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Coming up with easy dinner ideas that are both nutritious and a win with picky eaters is no easy task. Combine that with busy weeknights when there’s not much time for cooking.
I’m Jamie, a Registered Dietitian and busy Mom myself. Here you’ll find easy kid-friendly dinner ideas and family favorites that are made with nutritious, simple ingredients so you can get healthy meals on the dinner table fast.
1. Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
When we’re talking kid-friendly recipes, mac and cheese is a must. This mac and cheese is super cheesy, creamy and has three different veggies right in the sauce! It’s perfect for both picky kids and adults.
Table of Contents
- 1. Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
- 2. Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- 3. Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
- 4. Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- 5. Cheesy Chicken Nuggets
- 6. High Protein Mac and Cheese
- 7. Cauliflower Chicken Nuggets
- 8. Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Turkey
- 9. Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
- 10. Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken
- 11. High Protein Baked Ziti
- 12. Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
- 13. Tacos with Peppers
- 14. Loaded Ground Turkey Nachos
- 15. Cottage Cheese Alfredo
- 16. Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
- 17. Deconstructed Lasagna
- 18. Ground Turkey Alfredo Pasta
- 19. Taco Potato Casserole
- 20. High Protein Pizza
- 21. Cheesy Taco Rice
- 22. Big Mac Casserole
- 23. Pizza Boats
- 24. Breakfast Pancake Tacos
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2. Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
These air fryer turkey meatballs are done in less than minutes! Serve them with your family’s favorite pasta and sauce for a super easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can even freeze extra.
3. Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
You’d never guess this hidden veggie pasta sauce is packed with six hidden vegetables because it’s just as flavorful as traditional sauce. It’s perfect for the entire family! I even love to use it as a pizza sauce.
4. Big Mac Sloppy Joes
This surprisingly simple meal combines two family-favorites: sloppy Joe’s and Big Macs. And trust me, they go together PERFECTLY. This is one of my favorite dinner recipes and will impress even the pickiest eaters.
5. Cheesy Chicken Nuggets
These cheesy chicken nuggets are one of my favorite options for picky kids. Not only are they perfectly golden brown and crispy but they’re packed with extra protein from cheese! One of my favorite easy weeknight dinners.
6. High Protein Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese recipe is creamy, cheesy and packs a ton of protein with a secret ingredient! This is classic family-favorite that everyone will love.
7. Cauliflower Chicken Nuggets
Crispy chicken nuggets with a hidden veggie! These delicious cauliflower chicken nuggets are easy to make, high protein and kid-approved.
8. Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Turkey
This classic family-friendly meal is made with ground turkey, mashed potatoes and packed with extra veggies.
9. Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
This no-boil meatball casserole could not be easier. You throw everything into a dish and into the oven it goes! Top with parmesan cheese and serve with some yummy garlic bread.
10. Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken
These baked chicken nuggets are made with ground chicken but you can even use ground turkey for them. They’re easy, simple and perfect for dipping in everyone’s favorite sauce.
11. High Protein Baked Ziti
This high protein baked ziti is hearty, cheesy, and packed with protein for a delicious dinner your whole family will love. It has over 40 grams of protein per serving from lean meat, chicken sausage and a cottage cheese mozzarella filling.
12. Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
This easy higher protein pizza dough only calls for 2 main ingredients and a couple of spices. It’s SO easy and you can even make personal pizzas so that everyone can add their favorite toppings.
13. Tacos with Peppers
Taco night just got a little bit healthier with this simple dinner idea! Use this taco with pepper meat for tacos, quesadillas, taco bowls or even nachos!
14. Loaded Ground Turkey Nachos
Speaking of nachos, these ground turkey nachos will be an easy hit for kids! Just skip the spicy stuff if needed when serving to kids.
15. Cottage Cheese Alfredo
Creamy high protein cottage cheese pasta sauce made with simple ingredients like cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, onion and garlic. This is a twist on mac and cheese that your kids will love. Serve with rolls and butter or garlic bread!
16. Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
What kid doesn’t like tater tots? This chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole is packed with flavor and made with tender chicken breast, crunchy bacon, cauliflower, and tossed in a light and creamy sauce.
17. Deconstructed Lasagna
All of the flavors of lasagna you love with none of the hassle. Pasta, tomato sauce, mozzarella and ricotta cheese, and ground beef layered in a casserole pan and baked to perfection.
18. Ground Turkey Alfredo Pasta
Creamy Alfredo pasta tossed with ground turkey and fresh chopped broccoli. This super easy one pan dinner is a family favorite!
19. Taco Potato Casserole
A hearty, flavorful and high protein taco casserole made with potatoes, veggies, lean ground beef, cheese and topped with everyone’s favorite taco toppings.
20. High Protein Pizza
This high protein pizza made with two-ingredient dough, pizza sauce, shredded chicken and your favorite delicious pizza toppings. The best part is that you can customize this to be kid-friendly depending on what your family enjoys!
21. Cheesy Taco Rice
Cheesy taco rice made in one pot with ground turkey, rice, taco seasoning, salsa and lots of melty cheese. This quick meal is one of my most popular kid-friendly dinners!
22. Big Mac Casserole
This big mac casserole is fast food inspired but made with healthy ingredients and a delish lightened up big mac sauce. It’s a great easy dinner for the whole family on busy weeknights.
23. Pizza Boats
Quick, easy pizza boats made on French bread with your favorite toppings, done in 15 minutes. Customize everyone’s pizza based on their favorite toppings! Make dinner time fun and so easy with these pizza boats.
24. Breakfast Pancake Tacos
Breakfast for dinner got a little makeover with these fun breakfast pancake tacos! If all else fails, one of my favorite kid-friendly dinners is actually breakfast! These pancakes are made with whole wheat flour and you can serve them as is, or filled with bacon, eggs and maple syrup!
I hope these kid-friendly meals make your life a little bit easier. Browse all of my easy Recipes Here!
