12 Best Kid-Approved Dinners

Getting kids to eat dinner can sometimes feel like a battle. The trick is to make meals that are fun, flavorful, and familiar while still being nutritious. Here are 12 dinners that kids love and parents approve of, all easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. For more kid-friendly meal ideas, check out Honey Garlic Sausage & Sweet Potatoes for a simple, flavorful dinner the whole family will enjoy.

1. Mini Pizzas

Kids love anything they can build themselves, and mini pizzas are perfect for hands-on fun. Using English muffins, tortillas, or bagels makes them quick and budget-friendly, while the topping options keep them exciting every time.

Get The Recipe: Mini Pizza

Ingredients:

• 4 English muffins, bagels, or tortillas
• ½ cup pizza or tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Toppings: pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, etc.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread sauce over muffin halves or tortillas.
3. Add cheese and favorite toppings.
4. Bake 8–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

2. Chicken Tenders

Crispy, golden chicken tenders are a guaranteed kid favorite. Baking them at home means they’re healthier than fast food, but just as crunchy and satisfying for dipping into sauces.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Coat chicken strips in flour, dip in eggs, then roll in breadcrumbs.
3. Place on baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Serve with ketchup, BBQ, or honey mustard.

3. Mac and Cheese with Veggies

Creamy mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food for kids, and slipping in peas, broccoli, or carrots is an easy way for parents to boost nutrition without complaints.

Get The Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup peas or chopped broccoli

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding veggies in the last 3 minutes.
2. In a pot, melt butter, stir in flour, then whisk in milk.
3. Cook until thickened, then stir in cheese.
4. Combine sauce with pasta and veggies.

4. Taco Night

Tacos are endlessly customizable, which makes them fun for kids and easy for parents. A taco bar lets little ones build their own plates while trying new toppings at their own pace.

Get The Recipe: Ghost Mini Taco Pies

Ingredients:

• 8 taco shells or tortillas
• 1 lb ground beef or chicken
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, beans

Directions:

1. Cook meat in a skillet until browned, then add seasoning and water.
2. Warm taco shells.
3. Set out toppings in small bowls.
4. Let kids assemble their own tacos.

5. Sloppy Joes

Messy, saucy, and delicious, sloppy joes are a nostalgic classic that kids can’t resist. Parents love them too because they’re quick to make and stretch easily to feed the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns

Directions:

1. Cook ground meat in skillet until browned; drain excess fat.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes.
3. Spoon onto buns and serve warm.

6. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Nothing beats a plate of spaghetti and meatballs when it comes to kid-approved comfort food. Mini-sized meatballs make it easier for small hands and add a playful twist to this timeless dish.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• 200g spaghetti

Directions:

1. Mix meat, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning. Roll into small meatballs.
2. Cook meatballs in a skillet until browned, then add pasta sauce. Simmer 15 minutes.
3. Boil spaghetti, drain, and serve with meatballs and sauce.

7. Homemade Burgers

Juicy burgers are fun to assemble and even better to eat. By making them at home, you can control the ingredients, sneak in whole grains or veggies, and let kids top theirs however they like.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 tsp salt and pepper
• 4 burger buns
• Toppings: lettuce, tomato, cheese, ketchup, pickles

Directions:

1. Shape meat into 4 patties. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook on skillet or grill 4–5 minutes per side.
3. Toast buns if desired.
4. Let kids build their burgers with favorite toppings.

8. Breakfast for Dinner

Kids love when meals feel like a treat, and breakfast at dinnertime is always a winner. Pancakes, eggs, or waffles bring comfort and fun to the table while staying simple and affordable.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in another. Combine into smooth batter.
2. Cook pancakes on greased skillet until bubbles form, then flip.
3. Serve with fruit, syrup, or scrambled eggs on the side.

9. Baked Quesadillas

Cheesy quesadillas baked until crispy are both tasty and easy for kids to handle. Parents will love that they can be filled with beans, chicken, or veggies for extra nutrition.

Get The Recipe: Baked Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 4 tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup beans or cooked chicken
• Salsa for dipping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place filling on half of each tortilla, fold over, and place on baking sheet.
3. Bake 8–10 minutes until golden and crispy.
4. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa.

10. Mini Meatloaf Muffins

Meatloaf gets a fun twist when baked in muffin tins. These kid-sized portions cook faster than a traditional loaf and make dinner feel more playful and less intimidating.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• ½ cup ketchup (plus extra for topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix meat, breadcrumbs, egg, and half the ketchup.
3. Spoon mixture into muffin tin and top with a little ketchup.
4. Bake 20–25 minutes until cooked through.

11. Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake

Pasta bakes are warm, cheesy, and filling, everything kids enjoy. Parents can sneak in zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms, and the baked cheese topping makes sure nobody complains.

Get The Recipe: Veggie-packed pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pasta
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (zucchini, spinach, etc.)
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta, drain, and mix with tomato sauce and veggies.
2. Pour into baking dish and sprinkle with cheese.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.

12. DIY Sandwich Bar

Kids love having choices, and a DIY sandwich bar puts them in control. Parents can lay out healthy options, and kids get the fun of making their own creations for dinner.

Get The Recipe: Croissant Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients:

• Bread or rolls
• Deli meat or shredded chicken
• Cheese slices
• Lettuce, tomato, pickles, condiments

Directions:

1. Lay out all ingredients buffet-style.
2. Let kids choose bread, protein, veggies, and toppings.
3. Serve with fruit or veggie sticks for a complete meal.

Conclusion

Making dinner that pleases both kids and parents doesn’t have to be stressful. With these 12 kid-approved recipes, you’ll have a mix of comfort food favorites and fun, customizable meals that are easy to prepare and gentle on your budget. From mini pizzas to breakfast-for-dinner, these recipes prove that mealtime can be both exciting and nutritious. Ready to make dinnertime easier and more fun? Start with one of these recipes tonight, and watch your kids ask for seconds! Don’t forget to save this list or share it with other busy parents looking for stress-free, family-friendly dinner ideas.