These six kid-approved dinner ideas provide kid-friendly recipes for the whole family that use nutritious onions for meals that are full of flavor.
Whether you are looking for a balanced, healthy meal, a fix-it-and-forget slow cooker dinner, or you struggle with a little one who dislikes textures and bold flavors, this list will get you started on dinner.
What is a kid-approved dinner?
As kids become exposed to more flavors and textures while developing their likes and dislikes, keeping them fueled with healthy foods can be a challenge. These dinner ideas offer familiar foods such as corn and chicken for those less eager to try new things. They also provide an easy way to make classics such as spaghetti and meat sauce while putting healthy twists on favorites such as taco salad. A recipe that helps parents overcome the many challenges of feeding picky eaters helps make these recipes kid-approved meals the whole family can enjoy.
Are these kid-friendly ideas fast dinner recipes?
These recipes are easy to make and can be ready in fewer than 45 minutes, some in much less time. For the slow cooker recipes that take longer, all the cooking time is hands-off so you can prepare it in the morning and it will be ready to enjoy by dinner time.
Are these kid-approved dinners healthy?
Yes, these are some of our favorite healthy recipes. They all contain onions and onions have been found to be high in vitamin C, a good source of dietary fiber, and a good source of folic acid. Onions also contain calcium, iron, and quercetin, a flavonoid and antioxidant. Beyond the onions, these recipes use lean protein and a variety of vegetables for a healthy meal.
Six kid-friendly dinner recipes for the whole family:
Caramelized Onion and Corn Soup
This recipe is ideal for kids who dislike texture and prefer a smooth soup. The caramelized onions and corn are pureed into the soup leaving no bits or texture concerns. You can also make this with fresh or frozen corn making it an ideal year-round recipe.
A comfort food recipe for the whole family, this dinner combines chicken breasts with caramelized onions and savory beef broth. The cheese melted over the chicken makes this a winner not only with the kids, but also with the adults around the table.
This easy slow cooker meal can be adapted to both summer and winter seasons. The recipe provides instructions for what vegetables to use for each time of year. By choosing familiar vegetables and having children help with stirring all the ingredients together before you set the slow cooker to simmer the soup, you allow picky eaters to get involved in the cooking which helps make mealtime more fun for kids.
Onion and Turkey Lime Taco Salad
A simple weeknight dinner, this salad is full of lean protein and healthy vegetables. Leave all of the components separate and allow kids to get involved by building their own salads topping them with their favorite garnishes such as sour cream or some taco sauce.
This soup is loaded with familiar vegetables such as chopped potatoes and carrots. Salsa is used to make the broth which lends a familiar flavor to the soup and allows you to keep the spices mild.
Make pasta night easier with this meat sauce recipe. Once the ingredients hit the slow cooker, it can simmer most of the day while you tackle your to-do list. With simple ingredients and familiar flavors this recipe is a welcomed kid-friendly dinner for a busy weeknight.
