Easy Dinner Ideas for Kids
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As any parent knows, finding meals that are both nutritious and appealing to young taste buds can sometimes be tough. So check out these easy dinner ideas for kids that the whole family will love! From quick-fix pasta dishes to creative takes on classic favorites, we’ve got easy dinner ideas for you to save your sanity and fill your family.
Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas for Kids
Here are some quick and easy dinner ideas that are sure to please kids:
- Mini Pizzas: Use English muffins or pita bread as a base, add tomato sauce, cheese, and their favorite toppings. Pop them in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
- Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with cheese, cooked chicken or beef, and veggies. Heat them in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
- Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce: Cook pasta and toss it with a simple homemade tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, and Italian herbs. Serve with grated cheese on top.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Spread butter on bread slices, add cheese, and grill them until golden brown and crispy.
- Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry: Quickly stir-fry bite-sized pieces of chicken with mixed vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Serve over rice or noodles.
- Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups: Roll up slices of ham with cheese inside, secure with toothpicks, and serve with crackers and sliced veggies.
- Homemade Chicken Nuggets: Coat bite-sized pieces of chicken breast in breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes and bake until crispy.
- Vegetable Fried Rice: Stir-fry cooked rice with mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn, along with scrambled eggs and soy sauce.
- Soup and Sandwich Combo: Serve a simple soup like tomato or chicken noodle alongside grilled cheese sandwiches for a comforting meal.
If you are looking for inspiration for great meal ideas for young kids, check out this collection of Daycare Lunches for toddlers and preschoolers (even the picky ones!). Easy, simple, and tasty enough for the whole family to enjoy!
Easy Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters
Sometimes you have a child that is super difficult to feed because they have sensory issues or haven’t learned to like a lot of variety. One good way to help is to offer a wide variety of choices so they feel more in control. And sometimes it works best to serve things that are really familiar. Here are some easy dinner ideas tailored for picky eaters:
- Build-Your-Own Tacos: Lay out a variety of toppings such as seasoned ground beef or turkey, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, and sour cream. Picky eaters can choose what they want to include, making it more likely they’ll enjoy their meal.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Whip up a batch of homemade macaroni and cheese using elbow macaroni and a creamy cheese sauce. You can even sneak in some pureed veggies like butternut squash or cauliflower for added nutrition.
- Pasta with Butter and Parmesan: Sometimes simplicity is key. Toss cooked pasta with melted butter, a bit of garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese for a fuss-free meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. This is a favorite across the decades at little sprouts. A little variety of cut up fresh fruits and veggies and a cheese stick, slices of lunch meat, or some cottage cheese on the side for protein makes a fun meal that most kids love.
- Mini Pizzas with Custom Toppings: Set out a variety of toppings such as pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, diced ham, sliced olives, and bell peppers. Let picky eaters customize their own mini pizzas on English muffins before baking.
- Baked Potato Bar: Bake potatoes and set out an assortment of toppings such as butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives. Picky eaters can load up their baked potatoes with their favorite toppings.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches: When all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a classic PB&J sandwich. Serve with carrot sticks, apple slices, or cucumber slices on the side for added nutrition.
These easy dinner ideas offer flexibility and options for picky eaters to choose from, ensuring a stress-free mealtime for everyone involved.
For more easy dinner inspiration, check these out:
