Struggling to get your kids excited about dinner? These 13 dinner ideas will change that. Not only are they fun and delicious, but your kids might be so thrilled they’ll volunteer to do the dishes afterward! Say goodbye to dinnertime battles and hello to happy, helpful little chefs. These recipes are sure to make your evenings smoother and more enjoyable for the whole family.
Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
This dish is a Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp that offers a fantastic combination of sweet and crunchy textures that are simply addictive. It features succulent shrimp enveloped in a luscious honey glaze and finished off with a sprinkle of candied walnuts for that extra crunch. It’s not only easy to prepare for a quick weeknight meal but also presents a delicious way to bring a taste of the popular fast-food joint to your dining table. Pair it with fluffy steamed rice for a meal that’s both satisfactory and reminiscent of your favorite takeout.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
Pizza Pasta Salad
Pizza Pasta Salad is a creative fusion that brings together the beloved flavors of a classic pepperoni pizza with the refreshing qualities of a pasta salad. Loaded with gooey mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and a vibrant dressing, it serves as either a tantalizing side dish or a fulfilling main course on warmer evenings. It’s particularly fun for kids who will excited to see their favorite pizza toppings mixed into a pasta dish. Notably, its versatility allows for the inclusion of various pizza toppings to cater to the family’s tastes, making mealtime a joyful experience.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
You can enjoy the opulence of Italian dining in the comfort of your own home with Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. It combines the hearty essence of juicy tomatoes and creamy vodka sauce with perfectly al dente rigatoni, making a dish that tastes as if it came straight from a high-end Italian restaurant. The beauty of this meal lies in its simplicity and ability to transform dinner into a special occasion, serving as a testament to the powers of home-cooked meals in bringing families together around the dining table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Wild Rice Salad
Offering more than just a side dish, Wild Rice Salad is a celebration of textures and hues, featuring the distinct nutty flavor of wild rice amidst a vibrant array of vegetables, nuts, and a lively dressing. It’s an excellent choice for introducing children to the world of whole grains and vegetables, wrapped up in a dish that’s as visually appealing as it is nutritious. Whether served as a complementary side or a light main course, this salad is a testament to the delicious possibilities of healthy eating.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup
Transport your family to the warmth of an Italian kitchen with Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup. This hearty soup is brimming with tender pieces of chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich, herbaceous broth that together create a comforting bowl of goodness. Making this restaurant favorite at home not only promises a wholesome meal but also transforms soup night into a much-anticipated event, showcasing the power of simple ingredients in delivering profound flavors.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup
Leftover Steak Quesadilla
Leftover Steak Quesadilla offers a clever and delicious solution to repurposing leftover steak. Juicy slices of steak, combined with melting cheese, and encased in a crispy tortilla, create a dish that’s both uncomplicated and irresistible. Ideal for a quick meal, it encourages kids to get involved in the kitchen by assembling their quesadillas, making it a fun and interactive way to talk about food sustainability and the joy of creating something new from leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla
Chinese Chicken Salad
Enjoy the flavors of Asian cuisine with the Chinese Chicken Salad, a dish that packs a punch with its combination of shredded chicken, crisp veggies, and crunchy noodles, all dressed in a tangy sauce. This salad stands out as a refreshing meal option, inviting kids to engage in a flavorful exploration that’s as healthy as it is delicious. By encouraging them to mix and match their preferred ingredients, this dish serves as a playful introduction to diverse tastes and textures.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad
Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes
Step into the realm of gourmet home cooking with Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. These delectable bites are a perfect blend of juicy interior and crispy exterior, enhanced by the unique flavor of crispy shallots. It’s an exquisite recipe that invites the whole family into the kitchen, with children particularly enjoying the hands-on experience of shaping the croquettes. Paired with a fresh salad, it’s a sophisticated yet approachable meal that’s sure to charm everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes
Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef
Experience the heart of Mexican cuisine with Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef, a versatile and deeply flavorful dish. The ground beef, simmered with a rich blend of spices, lends itself brilliantly to a variety of meals, from taco nights to hearty burrito fillings. It’s an excellent way for kids to get creative with their food, customizing their meals with their favorite toppings and discovering the vibrant flavors that make Mexican cuisine so beloved.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken
Indulge in the flavors of Down Under with Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken, a delicious homage to Outback Steakhouse’s famous dish. It features grilled chicken breasts topped with a heavenly blend of honey mustard, sautéed mushrooms, crisp bacon, and melted cheese. This dish is a delicious way to bring restaurant-quality flavors to your weeknight meals, offering a comforting and filling option that’s likely to become a regular request.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken
Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs offers a unique twist on the traditional meatball recipe. Named for the rice grains that protrude like the quills of a porcupine, these meatballs are slowly simmered in a tomato sauce, allowing the flavors to meld into something truly special. This dish not only makes for an exciting dinner option but also exemplifies the joys of slow cooking, providing a stress-free solution for busy households looking to enjoy a hearty, comforting meal at the end of the day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
Steak & Pasta Salad
Transform leftover steak into a vibrant and fulfilling cold salad with Steak & Pasta Salad. Combining tender slices of steak with pasta, fresh greens, and a potent vinaigrette, it represents a perfect meal for warmer days. Children will enjoy the familiar flavors in a novel presentation, while parents will appreciate the simplicity and nutritional balance of this dish, proving that leftovers can indeed be turned into something extraordinary.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad
Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup
Warm up with Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup, a creamy concoction that embraces the comfort of soft potato chunks, delicious bacon, and rich cheddar cheese within its depths. It’s a dish that embodies the essence of comfort food, making every spoonful feel like a warm embrace. Engaging children in the preparation of this soup can be a delicious way to introduce them to the pleasures of cooking and the meaningful connections that are forged over shared meals made with care.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup