Getting my kids to agree on dinner used to feel like negotiating a peace treaty. But I’ve landed on a handful of recipes that they genuinely get excited about and actually ask me to make again. Here are the meals that have brought peace to our dinner table.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs
Kids go wild for these fall-off-the-bone chicken drumsticks that cook themselves while you handle everything else on your to-do list. Just toss them in the slow cooker with tangy barbecue sauce and come back hours later to a dinner they’ll beg you to make again.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
This creamy, cheesy pasta dish is exactly the kind of comfort food kids request by name. Everything cooks together in the crock pot so you get tender chicken and perfectly cooked spaghetti without juggling multiple pots on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
My kids basically consider this the ultimate dinner because it combines two of their favorites into one bowl. The slow cooker does all the work while you’re doing literally anything else, and the combination of hearty chili and gooey cheese over pasta makes it a regular in our rotation.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Chicken and Waffle Casserole
This one gets requested constantly because it feels like breakfast for dinner but requires just five ingredients. The sweet and savory combo keeps everyone happy, and you can have it on the table without any complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken
When kids ask for “that chicken thing” this is usually what they mean. The chicken turns out super tender in a rich, flavorful sauce that goes perfectly over rice or noodles, and the slow cooker means you can set it up in the morning.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
This is the recipe my kids actually cheer for because they love homemade meatballs but I love that everything cooks in one pot. The Instant Pot makes it fast enough for a weeknight, and the meatballs come out just as good as the long-simmered version.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
My kids discovered they could get this restaurant favorite at home and now they ask for it all the time. The slow cooker makes the roast beef incredibly tender, and when you pile it on toasted buns with that creamy cheese sauce, it’s even better than the drive-thru version.
Get the Recipe: Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
This copycat recipe is on constant repeat at our house because the chicken gets so tender it falls apart in the creamy cheese sauce. It cooks all day in the slow cooker so dinner is ready when everyone starts asking what’s to eat.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Air Fryer Pineapple Chicken
Kids love this one because it tastes like takeout but comes together in under 30 minutes. The chicken gets juicy and the pineapple caramelizes perfectly in the air fryer, all coated in a sweet and tangy glaze that makes them forget about ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pineapple Chicken
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches
The combination of barbecue sauce and ranch dressing makes this a kid favorite that they request over and over. It’s budget-friendly and easy since the slow cooker does the work, then you just pile the shredded chicken onto buns.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches
Chicken Parm Casserole
This gives kids all the cheesy, saucy goodness of chicken parmesan without the time commitment. It’s fast enough for a busy weeknight but still feels special, which is why it’s earned a permanent spot on our meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Casserole
Pizza Bubble Up
Kids go crazy for this because it’s basically pizza in casserole form with fun biscuit pieces throughout. You just layer canned biscuits with pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings for a dinner that gets devoured every single time.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Bubble Up
Ham, Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches
These breakfast sandwiches are ready in minutes and my kids think they’re getting something really fun. They’re perfect for those mornings when everyone needs to get out the door fast but still wants something more than cereal.
Get the Recipe: Ham, Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches
Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta
This creamy pasta is ready in under 30 minutes and my kids always ask for seconds. It’s a nice break from regular marinara, and everything cooks in one pot so cleanup is actually manageable on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Taco Tuesday became a standing request at our house once I started making these. The chicken cooks with honey and lime for a flavor the kids really love, and the crock pot means I can prep it early and forget about it.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Baked Tortellini
This is the kind of no-stress dinner that kids ask for when they want comfort food fast. Cheese tortellini gets baked with sausage, marinara, and melted cheese for a meal that’s foolproof and ready quickly.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tortellini