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!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A plate full of pizza casserole garnished with fresh parsley.

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!

Easy Pesto Pasta
This pesto pasta is fresh, filling, and full of flavor!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Overhead photo of a bowl of basil pesto pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls.

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. 
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Grape jelly bbq meatballs on a black rimmed plate with sauce drizzling over the side of the plate.

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!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Two chicken breasts topped with a creamy dijon mustard chicken sauce.

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!!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A large bowl full of Johnny Carinos Bowtie Festival.

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! 
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A stack of crispy taquitos on a brown plate.

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 make in a skillet.
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A cooked fillet of salmon topped with a lemon honey glaze, with a serving of broccoli alongside the salmon.

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.
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A white plate with a helping of lemon pasta on it, garnished with fresh parsley.

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. 
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A tilapia cake on a plate sitting atop a blue linen napkin.

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 and Rice
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!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Overhead photo of a cast iron skillet with cooked curry chicken and rice with peas and carrots.

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!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Overhead view of French Bread Pizza with pepperoni on top and a basil garnish.

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!

Spicy Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla
This grilled quesadilla is a delicious meatless meal. It's flavorful and packed with protein!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Top view of a 6 inch grilled quesadilla topped with chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

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! 
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Two hoagie buns topped with beef stroganoff, diced green bell peppers, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese.

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! 
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
A bowl full of white rice topped with crock pot BBQ pineapple meatballs.

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!
Get the recipe here Pin Recipe
Baked Chicken Taquitos with cilantro in the background.

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