35 Irresistible Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas (Also For Everyone!)

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We could all use a win in the kitchen now and then, especially when it comes to quickly preparing meals that our entire family will enjoy.

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With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our top 35 kid-friendly dinner ideas that will have everyone leaving the dinner table satisfied, healthy, and full. What more could you want?

EASY KID-FRIENDLY DINNER RECIPE

1. BACON CHEESEBURGER CUPS

Having fun is an important part of getting kids excited about food. If dinner feels boring, it has an effect on how many children perceive it to taste. That’s one of the reasons we adore these Bacon Cheeseburger Cups. They are simple to pick up and consume, and the flavor is out of this world!

2. CHICKEN NUGGETS

Chicken nuggets are a popular kid’s meal and one of our favorite quick dinners for kids. But, rather than spending money on store-bought frozen nuggets that contain a variety of ingredients (some of which may or may not be used to fuel your vehicle), why not make your own at home and save money?

3. PIZZA SPAGHETTI BAKE

Perhaps your kids are getting tired of eating spaghetti week after week? This Pizza Spaghetti Casserole is a great way to mix things up. Casseroles, believe it or not, aren’t just for adults. There are numerous kid-friendly casseroles available.

4. HOMEMADE SEASONED FRENCH FRIES

Instead of going to a fast-food restaurant with ingredients that require a science degree to understand, you can easily make your own at home. The best part is that these fries taste ten times better than the often limp and flavorless potato sticks served at many fast food restaurants.

Alternative Video: 30 Easy Recipes Kids Will Love

5. GRILLED CHEESE

Grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the best meals for kids, and they are also one of the most leisurely meals to prepare. This kids meal goes well with a hot, nutritious bowl of soup, such as tomato.

HEALTHY KID FRIENDLY DINNER

6. TACO CUPS

Tacos are a natural favorite among children. What person doesn’t? And this Taco Cups recipe is perfect for a kid-friendly dinner. Unlike most recipes, this one makes use of wonton wrappers for the shell, which gives it a nice and crunchy texture. These cups are loaded with seasoned beef, shredded cheese, and a wide variety of toppings you can pick and choose from.

7. BUBBLE AND SQUEAK PIES

The kids will enjoy these tasty bubble and squeak pies filled with nutritious vegetables. Keep some extra in the freezer for nights when you don’t want to cook.

8. CHEESY CHAMPION

Take heart if you eat the same lunch every day or if the kids’ sandwiches keep coming back. Lunch will never be the same again with this new idea!

9. VEGETABLE PATTY’S RAINBOW FRITTERS

Vegetable patty rainbow fritters recipe — Vegetable Patty Rainbow Fritters Recipe

These rainbow vegetable fritters are an excellent way to get your children interested in eating their vegetables. Or, even better, leave out the hidden vegetables for a quick and easy dinner.

10. HIDDEN VEGGIE PIZZA

This mild-mannered margarita pizza is loaded with healthy veggies and topped with creamy mozzarella: what the kids don’t know won’t hurt them.

11. ZUCCHINI SLICE

This zucchini slice recipe is simple, healthy, and oh-so-easy. It makes a quick dinner or a healthy lunch box snack. It’s also great for using up any leftovers in the fridge at the end of the week.

12. VEGAN BLACK AND CORN TACOS

Vegan black bean tacos with smoked paprika and cumin, topped with creamy corn and tangy coriander salsa.

KID-FRIENDLY MEALS FOR PICKY EATERS

13. HIGH FIBER CHOCOLATE BITES

These are ideal for snacking because they provide a little more nutrition in each bite. Combine them with some yogurt for a tasty, protein-rich snack.

14. STRAWBERRY FRUIT LEATHER

Kids love fruit roll-ups, and this version is made with fresh berries and a touch of honey for extra sweetness. You won’t believe how simple it is to make them at home!

15. CHEESE STRAWS

Homemade cheese straws are a delicious snack or appetizer recipe made with fresh cheese and puff pastry. Serve them in a lunchbox with marinara sauce for dipping or at dinner with soup and salad.

16. BANANA CHIPS

These are a tasty sweet-salty alternative to regular chips and a great way to use up overripe bananas. This tasty, sweet-salty snack can be used in place of regular chips and is much healthier because it is baked! They’re a great lunchbox addition or after-school snack.

17. SPINACH BALLS

These cheesy, savory spinach balls are the simplest way to get kids to eat their greens. These are baked to perfection and would be ideal for a lunchbox or as a party appetizer.

DINNER IDEAS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

18. TUNA CASSEROLE

You might be thinking right now. My children would never eat tuna casserole. This healthy dinner recipe, on the other hand, is a kid-friendly casserole that is sure to convert even the pickiest eaters. Just by looking at the picture above, you can tell that this isn’t your typical tuna casserole.

19. MINI TURKEY BURGERS

Talk about effortless and impressive. These tasty, no-fuss burgers are ideal for when you need to get in and out of the kitchen quickly.

20. HEALTHY SHEPHERD’S PIE

This low-calorie shepherd’s pie recipe doesn’t skimp on flavor. It provides a balance of carbs, lean meat, and vegetables all in one dish, and it’s delicious to boot!

21. LOADED SWEET POTATO

If you’re looking for a quick and easy cheesy meal, these easy cheese loaded sweet potatoes are the way to go. Packed with bacon, corn, and a sweet chili sauce.

22. HAM, EGG & CHEESE BREAKFAST PIZZA

Best Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Pizza Recipe — Ham, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Pizza

You want pizza for breakfast? The eggs form the foundation, and a touch of cheese and ham make scrambled eggs a lot more interesting to eat! Add chopped veggies for extra nutrition and you can say they ate vegetables for breakfast.

HEALTHY KID-FRIENDLY MEALS ON BUDGET

23. BAKED FISH NUGGETS

If you need to persuade your kids to eat fish, these crispy baked salmon nuggets are a great place to start! They’re breaded with a Parmesan Panko breadcrumb mixture and can be baked or fried!

24. HOMEMADE TERIYAKI CHICKEN

This Healthy Teriyaki Chicken stir-fry recipe comes together faster than ordering takeout! Tender chicken thighs are tossed in homemade Teriyaki sauce. This recipe calls for coconut aminos for a gluten-free sauce, but you can substitute regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce if you don’t have any on hand.

25. BROCCOLI PESTO WITH SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Broccoli pesto is a great recipe with a lot of veggies, but if your kids don’t like green foods, combine it with their favorite red spaghetti sauce and the green disappears like magic!

26. BROCCOLI AND CHEESE NUGGETS

“When in doubt, make nuggets,” as my friend Anne advised me, as I explained in this recipe post. Broccoli and Cheese nuggets to the rescue for kids who need a little convincing when it comes to eating their veggies.

20 MINUTES MEALS KID-FRIENDLY

27. 20 MINUTE RAINBOW VEGGIE RISOTTO

Rainbow Vegetable Risotto is a delicious, quick and easy recipe. It takes only 20 minutes to prepare and is ideal for children. It’s time for dinner. The kids are begging for food, and you have nothing prepared, let alone a plan for what to cook. Does this sound familiar?

28. 20 MINUTE BEEF AND BROCCOLI STIR

The Best Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This quick 20-minute Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry features tender steak, crunchy vegetables, and an incredible sweet and spicy sauce. A nutritious meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights!

29. CHICKEN SAUSAGE PENNE PASTA

A flavorful creamy chicken sausage penne pasta dish that comes together in under 20 minutes! These three sausage recipes for kids are quick dinner ideas that will help you serve dinner in under 20 minutes.

30. TINY TREE AND SAUSAGE PASTA

With this broccoli and sausage pasta recipe, you can make mealtime more exciting for your kids while also encouraging them to eat more vegetables. Kids will love this pasta for lunches and dinners because it has zesty soft cheese, ‘tiny trees’ of broccoli, and mini sausages.

31. 20 MINUTES HAWAIIAN HAYSTACK

Aunt Bee’s 20-Minute Hawaiian Haystacks will add some fun to your next family meal! For a kid-friendly, healthy, and easy dinner recipe, a simple chicken gravy is served over a bed of rice and topped with all of your favorite toppings!

EASY WEEKNIGHT DINNERS FOR FAMILY KID-FRIENDLY

32. CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are the ideal family dinner – simple to prepare and enjoyed by all! This nutritious dinner is suitable for people of all ages, from babies to adults. With only 5 simple ingredients, this dish can be made in 30 minutes!

33. INSTANT POT BBQ CHICKEN

This meal is ready in less than 30 minutes and requires only one pot. This easy chicken dish contains only four simple ingredients and is low in sugar while still being full of flavor.

34. EASY SALSA CHICKEN TACOS

These salsa chicken tacos make an easy and delicious family dinner for baby, toddler, kids, and even adults!

35. MILD CURRY CHICKEN AND VEGGIES

A fun way to introduce your toddler to the rich and earthy flavor of curry! This mild curry chicken and vegetable dinner is suitable for toddlers as well as adults.

Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas (Mild Curry Chicken and Veggies)

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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5 from 1 reviews

Author: Hazel Roddy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful way to expose your kid to the rich and earthy flavor of curry! This mild curry chicken and veggie meal is suitable for toddlers as well as adults.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 white onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 lb chicken breasts cut into cubes
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp mild curry powder
1/2 tsp fresh ginger grated
1 medium carrot peeled and cut into coins or finely chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 red pepper seeded and chopped
1 – 14 oz can of full fat coconut milk

Instructions

Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the onion and garlic are soft, about 4 minutes.
Cook for 4-5 minutes, tossing frequently, until the chicken is browned. At this moment, the chicken will not be ready.
Stir in the tomato paste, curry powder, and ginger for 1 minute to coat the chicken.
Bring the carrots, peas, red peppers, and coconut milk to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 8-10 minutes on low heat.
Allow to cool slightly before serving over brown rice.

Notes

Age: may serve for up to a year. Make sure to cut the vegetables and poultry into little bite-size pieces for toddlers.

Rice Variations: You can use brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice in this dish. Thin rice noodles might also be an interesting addition to this dish.

Veggie Options: In this dish, you can use whichever vegetables your family prefers – broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, edamame, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and so on.

Family Dinner: If you’re making this for the whole family, I recommend doubling (or tripling) the recipe so you have plenty for everyone and some leftovers.

Category: Dinner
Method: None
Cuisine: Thailand

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 servings
Calories: 388kcal
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 101mg
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 23g
Unsaturated Fat:
Trans Fat:
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: mild curry chicken and vegetables, curry chicken and veggie recipe, kid-friendly curry chicken, kid-friendly dinner ideas

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I make for dinner that is kid friendly?

Children’s Dinner Ideas
Cups of Bacon Cheeseburger.
Nuggets of chicken.
Spaghetti Pizza Bake
Oven Fried Chicken Tenders are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken tenders.
Seasoned French Fries from scratch.
Grilled cheese sandwich.
Pizza with Sloppy Joes.
White Castle Burgers at Home Copycat Recipe

Why is dinner important for kids?

Children who eat family meals are more likely to try new foods and become less picky eaters. Family meals allow family members to come together, strengthen ties, and build better relationships. They foster a sense of belonging, which results in increased self-esteem.

What should a 10 year old be able to cook?

On the stove, cook. A 10-year-old should be able to scramble eggs, stir fry vegetables, or flip a pancake on an electric stovetop with adult supervision (you may want to wait longer if you have a gas range). Tip: Teach them to tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing near the stove.

What are children’s favorite foods?

Kids’ Favorite Foods
Sandwich with Peanut Butter and Jelly
Macaroni and cheese
Pizza.
Hamburgers.
Dogs on a stick
Nuggets of chicken.
Soup with Chicken Noodles
Grilled cheese sandwich.

What are the benefits of eating dinner?

According to a recent study, eating a late dinner can lead to weight gain and high blood sugar levels regardless of calorie intake. At 10 p.m., we eat dinner. rather than 6 p.m. may have an impact on your blood glucose levels and ability to burn fat

Why is dinner the most important?

Eating a light and healthy dinner will assist your body in maintaining its levels and functions. Dinner is also important because your body requires fuel after a long day of activities and exertion. It is unhealthy to skip dinner or eat far too much for dinner. So the key is to keep things in balance.

Why is dinner important in your healthy life?

A healthy dinner is associated with better sleep, better breakfast and lunch choices, lower inflammation, greater resilience to stress, better digestion, stable blood sugar, and lower anxiety.

What can I feed a picky child?

Provide naturally sweet snacks (low-fat yogurt, fruit, frozen bananas or grapes, apple slices with peanut butter). Don’t keep a lot of sweets around the house. They will not be tempted if they are not present (and neither will you). Sweets should not be used as a bribe or reward.

What do 5 year olds like to eat?

Fresh vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheeses) or dairy substitutes, lean proteins (beans, chicken, turkey, fish, lean hamburger, tofu, eggs), and whole-grain cereals and bread are all healthy options.

What can 6 year old cook?

Vegetable dicing and mincing (use a pairing knife and start with soft foods like strawberries)
Using a peeler to peel raw potatoes
Avocado slicing and scooping
Grease the pans.
Making use of a microplane zester.
rinsing and draining canned beans
Liquids are being poured into containers.
Dish decoration