When it comes to feeding your kids healthy meals, it can often feel like a tug of war. You try to pull them toward vegetables and unprocessed ingredients; they pull away, pleading to go back to their trusty chicken fingers and pizza rolls. Luckily, there are a plethora of recipes out there that will satisfy all parties. Using whole vegetables and lean proteins, these recipes are packed with nutrition, but they also don't skimp on flavor or comfort. In fact, many of them are just healthier versions of your kids' favorite dishes, like spaghetti and meatballs and sloppy joes.
Once you've got them hooked on these nutritious doppelgängers, you can then slowly introduce new dishes to them that are equally healthy and decadent. Soon, your kids will be happily devouring healthy dinners and never ask for chicken fingers again. Keep reading for 25 healthy dinner recipes your kids will love.
If your kids have to have their cheese, then you might as well throw some veggies into the mix. This gluten-free cheesy veggie "pasta" bake features a generous helping of cheese but is also packed with nutritious carrot, zucchini, and red pepper.
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2Asparagus, Egg, and Prosciutto Tart with Everything Spice
Tarts are a great way to sneak healthy veggies into your kids' meals because the form resembles pizza. This asparagus, egg, and prosciutto tart features one of Spring's healthiest produce options — asparagus — but your kids will think they're eating something indulgent.
When you think health food, you don't normally think of cheddar soup, but this version uses cauliflower to give it a creamy consistency, slashing the calorie count to just 250.
What kid doesn't love tacos? You can make any night family taco night when you have a recipe this easy and healthy. Using clean, healthy ingredients like fresh fish and avocado and bold flavors from lime and tomato, and cilantro, these tacos will make your kids forget all about Taco Bell.
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5Lemon-Garlic Chicken Drumsticks
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
Getting handsy with your food always makes for a fun family dinner. Ban utensils for a night, and make these lemon-garlic chicken drumsticks that take just 45 minutes to throw together.
The next time your kids crave Chinese takeout, try making these easy peanut chicken with veggies bowls instead. Your kids will love the sweet and savory peanut sauce.
Of course you wouldn't serve your kids anything that contains vodka, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't get to experience the creamy deliciousness that is penne alla vodka. This "Not-Ka" version imparts the same creamy flavors without the alcohol or the calories.
When you have a large, hungry family to feed, pork tenderloin always comes through. Add a side of vegetables — think carrots, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts — and you have a full, well-balanced meal.
If you're the type who likes to plan out the week ahead of time, this meal prep chicken burrito bowl recipe is perfect for you — and your family. Start out with a whole chicken and end up with a whole week's worth of chicken burrito bowls.
Give Southern comfort food a healthy twist by making shrimp and cauliflower grits. Not only does this recipe sub out corn grits for healthier cauliflower, but it also uses coconut milk instead of heavy cream to give the cauliflower the same creaminess as regular grits.
Chances are, your kids love sloppy joes because of the tangy sauce and because they're deliciously messy to eat. This healthier meatless version won't compromise either of those features. It's so decadent your kids won't even miss the meat.
On chilly nights, there's nothing more satisfying than tucking into a big bowl of hearty stew. This healthy option is packed with tons of good-for-you ingredients like lentils, cannellini beans, and tomatoes.
It's hard to believe this chicken Parmesan is only 357 calories. That's because it's baked, not fried. But with the same tangy marinara sauce and creamy Parmesan, your kids won't be able to tell the difference.
If your greatest battle in life is getting your kids to eat more fish, then look no further than this recipe. The flavorful hoisin sauce makes these salmon filets irresistible — your kids might even start requesting it.
Burritos are hard to resist, for kids and adults alike. Even though this version is meatless, the hearty sweet potato and black beans will satisfy your kids just the same.
If your kids like food that comes in vessels, then make these Italian-style stuffed peppers one of your go-to meals. Not only will your kids find them fun, but they're also paleo and low-fat because of the ground turkey.
Half the fun of eating spaghetti is twirling the strands around your fork and slurping them down — you can still do that with spaghetti squash. This carb-less pasta dish also features paleo meatballs that use almond meal in place of breadcrumbs. As far as spaghetti and meatballs goes, this version is a whole lot healthier, but just as tasty.
There are few things in life more comforting than a bowl of chicken soup. This recipe uses a slow cooker to really infuse the flavors, and for busy moms, it also allows you to set it and forget it.
Your kid would be thrilled to learn that pizza's for dinner, and you'll be thrilled that this healthy pizza recipe features a sweet potato crust instead of the usual carb-heavy version.
If heavy meals aren't really your thing, then make these crunchy, fresh chicken lettuce wraps. The refreshing lettuce is the perfect vehicle for the sweet and salty chicken and water chestnuts. You can skip the Sriracha if your kids can't do spicy.
There's only one thing better than a tasty pasta dish, and that's a tasty pasta dish that takes just 30 minutes to make. Make this 30-minute artichoke and pea rigatoni recipe all Spring-long; your kids will love the cheesy rigatoni and sweet peas, and you'll certainly have the time to spare.
Meatloaf is an all-American classic for a reason; it's comforting and delicious, but it's usually pretty high in fat and calories. This paleo version swaps out breadcrumbs for mushrooms and bell peppers, making each one only 139 guilt-free calories.
There is perhaps no better — or more stealth — way to sneak vegetables into your kids' meals than with mac and cheese. All that gooey, cheesy, carby goodness masks even the healthiest of vegetables. Next time you treat your little ones to their favorite pasta dish, make this recipe using nutritious cauliflower, a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and protein.
