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!
‘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!
- Jump To: Easy One-Pan or One-Pot Dinner Recipes
- Jump To: Kid-Friendly Weeknight Pasta Recipes
- Jump To: Healthy Kid-Friendly Main Dishes
- Jump To: Family Favorite Crockpot Recipes
- Jump To: Quick and Easy Dinner Salad Recipes
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

20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Weeknight Taco Soup

Keema Beef Curry with Potatoes and Peas

Pumpkin Chicken Chili

Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet

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

Ricotta Pasta with Peas

Spinach Pesto Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

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

Grilled Rosemary Steak

One Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs

Apple Cider Grilled Chicken

Pan Seared Salmon with Mango Cucumber Salsa

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Creamy Rosemary Garlic Chicken

Healthy Tuscan Chicken

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 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

Steak Fajita Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad

Salmon Avocado Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

BLT Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

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