30+ Family-Friendly Dinner Recipes Kids Will Actually Eat

As parents, we know how challenging it can be to find meals that both kids and adults will love. It’s even harder to find recipes that are not only tasty but also nutritious and easy to make. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of over 30 family-friendly dinner recipes that are simple, delicious, and kid-approved. Whether you’re looking for pasta, chicken, or something new and exciting, these meals are sure to satisfy picky eaters and make mealtime enjoyable for everyone!

Why These Recipes Are Perfect for Kids

Kid-approved flavors No more dinner-time battles!
Nutritious ingredients Sneak in veggies and healthy proteins.
Quick and easy Perfect for busy families.
Versatile Customize to suit dietary preferences and tastes.

30+ Family-Friendly Dinner Ideas

1. Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 4 flour tortillas
• Sour cream for dipping

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle with chicken, cheese, and salsa. Top with another tortilla.
3. Cook until golden on both sides and cheese is melted. Slice and serve with sour cream.

2. Mini Meatball Sliders

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 12 slider buns
• Marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and egg. Form into mini meatballs and bake for 15 minutes.
3. Assemble the sliders by placing a meatball on each bun, topping with marinara sauce.

3. Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 2 cups mixed veggies (carrots, peas, broccoli)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta cooks, sauté veggies in olive oil for 5-7 minutes.
3. Toss pasta with veggies, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.

4. Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mustard

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Coat chicken tenders in flour, dip in egg, then breadcrumbs. Bake for 20 minutes.
3. Mix honey and mustard for a dip.

5. Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and drain.
2. Mix pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta, and half the mozzarella.
3. Pour into a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

6. Taco Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Salsa and sour cream for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cook ground beef with taco seasoning.
3. Press biscuit dough into muffin tins, fill with beef mixture, and top with cheese.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, serve with salsa and sour cream.

7. Homemade Pizza Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 can pizza dough
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup mini pepperoni

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Roll out the pizza dough and spread with pizza sauce.
3. Sprinkle with cheese and pepperoni, then roll up and slice.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

8. One-Pan Chicken and Veggies

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Arrange chicken, potatoes, and broccoli on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and season.
4. Roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

9. Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 6 hamburger buns

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef with onions.
2. Add ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Serve on hamburger buns.

10. Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed veggies (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cups cooked rice

Instructions:

1. Sauté veggies in sesame oil for 5-7 minutes.
2. Add soy sauce and stir to coat.
3. Serve over cooked rice.

11. Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 lb fettuccine pasta
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta.
2. Sauté chicken and garlic in a pan.
3. Add cream and Parmesan, simmer until thickened.
4. Toss with pasta and serve.

12. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops cut off
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Brown ground turkey, then mix with rice and diced tomatoes.
3. Stuff the peppers with the mixture and top with cheese.
4. Bake for 25 minutes.

13. Pasta with Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 12 small meatballs
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti.
2. Heat meatballs in marinara sauce.
3. Toss spaghetti with sauce and top with Parmesan.

14. Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Layer rice, chicken, and peas in a baking dish.
3. Pour broth over, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
4. Add cheese on top and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

15. BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 large baked potatoes
• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Bake potatoes until tender.
2. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
3. Split open the baked potatoes and stuff with BBQ chicken. Top with cheese.

17. Taco Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 cups lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
• 1/4 cup salsa or sour cream

Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef or turkey in a skillet and stir in taco seasoning.
2. In a large bowl, layer lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, and crushed tortilla chips.
3. Top with the cooked meat mixture and drizzle with salsa or sour cream. Serve immediately.

18. Baked Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup egg wash (1 egg, beaten)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and garlic powder.
3. Dip chicken tenders into egg wash and coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.

19. Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Coat chicken breasts with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken until golden on both sides.
4. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella, then bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

20. Mini Pizzas

Ingredients:

• 4 English muffins, split in half
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup mini pepperoni or your favorite toppings

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Place English muffin halves on a baking sheet and spread with pizza sauce.
3. Top with mozzarella cheese and your choice of toppings.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

21. Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter, then stir in flour to make a roux.
3. Slowly add milk, whisking until thickened.
4. Stir in shredded cheese until melted.
5. Toss the cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce and serve.

22. Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb egg noodles

Instructions:

1. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions.
3. Add beef and cook until browned, then sprinkle with flour and stir to coat.
4. Add beef broth and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in sour cream, then toss with cooked egg noodles and serve.

23. Veggie Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 8 small tortillas
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese
• Salsa and guacamole for topping

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté bell pepper for 5 minutes.
2. Add black beans, corn, and cumin. Cook for another 3 minutes.
3. Warm tortillas and fill with veggie mixture.
4. Top with cheese, salsa, and guacamole.

24. Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook cubed chicken until browned.
2. Add bell peppers, pineapple, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, then serve over rice.

25. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, mix steamed broccoli, mushroom soup, and cheese.
3. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs.
4. Dot with butter and bake for 20 minutes.

26. Meatball Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup carrots, chopped

Instructions:

1. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, and egg to form meatballs.
2. In a large pot, bring beef broth to a boil.
3. Drop meatballs into broth and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add diced tomatoes and carrots, cook until tender.

27. Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 refrigerated pie crust

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Mix chicken, peas, carrots, cream of chicken soup, and milk.
3. Pour into a pie dish and top with pie crust.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

28. Spaghetti Squash with Marinara

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Slice spaghetti squash in half, remove seeds, and roast for 40 minutes.
3. Scrape the flesh with a fork to create strands.
4. Top with marinara sauce and Parmesan.

29. Homemade Nachos

Ingredients:

• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet and top with cheese, beans, and tomatoes.
3. Bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
4. Serve with sour cream.

30. Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 8 taco shells
• Lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream for topping

Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet and stir in taco seasoning.
2. Warm taco shells and fill with seasoned beef.
3. Top with lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Conclusion

With these 30+ family-friendly dinner recipes, you’ll be able to make quick, easy, and nutritious meals that kids will enjoy. These dishes are not only packed with flavor but also provide a variety of ingredients to keep mealtime exciting. Whether you’re in the mood for a cheesy casserole, flavorful tacos, or a hearty soup, there’s something for everyone!