42 Easy Dinner Ideas For Kids

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This list of easy dinner recipes for kids will make choosing kid-friendly dinner recipes so much easier. There are 42 delicious meal ideas to choose from – that’s more than 6 weeks of easy dinners!

Easy Dinner Ideas For Kids

Meal planning can be a daunting task, especially when you have picky eaters like mine. So I have a running list in my head of quick and easy dinner recipes for kids. It includes all the things kids love, like spaghetti and meatballs, burgers, and chicken tenders.

I try to keep the meals simple and full of flavor, so everyone is happy! But I also make sure to sneak some veggies in so mom is happy, too. All of the meals on this list are easy to make and loved by my own family.

Whatever you choose, this collection of dinner ideas for kids is designed to help make your weeknights run smoothly. And if you want even more help, check out my e-book:

baking dish with lasagna with pepperoni — Pizza Lasagna

Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas For The Whole Family

No need to make a separate kid-friendly meal, these recipes are perfect for the whole family.

Pizza Lasagna

Pizza Lasagna has all the flavor of your favorite pizza toppings in a yummy, layered casserole that's a kid pleasing dinner winner!

Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Pasta

Broccoli Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and quick to make. Ready in 20 minutes, this easy garlic parmesan veggie pasta recipe is always a hit!

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Pie

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole has tons of veggies, ground beef and that famous Sloppy Joe Sauce, all mixed together and topped with crispy tater tots for the ultimate dinnertime casserole meal.

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air Fryer Meatloaf is tender and juicy, with a sweet and savory glaze. It's a classic comfort food dinner recipe that cooks in half the time.

Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole takes everything you love about a cheeseburger and puts it into an easy casserole form. Made in a skillet, this filling meal is ready in about 30 minutes!

Doritos Chicken Casserole Recipe

Dorito Chicken Casserole is an easy dinner that everyone loves! Full of Doritos chips and a creamy mix of chicken, tomatoes, corn and cheese.

Ground Beef Tacos

Learn how to make the most tender and flavorful meat for Ground Beef Tacos! These tacos are the perfect weeknight meal and are ready in about 20 minutes.

Instant Pot Spaghetti

Instant Pot Spaghetti makes pasta night super easy! The pasta cooks with the meat sauce in the pressure cooker for a fast, easy one pot meal.

Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole

Baked Tortellini is an easy weeknight meal with fresh tortellini, meat sauce and cheese. Great for family dinner or doubled to feed a crowd.

Kid-Friendly Soups

My kids love soup – it’s warm and comforting, and it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies. Pair your favorite soup with a yummy sandwich for an easy weeknight dinner your whole family will love.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is an easy way to make a classic favorite. It's warm, comforting and full of chicken, veggies and egg noodles.

Beef & Tomato Macaroni Soup

Goulash Soup is a beef and macaroni soup, made with a rich broth, macaroni & veggies for a satisfying meal that's ready in under an hour.

Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili is hearty, meaty and incredibly flavorful. Simple and easy to make, this tasty chili is great for game day or family dinners.

Chicken Vegetable Soup

Chicken Vegetable Soup has simple ingredients like tender chicken, fresh vegetables and pasta in a rich broth, and it's ready in 30 minutes.

Instant Pot Roasted Tomato Soup

Instant Pot Tomato Soup is bursting with fresh roasted tomatoes, veggies and fresh basil. It's a quick comfort meal perfect for any season.

Social media image of instant pot tomato soup

Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

Spaghetti and Meatballs is a classic family meal that everyone can enjoy. But it can get boring after a while! Try this Spaghetti and Meatball Soup – it's sure to spice up boring old spaghetti night!

white pot with pasta, alfredo sauce and chicken — One Pot Chicken Alfredo

30-Minute One-Pot Wonders

One-pot meals are great for busy weeknights, and these dinner ideas take very little time and effort. Get dinner on the table fast with these favorites!

One Pot Chicken Alfredo

One Pot Chicken Alfredo is a quick and easy meal made in just one pot! Pasta, chicken, and a creamy alfredo sauce come together for a fantastic dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes!

One Pot Chicken Spaghetti

An easy one pot meal with chicken, spaghetti and a creamy tomato sauce.

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese is the perfect blend of seasoned ground beef, pasta, and cheese. It's fast, easy and ready in 30 minutes!

One Pot Pizza Pasta

This One Pot Pizza Pasta is so simple and delicious and tastes like pizza in a bowl! Plus this simple dinner cooks in just one pot for easy clean up!

pepperoni, pasta, sauce in a large pot with parsley garnish.

One Pan Ham & Cheese Tortellini

One Pot Ham and Cheese Tortellini is creamy and flavorful, and cooked all in one pan for a quick weeknight dinner with easy clean up.

One Pot Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta

One Pot Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta is full of noodles, bacon and chicken in a cheesy Ranch sauce. All cooked in one pan for easy clean up.

stack of sliced grilled cheese sandwiches — Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Classic Kid Favorites

Cooking food that your kids will eat can be challenging, but these classic kid favorites are sure winners every single time.

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is an easy way to make a childhood favorite. Crispy, golden bread stuffed with melty cheese and no skillet required!

Walking Tacos

Need to feed a crowd without much effort? Here's the perfect recipe for you: Game Day Walking Tacos.

Air Fryer Hamburgers

Air Fryer Hamburgers are juicy and so easy to make with just 3 ingredients. Homemade hamburgers in the air fryer are a super fast dinner any night!

Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Air Fryer Fish Sticks are a game changer! Making frozen fish sticks in the air fryer is so easy, and they are crispy and crunchy every time.

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese is a family favorite, easily customized with different cheeses and ready in 30 minutes.

Pizza Bagels

With only 3 ingredients and endless topping choices, homemade Pizza Bagels are an easy to make, easy to eat meal or snack.

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air Fryer Hot Dogs are flavorful, juicy and take less than 10 minutes! Great for rainy days or when you don’t feel like firing up the stove.

Sheet Pan Pizza

This Sheet Pan Pizza recipe is quick and easy to make. Golden, chewy crust made from a homemade dough with NO rising or kneading.

Air Fryer French Fries

Air Fryer Frozen French Fries let you have hot, crispy fries in minutes. Turn frozen fries into a copycat of your favorite fast food side!

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a creamy combo of chicken, bacon, ranch and cheese. It's a real crowd pleaser and makes the best sandwiches!

Taco Pizza Recipe

Taco Pizza has a chewy pizza crust, topped with refried beans, seasoned ground beef and all your favorite taco toppings.

Sloppy Joes Recipe

Classic Sloppy Joes recipe with ground beef, onions, ketchup, Worcestershire, and brown sugar sauce for the ultimate sweet and savory meal.

Turkey BLT Wraps

Deli turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato wrapped in a flour tortilla with ranch and avocado.

Easy Pizza Pinwheels

Pizza Pinwheels are made with soft crescent rolls, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings. An easy snack or appetizer ready in 20 minutes.

Baked Zucchini Fries

Super crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, Baked Zucchini Fries are a healthy snack or side dish option and a great way to use up that summer squash!

One Pan Buttered Noodles

One Pan Buttered Noodles is a fast and easy side dish. As the pasta simmers it creates a rich and luscious sauce – no draining required!

egg noodles with butter, wooden spoon, silver pan

platter with crispy chicken drumsticks — Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Show me a kid that doesn’t love chicken nuggets and…well I wouldn’t believe you! From chicken nuggets to tenders to drumsticks, these easy chicken dinners will rock your kids world.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Homemade chicken nuggets are made with chunks of chicken and seasoned breadcrumbs. These baked nuggets are a healthier alternative to drive-thru chicken.

Baked Chicken Tenders

With a buttery panko breading and about 20 minutes in the oven, these crispy Baked Chicken Tenders are way better than the drive thru!

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders

Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders are tangy and slightly sweet, with a fresh citrus flavor. Make this copycat recipe at home with 4 ingredients!

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Get crispy baked chicken drumsticks in 3 easy steps. These juicy, flavorful baked chicken legs will be your new go-to chicken recipe!

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a quick and easy recipe for juicy chicken strips with a crunchy Panko breading!

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Skip the line and save some cash with this easy copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe. With a perfectly golden exterior and a tender, juicy center, this is THE chicken nuggets recipe you need in your life.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are tender and juicy and practically hands off in your slow cooker. Crisp under the broiler for the finishing touch.

Take the stress out of weeknight meal planning – these easy dinner ideas for kids are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Let us know your favorites in the comments below and check this page out if you want more Easy Weeknight Family Dinners!