75 Dinner Recipes The Kids Of Delish Readers Are *Actually* Asking For
We'll say it—making dinner for kids is NO easy task. They love what they love, and that often means parents turning into short-order cooks. But no exaggeration, these easy kid-friendly dinners are so good that we've even found ourselves stealing a few bites. And no, these recipes aren’t all variations on mac & cheese or pizza either (but don't worry, we’ve got some favorites in there too). We’ve found if you’re lucky, you can shake kids up by introducing something new (but familiar!) to dinnertime. Avoid the headache and check out all 70 of these quick and easy dinner ideas for kids, and maybe even pick up the Delish Kids (Super-Awesome, Crazy-Fun, Best-Ever) Cookbook?!
Cooking for kids can be a… conundrum. But what's true is that kids and parents alike love a handheld, like our baked salmon sushi cups or our mac & cheese pizza bites—because who doesn’t love food in miniature? We know, we know, kids sometimes don’t like green food, like our zucchini tots or falafel bites, but have them help you make them, and they’ll quickly get on board. Trying to keep things healthier at home? Check out our burger bowls, our black bean tostadas, or our Indian butter chickpeas for recipes that are just that extra bit lighter, without you having to worry they'll illicit an "ew" from your kids. When all else fails, don’t fight it, and give the kids what they want. If yours are anything like ours, that means lots of grilled cheese, buttered noodles, and hot dogs (check out our campfire hot dog skewers for a cute twist).
Less time stressing over what your kids will or won’t eat in the kitchen means more time to enjoy, well, kids being kids. Get even more ideas with our easy dessert recipes for kids too!
Chicken Quesadillas
Filled with flavorful chicken, plenty of cheese and mix-ins, this quesadilla is not only completely satisfying, but totally customizable. Make it as is for a simple cheap and easy dinner (or afternoon snack) you can count on, or use it as a jumping off point to create your kid's perfect quesadilla.
Get the Chicken Quesadillas recipe.
Beef & Broccoli Ramen
Ramen noodles are king in the ingredient hack department. We've turned them into everything from breakfast to carbonara, but this take on classic beef & broccoli might be our favorite. Thinly sliced steak and tender broccoli join those unmistakable noodles in a savory ginger soy sauce for an all-in-one dinner your family will love.
Get the Beef & Broccoli Ramen recipe.
BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken
No matter the season, BBQ chicken is a clear #winnerwinnerchickendinner. Here, we put together an easy sheet-pan dinner with juicy chicken, loads of sweet–smoky flavor, and plenty of vegetables to complete the meal.
Get the BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken recipe.
Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites
Held together by pepperoni, these mac & cheese bites are a pizza lover's dream. Creamy mac, pepperoni, and plenty of Parm combine to create a best-of-both-worlds treat. We bake this kid pleaser in muffin tins to make things easy too—less mess and just the right size for little hands.
Get the Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites recipe.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up a can of chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you (and your kids) look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
Summer Stuffed Shells
Who said summer dinners can’t be cozy? These stuffed shells are bursting with seasonal flavor from sweet corn, zucchini, and basil, but they also hit the comfort food spot thanks to the cheesy, rich ricotta.
Get the Summer Stuffed Shells recipe.
Mac & Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
Here’s one way to get more veggies into picky eaters’ mouths: Score and scoop out zucchini pulp, chop, and cook it down with spices into a cream sauce, then incorporate it into good ol’ kid-approved mac & cheese.
Get the Mac & Cheese Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Pierogi Casserole
Looking for a comforting yet innovative dish to impress your family, without too much work on your part? This easy-to-make casserole takes frozen potato pierogi to the next level with layers of spinach, sausage, and cheese that will leave everyone craving more.
Get the Pierogi Casserole recipe.
Burger Bowls
Kids craving a juicy cheeseburger but you're not about the mandatory carb-induced nap that comes with it? This cheesy, saucy, veggie-packed burger bowl is your solution. These bowls are just as versatile as an actual burger, so have fun with your preferred toppings too.
Get the Burger Bowls recipe.
Smash Burger Tacos
These fully loaded smash burger tacos are the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty American cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla. You’ll never have to choose between burger night or taco night again!
Get the Smash Burger Tacos recipe.
Sheet-Pan Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a classic late-night snack or easy dinner, but when we need to serve a crowd, we bring out the sheet pan. This hack makes cooking quesadillas for a crowd easier than ever. In just around an hour, you'll have a cheesy, crowd-pleasing meal that is sure to satisfy.
Get the Sheet-Pan Quesadillas recipe.
Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet
Is there anything better than a one-skillet meal? We don’t think so, particularly if it’s as family-friendly and quick as this one, featuring spiced ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese. It all comes together in just 40 minutes with minimal prep too!
Get the Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet recipe.
Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie
Wondering what could possibly make a classic chicken pot pie even more delicious? Enter: tater tots! No fussing with pie crusts here—just a crunchy, seasoned potato in every bite.
Get the Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
Pizzadillas
This isn't just a quesadilla filled with mozz and pepperoni. It's topped with the works and looks just like an actual pizza. Plus, it's so easy to make at home.
Get the Pizzadillas recipe.
Baked Salmon Sushi Cups
Making sushi at home can be intimidating (both for adults and for kids!), what with making sushi rice, rolling it up just right, and dealing with raw fish. With these baked salmon sushi cups, you can skip all that but still get all the flavors of your favorite roll.
Get the Baked Salmon Sushi Cups recipe.
Creamy Peanut-Lime Chicken With Noodles
Who can resist rice noodles bathed in an abundance of sweet and creamy peanut butter sauce? Plus, these noodles are easier to make at home than one might think. The trick is getting everything in order before starting to cook. With all the prep behind you, the dish comes together in a snap!
Get the Creamy Peanut-Lime Chicken With Noodles recipe.
Hamburger Casserole
We’ll say it: A cheeseburger is one of the most perfect foods on Earth. It can be hard to replicate the perfection of a restaurant-quality burger in the comfort of your own home, but this recipe captures the same magic in the form of an easy weeknight casserole.
Get the Hamburger Casserole recipe.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
This sloppy Joe casserole is where. it’s. AT. Cozy? Check! Meaty? Check! Buttery carbs and cheese? Check and check! This hearty casserole has plenty of peppers and onions, lots of sauce, and so much flavor too. More than just delicious, this casserole is flexible, freezable, and ready to serve on a busy weeknight for dinner.
Get the Sloppy Joe Casserole recipe.
Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese
These highlight everyone's favorite part of grilled cheeses—the crispy, cheesy edge bits. Discover all the other ingenious recipes you can make in your waffle maker.
Get the Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese recipe.
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
We already have a copycat of CPK's classic BBQ chicken pizza, but sometimes we can't be bothered with pizza dough. Enter: the BBQ chicken French bread pizza. This recipe combines the uniquely sweet and savory flavor of the BBQ chicken pizza with the ease of a Stouffer’s-style French bread pizza. 😍
Get the BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza recipe.
Campfire Hot Dog Skewers
In this recipe, we layer cut up hot dogs, bell peppers, pineapple, and onions on skewers before basting with a homemade sweet-tangy BBQ sauce and grill until charred and caramelized. The result is a slightly sweet, summer-worthy skewer made to be served at any BBQ, camping trip, or casual summer dinner.
Get the Campfire Hot Dog Skewers recipe.
Ranch Chicken Potato Casserole
If your kids are shaking or drizzling ranch over everything they can, this hearty and comforting casserole is for you. It's packed with juicy seasoned chicken, creamy potatoes, and just enough broccoli to be virtuous before being crowned with gooey cheddar and crispy bread crumbs.
Get the Ranch Chicken Potato Casserole recipe.
Taco Spaghetti
This is a fast-as-can-be weeknight dinner that pairs all your favorite taco fixin’s with spaghetti rather than taco shells. It's perfect for those nights when you just cannot stand the thought of a sink full of dirty dishes, because everything here comes together in one pot!
Get the Taco Spaghetti recipe.
Summer Bowtie Pasta and Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake
Because we believe that summer dinners should be both quick and easy, this skillet pasta dinner requires just 8 ingredients. Let the end of summer season be your guide to this dish, using whatever veggies you have on hand.
Get the Summer Bowtie Pasta and Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake recipe.
Orange Chicken
If your kids just can't get enough of the classic Panda Express dish, this copycat recipe will be a game-changer. Ready in under an hour with all of the same sweet and savory flavors you love, staying in for weeknight dinner has never been easier.
Get the Orange Chicken recipe.
Frittata
Quiche’s less-fussy cousin, frittatas are the answer to almost every meal dilemma. Looking to get creative with your leftovers? Veggies going bad in your fridge? Home late and craving a simple breakfast-for-dinner recipe? Say it with us: frittata, frittata, frittata.
Get the Frittata recipe.
Smash Burgers
Super-thin patties and crispy edges are the draw of a these burgers. The patty is so thin, it’s almost impossible to dry out because it cooks so quickly, and cooking two patties for each burger gives you more of those lacey edges. Pile these with all your fave burger toppings, or keep 'em simple, like we did here.
Get the Smash Burgers recipe.
Sheet Pan Honey Mustard–Pretzel Chicken
In our opinion, the crunchier, the better. Which is why pretzels make the perfect chicken coating for these nuggets. The obvious and best dipping sauce? Honey mustard, of course. It's a MUST.
Get the Sheet Pan Honey Mustard–Pretzel Chicken recipe.
Turkey Lavash Wraps
Filled with a zingy dill-arugula salad, sliced turkey, roasted red peppers, and crunchy cucumbers, and sealed with a creamy goat cheese spread, these wraps are exactly the kind of colorful meal we crave to brighten up our weekdays.
Get the Turkey Lavash Wraps recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Biscuit Skillet
Forget stretching out pizza dough. To prepare this recipe, pop open a can of biscuits and separate it into individual biscuits. All you have to do is cut each one into 6 pieces and toss with some pizza sauce, mozzarella, chopped up pepperoni, fresh basil, and there you go!
Get the Pepperoni Pizza Biscuit Skillet recipe.
Ramen Carbonara
Craving carbonara, but also in need of a cheap and easy dinner (that the whole family can get behind)? Instant ramen is here to save the day. We add the classic creamy sauce with crispy bacon to our noodles for a weeknight dinner in just around 30 minutes that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen.
Get the Ramen Carbonara recipe.
Black Bean Tostadas
We keep these simple with just five ingredients, but you can always add additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions. Chef's choice!
Get the Black Bean Tostadas recipe.
Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole
Craving chicken Parm but not in the mood for all the time it requires to prepare this labor of love dish? Opt for our chicken nugget Parmesan casserole instead. This comforting dish has all the cheesy flavor you know and crave, but with simple shortcuts to cut down on all that cooking time (and effort).
Get the Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole recipe.
Cheeseburger Cups
We love using muffin tins for genius hacks like this. The "cups" are pieces of white bread that get molded and then filled with a ground beef mixture that tastes just like a cheeseburger. Don't forget to drizzle with your favorite condiments and top with a pickle chip.
Get the Cheeseburger Cups recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
This buffalo chicken wrap is just as easy to customize as it is to make. Feel free to adjust the spices to add more or less heat, swap out the slaw for lettuce, the blue cheese sauce with ranch dressing, or use cauliflower or tofu instead of meat.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Wraps recipe.
Baked Falafel Bites With Spicy Tahini Dip
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these falafel are baked, not fried, for less mess. They’re delicious as is, but you can stuff them into a wrap or pita with some chopped fresh veggies for a more substantial meal.
Get the Baked Falafel Bites With Spicy Tahini Dip recipe.
Beef Taquitos
Tired of the flimsy, flavorless taquitos in the freezer section? You’ve come to the right place. Taquito literally means lil’ taco, and these are usually fried until crispity-crunchy. To keep this cheap, simple, and less messy, we turned to ground beef for the filling and included an option for baking the taquitos instead of frying them.
Get the Beef Taquitos recipe.
Garlic Bread-Topped Chicken Pot Pie
Nothing is more comforting than chicken pot pie topped with a buttery crust. Swap out the crust for garlic bread, though, and now we are really talking. The top gets golden and crunchy, while underneath, the texture comes out more like dumplings. 😍
Get the Garlic Bread-Topped Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
French Bread Pizza
Craving homemade pizza, but don’t want to deal with finicky pizza dough? Skip it altogether, and grab the nearest loaf of French bread instead. The loaf makes for a delicious pizza “crust” that will get crispy on the outside while staying nice and soft on the inside. It’s truly the best of both worlds.
Get the French Bread Pizza recipe.
One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac
Looking for a hearty vegetarian weeknight dinner? Our smoky vegetarian chili mac is here to save the day! It all comes together in one pot, and it's SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape, melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever else you like (as long as it's crunchy!).
Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.
Copycat Olive Garden Meatballs
Aside from their signature breadsticks and their creamy zuppa toscana, one of Olive Garden’s most iconic dishes is their meatballs. Sauced in bright marinara and perched atop a glossy mound of spaghetti, they transform into a showstopping entrée that still manages to deliver those down-home comfort food vibes.
Get the Copycat Olive Garden Meatballs recipe.
Ravioli Lasagna
Italian night is just so better when your two favorite pasta dishes are combined. In this case, we layer meat sauce, store-bought ravioli, and tons of melty mozzarella with ricotta.
Get the Ravioli Lasagna recipe.
Sloppy Joe Meatball Bake
Meatballs don’t take the sloppy out of sloppy Joes, they just turn it into a whole new form. Trust us—these little ones are just as delicious as the original ground beef version. Cheesy, hefty, and super-saucy, this skillet dish also comes together in just under an hour, making it the perfect anytime meal.
Get the Sloppy Joe Meatball Bake recipe.
Zucchini Tater Tots
These are a great way to sneak extra veggies into the tater tots you already know your kid (and maybe you!) loves. These would also be killer in a tater tot casserole.
Get the Zucchini Tater Tots recipe.
Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Think the crispiest chicken sandwich is only available at the drive-thru? Think again! We can’t believe how golden and juicy these cutlets turn out in the air fryer. They’re great in sandwich form but would be just as good on top of a chopped salad or sliced over rice.
Get the Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Sandwich recipe.
Broccoli Cheddar Pasta
The broccoli is in no way hidden, but it's still a great way to sneak in an extra serving of greens to this grown-up mac and cheese. Even the pickiest of eaters will eat their vegetables if they're coated in cheese.
Get the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta recipe.
Meatloaf
For some, meatloaf might be a comfort food from childhood; for others, a reliable weeknight dinner. Whatever it is for you, one thing is for sure: Your go-to recipe should be simple and dependable, but also packed with flavor to keep you (and your family and guests) coming back for more. THIS is that recipe.
Get the Meatloaf recipe.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods. Chunks of juicy chicken mingle with carrots, celery, and tender egg noodles in a deep, savory broth for a soup that will transport you right back to Grandma’s table after just one spoonful.
Get the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.
Flatbread Pizzas
Homemade pizza is super-delicious, but it takes a bit of time and special attention. These flatbread pizzas come together MUCH faster, they're fun to customize with the kids, and they're just as cheesy and flavorful as the classic version.
Get the Flatbread Pizzas recipe.
Air Fryer Cheeseburger
With the quick cook time, these burgers stay perfectly juicy and basically beg for a melty slice of cheese. Load it up with your favorite toppings and feel like the burger master you are, without all the smoke in your face.
Get the Air Fryer Cheeseburger recipe.
TikTok Ramen
Have fun customizing these ramen noodles with your favorite veggies and toppings. Try using frozen peas or halved snow peas in place of the bell pepper and carrot. Skip the egg and top with seared chicken or tofu and try the whole thing topped with a smattering of everything bagel seasoning.
Get the TikTok Ramen recipe.
Baked Popcorn Chicken
Skip the freezer aisle selection and make your own popcorn chicken right at home! This easy recipe comes complete with a honey mustard dipping sauce, but feel free to serve with whatever sauce your family likes best.
Get the Baked Popcorn Chicken recipe.
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Why were we ever making sloppy Joes without cheese to begin with? And as if these couldn't get better, the bread is buttered and grilled just like your favorite grilled cheese.
Get the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese recipe.
Pizza Casserole
From the realms of cheesy pizza and bubbling baked pasta comes a new family favorite: pizza casserole. Loaded with sausage, veggies, and plenty of cheese, this easy weeknight dinner has all of the cheesy, tomato-filled goodness of our favorite take-out pizza, neatly packaged in a 13"-by-9" pan.
Get the Pizza Casserole recipe.
Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parm
How do you improve upon the *perfection* that is classic chicken parm? Stuff it with even MORE cheese! It might sound overly indulgent, but trust us when we say that it's juuust right.
Get the Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parm recipe.
Chicken Taco Tortilla Hack
Another truly genius TikTok recipe! This one involves a simple trick of folding your tortilla to create a wrap that will give you a perfect bite all throughout. Each bite will be crispy, cheesy, and include all of the toppings. And it all stays inside the wrap!
Get the Chicken Taco Tortilla Hack recipe.
Homemade Mac & Cheese
In our book, the perfect macaroni & cheese recipe has to nail three things: be extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping. This tried-and-true recipe aces all of these requirements (and more!) with flying colors, so put that blue box back on the shelf.
Get the Homemade Mac & Cheese recipe.
Chicken Fried Rice
If you have leftover rice hanging out in your fridge, then classic fried rice is a no-brainer. There are countless ways to bulk up this staple dinner, from beef fried rice to kimchi fried rice to pineapple fried rice, but you can never go wrong with classic chicken.
Get the Chicken Fried Rice recipe.
Goulash
We love that everything in this recipe cooks in one pan—even the macaroni! Once you cook pasta this way, you’ll never go back to boiling water again. (For another recipe that uses this hack, check out our Italian mac 'n' cheese—it’s one of our all-time favorites!).
Get the Goulash recipe.
Four-Cheese Gnocchi Bake
This baked pasta recipe doesn't require any pre-boiling of your gnocchi—simply make your cream sauce, pour it over the gnocchi, and bake!
Get the Four-Cheese Gnocchi Bake recipe.
Lasagna-Stuffed Zucchini
Adding all the best parts of a classic lasagna to zucchini is one of our fave ways to sneak in some vegetables for the kiddos. Get the whole family involved, and let the kids stuff their own zucchini boat!
Get the Lasagna-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza
If youR kids can't get enough of the flavor combo of saucy BBQ, tender chicken and creamy ranch, then you'll go crazy for this homemade version. Our twist? We bake the pizza in an oven-safe skillet, resulting in an extra-crispy crust.
Get the Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe.
Best Grilled Cheese
Choose your favorite hearty bread, butter it up, and shred your favorite cheddar for the best grilled cheese ever: crispy-crunchy on the outside, melty, cheddar middle, and the world's most impressive cheese pull.
Get the Best Grilled Cheese recipe.
Chili Mac & Cheese
Mac & cheese remains one of our favorite meals no matter how old we get. This chili mac changes things up a bit and makes this a heftier meal that's very shareable. Make it all year round, in just 30 minutes.
Get the Chili Mac & Cheese recipe.
Chicken Flautas
Made with shredded chicken wrapped in flour tortillas and then pan-fried, flautas are somewhere between taquitos and chimichangas. They're also super versatile—you can use rotisserie chicken, cheddar, and queso blanco like we have here, or change it up with what you prefer or have at home.
Get the Chicken Flautas recipe.
Perfect Buttered Noodles
Noodles with butter is the perfectly simple and always comforting dish of our childhood that we never grew out of. You can really use whatever cheese you'd like too. If using softer cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar, add them right when the noodles are piping hot so they can melt smooth right away.
Get the Perfect Buttered Noodles recipe.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you're a '90s kid, it's likely that cheesy tuna casserole was your grade-school jam, and now it's time to bring it to the next generation! We remember this dinner-table favorite fondly—we instantly get visions of a just-out-of-the-oven, bread crumb-encrusted, melty tuna casserole just thinking about it.
Get the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
Spaghetti Lo Mein
This might be the easiest way to get your favorite take-out meal. Feel free to add in any of your kid's favorite vegetables, sliced grilled chicken, or ground beef.
Get the Spaghetti Lo Mein recipe.
Crunchwrap Supreme
This copycat recipe has all the main components of the iconic Taco Bell offering: seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and, most importantly, a crunchy tostada shell.
Get the Crunchwrap Supreme recipe.
Cheez-It Meatloaf
This flavor-packed meatloaf swaps out regular breadcrumbs for Cheez-It crackers. Kids can help crush the Cheez-Its too!
Get the Cheez-It Meatloaf recipe.
Chicken Parm-asaurus
This is a prehistoric recipe with a fun twist! We took classic Dino-shaped chicken nuggets and upgraded them by turning them into a kid-friendly version of chicken parm.
Get the Chicken Parm-asaurus recipe.
Meatball Boats
Your kids are going to feel so happy to be in one of these meatball boats, swimming in a sea of marinara. Want the grown-up version? Try our meatball sub.
Get the Meatball Boats recipe.
Taco Cups
Taco Tuesday has never been so fun with these bite-sized taco cups. This is one of our all-time favorite ways to use a muffin tin!
Get the Taco Cups recipe.
Big Mac Quesadillas
These sound crazier than they actually are. Essentially, they're beef quesadillas with American cheese and cheddar plus an amazing special sauce. Even if you don't love McDonald's Big Macs, you'll love them.
Get the Big Mac Quesadillas recipe.
Pizza Hot Dogs
Two of the best foods ever, pizza and hot dogs, COMBINED! Broil the cheese, sauce, and pepperoni-covered hot dog until it's just melty, about 2 minutes.
Get the Pizza Hot Dogs recipe.
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