With 3 young boys, mealtimes are quite the production here at the Ambitious Kitchen household. The good news is that they all love their mama’s cooking!
In this roundup you’ll find over 50 healthy dinner ideas for kids that are not only nourishing and packed with nutrients for growing kids but are also incredibly delicious and fun. They’re recipes your kids (and you!) will actually want to eat.
Tips for cooking healthy dinners for kids
- Are your kiddos hating all veggies right now? Sneak them in with recipes that use veggies as a binder like meatballs, burgers and even pizza crust.
- Try out different types of protein for extra nutrition. I’ve included tons of recipes using plant-based protein, seafood, chicken and more that you can experiment with and even double up on.
- Let them have fun and eat with their hands! Lots of these recipes make great finger foods for kids that will make dinnertime (a little messy) but even more fun for them.
- Don’t be afraid to share something new with them. Who knows, your Kraft mac-and-cheese-loving kiddo might like a cozy pot of pumpkin pasta even better!
- For babies: always remember that every baby (and toddler and kiddo!) is different and has different needs. A couple simple rules of thumb are to make sure you do not feed a baby under 1 year old anything that has honey in it (including dressings, marinades, etc.). Also, when I’m cooking for Sidney & Viggo I try to be mindful of sodium amounts, so I’ll often reduce or omit things like soy sauce or any extra salt in their portions of the meal.
The perfect dinner & kitchenware for kids
Check out even more tableware, snacks, and more HERE!
I broke down these kid-friendly dinners into tacos & enchiladas, pasta & noodles, soups, chilis & grain bowls, global flavors (must try!), sandwiches, burgers & wraps, meatballs & loaves and healthy twists on comfort food classics. There’s truly something for every kiddo and adult in this roundup.
If any of your kids are nut-free check out our full nut-free category for tons of great recipes.
I’ve also marked these recipes gluten free, vegetarian and nut free for ease, but be sure to check out each recipes’ notes section for ways to adjust as needed.
- Vegetarian = VT. Many recipes can easily be made vegetarian, just check the notes section of that recipe.
- Gluten free = GF. Use corn tortillas, gluten free buns, pasta, breadcrumbs and flours where recipes call for it.
- Nut free = NF. Keep recipes nut free by using olive oil instead of coconut oil, regular milk instead of nut milk & omitting any nut garnishes.
Tacos & Enchiladas
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet VT, GF, NF
Freezer-Friendly Green Chile Chicken Burritos GF, NF
Chipotle Black Bean Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole VT, GF, NF
Amazing Easy Turkey Tacos (with a slow cooker option!) GF, NF
Vegan Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas with Jalapeño Cashew Crema V, GF
Damn Good Salmon Taco Bowls For Two GF, NF
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema VT, GF, NF
Jalapeño Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos with Avocado-Lime Crema VT, GF, NF
Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Tacos (with yummy sauce options!) V, GF, NF
Pasta & Noodles
Better-For-You Homemade Spaghetti-Os VT, NF
One Pan Lightened Up Hamburger Helper
Tie Dye Vegetarian Lasagna VT, NF
A Simple, But Fabulous Stove-Top Mac and Cheese VT, NF
Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole NF
Zucchini & Sausage Baked Orzo with Hot Honey & Feta NF
Veggie-Packed Meat Sauce (freezer-friendly, great for kids!) NF
Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni NF
Cozy Roasted Vegetable Butternut Squash Lasagna VT, NF
One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo VT, NF
Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups VT
Spinach Bacon Pumpkin Mac and Cheese NF
One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage NF
Zucchini Mac and Cheese VT, NF
One Pan Creamy Thai Peanut Chicken Couscous NF
The Best Healthy Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat NF
One Pot Cheesy Mushroom Spinach Beef Pasta NF
30 Minute Brown Butter Goat Cheese Grilled Veggie Orzo NF
Bacon Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Spaghetti NF
30 Minute Vegan Stir Fry Sesame Noodles with Chickpeas & Basil V
Vegetarian Spinach Pumpkin Lasagna VT, NF
Stovetop Southwest Tuna Mac and Cheese NF
Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy Garlic Cashew Sauce V
Incredible Caramelized Onion Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake NF
Spinach Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Crispy Bacon NF
Roasted Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Couscous NF
Soups, Chilis & Grain Bowls
The Best Chicken Soup You’ll Ever Eat NF
Italian Wedding Soup GF, NF
Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs GF, NF
The Best Healthy Turkey Chili GF, NF
Healing Ginger Coconut Chicken Brown Rice Soup GF
Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (whole 30, dairy free) GF, NF
BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls GF, NF
Vegan Coconut Tomato Lentil Soup V, GF
Healthy White Chicken Chili GF, NF
The Best Minestrone Soup VT, GF, NF
Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew GF, NF
Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili GF, NF
Lightened Up Cheddar Cauliflower Broccoli Soup VT, GF, NF
Actually, the Best Vegetarian Chili Ever VT, GF, NF
Vegan Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup V, GF
The Best Dal Ever V, GF
Delicious Global Flavors
Mom’s Authentic Puerto Rican Rice and Beans VT, GF, NF
One Pan Southwest Chicken and Rice Fajita Skillet GF, NF
One Pan Sazon Skillet Chicken GF, NF
One Pot Butternut Squash Yellow Curry GF
Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Cauliflower GF, NF
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala GF
Mama’s Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice (Arroz con Pollo) GF, NF
One Pan Tandoori Chicken with Spiced Coconut Rice GF, NF
Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas) V, GF, NF
Turkey Picadillo (with a slow cooker option!) GF, NF
30-Minute Sesame Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry GF, NF
Mama’s Chickpeas in Sofrito with Arroz con Gandules VT, GF, NF
One Pan Thai Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken & Rice GF
Sandwiches, Burgers & Wraps
Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches GF, NF
Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers GF, NF
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches GF, NF
Herby Chicken Meatball Pitas with Jalapeño Tzatziki GF, NF
Vegan Pecan Apple Chickpea Salad Wraps VT, GF
Meatballs & Loaves
Mama’s Veggie-Packed Chicken Meatloaf GF, NF
One Pan Baked Pesto Orzo with Chicken Meatballs NF
Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Meatloaf Muffins GF, NF
One Pan Ginger Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce GF
Cheddar-Stuffed Sweet Potato BBQ Turkey Meatloaf GF, NF
Juicy Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Basil Sauce with Burrata GF, NF
Mom’s Ultimate Vegetarian Lentil Loaf GF, NF
Sheet Pan Zucchini Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce GF
One Pan Cilantro Chicken Meatballs in Mango Coconut Sauce GF
Oh So Good Chicken Meatballs in Pumpkin Coconut Curry Sauce GF
Healthy Twists on Comfort Food Classics
The Best Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets NF
Blow Ya Mind Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pot Pie NF
Homemade Crispy Baked Fish Sticks (kid & toddler-friendly!) GF, NF
30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce! GF, NF
White Chicken Chili Pie with Pumpkin Cornbread Crust NF
Lightened Up Chicken Pot Pie NF
I hope you and your kids love these delicious, healthy kid-friendly dinners ideas. If any of them are a hit with the family be sure to leave a comment so I know which ones they loved!
