approximately 1/2-inch-thick, 6 to 8-inch-diameter pizza shape. Fry the pizza doughs in batches until they are light golden brown in color, about 30 to 1 minute per side, in a large pan with canola oil heated to about 1 inch deep over medium-high heat. After allowing each dough disc to cool, top with mozzarella and tomato sauce, adding more if preferred. About 5 minutes should pass while baking in a 450°F oven for the cheese to melt. Add pesto, parmesan, and fresh basil to the top. Add a few flakes of red pepper.

Ham and Hash Foil Packets

What you need:

• 1 package shredded hash browns, frozen
• 1 1/2 cups chopped smoked ham
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste

Hash browns, smoked ham, and olive oil should all be combined in a sizable bowl. Black pepper and kosher salt are used for seasoning. Six heavy-duty aluminum foil sheets, each at least 12 inches long, should be ready. Lightly oil each sheet. Place a portion of the hash brown mixture on each foil. Each is folded entirely to form a packet. For 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted, bake the packets in a 400°F oven. Before eating or getting ready for camp, let it cool for a few minutes. When ready to eat while camping, garnish with fresh chives.

When going on a road trip or enjoying family time around the campfire, you don’t have to stick to mediocre “camp food” – prepare something quick and delicious beforehand and try these make-ahead campfire meals for the family!