Making one dinner that everyone actually eats can feel like a small miracle. When you’re tired of cooking two meals just to keep the peace, these recipes step in and make things easier. Each one is simple to pull together and made with ingredients kids already like. These 27 simple dinners are here to help you stop playing short-order cook.
Chicken Taco Wraps. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
This one-pan dinner takes everything you like about egg rolls and skips the hard parts. It’s full of tender chicken, crunchy cabbage, and a savory sauce that’s bold without being too strong. Simple dinners like this are a great way to feed picky kids without making a second meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This baked dish mixes ground beef, fluffy rice, and a generous layer of melted cheese in every bite. It’s hearty, easy to prep, and hits the spot when you need something filling without too much work. When a dinner like this shows up on the table, kids usually don’t ask for something else.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Thick broth, soft veggies, and chunks of chicken come together under golden biscuits in this warm and comforting meal. It’s hearty enough to keep everyone full and simple enough to make on a busy night. This is one of those kid-friendly dinners that doesn’t leave anyone asking what else there is to eat.
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Pizza Rolls
These rolls are packed with melty cheese, chicken, and spinach and baked until the crust turns golden and crisp. Their size makes them easy for small hands to hold and fun to dip. When dinner feels like a snack, there’s a good chance even the picky ones won’t complain.
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Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
These warm, crispy pockets are filled with seasoned chicken and come out of the oven golden and flaky. Using shortcut ingredients keeps things easy without losing that fresh, homemade feeling. This dinner idea is kid-friendly, simple, and filling enough to skip making anything else.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Chicken Taco Wraps
These wraps are built with soft tortillas, juicy chicken, and whatever toppings each person likes best. The fun part is letting everyone build their own plate, which makes dinner more enjoyable for kids. Meals like this help keep the peace without having to cook a backup option.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Flaky crescent dough wrapped around hot dogs makes for a warm and easy dinner that’s hard to turn down. They’re just crunchy enough on the outside and soft inside to keep both kids and adults happy. Put these on a tray and dinner is set without needing extra sides.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
These cheesy pasta rolls are baked in sauce and sized just right for small plates. They’re easier to serve than a big pan of lasagna and make less mess, which is a big win on busy nights. Kids like the size, and adults like that they don’t have to clean up two dinners.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Meatballs and Sauce
Juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce are always a dinner that hits the spot. The flavor is simple and comforting, and they work with pasta, bread, or just as they are. This is the kind of meal that saves you from standing over the stove making something different for everyone.
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Pizza Pot Pies
All the classic pizza flavors are tucked into a soft crust that’s gooey inside and fun to cut open. These are easy to portion and even easier to love since everyone gets their own. A dinner like this keeps things fun without the need for special requests.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
This one-pan dinner mixes quinoa, black beans, corn, and salsa for a dish that’s full of flavor without weighing anyone down. It’s mild enough for kids to enjoy but still brings enough flavor to keep grown-ups interested. Scoop it straight from the pan and call dinner done.
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Shredded BBQ Chicken
Pulled chicken coated in smoky barbecue sauce makes a dinner that’s easy to build around sandwiches, wraps, or bowls. The flavor is bold but not too strong, so kids tend to dig in without a fuss. Toast some buns and let everyone make their own plate just the way they like it.
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Chicken Fried Rice
This fast meal combines cooked chicken, rice, scrambled eggs, and veggies in one skillet without a lot of mess. It uses simple ingredients that are easy to find and even easier to enjoy. Fill up bowls and serve it hot before anyone can ask what else is for dinner.
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Chicken Tortellini Soup
Cheesy tortellini floats in a warm broth filled with tender chicken and just enough flavor to make it feel like comfort food. It’s easy to eat, not too spicy and doesn’t make a mess at the table. Ladle it into big bowls and serve it up while it’s still steaming.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas are packed with shredded chicken and baked in a creamy sauce that comes out bubbling and golden. Using a few shortcuts keeps prep easy but still makes dinner feel home-cooked. Fill up the dish, pop it in the oven, and let the smell bring everyone to the table.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
This easy pasta dinner mixes sweet tomatoes and creamy ricotta for a simple meal that still feels complete. It takes just a few ingredients but comes out tasting like something more special. Stir it up, plate it warm, and serve it before anyone starts asking for plain noodles.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
The chicken cooks low and slow in a mix of tomato and lime, which makes it juicy, tender, and easy to pair with rice or wraps. The bright flavor works for both kids and adults and needs almost no hands-on time. Let it cook during the day and scoop it out right before dinnertime.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
These juicy kebabs get their flavor from lemon and simple seasoning that works well for both picky eaters and grown-up plates. They cook quickly and can be served with rice, veggies, or wrapped in flatbread. Get them on skewers and let everyone pick their favorite pieces.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Cacio e Pepe
With just pasta, cheese, and black pepper, this dish keeps things simple while still tasting rich and creamy. It’s great for kids who don’t want a lot going on in their meals but still need something warm and filling. Serve it right from the pan while it’s still hot and cheesy.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Italian Meatball Soup
This bowl is filled with juicy meatballs, small pasta, and a mild broth that feels hearty but not too heavy. It’s cozy and simple, which makes it great for kids while still satisfying for adults. Scoop it into bowls and add a slice of bread for an easy full meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Ground Turkey Pancakes
These pan-fried patties are soft on the inside and crispy around the edges, with seasoning that’s mild enough for kids but flavorful enough for adults. They cook fast and work well with dipping sauces or stacked like pancakes. Set them out with a few sides and let everyone build their plate.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Pancakes
Calzones
These stuffed calzones are filled with cheese and sauce, and then baked until the crust is golden and the center is gooey. They’re easy to customize so each person gets exactly what they want. Set them out hot and let everyone grab their favorite before they cool.
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Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Big pasta shells get filled with a creamy cheese mixture and baked in marinara until they bubble and brown on top. The texture is soft and smooth, which makes it easy for kids to eat without fuss. Pull the pan from the oven and watch how fast it disappears.
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Tomato Lime Chicken
This quick skillet chicken is coated in a mix of tomato and lime that gives it just enough flavor to keep things interesting. It works great in tacos, with rice, or wrapped in flatbread, depending on what everyone likes. Set up a simple toppings bar and let people build their plates.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Potato Gnocchi
These soft, chewy dumplings cook fast and pair well with butter, cheese, or sauce, depending on what the kids will go for. They feel a little different from pasta but still familiar and easy to eat. Boil up a batch and let everyone dress their own bowl.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs stay juicy and tender thanks to mashed sweet potatoes, which also add just a touch of sweetness kids tend to like. They bake up quickly and pair well with rice or noodles without needing much else. Roll out a tray and serve them up while they’re still warm.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
Southwest Tortilla Pie
This layered dinner stacks soft tortillas, chicken, beans, and cheese into slices that hold together and taste great. The crispy edges and mild spice make it fun without going overboard. Cut it into wedges and let everyone grab a piece while it’s hot.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie