21 Kid-Approved Dinner Ideas For Fast, Easy Family Meals
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Looking for quick and simple kid-friendly dinner recipes you’ll actually want to eat too? You’ve come to the right place!
As a parent, I know how challenging it can be to find meals that are both quick and easy to prepare, healthy and loved by kids. And how frustrating it is to spend all this time and money on food, only to have them screw up their face and say “yuck.”
Which is why I’ve put together a list of tried-and-true kid approved dinner recipes my kids love, that are perfect for busy weeknights, weekend get togethers, and even vacation meals.
You’ll find everything from comforting classics to new favorites, these meals are nutritious, delicious, and sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Ready to rock your next family meal?
Fast and Easy Family Dinner Ideas for Busy Parents
1. Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Mini Chicken Pot Pies are the ultimate comfort food.
They’re made with easy ingredients including tender rotisserie chicken, creamy chicken soup, frozen mixed veggies and a flaky pre-made biscuit crust, making them a go-to choice for busy weeknights.
Get the recipe: Mini Chicken Pot Pies
2. Quick Italian Pasta Salad
Italian Pasta Salad is a meal I make for all sorts of occasions because my kids devour it. Busy weeknights, summer meals, picnics, BBQs, camping and even vacation meals.
Made with store bought Italian dressing it’s extra quick, though I often take a few extra minutes and make my own dressing.
Get the recipe: Italian Pasta Salad
3. Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
Add this pineapple chicken stir fry to your family’s monthly dinner rotation.
My kids love pineapple in stir frys as the salty and sweet mixed together is so good. Just add a colorful mix of veggies kids will eat. We love red peppers, snow peas and carrots.
Get the recipe: Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
4. 15-Minute Pizza Sloppy Joes Recipe
A 15 minute meal, sign me up!
I love having a few ultra quick meals in my back pocket for when I’m tired of cooking. Pizza Sloppy Joes are this. It’s an easy dinner that combines classic pizza flavors with not one, but two layers of melty cheese.
A delicious mixture of lean ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, sweet onion, green peppers, and pizza sauce, all topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. You can also make them ahead for meal prep or freezer meals.
Get the recipe: Pizza Sloppy Joes
⭐️ You may also like our Kid-Friendly Chicken Casserole Recipes
5. Tuna Fried Rice
Fried rice is something my partner Derek often makes in our houshold, to use up any leftover rice. My youngest will often eat seconds.
This tuna fried rice is a quick and easy dish made with simple ingredients of garlic, peppers, corn, and seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Get the recipe: Tuna Fried Rice
6. Cheesy Taco Pasta
Pasta is always a favorite in our household. This simple one-pot Cheesy Taco Pasta is super quick, so you can make it in under 30 minutes too.
It’s loaded with taco flavors and customizable with your family’s favorite toppings like sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, black olives, sautéed fajita veggies, salsa, shredded cheese & lettuce.
Serve it up in bowls and let the whole family enjoy a fun and delicious meal.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Taco Pasta
7. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Continuing along the taco theme, these Rotisserie Chicken Tacos are the best. They’re stuffed with spiced shredded chicken, green chiles, cheese and baked until golden and crispy in the oven. Don’t forget the pico de gallo!
Get the recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
8. Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup
Chicken Rice Soup is so comforting. It reminds me of warm dinners on cool days, soup delivered to me by my mom when I was feeling under the weather and warm hugs.
My kids will ask for it all year round, even in summer, it’s that good. Fresh veggies, chicken and a dash of lemon juice make for a warming meal.
Everything is cooked in the instant pot in under 30 minutes for a quick, healthy dinner.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Rice Soup
9. Instant Pot Chili
Instant Pots save the day when I’m looking to put food on the table quickly for my hungry, whining kids.
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. Enjoy a mild chili that kids will love, and top with your family’s favorite toppings. We love grated cheese, green onions a dollop of sour cream and jalapenos (well the adults like these).
Get the recipe: Kid Friendly Instant Pot Chili
More family recipes to try: Easy Foil Packet Recipes for the grill, oven or campfire
10. One Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Broccoli are one of those veggies my kids will more often eat then not. Which is why this Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is so handy and a complete meal.
Easy to make, tasty and a one-pot meal, that’s perfect for summer dinners, or family meals.
Get the recipe: One Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
11. Ham and Cheese Sliders
Hot and gooey, these easy ham and cheese sliders are perfect for game days, parties, or a quick lunch or dinner.
Made with sweet Hawaiian rolls, you can bake them in the oven or cook them in batches in the air fryer for a speedy, delicious treat. With warm ham, melted cheese, and tasty herbs on fluffy buns, these sliders are a fun and easy-to-make crowd-pleaser.
Get the recipe: Ham & Cheese Sliders
12. Mini Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches
Banh Mi are a delicious Vietnamese sub type sandwich, in this case with lemongrass marinated chicken, pickled carrots and daikon, crunchy cucumber and sriracha mayo in a crusty mini baguette.
Now I know what you’re thinking – my kid will never eat that. You might be surprised, my kids love Banh Mi.
To make it even more kid friendly, leave the toppings out in bowls and let them put whatever they like inside. That way everyone is happy!
Get the recipe: Mini Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches
13. Gnocchi Bake
Gnocchi are a fairly new discovery in hour household. My youngest daughter loves them so much, she’ll often fry some up for her lunches (she’s 11).
But this Gnocchi Bake takes it up another level. Pan fried gnocchi, tomato sauce & kid friendly veggies, topped with gooey, melty cheese is kid (and parent) approved.
If you’re looking for something a little different than a pasta bake, this is a great option.
Get the recipe: Gnocchi Bake
14. Taco Bake
I love that this Taco Bake recipe has a secret ingredient layer; cheesy Fritos. My kids think this is just the best…chips for dinner. But not to worry there’s other good stuff in there.
Taco Bakes are fun family casseroles, the whole family will decour in minutes.
Get the recipe: Taco Bake
15. Easy Baked Chicken Fingers
Easy Baked Chicken Fingers are what fast food nuggets aspire to be.
We all need an easy chicken recipe in our back pocket for those busy weeknights. And these panko, parmesan cheese & herb crusted chicken fingers are just that recipe. Add a side salad or french fries for a full meal.
Get the recipe: Easy Baked Chicken Fingers
16. Salmon Kabobs in the Oven
Growing up on the west coast of Canada salmon was always a yearly treat, especially in the summertime over the BBQ. While these delicious gluten-free Salmon Kabobs are made in the oven, they would also work well over the grill.
Super versatile, just thread the skewers with veggies your kids will eat. We really like using pineapple & salmon too.
Get the recipe: Salmon Kabobs
17. Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
OMG! Cheesy Tater Tots and ground beef piled with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, are drizzled in a special sauce, all piled into one delicious Big Mac flavoured casserole.
A new, healthier take on a nostalgic favourite. For the pickier eaters, let them top their casserole with veggies they prefer.
Get the recipe: Big Mac Casserole with Tater Tots
18. Quick and Easy Naan Bread Pizzas
Naan Bread Pizzas are our go-to when we need a quick, filling & budget friendly meal. Simple ingredients; tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni (or whatever you like) on a tasty, chewy bread that take about 10-15 minutes to cook.
They’re fun for parties too, as everyone can just use their preferred toppings for their individual pizza.
Get the recipe: Naan Bread Pizzas
19. Pasta and Peas with Bacon
Back up weeknight meal, here we come.
Pasta and peas with bacon is the ultimate easy, last minute weeknight recipe when you’ve forgotten to hit the grocery store (whoops), and need something on the table quick.
We usually add a bit of olive oil, or just use the tasty goodness of a little of the bacon fat flavour the pasta, along with pepper and grated parmesan cheese.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Peas and Bacon
20. Grilled Pork Chops
Grilled Pork Chops combine a savory & sweet marinade made with soy sauce and the secret ingredient pineapple. Perfect to cook over an outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill
Choose a few sides to go with it; grilled asparagus, wild rice, summer salad, and baked beans are great options.
Get the recipe: Grilled Pork Chops
21. Chicken Fajitas Quesadillas
These Chicken Fajita Quesadillas blend the smoky flavor of fajitas with the cheesy goodness of quesadillas, making for a fun, family-friendly meal ready in about 30 minutes.
Instead of slicing the chicken into strips, cut it into bite-size pieces that stay put inside the tortillas. Sandwich the chicken fajita filling between two layers of shredded cheese, fold over the tortillas, and cook until crisp and golden brown for a delicious, easy-to-eat dinner.
Get the recipe: Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
Final Thoughts: Easy Family Dinner Recipes
These 21 kid-approved dinner ideas are perfect for fast and easy family meals. From tacos and stir fries to naan pizzas and gnocchi bakes, each recipe is simple to prepare, delicious, and sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
These comforting classics and creative new dishes will save you time in the kitchen and make dinner stress-free. Incorporate these meals into your weekly routine to keep you out of the kitchen, with more time to spend with family.
More family friendly recipes:
