17 Easy and Healthy Recipes for Kids (2024)

There's no denying that kids can be difficult to cook for, but we're here to help. Our delicious recipes for kids include healthy meals as well as classic recipes like chicken nuggets and pizza that are guaranteed to please even the pickiest of palates. Many of these recipes are easy enough that kids can help, so bring them into the kitchen to make these family-friendly meals—and some memories along the way.

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Meat Loaf Muffins

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Use your muffin pan to perform meat loaf magic for these mini masterpieces. Pressed into the pan and baked with a tangy ketchup dressing, each miniature loaf gets a cozy garnish of kid-friendly mashed potatoes and melty cheddar cheese.

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Turkey Cheeseburger Minis

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It doesn't get more kid-friendly than bite-size burgers! Ground turkey stands in for beef to keep this fun variation low in fat, while dill pickle slices and American cheese provide those classic flavors.

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Pizza Quesadillas

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Part pizza, part quesadilla, this playful snack combines the best of two kid-favorite foods into one delicious bite. Pack your little one's favorite toppings inside or follow to recipe for a version that includes sauce, pepperoni, olives, and cheese.

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Crispy Chicken Nuggets With Ranch

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Skip the drive-thru and try these homemade chicken nuggets made with crunchy panko bread crumbs. Pair the crispy chicken with oven-fried sweet potatoes, which meet more than 100 percent of your kiddos' vitamin A needs for the day.

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Ham Rolls Stuffed with Broccoli Mac and Cheese

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Prepared with reduced-fat ingredients and fresh broccoli, this homemade macaroni and cheese can fit into a healthy family lifestyle. A thin slice of baked ham blankets the pasta so that kids won't even realize they're eating their greens.

Easy Cheesy Sloppy Joes

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Nacho cheese soup makes these finger-licking sandwiches super cheesy. Get the little ones involved by letting them scoop the sloppy joe filling onto buns and skewer their own miniature pickles.

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Bacon and Egg Muffins

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Serve breakfast for dinner and any grouchy day is immediately forgotten. These muffin-shaped bacon and egg bites keep things compact and managable for a quick weeknight meal. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup for a bit of extra sweetness.

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Quick Meatball Minestrone

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Kids love meatballs, whether they're on top of spaghetti or covered with cheese. Here, they get paired with beef broth along with cannellini beans, shell pasta, and frozen vegetables for an easy dinner that the entire family will appreciate.

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Crunchy PB & A Wrap

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Switch up the classic PB & J by swapping the jelly for fresh fruit. Crisp pieces of apple join peanut butter and low-fat granola in these easy wraps that are perfect for your child's lunch box.

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Chicken Pot Pie Stew

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This twist on a classic dinner bulks up the vegetables and backs off on the pastry. Pair the steamy soup with whole grain dinner rolls to sop up the creamy broth, and have kids cut out pastry shapes using their favorite cutters to put on top.

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Chili-Mac Skillet

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Two childhood favorites (mild chili and creamy macaroni) come together in this simple skillet recipe. Sneak sweet green peppers into the tomato sauce for a secret health boost and bit of crunch.

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Turkey and Bean Burritos

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For basic burritos that will please picky eaters, tuck ground turkey, black beans, lettuce, and cheese into flour tortillas. Pair the remaining meat with grown-up ingredients like curry powder, snow pea pods, and chopped peanuts to make a spicy alternative for the adults.

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Pepperoni Pizza Cups

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Transform frozen dough into poppable pizza cups with the help from your muffin tin. Fill the crust with pepperoni, pasta sauce, and cheese or slip in chopped mushrooms and sweet peppers for added nutrients.

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Inside-Out Spaghetti Pie

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There will be no whining with dinner when you serve this wacky take on classic spaghetti and meatballs. Seasoned ground beef creates the savory crust while spaghetti noodles, pizza sauce, and two types of cheese form the irresistible filling.

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Ham and Cheese Calzones

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It's hard to say no to these toasty little pockets. Stuffed with cooked ham, provolone cheese, and mustard, the simple sandwiches make for a light lunch or fast weeknight dinner.

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Avocado Ranch Tuna Melts

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Tuna melts get a healthy spin with the addition of nutrient-packed broccoli slaw and the healthy fat in avocado. Let kids assemble the sandwiches and watch the cheese melt under the broiler.

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Tater Soup

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If children could curate their own food pyramid, cheese and potatoes would certainly be the top tier. Combine them in this simple stove-top soup, which also calls for three types of vegetables and a gooey cheese topping.