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54 Easy Dinner Ideas for Kids They’ll Absolutely Love

For picky eaters, pasta-tarians and everyone in between.

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skillet cheeseburger hot dish
Mike Garten

Just like adults, kids have their preferences when it comes to food. Some kids avoid certain flavors, while others aren't fans of particular textures. In most cases, it's not cause for alarm, but it certainly can leave you stumped when it comes to planning for family dinners. After all, your family can't live entirely on chicken nuggets. That's why we've gathered dozens of dinner ideas for kids, including cozy soups, easy sandwiches and classic pasta dishes the whole family will enjoy.

We included slow-simmered recipes that are perfect for Sunday dinner, quick weeknight dinner recipes and healthy make-ahead meals, so there's sure to be more than just a few recipes here you'll want to bookmark for later. If you're trying to avoid ending the night with a sink full of dishes, consider one of the many one-pot meals or sheet pan dinners on this list. We've also highlighted plenty of air fryer recipes and slow cooker recipes to make things even easier.

No matter what ingredients you've got on hand — chicken, pork, veggies, beef, turkey or anything else — you'll find some dinner inspiration here. Keep reading to see our picks for the best kid-friendly dinner recipes.

1

Skillet Cheeseburger Hot Dish

dinner ideas for kids skillet cheeseburger hot dish
Mike Garten

Flavorful beef layered with tater tots and melty cheese is sure to be a winner every time — especially when served alongside a big dish of "special sauce."

Get the Skillet Cheeseburger Hot Dish recipe.

2

Pasta e Piselli

dinner ideas for kids pasta e piselli
Mike Garten

This elevated take on mac 'n' cheese brings together pasta, peas and Parmesan. It's the perfect comfort food, plus it takes just 30 minutes to make.

Get the Pasta e Piselli recipe.

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3

Pinto Bean and Poblano Soup

dinner ideas for kids pinto bean and poblano soup
Mike Garten

This hearty soup served over rice is similar to chili. It's healthy thanks to the protein-packed beans, but all your kids will realize is that it's delicious!

Get the Pinto Bean and Poblano Soup recipe.

4

Five-Spice Steak and Broccoli

dinner ideas for kids five spice steak and broccoli
Mike Garten

If your kids love beef and broccoli from your local Chinese restaurant, they'll be excited to see you set down this homemade five-spice steak and broccoli that brings all the savory flavors to the table.

Get the Five-Spice Steak and Broccoli recipe.

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5

Sheet Pan Chicken With Apples and Delicata Squash

dinner ideas for kids sheet pan chicken apples delicata squash
Mike Garten

This easy sheet pan meal brings together succulent chicken, delicata squash and gala apples for an easy and crowd-pleasing dinner. Plus, it doesn't create a ton of dishes. Win-win!

Get the Sheet Pan Chicken With Apples and Delicata Squash recipe.

6

Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos

dinner ideas for kids sweet potato breakfast burritos
Mike Garten

Breakfast for dinner? Why not! On nights when you've truly got no time to cook, you can just heat up a few of these make-ahead frozen burritos and know the kids are still getting a nutritious meal of eggs, sweet potatoes and black beans.

Get the Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos recipe.

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7

Balsamic-Glazed Mini Meatloaves

dinner ideas for kids balsamic mini meatloaf
Mike Garten

There'll be no fighting over who gets the biggest slice with this recipe that gives everyone their own adorable mini meatloaf. This recipe can be made in the air fryer for a quick and delicious dinner any night of the week.

Get the Balsamic-Glazed Mini Meatloaves recipe.

8

Applesauce Pulled Pork Sandwiches

dinner ideas for kids applesauce pulled pork
Mike Garten

This is the perfect Sunday dinner. Slow-simmered pork is infused with applesauce and cider and then served on fluffy buns with a flavorful slaw. This recipe makes eight servings, so you'll likely have leftovers to munch on throughout the week.

Get the Applesauce Pulled Pork Sandwiches recipe.

RELATED: 55 Best Dinner Ideas for a Lazy Sunday With the Family

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9

Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup

dinner ideas for kids mason jar instant noodles
Mike Garten

This is an easy make-ahead meal. Simply layer bouillon base, veggies and instant rice vermicelli in a mason jar. When it's time to chow down, just pour boiling water over the top.

Get the Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup recipe.

10

Sloppy Joe Toasts

dinner ideas for kids sloppy joe toasts
Mike Garten

Get the napkins ready! The classic saucy beef mixture is spooned over crispy toast in this creative take on Sloppy Joes.

Get the Sloppy Joe Toasts recipe.

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11

Green Goddess Sandwiches

green goddess sandwiches with eggs and avocado
Mike Garten

These sandwiches are not only kid-friendly, they're packed with veggies. Best of all, they take just 15 minutes to make.

Get the Green Goddess Sandwiches recipe.

12

Creamy Corn Pasta

creamy corn pasta on a yellow plate
Mike Garten

If your kids love corn on the cob and pasta, why not bring them together in this creative dish? Plenty of fluffy cheese on top will convince any kid to give it a try.

Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.

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13

Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers

chickpea salad with tomato and cucumber
Mike Garten

This fresh, veggie-packed salad has plenty of protein and is easy to modify. If your kids don't like chickpeas, you could sub in white beans or black beans, or omit them altogether and make this a side salad instead of a main.

Get the Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers recipe.

14

Chicken Salad Sandwich

chicken salad sandwich with potato chips
Mike Garten

Putting crunchy potato chips on a sandwich will officially make you the coolest parent ever. Plus, they'll be getting some protein and greens in.

Get the Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe.

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15

Crispy Chicken Salad

crispy chicken salad recipe
Mike Garten

If your kids always ask for chicken strips, this salad is an easy way to mix things up (and to get more greens in, but they don't have to know that's why you're making it!).

Get the Crispy Chicken Salad recipe.

16

Pasta e Fagioli

pasta e fagioli in a bowl
Mike Garten

This cozy Italian dish packs a good amount of protein in, thanks to the beans and other veggies in this pasta soup. It's also easy to modify, based on what your kids like.

Get the Pasta e Fagioli recipe.

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17

BBQ Chip Chicken

bbq chip crusted chicken with a green bean and tomato salad
Mike Garten

If bags of BBQ chips disappear quickly in your house, this meal is sure to be a hit. Plus, it takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Get the BBQ Chip Chicken recipe.

18

Sausage and Egg Sandwiches

sausage egg sandwich
Mike Garten

Breakfast for dinner is always a fun idea! These sandwiches incorporate piquanté peppers, but you can swap in roasted red peppers or leave the peppers out altogether, depending on what your kids like.

Get the Sausage and Egg Sandwiches recipe.

RELATED: 45 Easy Breakfast Ideas for Even the Busiest Mornings

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19

Honey Glazed Salmon

a slab of honey glazed salmon and cucumber salad
Mike Garten

The sweetness of this beautiful salmon dish means that the kids are sure to enjoy it. Serve it with lots of fluffy white rice.

Get the Honey Glazed Salmon recipe.

20

Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan

sheet pan chicken parmesan
Mike Garten

This cheesy, decadent meal is sure to be a big hit with kids and adults at the dinner table.

Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan recipe.

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