• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Our Salty Kitchen
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Season
    • Fall Recipes
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Winter Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Keto
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Course
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments and Sauces
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
  • Method
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Stir Fry
  • About
    • Let’s Collaborate!
    • Recipe Photography for Food Bloggers
    • Photography Portfolio
    • License Images
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Salads
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home » Kid Friendly » 25 Kid Approved Family Dinner Recipes

    25 Kid Approved Family Dinner Recipes

    August 22, 2019 By Danielle Esposti Leave a Comment

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    A collage of family friendly dinner ideas and recipes for Pinterest.
    A collage of family friendly dinner ideas and recipes for Pinterest.
    A collage of family friendly dinner ideas and recipes for Pinterest.

    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!

    A collage of family friendly dinner ideas and recipes for Pinterest.
    Jump to:
    • Easy One-Pan or One-Pot Dinner Recipes
    • Kid-Friendly Weeknight Pasta Recipes
    • Healthy Kid-Friendly Main Dishes
    • Family Favorite Crockpot Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner Salad Recipes

    ‘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

    Classic hamburger soup is made by simmering ground beef with veggies and a starch in a savory tomato-based broth. This Whole30 compliant version incorporates bell pepper, yukon gold potatoes, and fresh green beans, making it both colorful and nutrient dense. The resulting dish is more stew than soup, and is a hearty stick-to-your-ribs dinner that the entire family loves. 
    Get The Recipe →
    A bowl of whole30 hamburger soup on a marble table with a grey linen napkin.

    20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

    This honey garlic chicken is a quick, healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Diced chicken breasts are simmered with sliced carrots (or your favorite stir fry vegetables) in a simple honey garlic stir fry sauce that’s perfectly savory with just enough sweet and sour. It’s so easy, and so tasty, you’ll ditch the take-out menu for good!  
    Get The Recipe →
    A bowl of healthy honey garlic chicken served over white rice with a fork and a linen napkin.

    Weeknight Taco Soup

    Convincing my kids to “eat the rainbow” has never been easier thanks to this quick and delicious Taco Soup Recipe! It’s packed with vegetables and a double dose of protein for a dinner that will fill them up and keep them full. It’s naturally dairy free and gluten free (just mind the toppings!) so it’s perfect for little ones with allergies or food sensitivities too.
    Get The Recipe →
    A bowl of weeknight ground beef taco soup surrounded by garnishes on a cement background.

    Keema Beef Curry with Potatoes and Peas

    Easy Keema Curry features ground beef seasoned with garlic, fresh ginger, curry, garam masala, and turmeric. Simmer with tomato paste, fire roasted tomatoes and coconut milk to build a bold, rich sauce. Stir in roasted potatoes, peas, and chopped cilantro at the end to create a hearty beef curry dish that's the pinnacle of easy comfort food with complex flavor!
    Get The Recipe →
    A bowl of keema beef curry and rice with a lime wedge.

    Pumpkin Chicken Chili

    Pumpkin brings sweetness and adds a velvety, melt-in-your mouth texture to traditional chicken chili. This recipe can be made in as little as an hour, but a longer, slower simmer session will maximize both flavor and tenderness. Save this for the weekends, and savor the mouth-watering aroma for hours.
    Get The Recipe →
    A bowl of gluten free pumpkin chicken chili on a black surface surrounded by small bowls of toppings.

    Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet

    Simple one-skillet meals, like this Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus, are my weeknight workhorses! This recipe requires just a handful of real whole foods, one pan, and 30 minutes. It’s simple and filling and it tastes awesome. 
    Get The Recipe →
    Lemon garlic chicken and asparagus recipe in a skillet with lemon wedges and fresh basil.

    Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers

    This recipe for Whole30 steak bites is packed with tons of flavor and huge pops of vitamins thanks to colorful sweet potatoes and bell peppers. It’s an easy, approachable weeknight dinner recipe that’s ready in under 45 minutes.
    Get The Recipe →
    Whole30 steak bites sauteed with sweet potatoes and bell peppers on a blue plate with a black fork.

    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

    This caprese pasta with whole wheat penne and Italian sausage is a protein packed, lighter take on the classic. It’s packed with a full pound of fresh tomatoes, and just enough pasta to satisfy a craving but still be considered low carb. You’ll love this bright, intensely flavored summer pasta recipe! 
    Get The Recipe →
    A bowl of caprese pasta tossed with Italian sausage and clean basil pesto on a marble table.

    Ricotta Pasta with Peas

    Weeknight meals may never be the same once you have a bite of Creamy Ricotta Pasta. This vegetarian pasta dish features leeks, sweet peas, and a smooth, simple cheese sauce that's quick, easy, and absolutely dreamy. It's practically perfect on its own, but also extremely welcoming for add-ins.
    Get The Recipe →
    Easy weeknight ricotta pasta with peas in a blue bowl with a side of parmesan cheese.

    Spinach Pesto Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

    This winter spinach pesto with tangy ricotta cheese is an easy, nutritious, and super satisfying vegetarian winter pesto recipe. It pairs perfectly with nutty, pan-roasted cauliflower florets and hearty whole grain rotini.
    Get The Recipe →
    Healthy spinach pesto pasta with roasted cauliflower in a low pasta bowl with a fork on a blue tablecloth.

    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

    You won’t believe how easily and quickly this simple Caprese Chicken comes together. I’ve cooked this on my grill and grill pan with equally good results (although I’m always partial to using our kettle grill in the summer!). This chicken is very impressive for a dinner party or gathering, and doubles easily – see the recipe notes for my doubling hack if you’re limited to using just a grill pan. 
    Get The Recipe →
    A platter of grilled italian caprese chicken drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar.

    Grilled Rosemary Steak

    Flank steak is the perfect cut for for feeding a crowd quickly and deliciously. It’s relatively affordable for its size (especially compared with pricier cuts like sirloin or rib-eye), and when cooked properly, it’s tender and juicy. A quick marinade pairs perfectly with this lean cut, and truly improves the flavor without adding too much fuss.
    Get The Recipe →
    Thin slices of rosemary steak on a white plate with a small bowl of pesto on the side.

    One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs

    This sun-dried tomato chicken is an easy weeknight dinner the entire family will love. It’s a one-pan paleo and Whole30 compliant recipe you’ll turn to again and again. 
    Get The Recipe →
    These sun dried tomato chicken thighs are one of my family's top 5 favorite paleo dinner recipes! They're healthy and packed with nutrition, but still rich, creamy, and flavorful. My son declared this recipe "the best chicken ever". Grab this easy, one pan whole30 dinner and more on the blog!

    Apple Cider Grilled Chicken

    This apple cider chicken is the best chicken you’ll ever taste. Life. Changing. Chicken. It grills up with a crispy charred, smokey exterior and juicy tender interior. While this takes a bit of time to marinate (at least 2 hours, and up to overnight) the hands on time is little and the cooking time is just 10 minutes. 
    Get The Recipe →
    This apple cider chicken is THE BEST chicken I've ever made. Life. Changing. Chicken. The marinade is quick and easy, and the brined chicken grills up in 10 minutes to charred, juicy, sweet + savory perfection. This is a family friendly weeknight recipe that everyone will love!

    Pan Seared Salmon with Mango Cucumber Salsa

    This fresh and tangy cucumber mango salsa is one of my favorite toppings for simple pan-seared salmon. It’s a fast and easy condiment that is packed with colorful, seasonal vegetables. This is weeknight whole foods cooking at it’s simplest and most delicious.
    Get The Recipe →
    This healthy, colorful cucumber mango salsa is one of my favorite toppings for simple pan-seared wild salmon. It's crunch, tangy, slightly tweet, and perfectly tart. This a fast and easy whole30 recipe that's ready in just 20 minutes! Get the recipe, plus my tips for restaurant perfect seared salmon every single time. Simple and healthy has never tasted so good.

    Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

    Just because it's Taco Tuesday, doesn't mean you shouldn't fire up the grill! Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos marry citrus and smoke for a flavor that pairs perfectly with loads of your favorite toppings. The cilantro lime marinade is a breeze to whip up and chicken is ready to serve in under 20 minutes!
    Three grilled chicken tacos with avocado, cilantro, and lime on a cutting board.

    Creamy Rosemary Garlic Chicken

    This one pan crispy chicken with rosemary cream sauce is one of my favorite whole foods recipes! It’s nutritious and kid-friendly, plus the prep is easy and fast, making it the perfect go-to meal for chaotic nights.
    Get The Recipe →
    This creamy rosemary garlic chicken recipe is an easy and flavor packed weeknight dinner! It's ready in just thirty minutes and completely kid friendly. #30minutesorless #rosemarychicken #kidfriendly #weeknight #recipe #chicken

    Healthy Tuscan Chicken

    This healthy tuscan chicken is a one-skillet dinner recipe that’s loaded with classic Italian flavors. Tossed in a creamy dairy free sauce with tons of vegetables, this healthy take on the classic delivers big bold flavor with none of the guilt. Serve it over roasted spaghetti squash for a low carb, Whole30 compliant meal, or over your favorite base (like whole grain pasta, polenta, or creamy cauliflower puree).
    Get The Recipe →
    A plate of healthy tuscan chicken with creamy dairy free sauce over spaghetti squash on a marble table with a small dish of fresh parsley on the side.

    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

    Chicken breasts are one of the most popular cuts of meat, but I often find them dry and bland unless they’ve been properly brined or marinated. Enter the magic of the slow cooker, which solves our dry chicken problem with easy and elegance. Chicken breasts are slow cooked in a slightly spicy sauce until juicy and infused with flavor. Lime juice and salt tenderize the chicken as it cooks, and the result is restaurant-quality cilantro lime chicken that will transform you into a weeknight dinner super hero!
    Get The Recipe →
    A serving bowl of Whole30 chicken lime chicken with a lime wedge and serving spoon.

    Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork

    Apple Cider Pulled Pork is the hands-free, low-and-slow combo you need this and every fall. It takes just twenty minutes to prep, and your crock pot does all the heavy lifting. Thanks to a flavorful dry rub, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar, this slow cooker pulled pork recipe delivers deep, developed flavor every time. Slow cooker pulled pork should be cooked low and slow, so plan for at least 8 hours cooking time.
    Get The Recipe →
    Side view, apple cider pulled pork on a brioche bun with apple cider vinegar coleslaw.

    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 is an incredibly flavorful, fresh, and elegant weeknight paleo dinner. Each bite is crisp, bright and bursting with flavor. The marinade takes just minutes and can be prepped the night before, making for an easy and fast dinner.
    Get The Recipe →
    This recipe for chicken shawarma salad is a flavorful, fresh, easy weeknight dinner. Each bite is crisp, bright, and bursting with flavor. This is the perfect whole food summer weeknight dinner recipe! #healthy #wholefood #realfood #eatclean

    Steak Fajita Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

    This quick and easy Fajita Salad with Steak topped with a zingy cilantro lime vinaigrette is about to become your go-to Tex-Mex dinner recipe. It’s got no added sugar, plus it's naturally grain and nut free. Best of all, it's ready in just 30 minutes!
    Steak fajita salad in a low tan serving bowl, made with chopped romaine, tomatoes, and avocado topped with seared fajita steak and sautéed peppers and onions.

    Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad

    This strawberry chicken salad with avocado and creamy balsamic dressing is one of the most delicious ways to take advantage of spring’s best produce! This healthy, vibrant dinner salad is ready in just 30 minutes!
    Get The Recipe →
    This strawberry chicken salad is a healthy, vibrant dinner recipe you'll crave again and again. This simple spring salad is made with smokey charcoal grilled chicken, sweet strawberries, avocados, and a creamy balsamic dressing. This dinner salad is fast (just 30 minutes), easy, and 100% addictive. Make it tonight!

    Salmon Avocado Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

    Tender, flaky salmon shines bright all on its own, but it really stands out in this salmon and avocado salad, tossed with seasonal produce and creamy lemon dressing. This salad is a true superfood combo, loaded with healthy omega-3 fats and all of the vitamins and nutrients your body craves. 
    Get The Recipe →
    From above, salmon and avocado salad with mango and lemon dressing.

    BLT Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

    This BLT Salad is a classic, but with a delicious twist in the form of hot bacon dressing. Skip the mayo or buttermilk vinaigrette and toss your greens, ‘maters, and croutons with this tangy salty dressing instead. You’ll still get a kick of creaminess from ripe avocados, with double the bacony flavor. 
    Get The Recipe →
    From above, a BLT salad in a blue salad bowl on a marble table with a glass of white wine.

    Did you make any of these Family Dinners? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    « Heirloom Tomato Galette with Ricotta and Parmesan
    Late Summer Zucchini and Corn Pasta »

    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    Leave a Comment
    Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Kid Friendly, Main Dishes

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Our Salty Kitchen! We create real food for real people. Our whole foods recipes are seasonal, locally sourced, and simply prepared. Learn More! 

    Footer

    ABOUT US      CONTACT US      PRIVACY POLICY 

    A collage of publication logos that have featured recipes and photography from Our Salty Kitchen.

    Footer

    Privacy

    Privacy Policy

    Let's ConnecT

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About Us

    Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Our Salty Kitchen

    125 shares