By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 5, 2022
These dinner ideas for kids make weeknight cooking so much easier! These delicious kid-friendly meals are quick and easy to make, and the kids just love them. Make their favorites, or find new recipes for the whole family…and you can sneak in a few vegetables while you’re at it!
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Kid-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Making dinner for the kids every night doesn’t have to be stressful. There are so many quick and easy dinner ideas that the kids will happily eat without a fight.
These recipes will please the pickiest eaters while still sneaking in some healthy ingredients. So you know your family will get a nice, filling meal, and you can feel good about it too.
Even better, you’ll be able to make these kid-friendly recipes any weeknight, and have them ready in no time at all. So even if you find yourself cooking two different meals (we’ve all been there), your night will still run smoothly.
One Pot Chili Mac
30 Minute Dinner Ideas for Kids
Make mealtime easy with these quick kid-friendly ideas. Whether it’s dinner for them, or dinner for the whole family, these recipes will be on the table in just 30 minutes!
- One Pot Chili Mac : Mixing mac and cheese with hearty chili is a surefire combination. It’ll be on the table in 30 minutes, and the whole family can dig in.
- Air Fryer Fish Sticks : Healthy fish is air fried into crispy, flavorful little sticks the kids will love to eat for lunch or dinner.
- Beef Taquitos : Roll up seasoned ground beef and cheese in tortillas, and quickly bake these to perfection. They’re easy to eat by hand, and just so tasty.
- Instant Pot Hamburgers : I have yet to find an easier way to make burgers, so this is a great go-to for when you need to cook something in the middle of a busy week.
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders : These crispy little tenders are so fun for kids to eat, and they’re really quick to cook.
- 15 Minute Mac and Cheese : You’ll be making this mac and cheese for dinner every week, and the kids will absolutely love it! Simple and cheesy, nothing else needed.
- Apple Cheddar Waffle Sandwich : It’s a grilled cheese on waffles, with some apple slices hidden inside…truly the perfect lunch or dinner idea for kids!
Baked Chicken Nuggets
Kids’ Favorite Meals
Give the kids what they really want for dinner tonight ! Something simple, delicious, and easy for you to cook. You won’t hear a single complaint with these favorites!
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese : This cheesy sandwich is a classic that no one can turn down. It’s so simple, quick, and easy. Just 10 minutes to dinner!
- Baked Chicken Fingers : Any kid will be happy to see some chicken fingers on the table, dipping sauces optional. And this homemade baked version is much healthier than the fried or frozen versions.
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese : Make super creamy and cheesy macaroni in a slow cooker, so it’s ready to serve when the kids get hungry. Sometimes I make a batch of this as a “side dish” with nicer dinners just in case.
- Fritos Popcorn Chicken : Popcorn chicken is just so fun to eat. Little bites of crunchy chicken are easy to make and it’s so yummy.
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls : Pizza rolls are another favorite, and these are so fun to make in the Air Fryer. They taste way better than the frozen kind.
- Baked Chicken Nuggets : This is the ultimate dinner idea for kids, because you know they won’t turn their head from these. They’re crispy and tasty, and better than the drive-thru.
- Baked Mozzarella Sticks : Mozzarella sticks are always a hit. They’re crispy, cheesy, and easy to eat.
- Ham and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks : Ham and string cheese is rolled up and baked to make them nice and warm. Ooey gooey cheese is irresistible for toddlers and big kids a like!
Ham and Mozzarella Sticks
Easy Weeknight Meals
Dinner tonight will be so easy with these recipes. Casseroles , pizza , and spaghetti are always a family favorite! The kids will love these meals just as much as everyone else.
- Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole : This classic recipe is a good go-to for family dinners. It’s got everything you need in a meal: protein, veggies, grains, and CHEESE.
- Homemade Fish Sticks : Fish sticks are easy to make at home, and they pair well with applesauce , mac and cheese, or some veggies. It’s a great little dinner idea!
- Instant Pot Meatloaf : This classic dinner can be made in an Instant Pot, so you have dinner ready in less than an hour.
- Air Fryer Pizza : This quick and easy pizza is the perfect Friday night dinner for the kids, or for everyone. Keep it simple with cheese or let them pick their favorite toppings.
- Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole : Everyone loves tater tots, so this cheesy casserole recipe is the perfect idea when you need a dinner that everyone will agree eat.
Cauliflower Pizza
Healthy Dinner Ideas for Kids
These recipes are secretly good for you, and the kids won’t even notice! Sneak in some veggies and make sure dinner is a well-balanced meal (at least for tonight).
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets : Making chicken nuggets in the air fryer is much easier and healthier than frying or running to the drive-thru, but they’re just as delicious!
- Cauliflower Pizza : Make a cauliflower crust to start off your homemade pizza. It’s a good way to get some extra veggies into dinner without anyone knowing.
- Crispy Zucchini Fries : Strips of zucchini are breaded and baked like fries. They’re a great side dish or snack!
- Turkey Sloppy Joes : Everyone loves sloppy joes, and using ground turkey makes them a little bit healthier. Serve them up on buns for a dinner idea everyone can eat.
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup : This is a simple, delicious dinner you can make any time. It’s so comforting and it’s good for you!
- Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Wraps : This is a great go-to lunch or easy dinner for the kids. They’ll love the cheesy chicken, but it’s also filled with broccoli!
- Turkey Chili : Chili is a great dinner idea for kids, and using turkey is a leaner option that’s good for the whole family.
- Tomato Soup : Tomato soup is so tasty, and it pairs well with grilled cheese or chicken tenders.
Hamburger Casserole
Kid-Friendly Family Dinners
Cook one meal for the whole family, and you can be sure everyone will love it. These family favorites are the perfect weeknight dinner ideas.
- Hamburger Casserole : Hamburger and pasta comes together in one easy casserole dinner that the kids will be happy to eat!
- Vegetarian Lasagna : Even the pickiest eaters will gladly eat their veggies with this delicious lasagna recipe.
- Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers : Ground beef and rice is stuffed into peppers and topped with cheese, which makes a fun meal in easy-to-eat portions.
- Doritos Casserole : The kids won’t be able to resist this hearty Mexican casserole topped with crunchy, cheesy Doritos!
- Crockpot Stuffed Shells : Giant pasta shells are stuffed with cheese (and some sneaky spinach), which makes for a tasty dinner. Plus it’s all made in a slow cooker !
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pot Pie : A bacon-filled burger in the form of an easy pot pie? It’s so tasty and so simple to make!
- Sloppy Joes : Sloppy joes are a favorite dinner idea for kids and adults alike. They’re supposed to be messy, so there’s no need to fight it. Just grab extra napkins!
- Crack Chicken : With only a handful of ingredients and a totally hands-off cooking method, this irresistible crack chicken is so easy to make in a slow cooker.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
These quick, easy, delicious dinner ideas for kids are sure to please the pickiest eaters. Better yet, the whole family will enjoy them, so you can make one meal for everyone. You won’t have to stress about what to make for dinner tonight with these recipes!
More Weeknight Dinner Ideas
These recipes are perfect for weeknight dinners with the family. Make burgers, tacos, and all the foods that are sure to be a hit with the kids. Or make meal time even easier with some make ahead options!
30 Burger Recipes
40+ Taco Night Ideas (Guide to Taco Tuesday)
92+ Easy Freezer Meals to Make Ahead of Time
100+ Easy Meal Prep Ideas
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
