Looking for family-friendly dinner ideas? We’ve rounded up the best kids’ dinners ideas that adults will also love, perfect for quick and budget-friendly weeknight meals.
Picky eaters will love our classic dishes like chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and fish fingers. Or try introducing new flavours and textures with our easy curries, stir-fries and stews.
Pack in their 5-a-day with our colourful, easy dinners, and for veg-dodgers, we’ve got some clever hidden veg meals.
Meet Cassie
Cassie Best is our Head of food and mum to Florence, nine, and Rupert, seven. Read on her advice on feeding fussy eaters with ease or check out more of Cassie’s recipes.
“One of the best ways to encourage children to try new foods is to get them involved in cooking,” says Cassie. “Touching, smelling, and preparing food helps demystify new ingredients and makes them more willing to give them a try.
Model positive eating habits and a willingness to try new foods yourself. Take the pressure off and aim to make mealtimes fun and relaxed.
Whenever I introduce a new food to my kids, I make sure there’s also a familiar favourite on their plate. This helps reduce pressure and makes trying something new feel less daunting.
New foods often take multiple exposures before they’re accepted, so don’t give up. My son recently polished off a plate of sweet potato fries after years of insisting he didn’t like them – sometimes it just takes a bit of persistence!”
See our easy 7-day family meal plan to organise your dinners for the whole week, or get kids involved in the kitchen with our kids’ cooking recipes.
Plus, let the little ones get stuck into our healthy snacks for kids and kids’ lunchbox recipes for portable packed treats.
Add more recipes to your rotation with our easy weeknight family dinners and top dinners for when you don’t know what to cook.
Top kids’ dinner ideas
1. Chicken enchiladas
Mildly spicy and satisfying, these easy enchiladas stuffed with refried beans, onion and red pepper will be popular with the whole family.
2. Super-easy salmon fishcakes
Nadiya’s recipe is a great way to introduce more fish into your kids’ diet, as well as being incredibly easy to make. It uses garam masala for light spice and a mix of herbs for freshness.
3. Swedish meatball burgers
Transform classic Swedish meatballs into a simple cheeseburger for kids. Use beef or pork mince and top with sliced cheese, lettuce, sliced tomato and lingonberry sauce, if you like.
4. Mango, lime & chilli prawn fishcakes
Let the whole family tuck into these zesty, sweet and spicy fishcakes. They can be frozen, so are perfect for busy weeknights. Serve with sticky rice, satay sauce and a simple carrot, cucumber and mango salad.
5. Pancetta, pea & asparagus orrechiette bake
Rustle up this delicious pasta bake for a midweek family meal – it also freezes brilliantly. We’ve used orecchiette, but you can use whatever pasta you like.
6. Chicken nuggets
Classic chicken nuggets are always a winning option for little ones. This easy recipe takes just 30 minutes to make and the chicken can be oven baked or pan-fried.
7. Air fryer jacket potatoes
Jacket potatoes are a budget-friendly option that kids are sure to love. This easy version is made in air fryer for a crispy result. Try topping with cheesy beans, tuna mayo and more.
8. Paneer, chickpea & spinach curry
Tuck into a family-friendly veggie curry combining paneer with chickpeas. Packed full of goodness, it’s a great meal to have in the freezer for busy nights.
9. Chicken pasta bake
This top-rated pasta bake is the perfect weeknight dinner to feed the whole family. Serve with a side of green veg or a fresh salad.
10. Honey chicken
Rustle up this family-friendly honey chicken in 30 mins, flavoured with garlic, soy sauce, lemon and ginger. Serve with rice and broccoli for a filling meal.
11. Fish pie mac ’n’ cheese
Combine fish pie with mac ‘n’ cheese to make this crowd-pleasing dinner. The dish freezes well, so you can make ahead if you like for busy weeknights.
12. Sausage & mushroom ragu
This veggie-packed ragu is a versatile dish that can be served with everything from pasta to potatoes and more.
13. One-pot garlic chicken
Save on the washing-up with this easy one-pot garlic chicken. Creamy and comforting, you can adjust the amount of garlic to suit your own tastes.
14. Healthy lasagne
Lasagne is a great dish to fill up the whole family and even freeze for later. This healthy version is loaded with veg.
15. Pasta with salmon & peas
Make this salmon pasta in under 20 minutes for a dinner the whole family will enjoy. It packs in fibre and omega-3.
16. Easy vegetarian chilli
Try batch-cooking this vegetarian chilli, you can easily double it if you have a pan big enough and freeze the rest. Our healthy recipe is packed with veg and protein-filled beans.
17. 3-veg mac ‘n’ cheese
Sneak vegetables into macaroni cheese, a classic family dinner that becomes even more nourishing for kids with the addition of butternut squash, leeks and peas.
18. Salmon pesto traybake with baby roast potatoes
Keep little kids happy at the family dinner table with this colourful salmon traybake that’s delicious and healthy, with a good hit of omega-3 from the fish.
19. Butternut squash & chickpea tagine
This healthy tagine is full of hearty veg, plus it’s low fat and vegan. Try making a big batch and freezing for another busy weeknight.
20. Pizza with homemade sauce
Make your favourite takeaway dinner at home with this top-rated pizza recipe, complete with homemade sauce. It’s easy to make and a great budget option.
21. Fish finger hot dogs
Try this twist on a classic sandwich with homemade fish fingers. Use small brioche buns and fill with iceberg lettuce, tangy gherkin mayo and crispy breaded cod.
22. Sticky pork lettuce wraps
Little ones will love building their own lettuce wraps, filled with sticky pork and veg. Any leftovers can be used for a light lunch later in the week.
23. Tofu stir-fry
Get children to help you chop the vegetables and make the sauce for this colourful, simple tofu stir-fry. It’s perfect when you need a quick and easy family meal.
24. Healthy beef stew with veggie mash
This tasty balsamic beef stew provides kids all five of their 5-a-day. It’s perfect for chilly winter nights and served with a comforting veggie mash.
25. One-pan piri piri chicken dinner
Try this one-pan piri piri chicken for a family dinner and adjust the chilli levels to suit your family’s tolerance. This top-rated recipe is gluten-free and easy to make.
26. Slow cooker chilli
There’s plenty of hidden veg in this slow cooker number to nourish fussy eaters. It’s also great for batch-cooking and freezing for future dinners when you’re pushed for time.
27. Creamy chicken stew
Tuck into this cosy chicken stew on a chilly winter night with the whole family. It’s an easy one-pot dish filled with peas and leeks and served with mini jacket potatoes.
28. Veggie toad-in-the-hole
Make a classic toad-in-the-hole veggie-friendly with our easy weeknight dinner. This simple, budget-friendly recipe only calls for five ingredients.
29. Sausage & white bean casserole
When you’re stumped on what to make for dinner, this easy one-pan casserole is always a reliable option. Layered with sausage, beans and roasted veg, and served with potatoes, pasta or rice, it makes a simple, healthy, flavour-packed meal. It offers four of your five-a-day, too.
30. Chicken, sweet potato & pea curry
This easy chicken curry will be loved by everyone around the table, making it a solid Friday night dinner option. It’s tasty and healthy, containing four of your 5-a-day. Add extra korma paste for added spice.
More from Cassie
Feeding fussy eaters: small changes that help
“They won’t try new foods”
Start small and keep expectations low – exposure is key. This might mean involving them in cooking (if they’re old enough) or simply adding a small portion of a new food to their plate alongside something you know they love. As tempting as it is, try not to pressure or bargain with them to take a bite (we’ve all been there). This can create negative associations over time. Instead, model the behaviour yourself – try the food and talk about how delicious it is. It may not work straight away, but you’re playing the long game.
“They only want beige food”
Try placing a plate of colourful, crunchy vegetables on the table at mealtimes. Even if they don’t touch them, they’re still gaining valuable exposure, which gradually builds familiarity and acceptance. You can also weave in light, positive conversations about food, whether while cooking together or at the table. For example: “Look at this bright carrot – orange foods are great for your eyes,” or “Do you think blueberries are blue or actually purple? They’re brilliant for your brain.” Gentle, upbeat messaging like this can have a lasting impact.
“They won’t eat vegetables”
Experiment with different cooking methods to find what they enjoy. For example, my kids won’t touch boiled or stir-fried kale, but when it’s crisped up with a little oil and paprika in the air fryer, they’ll happily eat a whole bowl. Many children naturally prefer crispy textures – roasted veg or crunchy chickpeas can be a great hit. You can also blend vegetables into sauces and soups, but try to serve a small portion of the whole vegetable alongside so they get used to its texture, too.
Another helpful approach is to involve children in choosing foods. Take them to the supermarket and let them pick something new to try. We’ve done this in the fruit and veg aisle where they discovered things like dragon fruit and persimmon, and even at the fish counter. It’s amazing how much more willing they are to try something they’ve chosen themselves.
Frequently asked questions:
What are quick dinner ideas for kids?
Quick dinner ideas for kids include simple, fuss-free meals like easy pastas, wraps, stir-fries, or one-pan dishes. Meals that take under 30 minutes and use minimal ingredients are ideal for busy evenings. Think familiar flavours and easy-to-eat portions.
What can I cook for picky eaters?
For picky eaters, stick to familiar foods with mild flavours and simple textures to start, such as homemade nuggets, cheesy pastas, or mini pizzas. You can also sneak in vegetables by blending them into sauces or mixing them into favourite dishes. Keeping meals fun and visually appealing can help too.
What are healthy kids meals?
Healthy kids meals balance protein, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. The salmon pesto traybake and sausage & white bean casserole in this guide are great examples. Aim for meals that are colourful, varied, and not overly processed.
What can I make with mince for kids?
Mince is versatile, budget-friendly and great for kid-friendly meals like spaghetti bolognese, meatballs, burgers, or cottage pie. It cooks quickly and can be easily flavoured to suit young tastes. You can also add finely chopped vegetables to boost nutrition without changing the texture too much. Check out our extensive collection of beef, chicken, lamb and pork mince recipes for more ideas.
Looking for more ideas? See more inspiration…
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Top 10 quick and easy snacks for kids
Cheap and healthy family meals
Freezable family recipes
Healthy snacks for kids
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