Let’s be real, finding recipes that satisfy both picky eaters and busy schedules feels impossible some nights. But here’s the thing: the best kid-approved meals aren’t necessarily the most complicated ones.
According to BBC Good Food, classic comfort foods like chicken nuggets, homemade fish fingers, and pizza consistently rank as top choices for children. The secret? These dishes feel approachable and taste like the foods kids request most often.
IMO, the real winners are recipes that let kids feel involved. If that’s helping with simple prep work or customizing their own portions, it’s beneficial. When children have a hand in making their meal, they’re way more likely to actually eat it.
Classic chicken pasta bake
Be honest, who does not like a good pasta bake? This is one certified crowd pleaser. A recent survey conducted by Allrecipes shows that recipes such as chicken pasta bake are some of the most loved and frequently made by families. It’s the ultimate comfort food, and it’s incredibly forgiving.
Include any remnant chicken and veggies you have on hand. My personal trick? I use rotisserie chicken to save a lot of time. All you need to do is shred it, combine it with cooked pasta, your favorite jar of marinara sauce, and a good supply of mozzarella. Bake until bubbly and golden. It’s simple, cheesy, and always a hit.
Homemade (And healthier) Fish fingers
Forget the frozen stuff. Fish fingers made at home are actually simpler to prepare and much tastier. According to a BBC Good Food guide, homemade fish fingers have always been a top choice for children because they are quick and taste familiar, making them feel comfortable.
I like to use a firm white fish like cod, cut it into strips, and coat them in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and a little Parmesan for extra flavor. With a quick bake or a few minutes in the air fryer, you’ve got crispy, golden fish fingers.
Serve them with some sweet potato wedges and a side of peas, and you’re a weeknight hero.
Super simple tacos
Taco night is more like a party, and the best part is that everyone can join in. It is a great idea to engage kids and give them some control over their plates.
A study from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture highlights that kids are more likely to enjoy meals that combine familiar flavors with healthy ingredients.
I set up a “taco bar” with seasoned ground turkey or beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and mild salsa. It is playful, entertaining, and you can add some vegetables without anybody noticing. Plus, the cleanup is minimal. Win-win.
Mini pizzas on English muffins
Everybody knows pizza is a no-brainer, but making dough on a Tuesday is a lot of work. Enter the English muffin pizza. It is fast, simple, and each kid gets the most personalized pizza possible.
BBC Good Food suggests that recipes with homemade sauce are especially appealing to kids, so I whip up a quick sauce with canned tomatoes, a little garlic, and oregano.
All you have to do is toast an English muffin, spread sauce on it, sprinkle cheese, and add toppings. Minimal pepperonis are popular among my children, although the bell pepper or mushrooms cut into pieces are also fine.
A few minutes under the broiler and dinner is served. What’s not to love?
Colorful chicken stir-fry
Stir-fries are my secret weapon for using up leftover veggies. They are super speedy and may be a fantastic way to introduce new vegetables in a less threatening manner.
Harvard Health notes that “a stir-fry is a great way to get a healthy dose of vegetables. I usually use chicken breast, though shrimp or tofu work great too. Bake it in a pan with vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and snap peas.
The sauce is straightforward: it is a combination of soy sauce, some honey, and ginger. You can serve it with rice and have a full-course, colorful meal within 30 minutes.
Spaghetti and Turkey meatballs
There is a reason why spaghetti and meatballs are a classic. It is hearty and delicious, making one feel like a special treat. I use the ground turkey instead of beef to make it a little leaner, and, frankly, my kids do not notice the difference.
I prepare a large quantity of meatballs on the weekend to freeze them and save time. During the weekdays, I boil them in a pot of simmering marinara sauce while the pasta is cooking.
The Mayo Clinic actually points out the importance of including nutrient-dense foods like lean protein in kid-friendly recipes, and this one nails it.
Slow-cooker beef stew
Is there anything better than coming home to a house that smells like a delicious, slow-cooked meal? I think not.
This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner. I put some beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions in the slow cooker in the morning with some beef broth. By dinner time, you have a delicious meat stew that is perfect for a cold night.
Sharon Palmer, in her article The Many Health Benefits of Slow Cooking says, “You can create delicious, savory, moist meals in no time, while reducing the amount of fat and sodium needed.”
It is a one-pot miracle, and it has barely any active cooking time. Seriously, my slow cooker is my best friend on busy days.
Ham and cheese bow ties
This recipe is so simple it almost feels like cheating. But when your children want seconds, then you will not mind. It is cooked bow tie pasta mixed with ham chunks, peas, and then creamy cheese sauce.
The sauce is melted cream cheese and a drizzle of milk. It is so simple and takes just a few minutes to assemble, which is about the time it takes for pasta to cook. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham, and it’s a dish that even the pickiest eaters seem to love.
Cheesy baked ziti
Think of this as a lazy-day lasagna. It is all the saucy, cheesy stuff without having to go the extra mile and layer noodles.
All you have to do is combine cooked ziti, ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella, and bake it until it’s hot and bubbly, creating a golden-brown masterpiece.
I sometimes sauté some spinach and fold it into the ricotta mixture for a hidden veggie boost.
According to Allrecipes, casseroles like this are consistently popular because they’re comforting and easy to make ahead. I often assemble it in the morning and just pop it in the oven at dinner time.
Sheet pan chicken fajitas
I love any recipe that requires minimal dishwashing, and the undisputed champions in this regard are sheet pan meals. For this dish, dice some chicken, bell pepper, and onions, then mix them with a bit of fajita seasoning in a baking dish.
It has to be roasted for about 20-25 minutes, and it is done. Eat with hot tortillas and your preferred toppings such as sour cream and guacamole. It is colorful, tasty, and so easy to tidy. What more could you ask for?
Turkey sloppy joes
Sloppy Joes are messy, enjoyable, and tasty. I make it with turkey rather than beef, and simmer it in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce. The best part? It is all in a single skillet within approximately 20 minutes.
A recipe site, The Chunky Chef, offers a Turkey Sloppy Joes recipe described as, “made in one skillet and ready in less than 30 minutes!”
These should be served on whole-wheat buns with a serving of coleslaw or a basic salad. They’re a nostalgic favorite that kids still go crazy for today. Just make sure you have plenty of napkins on hand!
Creamy chicken and broccoli divan
This is a classic casserole that’s surprisingly kid-friendly. It’s essentially a creamy chicken and broccoli bake topped with a crunchy, buttery breadcrumb topping. It feels a bit fancy, but it’s actually super simple to throw together.
I mix it with a basic sauce consisting of cream of chicken soup (there is nothing wrong with shortcuts!), a bit of mayo, and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
It is a fantastic way to get your kids to eat their broccoli, and the sauce is so creamy and cheesy that it makes everything delicious.
Finding meals that the whole family will eat doesn’t have to be a daily struggle. With a bit of planning and a few go-to recipes, you can make weeknight dinners something to look forward to.
Give some of these a try, I promise you’ll find a few new favorites to add to your rotation. Your kids (and your sanity) will thank you.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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