Looking for fun and healthy meals that kids will not just actually eat – but LOVE? These easy, kid-friendly dinner ideas are it! Not only are these delicious, but they are wholesome and quick to make, too!
Thinking of meals that kids will enjoy eating is easy enough. But add in the requirement that they are actually somewhat healthy too, and the challenge gets leveled up quite a bit. So many healthy meals just don’t look appetizing to kids, and you can only squeeze so many nutrients into mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.
Thankfully, there are tons of healthy recipes out there that your kids will love – and I found a bunch of them for you.
We all know that kids’ tastes change from day to day – there is just no telling what they are going to like next week. This is actually a good thing because it means you can keep introducing healthy foods like vegetables and fruits in different ways, and you’ll eventually find something they like!
It also means you shouldn’t labor for hours in the kitchen over something they might not enjoy. When it comes to making kid-friendly meals, the keyword is “easy.” In fact, if you keep the recipes simple, they’ll will enjoy them more! Aren’t kids great?
That’s why the recipes on this list are all so easy. You get to spend more time with your kiddos and less time cooking – plus, they will enjoy these delicious recipes too! Mom win!
These are some of my favorite ones! You can serve these for either lunch or dinner. Try them all out and save the ones that they loved the most to a Pinterest board or your recipe binder so you can find the recipes later.
These slow cooker sloppy joes definitely check the boxes of being both easy and kid-approved! This high-protein recipe even has some veggies hidden inside…but they’ll never know!
There is something so comforting about eating a casserole. This chicken and rice casserole is gluten free and dairy free, and has 3 different veggies layered within.
Of course, no kid-friendly food list would be complete without mac and cheese. Even the pickiest eater will love this one! I’ll be honest… there are no hidden veggies or anything in this, but it uses real, whole ingredients, which makes it healthier than anything with neon cheese powder, right?
Struggling to choose between taco night or pizza delivery? Why not make this taco pizza dish—it’s the best of both!
Kids seem to think they can exist solely off carbs sometimes. If you are desperate to get some protein into your child’s diet, this delicious enchilada recipe will do the trick!
This is one of those kid-friendly meals that adults will love too! Ground sausage and enchilada sauce make this extra flavorful.
Historically, jambalaya may not have been a dish kids flock to. This kid-friendly jambalaya with toned-down seasonings is just the trick.
Less dishes and totally clean plates. What more could you want out of this one-pot pancit? This is one of my favorite easy, kid-friendly dinner ideas to whip up in those cold winter months!
These slow cooker chicken tacos are a crowd-pleaser for the entire household. You can serve the flavorful meat over a bed of lettuce or fold them into tortillas. Either way, they are delicious!
Plus, it doesn’t get more “easy” than using a crockpot!
This is one of the kid-friendly dinner ideas that your children will absolutely gobble up. Grownups will, too! This enchilada casserole is delicious! Plus, the leftovers taste awesome too.
Love pasta? Me too…and so do my kids! Elevate your typical spaghetti by making this yummy turkey pasta bake.
Another one of my family’s favorite pasta dishes! This baked ziti is definitely an easy kid-friendly dinner option that adults will love too.
These creamy chicken enchiladas are as simple and delicious as it gets! This is another one of my favorite sneaky ways to get my kids to eat protein.
We LOVE orange chicken at my house. But the takeout version is often filled with unhealthy ingredients, and the cost can also add up quick. Instead, make this healthy orange chicken and rice!
At first glance, anything with salmon on it may not make your cut of kid-friendly meals. However, I’d urge you to give this salmon quesadilla recipe a shot! You may be pleasantly surprised.
Juicy pineapple chunks and tender, flavorful chicken served over warm rice – it doesn’t get any better than aloha chicken! I often serve this with steamed broccoli and my kids will eat it right up.
This is a classic cafeteria food for a reason…kids LOVE it! Make this easy sloppy joes recipe in minutes.
There was a season in our household where this was THE most requested dinner. Made with lean ground turkey and plenty of flavor, these teriyaki turkey burgers are a hit!
Looking for another kid-friendly dinner idea that is full of protein? This baked penne recipe is a crowd-pleaser every single time! It’s one of our go-to meals for taking to friends too.
If you are hoping to cut down on gluten, this gluten-free macaroni and cheese is a fantastic option. It comes together easily, and I guarantee your kids will gobble it up!
Chicken nuggets are one of the foods pretty much universally loved by kids. But, if you have ever peeked at the ingredient list on the back of the store-bought nuggets, you may be motivated to try making some at home! These baked chicken nuggets are super easy to make and have just 5 ingredients!
This chicken and dumplings recipe is a hearty, delicious option year-round. It’s flavorful and simple, but my kids go crazy for this one!
There you have it! Some of my family’s favorite kid-friendly meals! I hope you found several to add to your meal rotation.
Over years of motherhood and cooking for my family, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about cooking for kids. Here are some of the common FAQs. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it!
This is tough because it depends on the reason the kids don’t enjoy the vegetables. For some, it’s a texture thing. Some kids prefer raw spinach to frozen or canned spinach just because it’s not as slimy.
The best thing you can do is just keep offering vegetables in different ways. If they didn’t like the raw veggies with dip, maybe try chopping them up in a soup or serving them in a baked mini quiche.
You can also try to involve them in the process of picking out recipes and cooking them. When they are involved like that, they will be more likely to eat what they cook.
Another option I’ve heard of is pureeing the veggies and hiding them in sauces (like spaghetti sauce). It’s a really sneaky way to make things more nutrient-dense and does work for really picky eaters.
If you are talking about the kid’s meal at your local burger joint…probably not. Is it okay as a treat a few times a year? Sure. Should it be a staple of their diet…no, but you know that!
In terms of kid’s meals at home, the most unhealthy ingredient for kids is added sugar (in my opinion). If you can find a way to cook meals that aren’t drowning in sugary sauces, then it will be better for your children, and you too!
I also always try to find ways to offer fruits and veggies with every meal, too, so that they are eating enough fiber and vitamins. For example, this rainbow fruit salad lasts several days and is always a hit with my kids! This way, they get their sweet fix but it’s 100% natural and also has plenty of necessary nutrients and vitamins too.
This is entirely up to you and how you feel about your kids in the kitchen. Some parents like to allow their toddlers to stir things, and others prefer to teach kids when they are older. There are small things that preschoolers can do to help cook, but other times it might feel stressful – especially if you are pressed for time.
If you are looking for a simple way to include your young child, give them the chore of “sprinkling” on things. For example, they can sprinkle on their own shredded cheese. You can also pre-measure out a spice like salt and let them add it to the recipe. For safety versions, I’d steer clear of spices that can irritate and burn eyes, such as pepper.
I personally am a big fan of having kids help in the kitchen since they are learning skills that will serve them their entire lives! But it definitely involves patience and time.
I hope after reading this post, you feel empowered to make food that your family will love. It may require some trial and error, but eventually, you’ll have a recipe book of your own filled with your own easy kid-friendly dinner options!
Pin the image below to save these ideas for later!
The post 22+ Easy Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas That They’ll Beg For appeared first on Living Well Mom.
Thinking of meals that kids will enjoy eating is easy enough. But add in the requirement that they are actually somewhat healthy too, and the challenge gets leveled up quite a bit. So many healthy meals just don’t look appetizing to kids, and you can only squeeze so many nutrients into mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.
Thankfully, there are tons of healthy recipes out there that your kids will love – and I found a bunch of them for you.
We all know that kids’ tastes change from day to day – there is just no telling what they are going to like next week. This is actually a good thing because it means you can keep introducing healthy foods like vegetables and fruits in different ways, and you’ll eventually find something they like!
It also means you shouldn’t labor for hours in the kitchen over something they might not enjoy. When it comes to making kid-friendly meals, the keyword is “easy.” In fact, if you keep the recipes simple, they’ll will enjoy them more! Aren’t kids great?
That’s why the recipes on this list are all so easy. You get to spend more time with your kiddos and less time cooking – plus, they will enjoy these delicious recipes too! Mom win!
These are some of my favorite ones! You can serve these for either lunch or dinner. Try them all out and save the ones that they loved the most to a Pinterest board or your recipe binder so you can find the recipes later.
1. Sloppy Joes
These slow cooker sloppy joes definitely check the boxes of being both easy and kid-approved! This high-protein recipe even has some veggies hidden inside…but they’ll never know!
2. Tasty Chicken and Rice Casserole
There is something so comforting about eating a casserole. This chicken and rice casserole is gluten free and dairy free, and has 3 different veggies layered within.
3. Mac and Cheese (One of the Ultimate Easy Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas!)
Of course, no kid-friendly food list would be complete without mac and cheese. Even the pickiest eater will love this one! I’ll be honest… there are no hidden veggies or anything in this, but it uses real, whole ingredients, which makes it healthier than anything with neon cheese powder, right?
4. Taco Pizza
Struggling to choose between taco night or pizza delivery? Why not make this taco pizza dish—it’s the best of both!
5. Beef and Been Enchilada
Kids seem to think they can exist solely off carbs sometimes. If you are desperate to get some protein into your child’s diet, this delicious enchilada recipe will do the trick!
6. Easy Southwestern Casserole
This is one of those kid-friendly meals that adults will love too! Ground sausage and enchilada sauce make this extra flavorful.
7. One-Pot Jambalaya
Historically, jambalaya may not have been a dish kids flock to. This kid-friendly jambalaya with toned-down seasonings is just the trick.
8. One-Pot Pancit
Less dishes and totally clean plates. What more could you want out of this one-pot pancit? This is one of my favorite easy, kid-friendly dinner ideas to whip up in those cold winter months!
9. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
These slow cooker chicken tacos are a crowd-pleaser for the entire household. You can serve the flavorful meat over a bed of lettuce or fold them into tortillas. Either way, they are delicious!
Plus, it doesn’t get more “easy” than using a crockpot!
10. One-Pot Turkey Enchilada Casserole
This is one of the kid-friendly dinner ideas that your children will absolutely gobble up. Grownups will, too! This enchilada casserole is delicious! Plus, the leftovers taste awesome too.
11. Southwestern Turkey Pasta Bake
Love pasta? Me too…and so do my kids! Elevate your typical spaghetti by making this yummy turkey pasta bake.
12. Baked Ziti
Another one of my family’s favorite pasta dishes! This baked ziti is definitely an easy kid-friendly dinner option that adults will love too.
13. Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
These creamy chicken enchiladas are as simple and delicious as it gets! This is another one of my favorite sneaky ways to get my kids to eat protein.
14. One-Skillet Healthy Orange Chicken and Rice
We LOVE orange chicken at my house. But the takeout version is often filled with unhealthy ingredients, and the cost can also add up quick. Instead, make this healthy orange chicken and rice!
15. Salmon Quesadillas
At first glance, anything with salmon on it may not make your cut of kid-friendly meals. However, I’d urge you to give this salmon quesadilla recipe a shot! You may be pleasantly surprised.
16. Aloha Chicken
Juicy pineapple chunks and tender, flavorful chicken served over warm rice – it doesn’t get any better than aloha chicken! I often serve this with steamed broccoli and my kids will eat it right up.
17. Easy Sloppy Joes
This is a classic cafeteria food for a reason…kids LOVE it! Make this easy sloppy joes recipe in minutes.
18. Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
There was a season in our household where this was THE most requested dinner. Made with lean ground turkey and plenty of flavor, these teriyaki turkey burgers are a hit!
19. Cheesy Baked Penne Casserole
Looking for another kid-friendly dinner idea that is full of protein? This baked penne recipe is a crowd-pleaser every single time! It’s one of our go-to meals for taking to friends too.
20. Instant Pot Mac n Cheese
If you are hoping to cut down on gluten, this gluten-free macaroni and cheese is a fantastic option. It comes together easily, and I guarantee your kids will gobble it up!
21. Crispy Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are one of the foods pretty much universally loved by kids. But, if you have ever peeked at the ingredient list on the back of the store-bought nuggets, you may be motivated to try making some at home! These baked chicken nuggets are super easy to make and have just 5 ingredients!
22. Chicken & Dumpling Casserole
This chicken and dumplings recipe is a hearty, delicious option year-round. It’s flavorful and simple, but my kids go crazy for this one!
There you have it! Some of my family’s favorite kid-friendly meals! I hope you found several to add to your meal rotation.
Questions About Meals For Kids
Over years of motherhood and cooking for my family, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about cooking for kids. Here are some of the common FAQs. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it!
How do you get kids to eat their vegetables?
This is tough because it depends on the reason the kids don’t enjoy the vegetables. For some, it’s a texture thing. Some kids prefer raw spinach to frozen or canned spinach just because it’s not as slimy.
The best thing you can do is just keep offering vegetables in different ways. If they didn’t like the raw veggies with dip, maybe try chopping them up in a soup or serving them in a baked mini quiche.
You can also try to involve them in the process of picking out recipes and cooking them. When they are involved like that, they will be more likely to eat what they cook.
Another option I’ve heard of is pureeing the veggies and hiding them in sauces (like spaghetti sauce). It’s a really sneaky way to make things more nutrient-dense and does work for really picky eaters.
Are kids’ meals healthy?
If you are talking about the kid’s meal at your local burger joint…probably not. Is it okay as a treat a few times a year? Sure. Should it be a staple of their diet…no, but you know that!
In terms of kid’s meals at home, the most unhealthy ingredient for kids is added sugar (in my opinion). If you can find a way to cook meals that aren’t drowning in sugary sauces, then it will be better for your children, and you too!
I also always try to find ways to offer fruits and veggies with every meal, too, so that they are eating enough fiber and vitamins. For example, this rainbow fruit salad lasts several days and is always a hit with my kids! This way, they get their sweet fix but it’s 100% natural and also has plenty of necessary nutrients and vitamins too.
At what age can kids start making their own meals?
This is entirely up to you and how you feel about your kids in the kitchen. Some parents like to allow their toddlers to stir things, and others prefer to teach kids when they are older. There are small things that preschoolers can do to help cook, but other times it might feel stressful – especially if you are pressed for time.
If you are looking for a simple way to include your young child, give them the chore of “sprinkling” on things. For example, they can sprinkle on their own shredded cheese. You can also pre-measure out a spice like salt and let them add it to the recipe. For safety versions, I’d steer clear of spices that can irritate and burn eyes, such as pepper.
I personally am a big fan of having kids help in the kitchen since they are learning skills that will serve them their entire lives! But it definitely involves patience and time.
I hope after reading this post, you feel empowered to make food that your family will love. It may require some trial and error, but eventually, you’ll have a recipe book of your own filled with your own easy kid-friendly dinner options!
Pin the image below to save these ideas for later!
The post 22+ Easy Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas That They’ll Beg For appeared first on Living Well Mom.