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Over the years we have noticed little things that help make a kid-friendly meal. Here is our go-to list of dinner ideas for kids!!
Easy Dinners for Kids!
There’s not a hard fast thing that makes things kid-friendly, and the more children we have, the more we realize how incredibly different they all are. Including what they will eat.
One thing we decided long ago is that we will not be a short-order cook, and the family will eat what is served. Fortunately, we have plenty of yummy dinner ideas for kids that even the pickiest kids will love! We have a variety of soups like Sopa de Fideo, pastas like Triple Cheddar Pasta, chicken like Popcorn Chicken, and more.
Each of these kid friendly meals are EASY and many can even be made by your kids! All of these recipes are loved by OUR kids and you’re sure to find something to please your picky eaters!
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Our Top 10 Dinners for Kids
1 Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe
Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Get the crispy, delicious copycat Chick Fil A nuggets without leaving the house. They taste just like the real thing!
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2 White Sauce Penna Pasta
White Sauce Penna Pasta
Total Time: 15 minutes
This incredibly easy white sauce penne pasta is packed with deliciously cheesy flavor, loved by all, and on the table in only 20 minutes!
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3 Corn Dog Recipe
Corn Dog Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
This recipe is a beyond simple delicious hand-dipped corn dog making you never want to buy store-bought again!
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4 Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Quick and easy pigs in a blanket bring that nostalgic, kid-approved dinner to the table in just 20 minutes, for a guaranteed family favorite!
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5 Easy Spaghetti Recipe
Easy Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
This easy spaghetti recipe features a rich homemade sauce and tender noodles, perfect for family dinners everyone will love!
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6 Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this crock pot mac and cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
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7 Hamburger Helper Recipe
Hamburger Helper Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Homemade Hamburger Helper is a simple, hearty, cheesy one-pan dinner ready in about 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.
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8 Best Grilled Cheese Recipe
Best Grilled Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
Easy, no-fail grilled cheese with crispy golden buttery bread and perfectly melted cheddar and provolone, ready in minutes on the stovetop.
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9 Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
This homemade chicken nuggets recipe is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and a million miles away from anything frozen.
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10 Easy Alfredo Recipe
Easy Alfredo Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Rich and creamy, this easy fettuccine Alfredo comes together in minutes with a handful of simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights.
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More Dinner Ideas for Kids
11 Ham and Cheese Slider Recipe
Ham and Cheese Slider Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Our hot ham and cheese slider recipe is easy and on the table in 30 minutes – an absolutely addicting crowd favorite that disappears in a heartbeat!
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12 Chicken Quesadilla
Chicken Quesadilla
Total Time: 12 minutes
Our easy homemade chicken quesadilla recipe is cheesy, crispy, and packed with flavor making for a quick and delicious weeknight meal!
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13 Pizza Casserole Recipe
Pizza Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Easy cheesy pizza casserole is prepped in under 10 minutes and only requires 5 ingredients for a dinner win the whole family loves!
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14 Mini Hotdogs
Mini Hotdogs
Total Time: 18 minutes
Our wildly popular mini hotdogs require only TWO ingredients and make a perfect lunch, dinner, or party appetizer!
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15 Chicken Drumsticks in Oven
Chicken Drumsticks in Oven
Total Time: 55 minutes
These perfectly seasoned chicken drumsticks in oven are a healthier alternative to fried chicken and are finger-licking good!
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16 English Muffin Pizzas
English Muffin Pizzas
Total Time: 15 minutes
Simple 5-ingredient English muffin pizzas are ready in only 15 minutes and freeze well for a quick and easy snack!
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17 Tostada Recipe
Tostada Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
A crunchy open face tostada is topped with all of your favorite Mexican ingredients and is on the table in 20 minutes!
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18 Cheese Crisp Recipe
Cheese Crisp Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
A cheese crisp is a crunchy open-face quesadilla that is an Arizona favorite!! It's ready in minutes and perfectly dippable.
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19 Chicken Tacos Recipe
Chicken Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Whip up restaurant-quality chicken tacos at home in under 30 minutes with this delicious, simple, quick recipe the entire family loves.
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20 Burritos Recipe
Burritos Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
This is Great Grandma's famous bean burrito recipe, filled with amped up creamy beans and on the table in 30 minutes!
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21 Walking Tacos Recipe
Walking Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes
Walking tacos are an easy grab-and-go meal that is full of flavor! They are no mess, easy to make, and perfect for large gatherings!!
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22 Lunch Kabobs Recipe
Lunch Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes
Kid-friendly lunch kabobs are filled with savory meats and fresh veggies. They're perfect for parties and BBQs!
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23 Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
Crazy fast and easy to make, these Pizza Roll Ups are oozing with cheese and pepperoni. They are tiny pockets of big flavor!
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24 Mini Corn Dog Muffins Recipe
Mini Corn Dog Muffins Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Mini corn dog muffins are yummy and kid friendly. These tasty bite-size snacks are ready in under 20 minutes!
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25 Taquitos Recipe
Taquitos Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Crispy chicken taquitos with a quick, cheesy filling, that is great for dinner any night or is perfect for parties and game days.
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26 Pizza Muffin Recipe
Pizza Muffin Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Cheesy pizza muffins are made with canned biscuit dough for a delicious kid-friendly dish that's ready in minutes!
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27 Hawaiian Haystacks
Hawaiian Haystacks
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Totally customizable Hawaiian haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!
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28 Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
This is the cheesiest, creamiest, altogether best homemade mac and cheese you'll ever make! The whole family will definitely approve!
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29 Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
30 Hot Ham and Cheese Roll Up Recipe
Hot Ham and Cheese Roll Up Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes
Crazy quick and easy hot ham and cheese roll ups require only 3 ingredients and are ready in minutes. Just be sure you make extras!
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31 Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
This cheesy baked spaghetti is filling and flavorful. It's a simple dinner recipe the entire family will love!
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32 Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour
Filled with meat and veggies, tater tot casserole is easy, cheesy, and comes together in no time for a delicious comfort food dish.
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33 Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy baked casserole made with spaghetti, cooked chicken, salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning for an easy dinner.
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34 Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Easy homemade Beef Stroganoff with tender beef, creamy sauce, and egg noodles, a quick comfort food dinner that tastes restaurant-style.
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35 Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This homemade pepperoni pizza recipe is wonderfully crispy and delicious every time. Achieve the perfect slice right at home!
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36 Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti Pie
Total Time: 40 minutes
Spaghetti pie is a hearty and delicious dinner-time twist, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners!
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37 Baked Ravioli Recipe
Baked Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes
Easy Cheesy Baked Ravioli is a quick, simple, and delicious dinner recipe that the whole family loves! It's so cheesy and so tasty!
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38 Frito Pie Recipe
Frito Pie Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
Our beyond-simple Frito pie recipe is packed with creamy and crunchy textures and big taco-style flavors the entire family will love!
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39 Homemade Meatball Recipe
Homemade Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
This easy meatball recipe delivers juicy, flavorful perfection with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
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40 Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 33 minutes
This 30-minute cheeseburger casserole with ground beef, pasta, and loads of cheese delivers all the burger flavor without the bun!
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41 Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole is a family-friendly, make-ahead 9×13 dinner with a creamy filling and a crispy tater tot topping everyone loves.
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42 Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
These fried chicken tenders are crispy, golden, juicy, ready in 30 minutes and loved by the entire family.
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43 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Pizza
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Pizza
Total Time: 10 minutes
Pizza grilled cheese is stuffed with mozzarella, pepperoni sandwiched between two pieces of buttery garlic toast. It's a fun twist on a classic.
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44 Baked Rigatoni
Baked Rigatoni
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Deliciously cheesy baked rigatoni is meaty and hearty, a perfect family-style dish for any night of the week!
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45 Popcorn Chicken
Popcorn Chicken
Total Time: 35 minutes
Extra crispy popcorn chicken is a family favorite that's fun to eat. With simple steps and few ingredients, it's a perfect weeknight dinner!
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46 Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Chicken noodle casserole is filled with veggies and topped with a buttery cracker crust making it a flavorful family favorite.
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47 Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe
Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
Creamy, cheesy, and ready in 30 minutes, this classic chicken penne pasta is the ultimate weeknight comfort food.
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48 BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Switch up pizza night with this smoky BBQ chicken pizza recipe – with some simple shortcuts, it's on the table in no time!
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49 Dorito Casserole Recipe
Dorito Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
Cheesy Dorito casserole is an easy crunchy taco lasagna. It's layered with meat and of course nacho cheese Doritos!
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50 Chicken Fingers Recipe
Chicken Fingers Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
A healthy way to eat chicken that kids absolutely love – Baked Chicken Fingers! Chicken dipped in flour, egg, and panko, then baked to a crispy perfection! Not to mention they’re SO easy to make!
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51 Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Baked chicken nuggets are easy to make and packed with flavor. Tastier than the frozen options, they are flavorful and healthy!
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52 Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
Mini Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
Mini Deep Dish Pizzas are our new favorite dinner recipe. They're easy, quick and can be made custom for each person with their favorite toppings!
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53 Bean Chimichangas Recipe
Bean Chimichangas Recipe
Total Time: 19 minutes
Easy and delicious Bean Chimichangas are filled with beans, cheese and ROTEL and they taste just like the ones at the restaurants!
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54 Mini Pizzas
Mini Pizzas
Total Time: 18 minutes
These bite-sized mini pizzas are topped with fresh tomatoes and basil and are on the table in only 20 minutes!
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55 Easy Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Easy Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes
Turkey meatballs can be enjoyed over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner in minutes!
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56 Sloppy Joe Recipe
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
This sloppy joe recipe is quick and easy, perfect for feeding a crowd! You'll make these meaty sandwiches from scratch every time.
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57 Best Goulash Recipe
Best Goulash Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
This easy goulash recipe is a one pot favorite, combining ground beef, pasta, and rich tomato sauce into a hearty dinner we make on repeat.
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58 Pull Apart Pizza Bread
Pull Apart Pizza Bread
Total Time: 1 hour
Easy cheesy pull apart pizza bread uses refrigerated biscuits to create a deliciously fun appetizer, snack, or easy dinner!
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59 Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe
Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 42 minutes
This Chick-fil-A mac and cheese copycat recipe is rich, creamy, and tastes just like the real thing making it an instant family favorite.
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60 Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe
Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 43 minutes
Velveeta Mac and Cheese baked with melty Velveeta, cheddar, and panko, results in a creamy base and crisp topping for an easy family fav.
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61 Best Hamburger Recipe
Best Hamburger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Juicy, homemade hamburgers made with ground beef, simple seasonings, and a quick grill method for restaurant-style burgers every time.
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62 Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Recipe
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken is juicy, flavorful. and preps in minutes! This simple dish is great for holidays, parties and potlucks!
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63 Stuffed Shells Recipe
Stuffed Shells Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
Stuffed Shells is simple, cheesy and bakes in only 30 minutes. It's a perfect busy weeknight meal the entire family will love!
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64 Triple Cheddar Chicken and Pasta Recipe
Triple Cheddar Chicken and Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Even my pickiest eaters love this easy chicken pasta, which is why it’s a go-to weeknight dinner in our family! With pasta, chicken, seasonings, and cream sauce full of cheese, you definitely can’t go wrong!
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65 Chicken Flautas Recipe
Chicken Flautas Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Chicken Flautas fry up golden and crisp with juicy chicken, melty cheese, and mild chiles, easy to roll, quick to cook, and perfect for dipping.
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66 How to Boil Hot Dogs
How to Boil Hot Dogs
Total Time: 5 minutes
Learn how to boil hot dogs for the fastest and easiest way to cook for a crowd or for your family dinner. You will love it!
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67 Crock Pot Hot Dogs
Crock Pot Hot Dogs
Total Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Hot dogs in the crock pot is the easiest way to feed the masses and keep your hot dogs warm and juicy for hours.
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68 Baked Mac and Cheese with Ham
Baked Mac and Cheese with Ham
Total Time: 40 minutes
Hearty mac and cheese with ham is a deliciously cheesy baked casserole that will feed a crowd and is perfect for sharing!
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69 Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
Easy baked ziti recipe is a meaty baked pasta smothered in a cream cheese tomato sauce. It's ready in 30 minutes and feeds a crowd!
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First, my kids LOVED Macaroni and Cheese recipe on here. I served it with the pigs in a blanket recipe (How my kids reached teen years with my never making these I don’t know). Next time I’ll use parchment paper since some of the “blanket” stuck to my pan.
Also, wanted to give shout out for your pizza dough recipe . i make it almost each week. My kids love using it to make their own personal pizzas.
I love all the yummy food ideas for the kids. There’s really nothing here that the kids won’t eat. Everything is good and not hard to make. Sure to please everyone.
My kids are older, but still so picky! They would love everything in this post! Thanks for sharing these great ideas!