These tried-and-true family dinner recipes are perfect for back to school meal planning! Each recipe is easy, healthy, and totally kid approved (yep, even for picky eaters). Get ideas for family-friendly main dishes, crockpot meals your kids will devour, fast pasta recipes, and healthy dinner salads. There’s something here for everyone!

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‘Tis the season…no, not that season (it’s only August!). Back to school season!
Even if you work full-time all summer, there’s something about the start of school that makes the dinner routine seem so much more challenging. Is it the earlier bedtime? Fall sports? After school activities?
Whatever the reason(s), just the idea of thinking about getting kid-friendly, nutritious dinners on the table quickly and without drama sometimes makes me shudder. So I’ve rounded up our tried-and-true family dinner recipes to make the back-to-school transition just a wee bit easier (and delicious too!).
You’ll love these dinner recipes because they’re quick, easy, and packed with healthy, nutrient-dense real foods. Your kids will love these meals because they don’t scream “healthy food”. Win-win all around!
Easy One-Pan or One-Pot Dinner Recipes
One pot dinner lovers unite! Each of these kid-approved recipes can be made in one pan or one pot, and most of them are ready in 30 minutes or less with leftovers to spare. Packed with eat-the-rainbow vegetables and real foods, these dinner recipes are our tried-and-true family favorites.
Veggie Packed Hamburger Soup
Easy Hamburger Vegetable Soup
20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Healthy Honey Garlic Chicken
Weeknight Taco Soup
Easy Beef Taco Soup
Keema Beef Curry with Potatoes and Peas
Keema Curry Recipe (Ground Beef Curry)
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet
Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet
Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
Whole30 Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
Kid-Friendly Weeknight Pasta Recipes
There’s nothing easier and more kid-friendly than pasta! Ditch the basic spaghetti and meatballs and try one of these new classics.
Caprese Pasta with Italian Sausage
Caprese Pasta with Italian Sausage
Ricotta Pasta with Peas
Easy Ricotta Pasta
Spinach Pesto Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower
Winter Spinach Pesto with Rotini and Roasted Cauiflower
Healthy Kid-Friendly Main Dishes
From chicken to steak to salmon, there’s bound to be a recipe in this list that will entice both parents and picky eaters. Each of of these main dish recipes have been tested and approved by my discerning (read: super picky!) kids. Plus they’re quick, easy and pair with super simple side dishes like steamed rice and broccoli.
Caprese Chicken
Caprese Chicken Recipe
Grilled Rosemary Steak
Rosemary Steak Strips
One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs – Paleo and Whole30
Apple Cider Grilled Chicken
Apple Cider Chicken
Pan Seared Salmon with Mango Cucumber Salsa
Cucumber Mango Salsa over Pan-Seared Salmon
Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
Easy Grilled Chicken Tacos
Creamy Rosemary Garlic Chicken
Creamy Rosemary Garlic Cream Sauce
Healthy Tuscan Chicken
Healthy Tuscan Chicken over Spaghetti Squash
Family Favorite Crockpot Recipes
Slow cooker for the win! These are restaurant quality meals made in the comfort (and ease) of your very own home.
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Quick and Easy Dinner Salad Recipes
For the more adventure little ones or older teens who will happily eat leafy greens, these dinner salads are the perfect meal to toss together in 30 minutes or less. Prep any marinades the night before, and your dinner routine will be an easy, breezy affair.
Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing
Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing
Steak Fajita Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
30-Minute Steak Fajita Salad
Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad
Avocado Strawberry Chicken Salad
Salmon Avocado Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
Salmon Avocado Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
BLT Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
BLT Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Did you make any of these Family Dinners? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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