Tired of dinner battles at the table? These 27 easy and delicious meals are here to help. They are quick to make, full of flavor, and tested on the toughest critics. Each recipe is simple enough for a busy weeknight and tasty enough to get two thumbs up. I don’t care if you’re short on time or dealing with picky eaters, these dinners are sure to make mealtime less stressful and a lot more fun.
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
These lasagna roll-ups are packed with cheesy layers and a rich tomato sauce, just like classic lasagna, but easier to serve. Kids enjoy the rolled-up shape, which makes them fun to eat without making a mess. This is an easy and delicious kid-friendly dinner that feels special but comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This cheesy beef and rice casserole is hearty, packed with flavor, and simple to throw together in one dish. The gooey cheese melts into the beef and rice for a dinner that’s warm, filling, and easy to love. It’s a no-fuss, kid-friendly meal that makes dinner feel less like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
These stuffed shells are filled with creamy cheese and baked in a rich sauce until hot and bubbling. The soft pasta and smooth filling make this a comfort food that kids ask for again and again. It’s a delicious and easy-to-make kid-friendly dinner that always gets finished without complaints.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
This meal has the flavor of an egg roll but skips the wrapper, which makes it fast, simple, and full of veggies. The mix of tender chicken and mild seasoning keeps things interesting while still being easy for kids to enjoy. It’s a quick, one-pan, kid-friendly dinner that works well even on the busiest nights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken fried rice is a fast and easy way to turn leftovers into a dinner that’s filling and flavorful without being too bold. The mix of soft rice, tender chicken, and mild seasoning hits the right balance for kids. It’s a kid-friendly meal that saves time, reduces waste, and still tastes really good.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers have just enough seasoning to stand out but still feel familiar and easy for kids to eat. They cook up fast and use ingredients you likely already have at home, which makes dinner a little easier. Serve these when you want a simple and flavorful kid-friendly dinner that won’t get pushed aside.
Get the Recipe: Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Chicken Tenders
These homemade chicken tenders are crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfect for dipping into a favorite sauce. They’re much better than anything frozen and only take a short time to make. Cook these when you want an easy and delicious kid-friendly dinner that always gets cleared from the plate.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Honey Glazed Chicken
Honey glazed chicken comes out sweet, sticky, and full of flavor that kids naturally enjoy without needing extra sauces. The glaze keeps the chicken juicy while adding just the right amount of taste. This is a fast and flavorful kid-friendly dinner that feels a little special without much extra work.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Cashew Chicken
This cashew chicken has tender meat, a lightly sweet sauce, and just enough crunch to keep things interesting. It cooks quickly and pairs well with rice or noodles, which makes dinner come together fast. Make this when you want a flavorful and easy kid-friendly dinner that’s a little different but still gets eaten.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Garlic roast pork takes its time in the slow cooker until it turns soft, juicy, and full of flavor that’s easy for kids to like. It takes very little prep, and the results feel like something you spent hours on. This is a hands-off, kid-friendly dinner that’s ready when you are and always worth the wait.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Southwest Tortilla Pie
This tortilla pie has layers of chicken, beans, cheese, and soft tortillas, all baked into one tasty meal. The flavors are simple but fun, and it slices easily into portions that kids are happy to grab. Make this when you need a kid-friendly dinner that fills everyone up and keeps things stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie
Italian Meatball Soup
This soup brings together tender meatballs, pasta, and a light broth that’s hearty but not too rich. It’s a simple meal that kids can enjoy without picking around ingredients they don’t like. Serve this when you want a warm, comforting, kid-friendly dinner that comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Shredded BBQ chicken is juicy, easy to make, and full of tangy flavor that works well in sandwiches, tacos, or over rice. It cooks quickly and doesn’t need much more than a good sauce and a side to feel complete. This is a fast and easy, kid-friendly dinner that adds variety to any weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas are filled with cooked chicken, covered in sauce, and topped with melty cheese for a dinner that feels like a treat. They’re simple to build and use shortcuts that save time without giving up flavor. Make this when you want a cheesy, satisfying, kid-friendly dinner that doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken tortellini soup is rich and hearty, with tender pasta, chunks of chicken, and a broth that’s mild but full of flavor. The cheesy filling in the tortellini makes this one especially appealing to kids. Serve this as a warm and easy kid-friendly dinner that always gets eaten up fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Tortilla pizza is a smart shortcut that uses crisp tortillas instead of dough, cutting down on both time and mess. Each one cooks fast in the air fryer and is easy to top with ingredients your kids already like. This is a fast, fun, and kid-friendly dinner that’s just as good for snacks or lunch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
These turkey meatballs mix in sweet potato for extra flavor and softness, which makes them great for dipping and eating by hand. They bake quickly and go well with any side, whether it’s rice, pasta, or veggies. This is an easy, protein-packed, kid-friendly dinner that’s just a little different in a good way.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
Savory Pork Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls are soft and fluffy on the outside with savory pulled pork rolled up inside, combining two kid favorites into one. They’re fun to make, fun to eat, and don’t need much else on the plate to feel like a full meal. Make this when you want a creative and filling kid-friendly dinner that breaks the routine.
Get the Recipe: Savory Pork Cinnamon Rolls
Pizza Rolls
These pizza rolls are baked and packed with chicken, cheese, and sauce in a small package that’s just right for little hands. They’re fun to dip, easy to eat, and come together without much mess. Make this for a kid-friendly dinner that’s full of flavor and always a hit at the table.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Lemon Roasted Chicken
This lemon roasted chicken is juicy, tender, and flavored with a bit of brightness that’s not too strong for kids. It’s easy to prep and bakes up well in the oven without needing constant attention. Try this when you want a simple, hands-off, and kid-friendly dinner that still feels like a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Crescent roll bagel dogs wrap hot dogs in soft, flaky dough that kids love picking up and dipping. They bake quickly, are easy to hold, and bring fun to the plate without making a mess. Serve these for a fast and fun kid-friendly dinner that’s always a safe bet.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Carnitas
These carnitas cook slowly until the pork is tender, juicy, and easy to shred with just a fork. Kids can build their own tacos or bowls, which helps make dinner more fun and personal. It’s an easy, flexible, kid-friendly dinner that works well for everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Calzones
Calzones are like handheld pizza pockets stuffed with cheese, sauce, and other fillings your kids already like. They’re fun to fold and even more fun to eat, especially with a side of dipping sauce. This is a kid-friendly dinner that feels homemade and special without being hard to make.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is slow-cooked until it’s juicy, tender, and full of flavor that pairs well with just about anything. Serve it in buns, wraps, or bowls to mix things up without any extra work. Make this for a hands-off, kid-friendly dinner that turns out right every time.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
This stuffed chicken is creamy and full of flavor without needing complicated steps or ingredients. The filling stays soft while the outside bakes to a perfect golden color. Make this when you need a quick and satisfying kid-friendly dinner that feels like something from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Air Fryer Mongolian Beef
Mongolian beef turns out crisp and saucy in the air fryer with a sweet and salty glaze that kids enjoy. It cooks in minutes and doesn’t require anything fancy to get great flavor. Serve this for an easy, fast, kid-friendly dinner that tastes like takeout without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mongolian Beef
Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings
These wings come out crispy with garlic butter and melted parmesan for a bold but kid-friendly flavor. They cook fast, are easy to eat, and don’t need anything more than a quick side. Serve these wings for a kid-friendly dinner that feels fun and doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings