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These dinner ideas for kids are perfect for picky eaters and busy parents. You’ll find everything from tacos and sliders to rice bowls and sandwiches.
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It really can feel tough to prepare dinner for kids sometimes.
Even if you want to keep it simple, you still worry about whether they’ll eat it or if you’re making the right thing.
The good news is, you don’t have to be an expert cook to make something they’ll enjoy. These dinners check all the boxes: fast, flavorful, and kid-approved.
Big Mac Tacos
Make taco night more exciting with these Big Mac tacos.
They’re packed with ground beef, lettuce, cucumbers, mayo, seasonings, and cheese slices.
Get The Recipe: Big Mac Tacos
Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
This Crockpot creation is made with potatoes, ham, cheddar cheese, milk, and other simple ingredients.
It comes together in around four hours, but it’s totally worth the wait.
Get The Recipe: Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Few dinners feel as classic and comforting as a good chicken pot pie—and this version makes it doable on a weeknight.
This recipe is a great option for picky eaters.
Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
This noodle soup features chicken breasts, carrots, butter, fusilli pasta, herbs, and seasonings.
Serve it in colorful soup mugs or kid-friendly bowls.
Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
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Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
Believe it or not, chicken pairs perfectly with pineapple. If your kids like sweet and savory combos, this dinner is bound to be a hit.
You can even serve it with coconut rice or fried plantain slices.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These mini sandwiches are small in size but big on flavor!
They include bacon, turkey deli meat, cheddar cheese, butter, and ranch dressing.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings
Let these dinner ideas bring a fun twist to familiar flavors kids already love.
This recipe results in a cozy and satisfying dish made with chicken breast, carrots, onions, and herbs.
Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
This mac and cheese is ultra creamy, super cheesy, and made to taste just like the restaurant favorite.
Enjoy it as a main dish or an easy side to something simple like chicken tenders.
Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Shrimp Sushi Bowl
This shrimp sushi bowl is a great way to introduce kids to sushi-style flavors.
The recipe is easy and customizable, so you can even let the kids help prepare their own bowls and include their favorite toppings.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Need dinner fast? These chicken bites are juicy, flavorful, and made right in the Instant Pot in just 30 minutes.
Why not pair them with mashed potatoes or mac and cheese?
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Vegan Ramen
This cozy bowl of vegan ramen is perfect for chilly nights, or anytime your kid wants noodles.
It’s made with ramen noodles, tofu, enoki mushrooms, vegetable broth, and baby bok choy.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Ramen
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Italian Zucchini Boats
Make these zucchini boats and help your kids love veggies even more.
Each boat is filled with a mix of black olives, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red bell peppers, and a bit of sea salt.
Get The Recipe: Italian Zucchini Boats
Vegan Meatloaf
This meatloaf is a hearty dinner that doesn’t taste “vegan” at all.
It’s made with lentils, oats, dairy-free cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, flax egg, and seasonings.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf
Corn Dog Muffins
Ready for a simple baking project? These savory treats are ready in less than 20 minutes!
You only need hot dogs, cornbread mix, and the kids’ favorite toppings and condiments.
Get The Recipe: Corn Dog Muffins
Mexican Fiestada Pizza
This homemade version of a school cafeteria favorite is full of fun and flavor.
Feel free to add lots of veggies like red tomatoes and bell peppers!
Get The Recipe: Mexican Fiestada Pizza
Pizza Casserole
Casseroles are always a brilliant choice since they’re easy to make and serve.
This one comes together quickly and can be topped with any of your kid’s favorite pizza fixings.
Get The Recipe: Pizza Casserole
Black Lentil Patties
Make these lentil patties a part of your kids’ dinner rotation.
You can serve them in buns, with rice, or even as nugget-style bites with various dipping sauces.
Get The Recipe: Black Lentil Patties
Cornbread Taco Bake
This baked dish is fluffy, cheesy, and just a little spicy in every bite.
Cut it into squares and serve on a colorful plate, then pair it with a flavorful salad!
Get The Recipe: Cornbread Taco Bake
Tortellini with Ham and Peas
Here’s a simple pasta dish that’s creamy, comforting, and perfect for kids who love cheesy noodles.
It’s a 30-minute dish that only includes a few simple ingredients like ham, peas, and cheese.
Get The Recipe: Tortellini with Ham and Peas
Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs
These meatballs are gluten-free and low-carb, but still taste totally indulgent.
The recipe includes Parmesan cheese, but feel free to omit it and add a bit more mayo for that cheesy flavor.
Get The Recipe: Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs
Vegan Hamburger Helper
This delicious dinner is made with elbow macaroni, plant-based meat, tomato paste, veggie broth, vegan cheddar, and seasonings.
Make it ahead of time if you want, and just reheat it on the stovetop once you and the kids are ready to enjoy.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Hamburger Helper
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Baked Cheeseburger Tacos
These savory treats are a mash-up of two kid favorites: cheeseburgers and tacos.
Pair them with sweet potato fries and chocolate milk or strawberry smoothies.
Get The Recipe: Baked Cheeseburger Tacos
Cuban Sandwich with Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Dinner doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect to be delicious.
This sandwich may be simple, but the kids will want to have it again and again. It includes Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and butter.
Get The Recipe: Cuban Sandwich with Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Frito Taco Bake
This baked creation is sure to become your new weeknight staple.
It’s delicious and customizable—you can use ground beef or turkey, depending on what’s available.
Get The Recipe: Frito Taco Bake
Stuffed Rigatoni Pasta Pie
This pasta pie is surprisingly simple to make and is bound to be a kiddie favorite!
Go ahead and use a bigger pan and tweak the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd.
Get The Recipe: Stuffed Rigatoni Pasta Pie
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Get ready for some clean plates and happy faces!
The kids are sure to ask for these meals again, and again, and again.
Start with ingredients that are already kid favorites: pasta, rice, chicken, cheese, potatoes, and eggs. These ingredients are all versatile and easy to work with.
25 Recipes Kids Can Make for Snack Time, Dinner, and Dessert
Whether they’re just getting started with learning how to cook or they’ve mastered some dishes already, these recipes kids can make will be more ideas to up their cooking skill.
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25 Healthy Kid Friendly Meals Kids Will Ask for Again and Again
Introduce the little ones to exciting new flavors with these healthy kid friendly meals. They include salads, casseroles, pancakes, and other fun dishes.
Read it here: 25 Healthy Kid Friendly Meals Kids Will Ask for Again and Again
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Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Looking for more recipes? These meals are designed to please even the pickiest eaters: