10+ Kid Friendly Dinner Recipes That Your Family Will Love

Finding meals that your kids will love can be a challenge. Kid-friendly dinner recipes can make mealtime exciting and enjoyable for the whole family. These meals can help you spend less time worrying about what to cook and more time enjoying dinner together.

Many parents look for options that are both nutritious and fun. With a variety of easy-to-make dishes, you can please even the pickiest eaters while introducing them to new flavors and ingredients. Enjoy the journey of creating tasty dinners that your kids will ask for again and again.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a quick and tasty dinner option that kids love. This creamy pasta dish combines spaghetti, bacon, and cheese for a delightful meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something simple.

To make this dish, start by cooking the spaghetti. While the pasta is cooking, fry the bacon until it’s crispy. This adds a nice flavor to the dish.

Once the pasta is ready, drain it and mix it with the cooked bacon. Then, you can add in eggs and cheese to create a creamy sauce. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.

Spaghetti Carbonara can be on your table in about 15 minutes! It’s an easy recipe that families enjoy.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 4 ounces bacon, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. While cooking, fry bacon in a pan until crispy.
3. Drain spaghetti and mix with bacon.
4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and cheese.
5. Combine the pasta with the egg mixture.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

2) Chicken Tacos

Chicken tacos are a fun and tasty dinner option that kids usually love. They are easy to make and allow for lots of customization. You can use soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells based on your child’s preference.

To prepare, you need just a few simple ingredients. Chicken, salsa, and cream cheese work perfectly together. These creamy chicken tacos are mild, making them great for picky eaters. You can add toppings like cheese, lettuce, or avocado for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup salsa
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• Tortillas (soft or hard)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
2. Add salsa and cream cheese on top of the chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
4. Shred the chicken when it’s fully cooked.
5. Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

3) Cheese Quesadillas

Cheese quesadillas are a favorite for kids and super easy to make. You only need a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes of cooking time.

To get started, warm a nonstick skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C). Place one tortilla in the pan and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Then, place another tortilla on top.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown. Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for another 2 minutes. When the cheese is melted and both sides are crispy, it’s ready.

Let it cool for a minute, then cut it into triangles. Serve warm for a delicious dinner option!

Ingredients

• 2 flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• Butter or oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm a skillet over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Place one tortilla in the pan.
3. Sprinkle cheese on top.
4. Add the second tortilla.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
6. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Let cool, then cut into triangles.

4) Vegetable Stir Fry

Making a vegetable stir fry is a quick and easy dinner choice for your family. You can use any vegetables you have on hand, which helps reduce food waste. Chop them into similar sizes for even cooking.

Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil, and then toss in your prepared vegetables. Stir frequently to keep them from burning.

You can serve the stir fry over rice or noodles, making it even more filling. Consider adding soy sauce or your favorite seasoning for extra flavor.

With this recipe, your kids can enjoy plenty of veggies without even realizing it!

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 cups cooked rice or noodles
• Soy sauce to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chopped vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
4. Serve over rice or noodles and drizzle with soy sauce.

5) Mini Meatloaf Muffins

Mini meatloaf muffins are a fun and simple dinner option for kids. They are easy to make and can be customized with your family’s favorite ingredients. Plus, they cook quickly in a muffin tin.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, ketchup, chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and an egg.

These muffins can be topped with a ketchup glaze for added flavor. They are great for little hands and can even be frozen for future meals.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a muffin pan or use muffin liners.
3. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together.
4. Fill each muffin cup with the mixture.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
6. Let cool slightly before serving.

6) Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic kid-friendly dish that’s quick and easy to make. You can whip it up in no time, and kids love it!

Start by cooking macaroni according to the package instructions. It’s best to use elbow macaroni, which is a favorite shape for this meal.

While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a saucepan. Then, add flour to make a roux. Gradually stir in milk until you have a smooth mixture.

Add your choice of cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella. Stir until the cheese melts completely. Combine this with the drained pasta.

Feel free to add some veggies like peas or broccoli to make it even healthier. Bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes if you want a baked version.

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• Optional: peas or broccoli

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth.
5. Stir in cheese until melted.
6. Combine with pasta and mix well.
7. (Optional) Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes.

7) Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic favorite for kids and adults alike. They are simple to make and can be customized with various ingredients. You can use different types of bread and cheese to suit your family’s tastes.

To prepare, you will need butter, bread, and your choice of cheese. You can also add extras like tomatoes, avocado, or pesto for added flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• 2 slices of cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Optional: sliced tomatoes, avocado, or pesto

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
3. Place one slice, butter-side down, in the skillet.
4. Add cheese on top, then place the other slice on top, butter-side up.
5. Cook for about 2-4 minutes until golden brown.
6. Flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted.

8) BBQ Chicken Pizza

BBQ Chicken Pizza is a fun and tasty dinner option that kids will love. You can use a pre-made crust to make this dish quick and easy.

Start with a layer of barbecue sauce for that sweet and tangy flavor. Then, add shredded chicken, which is perfect for using up leftovers.

Top it off with your choice of cheese, such as mozzarella and gouda, for a delicious melt. You can also sprinkle some red onions for an extra kick.

Bake your pizza at 400°F (200°C) until the cheese is bubbly and golden. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Let it cool slightly before slicing.

Ingredients

• Pre-made pizza crust
• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup gouda cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup red onion, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread the barbecue sauce over the crust.
3. Add shredded chicken evenly on top.
4. Sprinkle the cheeses and red onions.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until bubbly.

9) Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are a fun and easy dinner option that kids love. They are messy, tasty, and quick to make. The bold flavors make these sandwiches a hit at the dinner table.

To prepare, you start by cooking ground beef or turkey in a skillet. Cook it until it’s browned. Then, mix in a delicious sauce made from ketchup, mustard, and a hint of brown sugar for sweetness.

Serve the mixture on soft hamburger buns. This dish pairs well with pickles or potato chips. You can even sneak in some veggies if you’d like!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 4 hamburger buns
• Optional: pickles, chopped onions

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned.
2. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar.
4. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Serve on hamburger buns. Enjoy!

10) Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti is a fantastic choice for a family dinner. It combines pasta, cheese, and sauce for a comforting meal that kids love. This dish is easy to make and can be ready in no time.

You can customize it with your favorite ingredients. Many people use ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce. If your family enjoys meat, you can add ground turkey or beef for extra flavor.

The best part? You can prepare it in advance. Just cover it and store it in the fridge or freeze it for later. This makes dinner stress-free on busy nights.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg
• Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions.

3. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and seasonings.

4. Afterward, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, and ricotta mixture in a baking dish.

5. Top the mixture with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

6. Finally, bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.