21 delicious kid-approved dinners for school nights

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Discover 21 kid-approved dinner recipes that effortlessly balance taste and convenience on school nights, ensuring smiles around the table. Say goodbye to dinnertime dilemmas and hello to flavorful, stress-free meals.

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

Roasted chicken apple sausage, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and shallots on a sheet tray.
Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Our Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner features savory chicken apple sausage and a colorful array of roasted vegetables, all on one pan, ready to satisfy even the most discerning young eaters. This kid-approved feast brings the best flavors of the season to your table, offering the warmth of a homemade meal without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

When it comes to kid-friendly dinners, our Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas are a guaranteed hit. Picture tender chicken, melty cheese, and zesty enchilada sauce, all rolled up in tortillas and slow-cooked to perfection. These enchiladas bring the excitement of Mexican cuisine to school night dinners, pleasing little taste buds and giving parents a hassle-free meal option.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Our Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet is a kid-approved comfort dish that combines the convenience of a one-pan meal with flavors that children adore. Imagine savory ground beef mingling with crisp cabbage and a medley of spices, creating a satisfying dinner that’s both wholesome and quick to make.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Slow cooker salsa chicken with rice and beans on a plate.
Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

For a school night dinner that’s both easy and adored by kids, our Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken takes center stage. Visualize tender chicken simmering in a zesty salsa sauce, infusing it with southwestern flair. This recipe provides a hassle-free solution to dinnertime, leaving you with happy, satisfied little ones.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

A bowl of chicken and cabbage soup is shown on a rustic wooden cutting board with parsley and a red linen.
Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Our Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger is a kid-approved bowl of comfort that’s perfect for school nights. Imagine tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and the warmth of ginger-infused broth coming together in a soothing soup. This dish offers the nourishment and flavor kids crave while keeping dinner simple and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Pork Fried Rice

Pork fried rice in a blue and white striped bowl.
Pork Fried Rice. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

When it comes to satisfying young appetites, our Pork Fried Rice is a winner. Picture fluffy rice tossed with savory pork and a medley of vegetables, all stir-fried to perfection. This dish brings the deliciousness of takeout right to your home, making school night dinners an adventure for kids and a breeze for parents.
Get the Recipe: Pork Fried Rice

Crispy Fried Panko Shrimp

Panko shrimp with dipping sauce.
Crispy Fried Panko Shrimp. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crispy Fried Panko Shrimp is a kid-approved delight that turns mealtime into a celebration. Imagine succulent shrimp coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and fried to a golden perfection that kids can’t resist. With this recipe, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish on your school night dinner table, pleasing young seafood lovers and ensuring empty plates.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Fried Panko Shrimp

Air Fryer Ham Steak

air fryer ham steak on a white plate with asparagus and mashed potatoes.
Air Fryer Ham Steak. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Our Air Fryer Ham Steak is a quick and tasty protein option that kids will adore. Visualize thick ham steaks crisping up in the air fryer, creating a delicious aroma that fills your kitchen. This dish offers a modern twist on a classic favorite, making school night dinners both effortless and enjoyable for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham Steak

Tuna Pesto Pasta

A plate of tuna pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes, a copper fork, and a pink linen next to a pan full of tuna pesto pasta.
Tuna Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Tuna Pesto Pasta is a kid-approved school night solution that combines pantry staples into a flavorful and speedy meal. Imagine al dente pasta tossed with flaky tuna and a vibrant pesto sauce, creating a dish that’s both satisfying and convenient for busy evenings. This recipe ensures that dinner is ready in no time, with happy, contented young eaters at the table.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Smashed white bean quesadillas on a cutting board.
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas are a crowd-pleaser that kids will love, and parents will appreciate for their healthiness. Picture creamy white beans smashed and spread on tortillas, topped with a sprinkle of cheese, and folded to golden perfection. These quesadillas offer a satisfying combination of flavor and nutrition, making school night dinners a delightful experience for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Turkey Smash Burgers

A turkey smash burger on a wooden cutting board in front of subway tile.
Turkey Smash Burgers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Our Turkey Smash Burgers are a school night sensation, serving up juicy turkey patties seasoned to perfection and served on fluffy buns. Imagine the excitement of a burger night, with kids eagerly diving into these tasty creations. With this recipe, you’ll turn school nights into mini celebrations, leaving young and old diners alike with smiles on their faces.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Smash Burgers

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A crock pot full of sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is a kid-approved comfort dish that offers a taste of Italian-American goodness. Picture plump sausages, vibrant bell peppers, and a medley of spices slow-cooking to perfection. This recipe provides a hearty meal that kids will adore, leaving you with time to spare on those busy school nights.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Serving of buffalo chicken pasta bake with casserole dish.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a school night favorite that combines the bold flavors of buffalo chicken with comforting pasta. Visualize tender pasta enveloped in a spicy buffalo chicken sauce, topped with melty cheese, and baked to perfection. This dish offers a spicy delight that pleases both kids and parents, turning school night dinners into a flavorful adventure.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

Closeup overhead shot of roasted salmon, asparagus, fingerling potatoes, and cherry tomatoes on a blue sheet tray.
Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

When you need a school night meal that’s healthy and hassle-free, our Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies are here to save the day. Imagine perfectly roasted salmon fillets alongside a rainbow of vibrant veggies, creating a meal that’s as colorful as it is delicious. With this dish, you’ll have kids happily digging into their vegetables while savoring the flavorful salmon.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

Hearty Marinara Sauce

A closeup of hearty marinara sauce in a wooden spoon over a pot of finished marinara sauce.
Hearty Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Our Hearty Marinara Sauce is a versatile kid-approved addition to school night dinners. Picture a rich, aromatic sauce simmering on the stove, filling your kitchen with comforting scents. This sauce elevates any dish, from pasta to pizza, making it a pantry staple that brings a touch of grandma’s kitchen to your meals.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Marinara Sauce

Penne al Baffo

a dish of penne al baffo topped with parsley.
Penne al Baffo. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Penne al Baffo is a school night superstar, offering a quick and delicious pasta dish that pleases both kids and parents. Imagine perfectly cooked penne pasta bathed in a flavorful sauce that’s both comforting and satisfying. With this recipe, school night dinners become a delightful journey through Italian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Penne al Baffo

Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes

Penne pasta with burst cherry tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and parsley on white plate next to a pan filled with pasta.
Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Penne with salmon and cherry tomatoes is a school night winner that combines the elegance of salmon with the ease of a quick meal. Imagine al dente penne pasta tossed with tender salmon, sweet burst cherry tomatoes, and a delicious, light sauce, creating a dish that’s both flavorful and convenient for busy evenings. This recipe turns school nights into an opportunity to savor gourmet flavors without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Closeup overhead shot of 3 crispy chicken thighs in a black cast iron skillet.
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs are a school night lifesaver that brings rustic charm and savory flavors to the table. Imagine chicken thighs sizzling in a cast iron skillet, their skin turning irresistibly crispy while staying tender and flavorful beneath. With this recipe, school night dinners become a simple yet satisfying experience for kids and parents.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown and hamburger casserole in white pan.
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole is a kid-approved comfort dish that turns school night dinners into hearty feasts. Picture layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and crispy hashbrowns all baked to perfection. This dish offers the kind of cheesy, satisfying goodness that makes kids and parents come back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Rice Skillet is a school night sensation that brings the flavors of taco night to a convenient one-pan dish. Imagine seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and all the taco fixings simmering together in a skillet, creating a meal that’s as satisfying as it is tasty. This recipe ensures that school night dinners are a fiesta of flavor and fun for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

For school night dinners that deliver comfort and convenience, our Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese is the ultimate choice. Visualize gooey cheese enveloping tender pasta and savory turkey in a skillet, creating a meal that kids devour happily. With this recipe, school nights become an opportunity to indulge in creamy, cheesy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

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