Ever find yourself scrambling to make dinner and wishing you had an extra pair of hands to help out? Well, guess what? Call the kids and get dinner on the table. With these 17 easy recipes, your little ones can roll up their sleeves and start cooking without you worrying about them handling it. These will make you feel like a kitchen whiz, guaranteed!
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Step into the kitchen with an easy-to-follow dish that brings a twist to traditional Italian. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe combines savory sausage and slightly bitter broccoli rabe, all cooked in one skillet for simplicity. It’s a hearty meal that offers a fantastic way to introduce kids to cooking.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries
Breakfast or snack time can be both healthy and delicious with a recipe that’s simple enough for kids to take the lead. Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries turns the humble slice of toast into a nutritious meal with the addition of creamy cottage cheese and fresh blueberries. You will love its simplicity!
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Encouraging kids to explore a variety of ingredients is easy with a dish like Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. This salad brings a mix of orzo pasta, juicy shrimp, and a burst of Mediterranean flavors that are refreshing and light. It’s a hassle-free recipe for teaching children about the joys of mixing.
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California Eggs Benedict
Give breakfast a Californian twist with an easy, kid-friendly recipe. California Eggs Benedict takes the traditional benedict and lightens it up with ripe avocado and tomato, making it a refreshing start to any day. It’s less intimidating for kids to make, as it involves simple layering and minimal prepping.
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Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata offers a way to enjoy cooking with its tangy and savory flavors. This recipe simplifies a classic dish without losing the essence that makes it a favorite, using ingredients like lemon to achieve that perfect balance. It’s great for teaching kids about balancing flavors and the fun of cooking a meal that feels a bit fancy.
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Leftover Steak Quesadilla
Turning leftovers into a new and exciting meal is a fantastic skill to teach kids, and Leftover Steak Quesadilla does just that. This recipe is a creative way to use up steak from another meal, pairing it with cheese and tortillas for a quick and tasty snack. It’s incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for young chefs to experiment.
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Turkey à la King
For a cozy and comforting meal, Turkey à la King is a wonderful recipe. It’s a fantastic dish that turns simple ingredients like turkey and carrots, into a creamy, fulfilling meal. Kids will enjoy the simplicity of mixing and simmering, learning how to create flavors that come together in a rich, heartwarming dish.
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Roast Pork with Apples
Looking for a classic combination that’s surprisingly simple to make? Roast Pork with Apples is for young chefs wanting to tackle a more traditional dish. The sweet apples complement the savory pork beautifully, creating a meal that’s full of flavors and a joy to prepare. It’s a great recipe to introduce kids to the concept of pairing fruit with meat.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins
Need a comforting dish that brings the coziness of Cracker Barrel into your kitchen? Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins is an easy recipe that kids can follow, giving them a taste of Southern cooking without too much fuss. Rolling and cutting the dough for dumplings is a fun, hands-on activity they’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins
Cucumber Salad with Feta
A refreshing side dish like Cucumber Salad with Feta is perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen with minimal risk. This recipe demonstrates how a few simple ingredients can turn into a deliciously crisp and refreshing salad. It’s a great introduction to basic cutting skills and the concept of marinating, letting them experiment with flavors.
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Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Adding a twist to pasta, Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka offers a creamy and satisfying meal that kids can proudly say they helped make. The recipe simplifies a gourmet dish into manageable steps, perfect for beginner cooks. It’s a wonderful way to introduce them to more sophisticated sauces.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Pizza Pasta Salad
Try this fun and creative way to enjoy pizza flavors without the hassle of dough. Pizza Pasta Salad is a hit that’s great for kids who want to mix their favorite pizza toppings into a dish that’s both satisfying and easy to share. It’s a fantastic introduction to pasta salads and customization, allowing them to play around in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes
Kids will be thrilled to help in the kitchen with Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. This recipe brings the excitement of creating a dish that’s a bit different from the norm, combining the fun of shaping croquettes with the joy of achieving that crispy outer layer. It’s a great way to involve them in a hands-on cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes
Chinese Chicken Salad
Creating a Chinese Chicken Salad is an excellent way for kids to explore different cuisines through cooking. This recipe is bursting with fresh flavors and textures, from crispy greens to tender chicken, all tossed in a dressing. It’s a straightforward dish that kids can easily put together, teaching them about the variety of salads.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad
Beefy John Wayne Casserole
Beefy John Wayne Casserole is not only fun to say but also incredibly fun to make. This hearty dish teaches young cooks about layering flavors and textures, from the beefy base to the cheesy topping. It’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, giving you a sense of accomplishment as you see your family enjoy it.
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Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken
Recreating a restaurant favorite like Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken is a rewarding project for young chefs. This dish, with its juicy chicken and flavorful toppings, shows how simple ingredients can come together to create something special. It’s a great way to learn about marinating and grilling. Plus, the end result is absolutely delicious.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken
Diner Style Salisbury Steak
Searching for a comforting classic that’s always a hit? Diner Style Salisbury Steak offers a simple yet satisfying meal. This recipe simplifies the process of making Salisbury steak, making it accessible for kids to help with. It’s a great dish for teaching the basics of forming and cooking patties, as well as creating a yummy gravy.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak