45 Easy, Awesome Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas

Easy 30-Minute Mexican Enchiladas Recipe — The Spruce Eats

Coming up with kid-friendly dinner ideas that are quick and easy to make is an ongoing challenge for most parents. You need recipes that get meals on the table fast and that kids will enjoy eating. We've rounded up our best, kid-approved dinner ideas for busy parents that will help you check all those boxes, without all the additives in take-out and frozen foods.

These awesome family dinner recipes include simple, homemade versions of kids' menu classics, such as macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, fish and chips, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, chili, and quesadillas. We've also included family-favorite recipes that make great weeknight meals, including pasta dishes, stir-fries, tacos, and hearty baked casseroles.

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Cornflake-Crusted Baked Cod

The Spruce Eats

You can feel great about serving this oven-baked fish dish with a kid-approved crunchy topping. Children will love this "fish stick-style" dinner, and you'll love that it has only 5 ingredients, and is baked instead of fried.
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Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

The Spruce Eats

Leftover cooked chicken (or a store-bought rotisserie bird) and pre-shredded cheddar cheese make these yummy quesadillas a breeze to prepare. Assemble and heat them quickly on busy weeknights, and serve with nutrient-packed guacamole and salsa.
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Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

The name of this tummy-warming dinner pasta bake with jarred spaghetti sauce says it all. It's easy to assemble, super cheesy with mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheeses, and bakes in your oven in under an hour.
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Homemade Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Kids can enjoy a favorite fast food treat, while eating healthier, with these homemade chicken tenders that are sure to disappear fast. Bake or fry them with these easy instructions, and serve with rice and vegetables for a complete dinner.

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Baked Beans and Hot Dogs with Biscuit Topping

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

What's not for kids to love about saucy barbecue baked beans, tender hot dog slices, and cheddar cheese biscuits, all served up in one dish? Make this kid-pleasing casserole in about 30 minutes, for weeknights or birthday parties.
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Maple-Dijon Glazed Pork Chops

Maple-Dijon Pork Chops.
The Spruce Eats / Sabrina S. Baksh

Sweet and tangy maple-dijon glazed pork chops are full of flavor and protein. Serve them with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans or peas for a complete meal.
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Tilapia With Buttery Crumb Topping

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Tilapia is a mild white fish that many kids enjoy. They're sure to like the crunchy, buttery crumb topping in this recipe, which bakes in only 10 minutes. Make it for a quick meal when your day runs late, and serve with rice or mashed potatoes and a simple green salad.
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Electric Skillet Barbecue Chicken

Moncherie/Getty Images

You don't need an outdoor grill for this finger-licking BBQ chicken recipe that cooks in an electric skillet on your countertop. Combine store-bought barbecue sauce and orange soda to create the zippy, tangy coating that will send you straight back to summertime.

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Easy 30-Minute Mexican Enchiladas

The Spruce Eats

You only need a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes to make these tasty Tex-Mex enchiladas on busy weeknights. Feel free to add any leftover cooked chicken or pulled pork from your fridge, if you like, for a protein boost.
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Puka Dogs

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Take the family on a Hawaiian adventure without leaving home. Puka dogs are grilled Polish sausages or veggie dogs poked into Hawaiian rolls. The recipe includes a sweet pineapple relish and the mango mustard is spicy, but can easily be adjusted to fit your family's tastes.
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Loaded Baked Potato Soup

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Kids love digging into this hearty soup that tastes like twice-baked potatoes in a bowl. Its thick, creamy potato base, accented with bacon, sour cream, green onions, and celery, makes a great dinner, with crusty rolls on the side for dipping.
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Instant Pot Beef Stew

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

An instant pot is an essential kitchen appliance for busy parents. Use it to create a rib-sticking, nutritious beef and vegetable stew that kids will enjoy eating for dinner. Pack leftovers in thermoses for school lunches, along with crackers for crumbling — it tastes even better the next day!

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Vegetarian Pesto Pizza With Feta Cheese

Javier Vasquez/Getty Images

Skip the pizza delivery! This delicious, easy Mediterranean-style pizza recipe starts with a store-bought crust and prepared pesto sauce, topped with marinated artichokes, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Meatball Mac and Cheese

LauriPatterson/Getty Images

Load up this rich and gooey mac and cheese with tender meatballs for a tummy-filling dinner that kids will demand you make again. It's easy to prepare with dried pasta, frozen meatballs, jarred alfredo sauce, and loads of shredded cheese. Bake it up in under 30 minutes, and get it on the table, fast.
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Oven Baked Chicken Burgers

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Juicy chicken burgers with a hint of Cajun seasoning are a lighter alternative to beef patties, and kids enjoy picking them up to eat. They taste great topped with mayonnaise, or any of your kids' other favorite burger toppings.
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Vegan Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower and Potato Curry)

The Spruce Eats / Anastasiia Tretiak

Trick kids into eating their vegetables with this popular Indian recipe suitable for a vegan diet. Cauliflower and potato curry with tomatoes is a saucy and flavorful dish that makes a filling and nutritious meal, served with hot cooked rice.

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Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Kids love sloppy joes and you're going to love how easy they are to make in the Instant Pot. Once you brown the ground beef, add everything to the pot and let it cook. Come back in 45 minutes after the pressure releases, build your sandwiches, and dinner is served!
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Potato Chip Chicken

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Win parent-of-the-year with this crispy chicken recipe featuring a coating of barbecue potato chips. The boneless chicken is pounded and then coated in seasoned flour, egg, and crushed-up kettle-cooked flavored chips and baked in the oven until cooked through and crispy.
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Easy Chicken Parmesan

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Italian-American chicken parmesan is a top-rated family recipe that is easy to make at home. Pound chicken breast halves thin, coat with crunchy seasoned breadcrumbs, and pan-fry to perfection. Bake quickly with jarred spaghetti sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, and serve over hot-cooked spaghetti.
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Orange Pork Chop Stir-Fry

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

You can make these savory pork chops in about 30 minutes, stir-fried in a sweet, tasty orange-soy sauce combination. Add any veggies you happen to have in your fridge for extra nutrition and serve over hot cooked rice.

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Chicken and Stuffing Bake

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Bring a little taste of Thanksgiving to the weeknight dinner table with this chicken and stuffing casserole. Aromatics like onion, garlic, and celery are sauteed and then layered in a baking dish with chicken, cream of chicken soup, and stuffing mix. The kids will love the creamy mixture and crunchy topping.
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Chicken Tamale Pie

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Kids will love the combination of sweet and savory in this delicious tamale pie. Shredded, cooked chicken is mixed with onion, taco seasonings, salsa, and beans and topped with a homemade cornbread batter (or use boxed for quicker preparation) that is flavored with corn, cheddar, and cilantro. The pie is baked until golden brown and served with sour cream and avocado.
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Instant Pot Pizza

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

These individual-sized pizzas are simple to make and easily customizable, perfect for a family who can't agree on pizza toppings. Store-bought pizza dough is cut to the size of a cake pan, layered with toppings, and cooked for 15 minutes. Stack two pans and cook a few at a time.
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Baked Teriyaki Salmon

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

For kids who love Hawaiian-inspired teriyaki chicken, this recipe for baked teriyaki salmon will ring familiar, while offering a bit more nutrition. The salmon is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger powders, and cornstarch and then baked. The marinade is cooked down until thick and spooned over the fillets, along with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and chopped scallion.

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Easy Crock Pot Beef Chili

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Chili makes a warming dinner on cold or rainy nights. This easy, delicious version cooks in your crockpot while you go about your day, so your family can come home to a comforting dinner. Serve with crusty rolls, crackers, or cornbread.
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Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef and Rice

The Spruce

Stuffed bell peppers with seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomato filling, plus melted cheddar cheese on top, make a delicious weeknight dinner that kids will love to eat. Make extra to freeze for later, or pack in lunch bags for school.
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How to Make Halal Cart Chicken

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

Halal carts are a popular fast food on the streets of New York for good reason. The heaping plates of marinated chicken, rice, salad, and sauce are a complete meal. This halal cart chicken is a healthier but still tasty version ready in just over 30 minutes.
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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Diana Rattray

This classic Italian dish of tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich tomato sauce will be a new family favorite. Thanks to the Instant Pot, it's also quick and easy to make. Serve over pasta or with crusty bread.

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Chicken Fried Rice

The Spruce Eats / Zorica Lakonic

There's no need for take-out when you can make restaurant-style fried rice at home! It's so easy to make, and nutritious for kids and adults too, with shredded chicken and lots of vegetables. Make it even healthier by using fiber-rich brown rice instead of white.
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Thai Mango Chicken Salad

D.Schmidt

Refreshing chicken and mango salad is sweet, crunchy, and super-tasty, with loads of flavor and crunch from coconut shreds, peanuts, and sliced raw veggies, all dressed in a lip-smacking lime-soy dressing with delicious Thai flavors.
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Easy Eggplant Parmesan

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Eggplant parmesan is a popular Italian-American dish that makes a filling, nutritious, meat-free meal. Layer thick eggplant slices with tomato sauce, Italian seasonings, and cheeses, and bake until hot, melty, and bubbling.
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Loaded Pizza Pasta Casserole

The Spruce Eats / Diana Mocanu

Satisfy kids' pizza cravings with this hearty baked pasta casserole loaded with all their favorite meat and veggie toppings. Add browned ground beef, pizza sauce, and lots of stretchy melted mozzarella cheese.

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Tuna Noodle Casserole

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Potluck favorite tuna noodle casserole is a kid-friendly family meal you can easily make ahead for your freezer. It's protein-rich, and easy on your budget, with canned tuna, egg noodles, mayonnaise, frozen peas, and a few other pantry ingredients.
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Ground Turkey Stir-Fry

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

For a twist on a traditional Chinese stir-fry, try this recipe using ground turkey. It is reminiscent of the Asian lettuce cup appetizer in terms of flavors and texture but the added broccoli and peppers make this a nutritious and complete dish, perfect served over cooked rice.
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Homemade Turkey Burgers

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Kids will gobble up these budget-friendly, well-seasoned turkey burgers, served on crusty burger buns. Make these patties with seasoned ground turkey meat and pantry ingredients, plus a little fresh cilantro or parsley for color.
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Indian Butter Chicken

The Spruce / Ana Zelic

Butter chicken is a great way to introduce kids to the flavors of Indian cuisine. It's saucy and tasty, and very mildly spicy, with chunks of tender chicken cooked in a rich-tasting, buttery sauce. Serve over hot basmati rice or with fluffy homemade naan.

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Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs

The Spruce Eats

You can serve your family fuss-free spaghetti and meatballs any day of the week, with this easy, 4-ingredient recipe that cooks entirely in your crockpot and tastes like kids' favorite spaghetti-Os without the preservatives and additives.
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Crunchy Middle Eastern Chicken Salad

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

Crunchy chicken salad with carrots, almonds, and Middle Eastern herbs and spices is a potluck favorite recipe that makes a great family dinner. Use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, and buy the tzatziki prepared if you like, to make preparation even breezier.
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Crock Pot Vegetarian Bean Chili

James Baigrie/Getty Images

Fill up vegetarian kids' tummies with hearty, two-bean veggie chili. It's a nutritious choice for dinner, and leftovers can be packed in a thermos for school lunches. Cook the whole dish in your crockpot, from start to finish.
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Creamy Corn and Seafood Chowder

The Spruce Eats / Diana Mocanu

Creamy seafood chowder loaded with shrimp, scallops, potatoes, and corn is so hearty and delicious, that kids don't have to know it's also good for them. Serve it with crusty bread, crackers, or dinner rolls, for a filling meal any time of year.

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Quick and Easy Tuna Tacos

The Spruce Eats

Do something different on taco night, with this yummy tuna taco recipe. Toss budget-friendly canned tuna with chopped onion and cilantro in a creamy lime-infused mayonnaise dressing. Load into corn tortillas for a zesty, easy-to-make dinner.
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Fish and Chips

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Cook up pub-style fish and chips at home with this classic recipe. Coat fish fillets in a simple homemade batter, pan-fry until crisp and golden and serve with easy homemade "chips" or fries.
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Crock Pot Taco Soup

The Spruce Eats / Olivia Mindelle

Taco seasonings and ranch dressing mix add so much flavor to this easy crock pot taco soup. Loaded with ground beef and three kinds of beans, it's a great way to get protein into active kids. Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
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Chinese Stir-Fry Beef and Vegetables

The Spruce Eats

Chinese-inspired beef and vegetables are a cinch to make at home. Stir-fry marinated flank steak with bok choy, mushrooms, and red onion, and infuse with tangy flavorings. Toss some cashews into the mix for crunch, and serve with hot cooked rice.

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Chicken Cutlet Sandwiches

jessica solomatenko/Moment/Getty Images

Crispy chicken cutlet sandwiches are always a hit with kids, and easy on your budget. Coat tender chicken cutlets in a breadcrumb mixture, and fry up on your stovetop. Serve them on toasted buns with mayonnaise and lettuce, or any other favorite toppings.

46 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids

Article Sources

The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Fish, salmon, Atlantic, farmed, cooked, dry heat. USDA Agricultural Research Service: FoodData Central
Eggplant, raw. USDA Agricultural Research Service: FoodData Central