How many times have you been in the kitchen and had to choose between cooking healthy meals or making something quick that your kids will eat? It is no secret that balancing work, family, and other responsibilities can be tough. The pressure of having to make dinner every night for your kids can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! There are plenty of healthy recipes for kids that are easy to make and the whole family can enjoy making dinner a breeze.

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Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Healthy Meals

When it comes to easy healthy dinners for kids, simplicity is key. Basic kid friendly recipes will please your little ones palate, while reducing stress over time spent in the kitchen. Many of these meals for kids are something the whole family can enjoy. Simply dress up the dish with a side chopped salad or roasted vegetable to elevate the meal it for the grown-ups.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

If your kid’s favorite dish is chicken nuggets, replace the reheated frozen variety and make your own instead. All you need is a few simple ingredients to make a healthier homemade variety in your air fryer, like this recipe from Well Plated. Using thinly sliced chicken tenders makes it a breeze all you have to do is batter them, pop them in the air fryer and your kids will be gobbling them up in no time.

Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

Spaghetti is one of our favorite kid friendly meals. It’s easy to whip up and even picky eaters will have fun slurping noodles. Replacing regular meatballs with turkey provides a lean protein and marinara tomato sauce is always a great way to sneak in some extra veggies like in this recipe from Healthy Little Foodies and the kids won’t know. Keep things quick and easy by making sauce in a large batch and freezing. Then use your favorite pasta and store-bought meatballs. We love Trader Joe’s Italian Style Turkey Meatballs for a quick weeknight dinner.

Sheet Pan Chicken Teriyaki

Nothing could be simpler than a sheet pan recipe, everything on dish, straight in the oven and you’re good to go! Marinate boneless, skinless chicken thighs in your favorite teriyaki sauce and then bake in the oven at 425F for 25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Next to the air fryer, the crockpot is your best friend when it comes to healthy and easy dinner ideas for kids. This meal from Cooking Classy is one of our most favorite family-friendly recipes everyone can enjoy.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is an all-time favorite kids love, but the boxed variety doesn’t exactly scream healthy. The good news is, that making it from scratch, like this recipe from Joy Food Sunshine, is pretty simple and great opportunity to involve kids in the cooking process, which makes them more apt to eat.

Rotisserie Chicken Tostadas

Rotisserie chicken makes for a quick meal, but instead of simply eating the roasted chicken you can dress it up as an ingredient in a variety of healthy kid friendly dinner recipes. For a quick dinner that’s fun for little hands to grab, bake a sheet pan full of these little chicken tostadas in approximately 30 minutes. Beans, chicken, cheese, and all of your favorite toppings are piled high on crisp, baked street taco tortillas.

Breakfast for Dinner

Whip up some whole wheat pancakes and serve them with a side of fresh fruit turkey sausage for a kid-approved comfort meal that you can make quickly.

More Kid-Friendly Healthy Meals

We polled our group members for their go-to recipes for kids and came up with this handy list of kid-friendly dinner ideas for an easy meal.

Pizza: using store bought dough, pizza can be made in less than 15 minutes (and it tastes better than delivery). Add your favorite toppings to make this classic kid-friendly recipe even tastier.

Quesadillas: cheese quesadillas are easy to make and can be customized in many ways. Add ingredients like cooked ground beef or turkey, beans, and/or veggies for a heartier meal – perfect on those nights when you don’t have time to cook dinner from scratch!

Omelets: eggs are an easy and versatile protein source, any time of day. Top them with some vegetables or cheese for a quick meal that is perfect any time of day!

Tuna Salad Sandwiches: Toss tuna salad ingredients together quickly and you have a wholesome sandwich kids will love! Serve on breads like wheat thins, whole grain buns, hoagies, bagels…or roll them up as sushi rolls for the more adventurous eater.

Sloppy Joes: easy to make, economical and satisfying.

More ideas:

Pasta
Tacos
Chicken Skewers
Fried Rice
Black Bean & Cheese Burritos
Burgers & Sweet Potato Fries
Mini Meatballs
Lasagna
Meatloaf
Enchiladas
Stir Fry
Grilled Cheese & Soup

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Cooking not on the menu, check out our guides to local South Bay Restaurants:

Guide to the Best South Bay Burgers

Guide to Best Tacos in the South Bay

Guide to the Best Pizza in the South Bay

Best Sandwiches in the South Bay

Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Healthy Meals