Home » Recipes » Main Dish

Dinner Recipes For Kids

ByJennifer Osterholt Updated

This post contains affiliate links.

We put together a collection of tried and true, easy dinner recipes our kids have enjoyed over the years, and they all to fit into a busy schedule.

Collage of a variety of easy dinner recipes for kids including chicken noodle casserole, ham sandwich, crescent wrapped Kielbasa, tater tot hamburger casserole, baked pasta and Parmesan chicken tenders.

Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas for Kids

Between chores, school pickups, and just plowing through life, getting a hot meal on the table that everyone will actually eat is a real challenge.

I don’t have time for complicated recipes with a long ingredient list. I need dinners that come together fast and get my kids running to the kitchen instead of dragging their feet.

Over the years I’ve figured out exactly which meals earn clean plates and zero complaints, and honestly, they’re some of the easiest things I make!

From a creamy skillet pasta that comes together in minutes to a four-ingredient slow cooker pulled pork we make at least once a month, these are the tried-and-true dinners I rely on when I need a guaranteed win.

Save this Recipe

Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe right to your inbox! Plus, I’ll send you new recipes every week!

Whether it’s breakfast for dinner, pulled pork nachos piled high with leftover meat, or a cozy bowl of our bacon corn chowder recipe, every single one of these recipes has earned a permanent spot on our farmhouse menu. I hope they do the same for yours!

Fun Dinners To Make With Kids

Growing up in a farm family means there’s always lots of work to be done all around us. I feel very strongly about the importance of giving kids jobs which gives them purpose.

That’s our favorite part of our lifestyle, keeping our kids nearby in all that we do and keeping everyone working.

Collage of fun recipes to make with kids including beef and biscuit casserole, stromboli, skillet mac and cheese, pancake tacos, cornbread muffins and baked tacos with chicken.

Work can be fun and we’ve got a list of dinner recipes that are fun to make with the kids!

Kids Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters

Too many of us have been there, kids that will only eat pasta, pancakes, chicken or pizza.  Here are some variations on those basics that appeal to others in the family, but the picky eaters still enjoy!

Kid’s Dinner Recipes

Here’s a mix of easy dinner ideas for kids, classic family favorites, and a few new recipes we hope will please the whole crew!

Kielbasa and Rice
Rice cooks until tender in one skillet with savory Kielbasa, onion, green pepper and tomatoes to create a flavorful one pot meal.
Check out this recipe
Tender rice surrounding coins of lightly browned Kielbasa with green pepper, tomatoes and onions nestled in for more flavor and a fork about to take a bite.
Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
A buttery, slightly sweet and garlicky glaze on these Hawaiian Roll Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders makes one of our family's favorite meals!
Check out this recipe
Close up bacon cheeseburger slider
Baked Mostaccioli Pasta
A generous layer of cheese baked on a simple mixture of Mostaccioli Pasta, red sauce and Italian sausage makes a delicious family meal!
Check out this recipe
Baked mostaccioli casserole covered in cheese on white plate.
Hamburger Biscuit Casserole
Cheese melts on a ground beef and tomato soup mixture that's topped with golden brown biscuits to create this effortless Hamburger Biscuit Casserole.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a plate full of flavorful mixture of hamburger, onion and tomato sauce with cheese melted in between a layer of flaky biscuit pieces.
Hamburger and Tater Tot Casserole
Golden brown tater tots sit atop melty cheese, mixed vegetables and beef to make our Hamburger and Tater Tot Casserole.
Check out this recipe
Cheese covered hamburger peeking out of a tater tot casserole with vegetables and a fork leaning on the crispy potatoes in the background
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta Casserole
Even picky eaters enjoy this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta Casserole recipe which make dinnertime more enjoyable!
Check out this recipe
Bowtie chicken pasta casserole with fork on white plate
Crock-Pot Pizza Casserole
Warm, cheesy, saucy and everything you want from an easy dinner, this Crock-Pot Pizza Casserole with noodles is a winning recipe!
Check out this recipe
Portion of pizza casserole in crock pot showing noodles, red sauce, cheese and pepperoni in a black crock
Parmesan Chicken Strips
A light coating of Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs on baked chicken tenders are a budget friendly way to make a delicious dinner when you are craving Parmesan chicken strips!
Check out this recipe
Parmesan coated chicken tenders baked in butter
Turkey, Cheddar And Bacon Sliders
We love how these sweet sliders are great to take to a party, but they are also an easy meal to make at home.  Turkey, Cheddar & Bacon Sliders are a great way to use leftover turkey or a pack of deli meat.  Everyone in our family enjoys these little sandwiches!
Check out this recipe
4 easy turkey sliders on Kings Hawaiian Rolls
Hamburger Casserole
Warm and delicious, tomato soup is the perfect complement to ground beef, cheddar cheese and noodles in our easy Hamburger Casserole recipe.
Check out this recipe
Silver serving spoon in a warm, fresh casserole with hamburger and noodles that picky eaters love.
Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese
Simple ingredients mix together to create a smooth and creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese on the stove top in under 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
View above a homestyle skillet meal recipe that our whole family loves is this creamy sausage macaroni and cheese.
Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
A few simple ingredients quickly layer to create an easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole that the whole family will love!
Check out this recipe
Close up cheesy chicken breast on a silver server being lifted above the full pan of the best parmesan chicken casserole with marinara sauce.
Pepperoni Stuffed Hawaiian Rolls
Soft Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with pepperoni and cheese, coated with a layer of melted butter with garlic and Parmesan cheese then baked to warm golden brown perfection!
Check out this recipe
Close up top of a Hawaiian roll with slits cut in the top and stuffed with pepperoni and Italian cheese and baked until golden brown.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Stromboli
Chicken, bacon and ranch make one of the best flavor combinations for an easy meal! This simple spin on pizza and a wrap makes a delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Stromboli.
Check out this recipe
Stromboli filled with chicken, bacon and ranch
Crescent Roll Taco Ring
Fill the center of this Crescent Roll Taco Ring with your favorite toppings to create an attractive meal in under 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a quick taco ring meal filled with fresh chopped veggies and ready to serve on a silver baking sheet.
Farmhouse Stromboli Pizza
This semi-homemade Farmhouse Stromboli Pizza is a quick and easy family meal. Frozen bread dough is rolled out, covered with pizza toppings and rolled up to make a simple and delicious restaurant-quality meal at home!
Check out this recipe
Easy pepperoni and cheese stromboli
Baked Chicken Tacos
Corn and tomatoes sweeten the tender shredded chicken while black beans add fiber to these flavorful Baked Chicken Tacos.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a hand holding a crispy corn tortilla taco shell full of a delicious shredded chicken mix and topped with cheddar cheese.
Creamy Kielbasa and Pasta
Slices of Kielbasa and broccoli florets mix with pasta in a rich and creamy white Alfredo sauce to make a flavorful skillet meal.
Check out this recipe
A deep skillet full of Polish Kielbasa and broccoli stirred into pasta with a simple cream sauce on a blue napkin.
Pasta With Marinara and Alfredo
Warm marinara and Alfredo sauce in a skillet, add seasonings, cheese and cooked pasta for a simple and delicious meal.
This Pasta with Marinara and Alfredo skillet recipe is a quick meal that makes mealtime easier.
Check out this recipe
Pile of cheesy pasta made in a skillet with marinara sauce and alfredo sauce on a white plate for a quick meal.
Taco Pie
Flaky crescent rolls baked to a golden brown finish with a thick layer of taco meat is coated with cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream to create a wonderful Taco Pie recipe.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a delicious taco pie topped with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream on a red and white plaid napkin.
Crescent Wrapped Kielbasa
Buttery, garlicky and a hint of parmesan cheese enhance these Crescent Roll Wrapped chunks of Kielbasa in an unbelievable way.
Check out this recipe
Close up slice of Kielbasa on a roll with a delicious buttery, seasoning baked on top.
Bacon Quesadilla
Warm bacon and melted cheese between layers of a golden brown tortilla makes this Bacon Quesadilla an easy meal or snack to crave!
Check out this recipe
Warm and toasted quesadillas cut in half showing thick pieces of bacon and melted yellow cheese stacked on a cutting board.
Chicken Noodle Casserole
A simple meal with noodles, cream of chicken soup and chicken topped with cheddar cheese creates this Chicken Noodle Casserole.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a silver serving spoon in a chicken noodle bake ready to serve.
Loaded Chicken and Potato Casserole
Loaded with bacon and cheese, our Chicken and Potato Casserole is a meal that everyone in our family enjoys!
Check out this recipe
Close up corner of a casserole dish with crispy bacon bits and slices of green onion sprinkled over top of two cheeses melted on a chicken and potato mixture in a glass dish.
Farmhouse Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Only a few ingredients mix together and simmer with the ground beef all day to make mouth-watering Farmhouse Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Sandwiches.
Check out this recipe
Homemade sloppy joe sandwich on a white plate
Velveeta Shells and Cheese
Smooth and creamy with lots of golden yellow cheese sauce this copycat Velveeta Shells and Cheese recipe always satisfies!
Check out this recipe
Close up of pasta shells dripping with Velveeta cheese and a few sprinkles of bread crumbs
Crescent Roll Taco
These Easy Crescent Roll Tacos are full of flavor and make the perfect appetizer, snack, party food or easy meal!
Check out this recipe
Delicious taco sticks with crescent rolls cut in half and resting on a wooden board filled with meat and cheese.
Pancake Tacos
Pancakes fold into a taco shape to cradle a creamy filling with fruit for a fun breakfast that is easy to make in 15 minutes!
Fun to make, enjoyable to eat, and easy to personalize these Pancake Tacos make a unique breakfast treat. 
Check out this recipe
Close up of delicious creamy filled pancake breakfast tacos loaded with fruit and drizzled with chocolate sauce on a wooden table top.
Best Taco Meatloaf
We love meatloaf and tacos, so when a friend gave us this delicious Taco Meatloaf recipe we couldn't wait to try it.  This meatloaf is so easy and flavorful it's a regular on our menu!
Check out this recipe
Mini taco meatloaves covered in salsa and cheese on a foil covered baking sheet
Taco Spaghetti Bake
Creamy, buttery spaghetti tossed with taco seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes, is layered with melty Mexican cheese and baked to perfection.
Check out this recipe
Close up pieces of spaghetti coated with cheese and filled with tender bites of ground beef and chopped tomatoes.
Sausage Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
Only four common ingredients mean this Sausage Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is a quick and easy dinner idea for our family!
Check out this recipe
Easy sausage bubble up pizza on white plate next to casserole dish
French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
A simple combination of ground beef and rice is transformed to a rich, flavorful meal with the addition of butter, beef consommé, French onion soup and mushrooms.
Only eight ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time – this French Onion Beef and Rice Casserole couldn’t be easier to make!
Check out this recipe
A simple combination of ground beef and rice baked in flavorful soups and with butter on a plate with a fork ready to scoop up a bite.
TikTok Chicken And Rice
A creamy white sauce coats seasoned chicken on a generous bed of rice to create our wonderful Chicken And Rice recipe.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a plate of creamy Tiktok chicken and rice with a fork in the background.
One Pot Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
Cooking chicken in tomato sauce, shredding it up and making spaghetti all in one pot is our super easy One Pot Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy chicken parmesan with a fork and light coating of bread crumbs with Italian seasoning

Categories:

, ,
Avatar for Jennifer Osterholt

I share how to make life easier while raising a busy family! From delicious desserts to easy dinners and simple breakfast recipes. I’m here to make your time in the kitchen more efficient while building confidence!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One Comment

  1. These all look so good! You can never have too many ideas to keep the kids interested in dinner!

    Reply

More You'll Love