Kid-friendly dinners should make everyone happy, not just the little ones. These meals are great because they’re easy to make, full of familiar flavors, and something you’ll actually want to eat, too. No need to cook separate meals or settle for something bland — these recipes keep dinner simple while making sure everyone at the table gets a meal they’ll enjoy.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese come together in this hearty casserole that’s done in just 30 minutes. The cheesy topping makes it kid-friendly, while the simple ingredients keep it easy for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Canned Chicken Patties
These chicken patties come together in just 20 minutes and work as a main dish, a sandwich, or alongside steamed vegetables. They have a mild flavor and crispy edges that make them a great choice for kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Tuna Melt Quesadillas
A classic tuna melt gets the quesadilla treatment in this 30-minute meal. Tuna filling is layered with cheddar cheese on flour tortillas and crisped up on the stovetop. The crispy tortilla and cheesy filling make this an easy meal for kids who aren’t big on tuna.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Melt Quesadillas
Broccoli Fritters
Chopped broccoli florets and Parmesan cheese come together in just 35 minutes to make these crispy fritters. Serve them with Greek yogurt or sour cream as a side or main dish. The crispy edges and cheesy flavor make them easy for kids to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Baked Ravioli
This baked dish has all the layers of lasagna without the extra effort. Frozen cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, and melted cheese come together for an easy, comforting meal in just an hour. The cheesy layers make it a meal everyone at the table will be happy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Bite-sized pieces of chicken cook quickly on the stovetop in a simple garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this is an easy meal that kids will eat without complaint.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Steamed frozen broccoli and cauliflower are mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, topped with bacon, and baked until golden. Ready in just 30 minutes, this casserole is a great option for weeknight dinners. The cheesy, creamy texture makes it easy to get kids to eat their veggies.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
A budget-friendly, comforting meal that’s ready in less than an hour. Tater tots bake up crispy on top of a creamy, cheesy chicken filling, making this a great option for kids and adults alike. Leftovers also freeze well for an easy future meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Big Mac Salad
This easy-to-make salad brings all the flavors of a classic Big Mac without the extra effort. It’s a filling, flavorful meal that works well for weeknight dinners or quick weekday lunches. Kids love the familiar flavors, and you can easily adjust the toppings for picky eaters.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
A one-pan, 30-minute meal with ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. It’s easy to make and keeps dinnertime simple while packing in plenty of flavor. The creamy texture and cheesy topping make it a meal kids won’t mind eating.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Loaded Zucchini Boats
These zucchini boats take inspiration from loaded potato skins, making them a great option for dinner. Ready in under an hour, they’re a fun way to get kids to eat their veggies without complaints.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
This 30-minute chicken casserole features chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. The creamy sauce and melted cheese make it an easy way to get kids to eat spinach without complaints.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Chicken salad with canned chicken, bacon, and cheese is scooped into hollowed-out cucumber halves for a quick meal. The crunchy cucumber and creamy filling make this a fun, fresh meal kids will actually eat.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This weeknight-friendly casserole comes together in under an hour with minimal prep. The creamy sauce and tender noodles make it a meal that kids and adults will both enjoy. Plus, it reheats well for a quick and easy leftover meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
These baked chicken and bacon poppers come together quickly, paired with a homemade ranch dressing. They’re easy to eat and packed with familiar flavors that make them a hit with kids.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Broccoli Casserole
This 50-minute casserole is simple to make and great for beginner cooks. The cheesy, creamy texture helps make broccoli more kid-friendly, while the easy prep keeps things stress-free for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Crispy, flavorful pork chops without frying — ready in just 25 minutes. This is a great way to get a homemade dinner on the table fast, and the crispy coating makes it an easy win with kids.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Reuben Bowls
This 30-minute meal brings all the flavors of a Reuben sandwich into a simple, fork-friendly bowl. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing make it an easy, satisfying dinner for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Loaded Tater Tots
Crispy tater tots get topped with melted cheddar, bacon, sour cream, and green onions for a quick, 35-minute meal. It’s a great way to turn a familiar ingredient into a fun, kid-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Tater Tots
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
A 20-minute, one-skillet meal that makes great use of leftover chicken. With green chiles and simple seasoning, it’s a fast dinner that works for both mild and adventurous eaters.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Inspired by the Olive Garden classic, this soup swaps out potatoes for radishes while keeping the rich, hearty flavors. The creamy broth and sausage make it a comforting meal that both kids and adults will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy Parmesan and garlic sauce for a stovetop meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. The garlic flavor is mild enough for kids, and the creamy sauce makes it easy to pair with pasta or rice.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Meatza
This ground pork-based pizza bakes in just 10 minutes and skips the traditional crust. With a crispy base and familiar toppings like mozzarella and pizza sauce, it’s a simple meal that kids will get excited about.
Get the Recipe: Meatza
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
With bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, this casserole is pure comfort food. The creamy texture and crispy bacon make it a great side dish that kids and adults will both want second helpings of.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
These high-protein breakfast muffins come together in just 30 minutes. They’re an easy grab-and-go meal that kids will actually eat, with a texture similar to a mini quiche.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Crock Pot Taco Soup
A simple slow cooker meal that requires just 20 minutes of prep. Brown the ground beef, add everything to the slow cooker, and let it cook until dinner. The bold flavors make it a fun way for kids to enjoy taco night in soup form.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Zucchini Bites
Shredded zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar cheese, and Italian seasoning come together in these easy, 30-minute bites. They’re crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and a great way to make zucchini more kid-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites