50 Healthy Kid Friendly Dinners That Can Be Made in a Pinch (2024)

50 Healthy Kid Friendly Dinners That Can Be Made in a Pinch (1)

Figuring out what to make for dinner for a family of picky eaters is no easy task, let alone nutritious meals with fruits and vegetables. It can seem like an impossible mission, so parents often turn to frozen dinners, fast food, or a small safelist of meals. Cheese pizza and chicken tenders, anyone? But if you’re in the mood to cook and want to bolster your list of “safe meals” that also make for easy weeknight dinners, we’ve got just the thing.

We put together a list of kid-friendly dinners that includes classics, such as macaroni and cheese, ham and cheese sandwiches, sloppy joes, and more; as well as recipes that will hopefully expand their comfort zone, such as Tex-Mex quesadillas, mustard chicken, and spiced tomato soup. We also made sure to include some veggie-packed recipe picks, so the little (or big) ones in your life will still receive their daily dose of nutrients, even if they’ve sworn off “healthy foods.”

For more easy dinner ideas for kids, make sure to check out our lists of school lunch ideas for picky eaters, chicken recipes for kids, and kid-friendly slow cooker recipes next.

Let us know if these kid-friendly meals were a hit in the comments below!

1

Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese

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Your kids will be cheesin' when they get a taste of this melty macaroni goodness.

Get the Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese recipe.

2

Hot Dog on a Stick

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This is a recipe you'll want to stick with. Substitute regular hot dogs for turkey dogs, if you're after a healthier version of this yummy dish.

Get the Hot Dog on a Stick recipe.

3

Crispy Baked Chicken

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Chicken nuggets are already a popular kid dinner, but when elevated with cornflakes and buttermilk, kids will be asking for them every night.

Get the Crispy Baked Chicken recipe.

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4

Sloppy Joe Sliders

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Sure, they may be sloppy, but they're still a kid-friendly meal that everyone will love. Just make sure to have a stack of napkins on standby.

Get the Sloppy Joe Sliders recipe.

5

PB and J Banana Pancakes

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Every kid loves breakfast for dinner, so get excited because it's peanut butter jelly (pancake) time.

Get the PB and J Banana Pancakes recipe.

6

Turkey Burgers and Slaw with Sweet Potato Chips

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You don't need to hit the drive-thru for fast food. This fresh turkey burger recipe only takes 30 minutes to prepare.

Get the Turkey Burgers and Slaw with Sweet Potato Chips recipe.

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7

Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese

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Give your little one an extra protein punch by adding layers of juicy ham to their favorite sandwich.

Get the Ham and Pimiento Grilled Cheese recipe.

8

Grilled Tomato Soup and Cheddar Sandwiches

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Grill the tomatoes to take this classic combo to the next level.

Get the Grilled Tomato Soup and Cheddar Sandwiches recipe.

9

Peanut Butter Barbecue Pork Kebabs

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At first glance, combining pork with peanut butter may sound a little strange. However, if the kiddos can't get enough PB&J sandwiches, this dish will surely please them. Plus, nut butter is a pantry staple, making this an easy dinner for you, too.

Get the Peanut Butter Barbecue Pork Kebabs recipe.

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10

Mini BLTs

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A classic mini sandwich for your mini-me. To save on time, buy store-bought biscuits and fill them with BLT fixings.

Get the Mini BLTs recipe.

11

Slow-Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

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Dealing with a sick child can be stressful, but making them a bowl of soup doesn't have to be.

Get the Slow-Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

12

Skillet Shrimp Tacos

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Taco night just got a whole lot better with this light, refreshing shrimp dish.

Get the Skillet Shrimp Tacos recipe.

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13

Cauliflower Fried Rice

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Disguise cauliflower as fried rice to get more veggies into the tummies of little ones.

Get the Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.

14

Loaded Chicken Nachos

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These 15-minute chicken nachos are perfect if you're in a time crunch but still want to serve up a healthy dinner.

Get the Loaded Chicken Nachos recipe.

15

Tex-Mex Chicken Quesadillas

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Take your kids on a trip down South with this tasty quesadilla recipe. Serve it with mixed green salad dressed with fresh lime vinaigrette for an extra dose of veggies.

Get the Tex-Mex Chicken Quesadillas recipe.

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16

Nutty Nuggets with Ruby-Red Sauce

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Kids will go nuts when you cover chicken nuggets in chopped pecans and Panko breadcrumbs. Dip them in a tangy cranberry-mustard sauce for extra yummy flavor.

Get the Nutty Nuggets with Ruby-Red Sauce recipe.

17

Scrambled Egg Tacos

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Breakfast for dinner, all tucked inside a taco shell? Say less.

Get the Scrambled Egg Tacos recipe.

18

Buttermilk Waffle, Bacon and Egg Sandwich

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For a hearty brekkie combo that can just as easily be a dinner sandwich, get out the waffle iron, and fry up some eggs.

Get the Buttermilk Waffle, Bacon and Egg Sandwich recipe.

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19

Egg and Tater Bake

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Add tater tots to pretty much anything, and your kids will want seconds for sure.

Get the Egg and Tater Bake recipe.

RELATED: Easy Breakfast Ideas for the Best Morning Ever

20

Quick Chili

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You'll love this dinner idea because it only takes 40 minutes to prepare; they'll love it because it's jampacked with flavor.

Get the Quick Chili recipe.

RELATED: Quick Gluten-Free Meals for the Whole Family

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Elizabeth Berry

Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

50 Healthy Kid Friendly Dinners That Can Be Made in a Pinch (24)

Kate Franke

Editorial Assistant

Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!

50 Healthy Kid Friendly Dinners That Can Be Made in a Pinch (2024)

FAQs

What to have for dinner in a pinch? ›

Easy Dinners
  1. Lamb Tacos.
  2. Pulled Pork Nachos.
  3. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin.
  4. Grilled Tuna Steaks.
  5. Cast Iron Pork Chops.
  6. Mexican Street Corn Salad.
  7. Greek Chicken Salad.
  8. Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers.

What do most kids eat for dinner? ›

Top kids' dinner ideas
  • 1) Chicken nuggets.
  • 2) Easy salmon curry.
  • 3) Swedish meatball burgers.
  • 4) Healthy beef stew with veggie mash.
  • 5) Chicken pasta bake.
  • 6) Homemade fish fingers.
  • 7) Air-fryer jacket potatoes.
  • 8) Creamy chicken stew.
Mar 19, 2024

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

50 easy dinners for when your pantry is practically empty
  1. 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  2. 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  3. 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  4. 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  5. 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  6. 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad. ...
  7. 75-ingredient chicken and fig wellingtons. ...
  8. 8Cheat's beef lasagne.

What can be the five most suitable food items for your dinner? ›

  • About the Eatwell Guide.
  • Fruit and vegetables.
  • Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates.
  • Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.
  • Milk, yoghurt, cheese and plant-based alternatives.
  • Oil and spreads.

What are three finger foods? ›

1-Ingredient Finger Foods
  • Egg — serve it hard boiled, scrambled, or baked, however you like!
  • Avocado — try serving in sticks or wedges, or mashing up.
  • Banana — you can offer thick pieces for gnawing or mash it up for a fun, messy meal.
  • Sweet potato/potato — cook until it's very soft and remove the skin.

How to make food in 5 minutes? ›

5-minute meals recipes
  1. Storecupboard pasta salad. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  2. Pan-fried camembert sandwich. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  3. Prawn & coconut soup. ...
  4. Classic French omelette. ...
  5. Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato, salad leaves & tomatoes. ...
  6. Creamy tomato courgetti. ...
  7. Speedy tuna pasta salad. ...
  8. Easy pea & mint soup.

What should a 9 year old eat? ›

Daily dietary guidelines for children 9-11 years

How much food pre-teens need depends on body size and activity levels. Children aged 9-11 years should aim for 2 serves of fruit; 5 serves of vegies; 2½-3 serves of dairy; 4-5 serves of grains; and 2½ serves of lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds or legumes.

How to eat when you're broke? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  1. Oatmeal.
  2. Eggs.
  3. Bread.
  4. Rice.
  5. Bananas.
  6. Beans.
  7. Apples.
  8. Pasta.

What's the cheapest meal to make? ›

72 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Bacon and Egg Toast Cups. ...
  • Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Burgers. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Shells. ...
  • Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. ...
  • Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. ...
  • Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. ...
  • Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp.

How to feed 50 guests on a budget? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  1. Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  2. Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  3. The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  4. Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  5. Sausage Casserole. ...
  6. Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  7. Quiche Lorraine. ...
  8. Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

What are 10 good dinner foods? ›

Our 20 most popular dinners of 2024
  • Air-fryer salmon.
  • Sweet potato & peanut curry.
  • Beef stroganoff.
  • Easy sausage casserole.
  • Chicken & chorizo jambalaya.
  • Lasagne.
  • Easy chicken curry.
  • No-fuss shepherd's pie.
Mar 14, 2024

What to pick for dinner tonight? ›

Quick Dinner Ideas for Two
  • 1 / 13. Herbed Gnocchi and Mushrooms. ...
  • 2 / 13. Instant Pot Salmon. ...
  • 3 / 13. Garlic Scape Pesto. ...
  • 4 / 13. Michael Natkin's Spicy Stir-Fried Zucchini. ...
  • 5 / 13. Pork and Broccoli Rice Bowls. ...
  • 6 / 13. Chicken Parm and Pasta Skillet. ...
  • 7 / 13. Honey Garlic Shrimp. ...
  • 8 / 13. Skillet Cod with Lemon and Capers.

What do you serve in Lazy Susan? ›

Use it to display a party-ready, self-serve platters of cheese, crackers, fruit, and olives.

What to eat at home when craving fast food? ›

What to eat when craving fast food
  1. Kale crisps.
  2. Dark chocolate.
  3. Fruit and yogurt ice lollies.
  4. Healthy mac and cheese.
  5. Fresh fruit.
  6. Wholewheat pitta pizza.
  7. Chia pudding.
  8. Unsalted popcorn.

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