17 Kid-Approved Dinners That Won’t Take Forever

After a busy day, the last thing you want is to spend forever in the kitchen. These 17 kid-friendly dinners are quick, easy, and guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters. Say goodbye to the dinner rush and hello to simple, stress-free meals.

Homemade Spaghetti O’s

A bowl of homemade spaghetti o's.
Image Credit: Strength & Sunshine

Ditch the can and whip up these homemade Spaghetti O’s instead. They’re allergy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and perfect for a quick, kid-friendly meal everyone will love.  Get the Recipe: Homemade Spaghetti O’s

Homemade Tuna Casserole

A baking dish with healthy tuna casserole.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This tuna casserole skips the canned soup and uses a simple homemade cream sauce instead. It’s comfort food at its best and healthier than the classic version. Kids love it and don’t know it is good for them. Get the Recipe: Homemade Tuna Casserole

Ground Beef and Broccoli

A bowl of beef and broccoli.
Image Credit: Wholesome Made Easy

This ground beef and broccoli dish is perfect for busy nights—quick, simple, and something the kids will actually eat. Tender broccoli and savory ground beef come together in a tasty sauce, making it a weeknight dinner you’ll want to keep on hand. Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli

Chicken Broccoli Bake

A dish of chicken broccoli bake.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This chicken broccoli bake is comfort food at its best. It’s easy, cheesy, and loaded with goodness, a guaranteed family favorite. Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli and Potato Casserole

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

A plate of crock pot chicken tacos.
Image Credit: Kitchen Divas

These crock pot shredded chicken tacos are a hit when you need a quick and easy family meal. They come together effortlessly with just a few simple ingredients and are sure to please the kiddos. Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

A plate of creamy tomato spinach pasta.
Image Credit: The Honour System

Creamy tomato and spinach pasta is your new weeknight vegetarian hero—rich, creamy, and kid-approved. It comes together fast, making it perfect for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Chicken Meatball Soup

A bowl of chicken meatball soup.
Image Credit: Happy Gut Lucky

Chicken meatball soup is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. With tender chicken meatballs, onions, carrots, and potatoes in a rich chicken stock, it’s a meal the whole family, including the kids, will love. Get the Recipe: Chicken Meatball Soup

Japanese Hamburg Steak

A hamburg steak on a plate.
Image Credit: Delightful Plate

Juicy, tender Japanese hamburg steak with a sweet and tangy ketchup-based sauce—it’s the kind of dish that earns a permanent spot in your meal rotation, from dinners to lunchboxes (even picky eaters won’t complain). Get the Recipe: Japanese Hamburg Steak

Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe

A plate of air fryer tuna melts.
Image Credit: Basics with Bails

Need a quick dinner, a filling lunch, or a snack that hits the spot? This air fryer tuna melt has you covered, and it’s something the kids will love, too. Once they try it, they’ll be hooked. Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe

Taco-Spiced Beef Casserole

An overhead image of taco casserole.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This taco-spiced ground beef casserole is the perfect combo of comfort food and Mexican flavors. With layers of seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and gooey melted cheese, it’s a family-friendly dish they’ll ask for again. Get the Recipe: Taco-Spiced Beef Casserole

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Parmesan crusted chicken breast on a plate.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This Parmesan-crusted chicken is creamy, crispy, and totally irresistible—kids will love it! It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner everyone can enjoy.  Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

American Hamburger Goulash

A bowl of hamburger goulash.
Image Credit: Kalyn’s Kitchen

When you’re in the mood for comfort food that’s easy on the wallet, and that the kids will gobble up, this American hamburger goulash is the way to go. Cozy, filling, and a guaranteed family favourite.  Get the Recipe: American Hamburger Goulash

Baked BBQ Chicken Pasta

A casserole dish of BBQ Chicken Pasta.
Image Credit: The Honour System

Baked BBQ chicken pasta is the ultimate comfort food mashup that kids and adults will both love. Cheesy, smoky, and delicious, it’s an easy one-pan dinner perfect for any night of the week. Get the Recipe: Baked BBQ Chicken Pasta

Beef Taco Salad

A healthy taco salad topped with guacamole.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This beef taco salad is a fun and tasty way to get dinner on the table fast. Featuring seasoned ground beef and all your favorite taco toppings, it’s a dish the whole family will want seconds of. Get the Recipe: Beef Taco Salad

Fried Spaghetti

A plate of fried spaghetti.
Image Credit: 100 Days of Real Food

Fried spaghetti is a crispy, golden twist on the usual pasta. Stir-fry cooked spaghetti, toss it in your favorite sauce like tomato, pesto, or Alfredo, and have dinner ready in 20 minutes. Get the Recipe: Fried Spaghetti

Penne Pasta Bake

A wooden spoon scooping penne pasta bake from a casserole dish.
Image Credit: The Honour System

What kids don’t love pasta? And this penne pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food, with a rich beefy marinara sauce and a cheesy topping. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a hearty meal for cozy dinners or gatherings. Get the Recipe: Penne Pasta Bake

Big Mac Tacos

Overhead image of smash burger tacos.
Image Credit: Haute and Healthy Living

Big Mac tacos might have started on TikTok, but they’re now a family favourite, and the kids love them. Quick to make in a hot pan, these bite-sized tacos are topped with cheese, classic fixings, and a drizzle of homemade burger sauce. Get the Recipe: Big Mac Tacos

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