Kid Food

40 Easy Recipes You Can Cook with Your Kids (Even Picky Ones!)

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the…read more
Jan Valdez
Jan ValdezAssistant Recipe Producer
I cover recipe content on The Kitchn, write and update recipes and recipe roundups, and test recipes for the team. I have 10 years of experience working in R&D test kitchens, testing products and recipes, and at publishers including Serious Eats and EatingWell.
published Feb 10, 2026
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
overhead shot of creamy broccoli pasta bake in a teal pot
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda

I have a personal rule when it comes to my kids: I always say yes when they ask to help with cooking. This doesn’t mean I’m inviting them to cook every meal with me, but when they ask I always oblige. Cooking with kids sometimes that means dinner takes 10, 15, even 20 minutes longer to get on the table, but we always learn something — even if it’s just to make sure the lid is tightly sealed on the paprika.

Letting them help now in the kitchen means they will learn to master a few basic skills before we full expect them to contribute to weekly meals. Dinner is the one meal we need the most weeknight help with, so it only makes sense to rope them into cooking what we will eat as a family. My 8-year-old has fully embraced being my sous-chef-in-training and cooks along with me two or three nights a week. Here are 40 of our go-to dinner recipes that are perfect for cooking with kids.

Ground Beef Dinners

Any time dinner starts with a pack of ground beef, you have a big selection of kid-friendly options to choose from. From tacos to sloppy Joes, these recipes are sure to be big hits.

1 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Tater Tot Casserole

If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that feels like a night off, you’ve come to the right place. This cozy casserole is incredibly easy to prepare, and with no chopping at all it’s no wonder that tater tot casserole is a beloved dish that families have relied on for generations.

Go to Recipe
2 / 10
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Classic Beef Chili

While there are an endless variety of chili recipes to choose from, this classic beef and bean chili recipe is tried-and-true.

Go to Recipe
3 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster
Easy Ground Beef Sesame Noodles

This recipe comes together largely with pantry ingredients, and you only need 20 minutes from start to finish.

Go to Recipe
4 / 10
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner
Sloppy Joes

The best family dinners are a little sloppy. Serve these classic Sloppy Joes with shoestring fries and broccoli salad.

Go to Recipe
5 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Beef Tacos

It will be love at first crunch. Between the satisfying crunch of the taco shell and the spiced browned ground beef, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleasing combination.

Go to Recipe
6 / 10
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn
Salisbury Steak

In this comforting 30-minute recipe, seasoned ground beef gets shaped into steak-like patties, browned, and then braised in a rich onion and mushroom gravy.

Go to Recipe
7 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Easy Japanese Beef Curry

Taste the magic of Japanese curry mix. Serve this homey curry over steamed white rice, over chewy udon noodles, or long ramen noodles.

Go to Recipe
8 / 10
Credit: Laura Rege
Italian Meatloaf

Marinara and cheese set this recipe apart from traditional meatloaf.

Go to Recipe
9 / 10
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Cowboy Meatballs

This Southwest twist on saucy meatballs will have everyone saying "yeehaw!". Serve them with Mexican rice or warm flour tortillas and refried beans for a hearty weeknight meal.

Go to Recipe
10 / 10
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
Picadillo

This comforting dish of ground beef, potatoes, and veggies comes together in a single skillet and is endlessly customizable.

Go to Recipe

Chicken Dinners

Between baked chicken parmesan, chicken pot pie casserole, and chicken noodle soup these weeknight dinners are easy to pull off.

4 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

All the signature elements come together in this copycat recipe for Chipotle's chicken burrito bowl: juicy chicken, cilantro-lime rice, and zesty corn salsa.

Go to Recipe
5 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

In a ranking of comfort foods, chicken pot pie casserole is at the top of the list. It doesn’t get much cozier than a bowl filled with hearty bites of tender chicken and vegetables baked in a creamy sauce and topped with golden, buttery biscuits.

Go to Recipe
6 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Janette Zepeda
Bang Bang Chicken

Homemade chicken nuggets are extra crispy when shallow-fried with a coating of seasoned panko breadcrumbs. The crunchy chicken bites are then tossed in a creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce that’s so good you'll want an extra drizzle on top.

Go to Recipe
8 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Chicken and Dumplings

It doesn’t get more comforting than creamy chicken soup topped with pillow-soft dumplings.

Go to Recipe
10 / 10
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Dump Chicken Pot Pie

Make a cozy chicken pot pie with just 4 store-bought ingredients and one dish.

Go to Recipe

Pasta Dinners

Whether your kids go for spaghetti and meatballs or mac and cheese, this lineup has it all.

1 / 10
Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Stylist: Kristina Vanni
Cheeseburger Casserole

A one-pot wonder with ground beef and cheddar cheese that channels all the Hamburger Helper vibes.

Go to Recipe
2 / 10
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Fettuccine Alfredo

There are three things that make this Alfredo the best version of itself: nutmeg, Pecorino Romano, and more pasta water than you’d expect.

Go to Recipe
3 / 10
Credit: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne
Easy Lasagna

A step-by-step guide to making a simple beef and cheese lasagna. There are just three components that make a lasagna great: the pasta, the cheese, and the sauce. Since this recipe starts with a jar of marinara for ease, make sure it’s one that tastes great.

Go to Recipe
4 / 10
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Baked Mac and Cheese

No comfort food satisfies quite like homemade mac and cheese, with its tender noodles tucked into a rich and creamy sauce that’s baked until the cheese is golden, melted, and gooey.

Go to Recipe
5 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park
Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is Italian American comfort food at its very best. When it comes to the meatballs, skip the fussy frying and bake them instead for equally satisfying results.

Go to Recipe
6 / 10
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik; Food Styling: Kelli Foster
Easy Tuna Casserole

Between the tender noodles, super creamy sauce, and flaky tuna, this is sure to be an instant hit.

Go to Recipe
7 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Spencer Richards
Baked Spaghetti

It gives hearty, comforting Italian-American vibes. This dish takes the relative ease of baked ziti and merges it with the flavors of a classic lasagna, making it a hearty, comforting pasta casserole that pleases both kids and adults.

Go to Recipe
9 / 10
10 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster
Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken spaghetti is a uniquely American dish in the lineup of classic comforting casseroles. It's also a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken!

Go to Recipe

Vegetarian Dinners

If you’re looking for meat-free dinner ideas, this lineup includes meals that are filling, delicious, and easy to bring to the table.

1 / 10
Credit: Kelli Foster
Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

This one-pot weeknight dinner will remind you of Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup, and it’s so much better.

Go to Recipe
3 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Creamed Spinach Pasta

Pasta tossed in a creamy spinach sauce with ricotta cheese and Parmesan, topped with nutty toasted breadcrumbs.

Go to Recipe
4 / 10
Credit: Photo: Erik Bernstein; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Pizza Beans

A skillet of canned beans and aromatics simmered in marinara sauce, topped with cheese, and broiled until bubbly, gooey, and just a little browned on top.

Go to Recipe
6 / 10
Credit: Kelli Foster
Creamy Tortellini Soup

Perfect for chilly weather, this vegetarian soup has a creamy tomato-based broth loaded with tender tortellini and spinach.

Go to Recipe
7 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster
Creamy Tortellini Primavera

A mix of asparagus, tomatoes, and peas keep this 20-minute meal (that’s reminiscent of pasta primavera) feeling light, fresh, and perfect for the whole family.

Go to Recipe
8 / 10
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe ; Food Stylist: Ben Weiner
Gnocchi Alfredo Bake

Plump gnocchi are baked in an easy Alfredo sauce that’s loaded with Parmesan cheese.

Go to Recipe
9 / 10
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
White Bean Chili

With a smoky flavor and subtle heat, this cozy recipe will make you think it has the richness of meat even though (spoiler) it's totally vegan.

Go to Recipe
10 / 10
Credit: Laura Rege
Spinach Pizza

All the best parts of spinach dip on a crispy crusted pizza pie.

Go to Recipe

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: 40 Easy Recipes You Can Cook with Your Kids (Even Picky Ones!)

More to Love from Cubby