School is in session which means most families are on the hunt for quick and easy kid friendly dinner recipes. Getting kids to eat is a challenge! I know this because I have 2 of them in my home. The last thing I want at the dinner table is whining and complaining. You too? Ok good. Let’s make dinner recipes that everyone loves, kids AND adults.

photos of kid friendly dinner recipes.

I’ve put together a list of 15 of my families go-to (kid approved) dinner recipes. I’d love to hear from you, leave a comment below telling me what your favorite kid friendly recipes are!

15 Easy Kid Friendly Dinner Recipes

Pizza Casserole

A plate full of pizza casserole garnished with fresh parsley.

This pizza casserole is really easy to make and it makes quite a bit. I love that it tastes just like pizza (if not better) and if you have a small family you’ll have leftovers to enjoy the following day.

Pizza Casserole
This pizza casserole is loaded with pepperoni, olives, sausage, and cheese! It tastes just like a pizza... maybe even better!
A plate full of pizza casserole garnished with fresh parsley.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Easy Pesto Pasta

Easy Pesto Pasta | Salt & Baker

This recipe makes a debut on a weekly basis. My son Bronson requests it for lunch all the time, he LOVES it!

Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes
This Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes uses a few simple ingredients but packs a lot of flavor into every bite. This dish is a perfect meal to make any time of year but especially during the summer as it uses basil pesto and roasted tomatoes.
A bowl of creamy pesto pasta with tomatoes and mozzarella balls.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Grape Jelly Meatballs

Grape jelly meatballs on a black rimmed plate with sauce drizzling over the side of the plate.

This recipe can be considered an appetizer or main course. When making this for dinner I will serve these juicy meatballs over a bed of rice. This recipe uses 3 ingredients… and it’s made in the slow cooker (double win)! It’s so easy and really really good!

Grape Jelly Meatballs
Traditional grape jelly meatballs are the perfect appetizer for game day or parties! These meatballs can also be served with rice and a side of veggies for a complete meal. 
Grape jelly bbq meatballs on a black rimmed plate with sauce drizzling over the side of the plate.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

number 4

Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken

Two chicken breasts topped with a creamy dijon mustard chicken sauce.

Tender chicken breasts are served with a delicious creamy spinach and mustard sauce. This recipe takes just 25 minutes to make!

Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken
A delicious seared chicken breast topped with a creamy dijon mustard sauce with chopped spinach. This dinner takes only 20 minutes to make!
Two chicken breasts topped with a creamy dijon mustard chicken sauce.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 5

Johnny Carinos Bowtie Festival

Chicken, Bacon, and Tomato Bowtie Pasta | Salt & Baker

Bowtie pasta served with a creamy garlic Alfredo sauce, tossed with crispy bacon, diced tomatoes, and chicken. This recipe isn’t lacking in flavor! This recipe is a copycat version from a famous restaurant in my hometown. Trust me, everyone will want seconds.

Johnny Carinos Bowtie Festival
This bowtie pasta is SO GOOD! It's easy to make and loved by everyone!!
A large bowl full of Johnny Carinos Bowtie Festival.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 6

Taquitos Recipe

A stack of crispy taquitos on a brown plate.

These taquitos are crispy on the outside and filled with a creamy meat mixture on the inside! We love to serve these with a side of broccoli.

Taquitos Recipe
An easy and delicious meal! These creamy taquitos are a family favorite! 
A stack of crispy taquitos on a brown plate.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 7

Lemon Honey Glazed Salmon

A cooked fillet of salmon topped with a lemon honey glaze, with a serving of broccoli alongside the salmon.

Surprisingly salmon is my 4 year olds meat of choice. He loves fish! If your kids struggle with salmon, make this lemon honey glazed salmon recipe; they won’t even be able to tell they’re eating fish.

Lemon Honey Glazed Salmon
This lemon honey glazed salmon is healthy and offers a lot of flavor! It's an easy dinner recipe that only takes 30 minutes to make, and to top it off this salmon recipe is made in a skillet.
Seared Lemon Honey Glazed Salmon in a black skillet.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 8

Lemon Pasta Recipe 

Lemon pasta twirled on a fork.

Basic ingredients and subtle flavors are what this pasta dish is all about.

Lemon Pasta Recipe
Whole wheat spaghetti noodles tossed in a delicious creamy lemon pasta sauce, then topped with fresh parsley. This is an easy dinner recipe that will become a family fave.
A white plate with a helping of lemon pasta on it, garnished with fresh parsley.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Tilapia Cakes

Tilapia cakes on a baking sheet with a pastry brush spreading mayo overtop.

If your kids like fish, they’ll love these! And even if they don’t like fish, they won’t be able to tell that’s what they’re eating. These tilapia cakes are loaded with fresh parsley, onion, celery, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to bring a subtle but welcome burst of heat! Topped with a smear of mayo for added flavor, these tilapia cakes are moist and crazy flavorful.

Tilapia Cakes
Moist, tender, and FLAVORFUL these Tilapia cakes will be your most loved meal. These cakes are easy to assemble. 
A tilapia cake on a plate sitting atop a blue linen napkin.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Curry Chicken and Rice

Three cooked chicken breasts in a black skillet atop cooked rice.

This is an easy one skillet meal loaded with vegetables, coconut milk, and lots of curry seasoning. Everyone in the family will be running to the table once they smell this cooking!

Curry Chicken Rice and Peas
A hearty meal full of amazing curry flavor! This curry chicken and rice recipe is made in a skillet and will become a family favorite!
A black skillet with one pan skillet Curry Chicken and rice recipe in it.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

French Bread Pizza

French bread pizza on a cutting board, topped with pepperoni and fresh basil.

Possibly the easiest and most affordable meal you’ll come across… this French bread pizza will satisfy the pickiest of eaters.

French Bread Pizza
Dinner has never been easier! These French Bread Pizzas are easy to make and loved by everyone!
Overhead view of French Bread Pizza with pepperoni on top and a basil garnish.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 12 in the middle of the logo.

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Top view of a 6 inch grilled quesadilla topped with chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

If meatless Monday’s are a thing at your house, add these quesadillas to your rotation. These quesadillas are stuffed with sauted onions, peppers, jalapeños, corn, green chiles, and lots of black beans. It’s an easy, FILLING, and yummy meal!

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
This Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla is a delicious meatless meal. It's flavorful and packed with protein!
Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla cut into 4 triangles on a wooden cutting board.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 13 in the middle of the logo.

Beef Stroganoff Boats

A hoagie bun with beef stroganoff, diced tomatoes, diced peppers, and shredded cheese overtop.

I’ve made this recipe for over 15 years, it’s one my family loves and requests monthly!

Beef Stroganoff Boats
Beef Stroganoff Boats are an easy yet delicious meal kids and adults both love! It's filling and flavorful! 
Two hoagie buns topped with beef stroganoff, diced green bell peppers, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 14 in the middle of the logo.

BBQ Pineapple Meatballs

A bowl full of white rice topped with crock pot BBQ pineapple meatballs.

Served along side a bed of rice, these BBQ pineapple meatballs are an easy and satisfying meal.

BBQ Pineapple Meatballs
These meatballs make for the perfect dinner or appetizer! 
A bowl full of white rice topped with crock pot BBQ pineapple meatballs.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

Salt & Baker logo with the number 15 in the middle of the logo.

Baked Chicken Taquitos

A plate with baked chicken taquitos on it.

These chicken taquitos are crazy good! My son will devour these! I like to serve them alongside my creamy cilantro salsa dressing <–recipe included in the post.

Baked Chicken Taquitos
These baked chicken taquitos are the perfect dinner recipe. They're easy to make and everyone loves them!
Baked Chicken Taquitos stacked on top of one another on a white plate with fresh parsley in the background.
Get the recipe here! Pin Recipe

I’d love to hear what your favorite kid friendly go-to dinner recipes are! Leave a comment below.