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11 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Kid-Approved Dinners
Quick Family Dinners

POPSUGAR / paid for by / Great Nations Eat

Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

11 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Kid-Approved Dinners

Dinner should be family time, and healthy foods help children reach their full potential. That's why we partnered with Great Nations Eat for this post.

Kids aren't always excited about eating the same thing you do, but there are a few ways to create a family meal they'll be tempted to try. Including fresh and healthy ingredients encourages kids to expand their tastes while fueling growing bodies. And little ones go through foodie phases, which gives you the opportunity to explore new things. Right now my daughter is obsessed with pizza, so we've tried making tons of variations — even steamed broccoli and cheddar cheese!

1 Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

Most kids love cheesy pasta, and tossing it with a broccoli-based sauce sneaks in healthy goodness without them even realizing it. Broccoli pesto is fresh and light, and this dish comes together in less than 20 minutes.

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2 Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar

A homemade pizza dough doesn't need to take hours to make. This quick version includes chia seeds, which gives it a healthy crunch. Finish with seasonal vegetables or traditional toppings.

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3 Stuffed Butternut Squash

Stuffed Butternut Squash
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

Butternut squash is seriously budget friendly, and it's a soft vessel for filing with just about anything. Top with cheese and your child is sure to love this recipe for stuffed squash.

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4 Meatball Subs

Meatball Subs
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Katie Sweeney

Quick, easy, and cheap, meatballs are so versatile. Making a big batch lets you eat off them all week in everything from spaghetti to subs. And fresh and canned tomatoes are filled with vitamin C and fiber. So ladle on the sauce!

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5 Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

I made these portobello mushroom burgers for my daughter and at first she was pretty hesitant to give one a bite. But sans the red onion and lettuce, she gobbled it up.

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6 Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian Chili
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

Another way to fill your child's plate with nourishing eats is with a big bowl of homemade chili. Sweet corn, healthy beans, and saucy tomato simmer together thanks to your slow cooker. Easy!

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7 Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

No need to spend all that time layering noodles — make this skillet lasagna instead. Fresh ricotta cheese offers healthy calcium and you can also add other fresh ingredients, like mushrooms.

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8 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

A creamy spin on spaghetti, this chicken casserole is perfect for dinner. This dish is sure to become a family favorite.

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9 Cornflake-Crusted Snapper

Cornflake-Crusted Snapper
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lauren Hendrickson

You probably have a box of corn flakes in your pantry, so use them for crusting crispy fish your kids will enjoy digging into.

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10 Pizza Stuffed Shells

Pizza Stuffed Shells
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

As I mentioned, my daughter loves pizza, so stuffing the toppings into shells makes for a delicious dinner. And you can personalize with your child's favorites, like chopped black olives, peppers, or spinach.

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11 Taco Party!

Taco Party!
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

One of the tastiest ways to encourage kids to try new flavors is with a taco bar. We often have taco party Tuesday at our house and pull out tons of fresh toppings from the fridge. Everyone makes their own and then goes back for seconds — and sometimes thirds.

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