Okay, okay, we're saying the obvious here but making dinner for kids is NO easy task. They love what they love, and that often means parents turning into short-order cooks. But no exaggeration, these easy kid-friendly dinners are so good that we've even found ourselves stealing a few bites. And no, these recipes aren’t all variations on mac & cheese or pizza either (but don't worry, we’ve got some favorites in there too). We’ve found if you’re lucky, you can shake kids up by introducing something new (but familiar!) to dinnertime. Avoid the headache and check out all 75 of these quick and easy dinner ideas for kids, and maybe even pick up the Delish Kids (Super-Awesome, Crazy-Fun, Best-Ever) Cookbook?!
Cooking for kids can be a… conundrum. But what's true is that kids and parents alike love a handheld, like our baked salmon sushi cups or our mac & cheese pizza bites—because who doesn’t love food in miniature? We know, we know, kids sometimes don’t like green food, like our zucchini tots or falafel bites, but have them help you make them, and they’ll quickly get on board. Trying to keep things healthier at home? Check out our burger bowls, our black bean tostadas, or our Indian butter chickpeas for recipes that are just that extra bit lighter, without you having to worry they'll illicit an "ew" from your kids. When all else fails, don’t fight it, and give the kids what they want. If yours are anything like ours, that means lots of grilled cheese, Sloppy Joes, and hot dogs (check out our campfire hot dog skewers for a cute twist).
Less time stressing over what your kids will or won’t eat in the kitchen means more time to enjoy, well, kids being kids. Get even more ideas with our easy dessert recipes for kids too!
Taco Lasagna
This hearty Tex-Mex taco lasagna hits so many of the classic casserole notes: Cheesy? ✔️ Perfect for a crowd? ✔️ Flavor for days? ✔️ Great (greatest?) way to stretch a pound of ground beef? ✔️ The list goes on and on. With a taco-spiced beef and black bean sauce, flour tortillas, creamed corn, and a generous amount of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, this casserole is the perfect comfort food for your next Taco Tuesday or really any day of the week.
Get the Taco Lasagna recipe.
Chicken & Rice Casserole
This chicken and rice recipe is definitely a direct flight to a quick and easy dinner destination. Hear us out! It requires minimal cleaning up, and the active cooking time is only 20 minutes. The rest of the time, you can just lounge in your living room while this whips itself up.
Get the Chicken & Rice Casserole recipe.
Chili Mac
Mac & cheese remains one of our favorite meals no matter how old we get. This chili mac changes things up a bit and makes this a heftier meal that's very shareable. Make it all year round, in just 30 minutes.
Get the Chili Mac recipe.
Chicken Quesadillas
Filled with flavorful chicken, plenty of cheese and mix-ins, this quesadilla is not only completely satisfying, but totally customizable. Make it as is for a simple cheap and easy dinner (or afternoon snack) you can count on, or use it as a jumping off point to create your kid's perfect quesadilla.
Get the Chicken Quesadillas recipe.
Sloppy Joe Orzo
You don’t need to sandwich a sloppy Joe to enjoy it; transform the classic comfort food into a date night staple with this sloppy Joe orzo instead. You cook the orzo right in the tangy meat sauce, meaning less dishes than a traditional pasta dish, creating a cross between pasta and risotto that you can spoon right up into bowls.
Get the Sloppy Joe Orzo recipe.
Chicken Parm Meatball Skillet
From apps (chicken Parm pinwheels) to creative takes on the classic (Buffalo chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmesan pasta), we'll take any excuse to enjoy the classic flavors in a new form. Our newest obsession? Chicken Parmesan meatball skillet. Cheesy, flavorful chicken meatballs are baked in a skillet with a homemade tomato sauce and plenty of cheese, until bubbling and delicious.
Get the Chicken Parm Meatball Skillet recipe.
Beef & Broccoli Ramen
Ramen noodles are king in the ingredient hack department. We've turned them into everything from breakfast to carbonara, but this take on classic beef & broccoli might be our favorite. Thinly sliced steak and tender broccoli join those unmistakable noodles in a savory ginger soy sauce for an all-in-one dinner your family will love.
Get the Beef & Broccoli Ramen recipe.
Lasagna Soup
With its sheets of wavy pasta, dollops of Parmesan-enriched ricotta cheese, and chunks of golden brown Italian sausage, Lasagna Soup laughs in the face of basic noodle soup. Yeah, it's pretty hard to compete with a steaming bowl of soup that contains all the best parts of classic baked lasagna. (Okay, who are we kidding, a traditional baked lasagna is pretty great.) Plus, it goes just as great with a bottle of red wine, garlic bread, and a peppery arugula salad.
Get the Lasagna Soup recipe.
BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken
No matter the season, BBQ chicken is a clear #winnerwinnerchickendinner. Here, we put together an easy sheet-pan dinner with juicy chicken, loads of sweet–smoky flavor, and plenty of vegetables to complete the meal.
Get the BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken recipe.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up a can of chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you (and your kids) look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
Smash Burger Tacos
These fully loaded smash burger tacos are the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty American cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla. You’ll never have to choose between burger night or taco night again!
Get the Smash Burger Tacos recipe.
Enchilada Stuffed Shells
We know what you may be thinking: enchiladas + pasta? Before you toss the idea aside, hear us out. We swapped out the tortillas for jumbo pasta shells, and stuffed them full of rotisserie chicken, green chiles, and enchilada sauce, all topped with melted cheese and a drizzle of sour cream for the ultimate hearty, flavorful dinner. If you just can't decide what to whip up on a busy weeknight, then this cheap and easy dinner is what you should reach for.
Get the Enchilada Stuffed Shells recipe.
Mac & Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
Here’s one way to get more veggies into picky eaters’ mouths: Score and scoop out zucchini pulp, chop, and cook it down with spices into a cream sauce, then incorporate it into good ol’ kid-approved mac & cheese.
Get the Mac & Cheese Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Pierogi Casserole
Looking for a comforting yet innovative dish to impress your family, without too much work on your part? This easy-to-make casserole takes frozen potato pierogi to the next level with layers of spinach, sausage, and cheese that will leave everyone craving more.
Get the Pierogi Casserole recipe.
Burger Bowls
Kids craving a juicy cheeseburger but you're not about the mandatory carb-induced nap that comes with it? This cheesy, saucy, veggie-packed burger bowl is your solution. These bowls are just as versatile as an actual burger, so have fun with your preferred toppings too.
Get the Burger Bowls recipe.
Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites
Held together by pepperoni, these mac & cheese bites are a pizza lover's dream. Creamy mac, pepperoni, and plenty of Parm combine to create a best-of-both-worlds treat. We bake this kid pleaser in muffin tins to make things easy too—less mess and just the right size for little hands.
Get the Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites recipe.
Sheet-Pan Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a classic late-night snack or easy dinner, but when we need to serve a crowd, we bring out the sheet pan. This hack makes cooking quesadillas for a crowd easier than ever. In just around an hour, you'll have a cheesy, crowd-pleasing meal that is sure to satisfy.
Get the Sheet-Pan Quesadillas recipe.
Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet
Is there anything better than a one-skillet meal? We don’t think so, particularly if it’s as family-friendly and quick as this one, featuring spiced ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese. It all comes together in just 40 minutes with minimal prep too!
Get the Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet recipe.
Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie
Wondering what could possibly make a classic chicken pot pie even more delicious? Enter: tater tots! No fussing with pie crusts here—just a crunchy, seasoned potato in every bite.
Pizzadillas
This isn't just a quesadilla filled with mozz and pepperoni. It's topped with the works and looks just like an actual pizza. Plus, it's so easy to make at home.
Get the Pizzadillas recipe.
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