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Healthy and simple dinner ideas for kids and adults to enjoy together. Pick one of the recipes in the post made up of family favorites!
There is no need to make multiple meals anymore. Below are some of the most visited kid-approved dinner recipes on this website.
Whether you need dinner ideas for tonight or maybe your kids refuse to eat anything but chicken for dinner, this list has something for everyone!
Dinner Ideas With Kids
In the past, there were many nights I made multiple meals just so everyone would eat. That led to feeling discouraged in the kitchen and resenting dinner time. Until one day, I decided that I would no longer be a short-order cook so I created a list of dinner ideas that everyone would eat.
After that, I shared them online and now these are some of the most visited family-friendly recipes that are easy to customize (swap an ingredient here and there) to make a meal that everyone eats!
Pizza Pasta Salad
The dressing takes this pasta salad to a whole new level. Plus, it's the type of recipe where leftovers taste even better the next day!
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Tortilla Pizzas
Start with a large tortilla and enjoy a thin-crust pizza each person can customize really quickly!
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Easy Baked Tacos
If you're the last one to sit down at dinner, these tacos are the perfect way to enjoy warm tacos at the same time!
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Healthy Salmon Nuggets
THE recipe that got my kids to eat salmon because it doesn't taste “fishy” at all. They're freezable and reheat great, so it's a win-win!
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Tomato Veggie Soup
A healthy and easy-to-make soup filled with veggies that I often pair with grilled cheeses made with sourdough or a round bread -comfort food for everyone.
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Pizza Chicken
Yes, my kids LOVE this chicken but TBH… so do we! The adults. I serve it with a salad, leftover pasta, rice, or some toasty bread.
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Chicken Teriyaki Bowls
A meal that comes together in a flash and it's much healthier than the take-out version.
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Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese
Where kids + adults collide in this classic meal. Easy to customize with any veggie your family enjoys.
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Taco Soup
A filling meal that comes together, start-to-finish, in 30 minutes with flavors everyone loves!
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Copycat Chick-fil-a Chicken Nuggets
I've taught my kids how to bread these and now they're no longer a chore for me to make! Keep a stash in the freezer… we all love these!
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Spaghetti Carbonara
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DIY Burrito Bowls
Takeout is expensive, so instead, make these bowls at home and let everyone build their own -just like at Chipotle! Use regular or cauli rice.
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Bell Pepper Nachos
They're loaded with protein and they're oh.so.delish! Use beef, turkey, or ground chicken!
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Classic Chicken Alfredo
This easy recipe is legit. My kids request it (often) to add it to our weekly rotation.
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2-Min Nacho Trays
Load up a few chips and a little cheese with healthy, protein-rich ingredients, like leftover chicken or beans, and then let each person customize their toppings!
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Cheddar Mac & Cheese
This stovetop recipe is super delicious, makes the ultimate comfort meal for kids, and something they will love to eat.
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Chicken Fajita Bowls
Need to get dinner on the table fast? This rotisserie chicken recipe won't let you (or your kids) down.
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Cheesy Beef Taco Skillet
Short on time on Taco Tuesday? They'll never realize the tacos are missing with this indulgent and cheesy taco dish.
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Cheesy Beef Goulash
Meat, cheese, and pasta never tasted so amazing in one skillet. This meal is easy cleanup and tastes like a dream.
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Pizza Pockets
When you don't want to order pizza, these pizza pockets are super easy to put together and fill with your favorite ingredients.
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Skillet Lasagna
Use your favorite pasta shape to make this 30-minute meal everyone devours. No need to deal with lasagna noodles!
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Cane’s Chicken & Sauce Copycat
Love that crispy chicken from that one fast food chain? Well I show you how to recreate the epic chicken and sauce combo!
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Pasta Bake
This filling dish tastes like a Thanksgiving dinner, while indulging in delicious ham and pasta.
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Here is a quick video with visuals of some recipes my family has loved:
And since chicken and potatoes are usually a combo that everyone eats, go ahead and try this delicious one-skillet dinner in the recipe card below.
25+ Dinner Ideas for Kids and Adults
Healthy and simple dinner ideas for kids and adults to enjoy together. Pick one of the recipes in the post made up of family favorites!
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Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
Baked Pasta with Ham
- 16 oz pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz ham, cubed
- 28- ounce can of crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade, about 4oz
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, al dente. Drain when ready and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat up the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, and saute for 3 minutes until the onions have softened and are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the ham to the pan and saute it for about a minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and pesto sauce, mix and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
- Once the sauce is ready, add the pasta and ricotta cheese, and combine the ingredients. Turn off the heat and transfer the hot pasta mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Distribute the mozzarella cheese over the top and then sprinkle it with parmesan cheese on top.
- Position the oven rack in the top ⅓ of the oven, place the baking dish inside, and BROIL on HIGH for 2 minutes until the top cheese layer is melted and golden.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.5g | Protein: 17.7g | Fat: 16.9g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 86.2mg | Sodium: 1188.7mg | Fiber: 10.4g | Sugar: 15.5g
Chenee says
I love these ideas! My daughter is crazy picky so they’re going to be so helpful!
Heather says
So many great selections, I made your DIY Burrito Bowls and they were a total hit! Pinned for reference, thank you so much!
Sharon Chen says
As a mom with a toddler who loves to eat, this is definitely saved!!! I am so excited to try out the recipes on the list!!!
Katherine says
I love these ideas! First one up is the bell pepper nachos – great way to get the kids to eat more veggies.
Marilynn says
My sons loved the pasta bake and the chicken tenders.
It made me feel good that everything was homemade and it was fun to try new recipes-this website is awesome!