25 Dinner Ideas for Kids: Delicious & Nutritious Recipes They’ll Love

Cooking dinner for kids can be a challenge, especially when you want to please their taste buds while providing a balanced meal.

Discover meal ideas that are easy and delicious, using quick recipes that cater to both their preferences and your busy schedule. With these kid-friendly dinner ideas, your little ones will leave the table satisfied and asking for seconds.

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are a kid-favorite for dinner. Make healthy homemade chicken nuggets by coating them in quinoa for a crispy, gluten-free option. Serve with various sides like mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, or corn. For a creative twist, place nuggets on a buffalo sauce-covered pizza crust with ranch dressing.

Salmon Curry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb salmon
• 1 tbsp oil
• Spice paste (ginger, garlic, your choice of curry spices)
• 1 can coconut milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat a pan over medium heat, add oil.
2. Cook spice paste for 2 minutes.
3. Add coconut milk, bring to a simmer.
4. Add salmon, cook in sauce until done.

Serve with rice or bread. Enjoy this delicious, kid-friendly dinner!

Cheeseburger Swedish Meatballs

Transform regular meatballs into a kid-friendly meal by combining cheeseburger and Swedish meatball elements. Start by mixing ground beef, breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasoning, then form into meatballs. Bake at 400°F (200°C) and prepare a simple sauce using butter, flour, stock, and cream. Serve these delicious meatballs over rice or pasta, and watch your kids enjoy!

Balsamic Beef Stew

Balsamic Beef Stew is a great dinner idea for kids. Your slow cooker does the work, and it’s full of nutritious veggies. Here’s a simple recipe:

1. Combine a 2-3 lb beef roast with 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce.
2. Add chopped potatoes, carrots, and onion.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until tender.

Serve with bread, and watch your kids enjoy this warm, comforting meal.

Pasta Bake

Treat your kids to a delicious Pasta Bake. Opt for a Chicken Pasta Bake by mixing cooked pasta, browned chicken, sauce, spinach, and grated cheese¹. Another option is a meatless Baked Ziti with rich tomato sauce, cheese, and herbs². Customize it by sneakily adding veggies or a protein boost³.

Footnotes

1. My Kids Lick The Bowl, Chicken Pasta Bake – Family Friendly ↩

2. Insanely Good, 20 Easy Pasta Recipes for Kids & Toddlers, Meatless Baked Ziti ↩

3. Taste of Home, 45 Pasta Recipes for Kids, Cowboy Pasta ↩

Veggie-Friendly Toad-In-The-Hole

Looking for a vegetarian twist on a classic dish? Try this Veggie Toad-in-the-Hole recipe! You’ll need:

• Vegetarian sausages
• Onions, carrots, and other desired veggies
• Flour, milk, eggs, and oil

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F
2. Chop veggies (diagonal for onions) and place them in the roasting tray with olive oil.
3. Combine the batter ingredients, let it rest for 30 minutes.
4. Roast the veggies for 20 minutes.
5. Place sausages on the roasted veggies.
6. Pour the batter over veggies and sausages.
7. Cook for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Serve and enjoy!

Honey Chicken

Looking for a quick, tasty dinner idea for kids? Try Honey Chicken. First, brown chicken pieces in a skillet for 3-4 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Optional red pepper flakes

Add the sauce to the pan, coating the chicken, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until done. Serve with rice or veggies, and enjoy a delicious, kid-friendly meal.

Jacket Potatoes

Looking for a kid-friendly dinner idea? Jacket potatoes are your answer! They’re easy to make and customizable to suit any taste. Here are 3 filling ideas:

1. Tuna mayo: Add sweetcorn, green peppers, spring onions, or cucumber for variety (source).
2. BBQ beans: Mix BBQ sauce with beans to spice things up (source).
3. Ham & cheese: Pair with a side salad for a perfect summer dish (source).

Enjoy your easy and tasty meal!

Chicken Stew

A hearty, nutritious option for your little ones is a veggie-packed chicken stew. Simply brown bite-sized chicken pieces in oil, then combine them with various vegetables, such as carrots, peas, and green beans. Add chicken broth and let it simmer until tender. Serve this delicious meal with rice or noodles, for a complete, kid-friendly dish.

Vegetarian Chili

A vegetarian chili offers a nutritious, tasty alternative. Gather ingredients like onion, garlic, bell pepper, sweet potatoes, and beans. Spice it up with cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Remember to:

1. Sauté the vegetables.
2. Add spices and cook briefly.
3. Mix in beans and seasonings.
4. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

Serve with cheese, sour cream, or avocado to entice young palates!

Garlic Bread Pizza Sandwiches

Need a kid-friendly dinner? Garlic bread pizza sandwiches are a hit! Quick and customizable, they’re perfect for busy nights. Preheat a griddle, cook garlic toast, then top with pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni (or desired toppings), and another slice of toast. Cook until cheese melts and enjoy!

Skillet Nachos

Planning a fun, kid-friendly dinner? Try skillet nachos! You can customize ingredients to your kids’ liking.

1. Preheat oven: 400°F
2. Layer: chips, 1/2 cheese, chicken/pinto beans, rest of cheese
3. Bake: 5-7 minutes
4. Add: toppings your kids love, like olives, tomatoes, and shredded lettuce

Voila! A quick and delightful dinner for your family.

Homemade Pizza

Pizza is a kid-friendly and versatile dinner option. Use a simple dough recipe, involving flour, yeast, water, and oil. Mix, let it rest, then roll out the crust.

For toppings, consider:

• Sauce: tomato, alfredo, or pesto
• Cheese: mozzarella, cheddar, or feta
• Proteins: pepperoni, chicken, or ham
• Veggies: mushrooms, onions, or peppers

Bake at 450°F until cheese is melted. Enjoy with a side of cut-up fruit for a balanced meal.

Biscuit Turkey Bake

Biscuit Turkey Bake is a kid-friendly dish, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s simple and quick:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix together soup, turkey, mushrooms, peas, milk, and seasonings.
3. Pour mixture into a greased 8-inch square baking dish.
4. Arrange biscuits on top.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

Enjoy the tasty and satisfying meal with your kids!

Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich

Spread creamy peanut butter on whole-grain bread. Top with thin apple slices and a sprinkle of raisins. Add a dash of cinnamon. Assemble and serve for a tasty, nutritious, and kid-friendly dinner option.

Quick tips:

• Use a crunchy apple variety
• Toast bread for extra crunch

Flying Saucers

Searching for a fun and tasty dinner idea for kids? Try Flying Saucers! This creative meal includes:

• Pita halves with mayo and mustard
• Lettuce, bologna, ham, and tomato
• Cheese-stuffed, golden-brown sandwich

Your kids will love this delightful dish! It’s simple to make and brings excitement to the table.

Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt Parfaits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 cup cereal or granola
• Optional toppings: nuts, honey

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt and peanut butter until smooth.
2. Layer ingredients in parfait glasses:
   • 1/2 cup yogurt mix
   • 1/4 cup cereal
   • Banana slices
3. Repeat layers and add toppings. Enjoy!

Cheesy Fiesta Beef Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 can tomato soup
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 bag tortilla chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 2.5-quart casserole dish.
2. Brown beef and onion, then drain. Combine with drained beans, salsa, tomato soup, chili powder, and 1 cup cheese.
3. Layer up: half chips, beef mixture, then cheese. Repeat.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Loaded Pulled Pork Cups

Loaded pulled pork cups are a fun, delicious, and easy-to-make dinner idea for kids. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Combine grated potatoes, cheese, and seasoning in a bowl. Divide the mixture among 18 well-greased muffin cups, pressing it to form cups. Bake for 22-25 minutes.

While the cups cool, heat the pulled pork. Place the pork into the cups, adding more cheese on top. This dish is perfect for kids, as it can be a mess-free finger food and easily customized with their favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Frito Pie

Frito Pie is a fun, easy, and kid-friendly dinner option! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Brown ground beef with onions, then drain excess fat. Add taco seasoning, beans, and Rotel to the mixture.

Next, create layers in a baking dish:

1. ⅓ bag of Fritos
2. Half of beef mixture
3. One can of Rotel
4. Remaining Fritos & beef mixture

Finally, top with cheese and bake until melted. Enjoy your tasty Frito Pie!

Muffin-Tin Lasagnas

These mini lasagnas are perfect for kids! Simply use a muffin tin to create individual portions. Here’s a quick recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin
3. Line each cup with a wonton wrapper
4. Layer ricotta mixture, pasta sauce, and cheese
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes

Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Skillet Cheeseburger Hot Dish

In this simple recipe, you’ll combine cheeseburger ingredients with potatoes for a filling meal.

1. Brown ground beef with onions and garlic.
2. Stir in ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Add cubed Velveeta cheese for a creamy texture.
4. Mix in cooked potatoes.
5. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake.

Serve it warm and enjoy your kid-friendly Skillet Cheeseburger Hot Dish!

Pasta E Piselli

Pasta E Piselli is a simple, comforting dish made with pasta, peas, and Pecorino Romano cheese. It’s creamy, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. To prepare, follow these steps:

1. Cook pasta: Boil pasta al dente, then set aside.
2. Prepare peas: In a separate pot, simmer peas until tender.
3. Combine: Mix pasta, peas, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
4. Serve: Divide among plates and enjoy with your kids.

Pinto Bean And Poblano Soup

Preparing Poblano: Broil poblano peppers in a 450° oven for 2-5 minutes. Remove, steam for 5 minutes, and chop.

Making Soup: Sauté onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add broth, tomatoes, lime juice, and cooked poblanos. Bring to boil, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro. Enjoy the delicious and kid-friendly soup!