24 Kid-Friendly Recipes For a Hassle-Free Dinner

Figuring out what to make for dinner can be so stressful, especially when you're looking for kid-friendly dinner ideas. You want something that at appeals to both kids and adults and falls somewhere between chicken nuggets and chicken cordon bleu. Throw in the detail that many parents simply don't have the time to scour the internet for kid-friendly recipes that check all of these boxes, and it's no wonder dinner planning can feel like such a challenge.

If you are fresh out of ideas for healthy and easy kid-friendly dinner ideas to whip up, then this list is for you. Instead of risking making a meal that results in an eye-roll instead of a smile, these recipes will help fill your family's bellies and keep the positive vibes going.

We found some delicious kid-friendly dinner recipes that are perfect for those parents who've mostly nailed down lunch and nearly mastered yummy breakfasts, but in the evenings are ready to lean on Uber Eats as a solution to feed their family. We can guarantee your kids (even picky eaters) will be able to find a dish they like on this list!

— Additional reporting by Lauren Manaker

01

Honey-Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

This Honey-Garlic Chicken Stir Fry dish appears to people with either a sweet or a savory preference. It's filled with nutritious veggies and protein-packed chicken, which makes for a healthy dish the whole family will love. Buy pre-cut veggies to save yourself some time in the kitchen.

02

Taco Casserole

On taco Tuesday, whip up this Taco Casserole and serve it with a side salad. You can prep this dish ahead of time, so all you have to do is heat and serve on a busy weeknight. For a lighter dish, opt for lean beef or use less meat and more beans for a larger boost of fiber and antioxidants.

03

Pizza Chicken

Instead of pizza night meaning that you are calling the delivery spot for a greasy pie, try this Pizza Chicken dish instead. Let your kids pick their own "toppings" for their piece of chicken to appeal to every person's preference.

04

Easy Ravioli Lasagna

This Easy Ravioli Lasagna can be pre-made, so you can simply heat it before enjoying it at dinnertime. This lasagna pairs well with a veggie side, and it is incredibly filling, too. Try using whole grain raviolis for a boost of fiber.

05

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Cooking drumsticks in the air fryer helps create a crispy dish without the need of adding additional fat into the mix. These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are crispy, juicy and packed full of flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and under ten minutes of prep time, this easy chicken recipe that's made in an air fryer is sure to find a spot on your regular dinnertime rotation.

06

Chicken Noodle Soup

Make a big pot of this chicken noodle soup to please everyone in your household. It's especially good for those pesky summer colds.

07

Creamy Shells and Beef

Put your own spin on Hamburger Helper with creamy shells and beef. With a total prep and cook time of 25 minutes, this recipe makes for a stress-free and delicious meal.

08

Mexican Stuffed Shells

With these Mexican stuffed shells, the servings for your kids are already perfectly portioned.

09

Cheeseburger Pizza

OK, we have a feeling this will be a favorite in your house. Combining two of their favorite foods, this Cheeseburger pizza is a winning recipe with kids!

10

King Ranch Chicken

This king ranch chicken will be a real crowd-pleaser for your family — kids included. The best part? It cooks in one pan, so cleanup will be a breeze.

11

Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Pork Chops

If you have little ones who are a little resistant to meat, try these garlic parmesan stuffed pork chops that will distract them with cheese and breading. Plus, all you need in 30 minutes to throw together this comfort food dish.

12

Spicy Southwest Chicken Cornbread

If you have kids who are into flavorful foods full of spice, try this spicy Southwest chicken cornbread that's super easy to pull together. It makes for 8 servings, so leftovers are a definite possibility — meaning less work for tomorrow's lunch.

13

Ham and Cheese Potato Soup

For those nights when you're super busy, try this ham and cheese potato soup that your kids can slurp up with a side of bread.

14

Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole

Throw all your favorite pasta ingredients into a casserole dish to make this cheesy beef and pasta casserole. You can even let the little ones sprinkle the cheese on top to get them involved in dinnertime prep.

15

Vegetable Beef Soup

Bookmark this vegetable beef soup for chilly or rainy nights in. It calls for a crockpot which means it's a nearly hands-free meal. Just throw in all the ingredients and let the crockpot do the rest.

16

Cheeseburger Soup

This yummy cheeseburger soup puts your favorite sandwich ingredients in an easy-to-eat soup.

17
POPSUGAR Photography | Katie Sweeney

Macaroni and Cheese

You can't go wrong with a classic like macaroni and cheese. This one is creamy, cheesy, comforting and takes almost no time to make.

18
POPSUGAR Photography | Erin Cullum

Chicken Parmesan

Bring their favorite Italian dish to the kitchen table with this classic chicken parmesan on a special night — or just any night! They'll be raving about it for days to come.

19
POPSUGAR Photography | Erin Cullum

Quesadilla Roll-Ups

If you've got kids who are always on the go, make them these quesadilla roll-ups before sending them on their way for the evening.

20
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Keep dinner simple and fun with these bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Who doesn't love having cookout food for dinner?

21

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

You can't go wrong with this sloppy joe tater tot casserole that your kids — and everyone else in the house — are sure to love. This recipe takes a little longer to make though, so you might want to start on it before the kiddos get home.

22

Chili

Warm up a cool night with this quick and easy chili recipe. Bonus point: it's made in a slow cooker so you don't have to worry about standing at the stove for what can feel like forever.

23

Broccoli Casserole

If you have picky eaters, try convincing them to eat their veggies with this broccoli casserole that's oh so delicious. It's pretty hard to say no to cheese-coated anything.

24

Cheesy Dorito Chicken Casserole

Dinnertime doesn't have to be boring — and neither do casseroles. For a fun casserole option packed with crunchy and cheesy goodness, try this cheesy Dorito chicken casserole.

25

Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas

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