13 easy, family-friendly dinner recipes that the whole family will love! Yes, that includes even the pickiest of eaters: I carefully selected these ideas with kids of all ages in mind.
Most of my content is geared towards healthy meals for moms. However, full transparency: my young kids wouldn’t touch most of the dinners that I make each night. However, as they get older, I want to be able to make meals that my whole family will eat.
Cooking dinner at home instead of eating out is one of my top recommendations when it comes to moms prioritizing their health. These kid-approved dinner recipes can make life a little bit easier for you as you don’t have to make various different items for each kid!
Ok, so maybe this is a bit self-serving as not all moms have this problem, but any mom who is tired of making dinner will benefit from these ideas!
Kid-Approved Family Dinner recipes
I carefully selected each of these recipes and I can’t wait to try them with my kids! They’re relatively simple with low prep time and most are budget-friendly.
For the majority of these recipes, all you will need to do is microwave some frozen vegetables or make an easy salad to turn them into a well-balanced meal.
1. Creamy Burrito Casserole (In the Kitch)
A Mexican-style lasagna with layers of meat, cheese, flour tortillas and peppers that will leave you with plenty of leftovers. This is a make-ahead meal – you can freeze it and reheat it later. Total prep time is 15 minutes. Adjust the spice level per your family’s preference.
2. Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole (Baking Beauty)
Sure, it’s not the healthiest option but if there is one thing that is for sure: my kids would definitely eat this! This casserole features seasoned ground beef, crunchy tots, and plenty of melty cheese. Total prep time is just 10 minutes. It freezes well and you can make it ahead of time.
3. One Pot Lasagna Soup with Cottage Cheese (Simple and Fraiche)
If you want all the flavors of traditional lasagna but without the effort, try this easy lasagna soup with whipped cottage cheese for some extra protein. It’s cozy, comforting, and even the pickiest eaters will love it. Total cook time is just 30 minutes!
4. Frito Taco Casserole (Well Fed Baker)
This recipe is like a walking taco but in casserole form. It uses just 8 simple ingredients and only 10 minutes of prep time! Plus, what kid doesn’t love a walking taco? Make it healthier by topping with chopped lettuce and fresh tomatoes!
5. Quick & Easy BBQ Chicken Tostadas (Haute & Healthy Living)
If you have some leftover chicken from the night before, these 5-ingredient BBQ tostadas are a breeze to make for a quick dinner. Picky-eater approved, of course, and so delicious. Cooked and shredded chicken is needed – I would batch cook a few pounds of chicken the night before and save some for this super easy meal! Or, just resort to a rotisserie chicken!
6. Bubble Up Pizza Casserole (The Cookin’ Chicks)
This easy pizza casserole uses refrigerated biscuit pieces, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and any pizza toppings you prefer! If you use some shortcut strategies, it can be in the oven in minutes. Or, make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It’s super budget-friendly, too!
7. 20-Minute Lazy Enchiladas (The Soccer Mom Blog)
Who doesn’t love a one-pan meal? Flavorful taquitos are layered with enchilada sauce, beans and cheese – the ultimate lazy casserole. In fact, there are only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time! Serve with frozen veggies on the side for those super busy nights!
Make it healthier (but still easy): add some black beans and avocado slices for additional fiber! Top with Greek yogurt for extra protein as a substitute for sour cream.
8. Mexican-Style Chili
This super easy and flavorful chili is my husband’s favorite meal. With a lot of cheese, my kids will eat it, too. It can be on the table in less than 30 minutes or you can let it heat in the slow cooker for hours. Plus, it’s high in both protein and fiber – and makes the best leftovers! Double it (depending on size of family) and eat it for lunches the rest of the week.
Adjust the spice level if needed but the additional cheese and sour cream on top will help!
9. Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread (Two Kids and a Coupon)
It’s garlic bread stuffed with spaghetti! Just 7 ingredients and 15-minutes of prep time. Pair with frozen or freshly roasted vegetables of your choice for an easy, well-balanced meal!
10. Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese with Hidden Veggies
This mac and cheese combines the “hidden veggie” trick with the addition of cottage cheese for extra protein. The cottage cheese and butternut squash are subtle in flavor that even you’re pickiest kid might not notice the difference (keyword here is might). It’s very nutritious! 28 grams of protein per serving and it is high in vitamins A and C from the butternut squash. Or, potassium and iron if using sweet potatoes.
11. Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole (Chew Out Loud)
Ok, yes, it’s another ground beef kind of casserole – but it’s just so easy and kid-friendly! Frozen tortellini, cheese, sauce – all the makings of an easy casserole. It can even be assembled the night before. Prep time is just 15-minutes and can be made meatless as well!
12. Potato Chip Chicken (Baking Beauty)
If your kids are anything like mine and don’t love chicken, why not try breading it in potato chips? The chicken is baked, not fried, yet super crispy and flavorful! A perfect dinner on busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
13. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken (Fit as a Mama Bear)
This easy slow cooker teriyaki chicken takes just 10 minutes to prep but you will need a preferred grain and a vegetable on the side! kids love the sweeter flavor. This is an easy recipe to double or triple and use for meal prepping lunches or freeze for future meals!
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