Do you ever find it tricky getting your kids excited for dinner? It happens in the best of families. You’re often trying to cook something quick and nutritional that also gets the thumbs up from the toughest critics – your kids. Well, there’s good news: there are 17 family-friendly recipes that’ll make your kids ask for more. They’re the kind that makes your family not only clear their plates but also ask for seconds, and maybe even thirds!
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Nothing ends the day quite like a perfectly grilled steak, topped off with a rich flavor that compliments it right in, creating a meal that’s both hearty and a hit with the whole table. Grilled steaks with cowboy butter is casual enough for a family night but feels special like a weekend treat. Every bite prompts smiles and, quite often, requests for more. It’s one of those meals that makes everyone look forward to dinner time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Wild Rice Salad
Refreshing and packed with textures that pop with every bite, this wild rice salad is perfect for those warmer days or when you just need something lighter. It pairs nicely with any main dish, but don’t be surprised if the kids start calling it their favorite part of the meal. It’s the sort of dish you hope has leftovers, so lunch tomorrow can be just as enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Leftover Steak Soft Tacos
Use again last night’s steak into something extraordinary with a unique twist reminiscent of your comfort food. They’re quick to assemble, mouthwatering, and most importantly, kid-approved. Leftover steak soft tacos recipe is proof that leftovers can be transformed into a meal that has everyone rushing to the table and asking for more. Plus, who doesn’t love a good taco night?
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Soft Tacos
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Serve this sweet and delicious crunch of honey walnut shrimp, a dish that combines various flavors that will be a hit for your kids. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that effortlessly brings everyone into the table, including picky eaters and those looking for something a bit different. It’s the kind of meal where your children will be reaching back into the serving dish until it’s all gone.
Get the Recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp
Homemade Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Think of your kids’ surprised looks when a plate of homemade cheddar bacon loaded tots hits the table, with its promise of cheesy goodness and a hint of bacon in every bite. It’s a fun twist on a familiar favorite, and the kids might not even realize they’re enjoying something made from scratch. It’s a dish that’ll have everyone staying at the dinner table, hoping for just one more tot.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Rigatoni alla Vodka
Sometimes, a classic like rigatoni alla vodka is just what’s needed — a creamy, comforting pasta dish that’s simple but absolutely delicious. Kids seem to love this type of dish, and the sauce always invites a request for an extra spoonful or two. It’s the kind of meal that quiets the room for a moment as everyone digs in, then asks when they can have it again. Make sure to prepare a lot more than the usual because they will eat it until there’s none left.
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni alla Vodka
Classic Diner-Style Salisbury Steak
Who doesn’t love a bit of that diner vibe at home? Classic diner-style Salisbury steak is exactly that – a comforting, familiar meal that’s like a warm hug on a plate. It’s bound to become a regular at your dinner table, especially when everyone’s eyes light up the moment you mention making it. Trust me, after the first time, your kids will be asking for it again and again.
Get the Recipe: Classic Diner-Style Salisbury Steak
Panda Express-Style Kung Pao Chicken
For those nights when takeout cravings hit, but you still want to gather around the home table, a homemade Panda Express-style Kung Pao Chicken does the trick. It brings the essence of your favorite takeout with a homemade twist, and you can bet the kids will be queuing up for seconds. It’s a lively dish full of flavor and often will make for laughter-filled family stories.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express-Style Kung Pao Chicken
Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these crispy shallot pork croquettes are the kind of finger food that everyone can’t stop reaching for. They work great as an appetizer or a main course, and kids seem to love them for their crunch and unique twist. It’s always nice to have a recipe in your back pocket that excites everyone when they hear it’s what’s for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
You wouldn’t believe how a dish like easy salmon pasta salad can pack so much flavor. It’s light yet fulfilling, kind of like finding a new favorite regular kitchen staple for your kids. It’s got that perfect mix of healthy and fresh that doesn’t weigh you down, match it up with its surprising twist of flavors. Give it a shot, and before you know it, your kids are already asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Homemade Alice Springs Chicken
You know, there’s just something about whipping up a homemade Alice Springs chicken right in your own kitchen. It’s like bringing that restaurant taste home – rich, fulfilling, and oh-so-delicious. It’s the kind of meal that makes dinner feel like you’ve gone out, without actually having to go out. And let me tell you, it’s such a hit that you’ll find your kids coming back for seconds or even thirds, and just like that, you’ve got a new favorite to add to your meal regulars.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Alice Springs Chicken
Copycat Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots
Think about taking the best of your favorite takeout cheesesteak and combining it with everyone’s go-to-snack. The result is a plate of copycat Philly cheesesteak loaded tots that disappears as fast as it’s made. It’s a dish that packs a flavorful punch and has everyone sharing their favorite part of the meal — though it’s hard to pick just one. Your kids will surely love this healthy, affordable, and easy to create dish.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Philly Cheesesteak Loaded Tots
Carne Molida for Taco Night
Your family dinner just leveled up with this dish on the table. Carne Molida for taco night turns dinner into an interactive experience where everyone gets to build their dream taco—trust me, they’ll be circling back to that toppings spread more than once. It’s not just about eating; it’s about having fun, chatting it up, and really enjoying the moment. You can bet this will be one of those meals where no one leaves the table without a smile and a full belly.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida for Taco Night
Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken
Sheet pan lemon-rosemary chicken’s appeal to your family lies in its simplicity and the way the aroma fills up the kitchen, drawing everyone together with anticipation. It is a dish that’s flavorful, juicy, and comforting — the kind where you’ll be passing the pan around for those irresistible crispy bits that everyone loves. Plus, it’s an easy-going meal that just feels like a big warm hug at the end of a long day.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken
Pizza Pasta Salad
Combining pizza and pasta in one dish? Yep, pizza pasta salad does just that and it’s as fun to eat as it sounds. Kids especially get a kick out of it, curious to try something that looks and tastes so cool. It’s the perfect playful addition to any meal, sparking conversations and making everyone agree it should come back again. Plus, it’s super easy to toss together, which makes it all the more appealing for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
There’s something about the ease of slow cooker porcupine meatballs that makes the meal as stress-free as it is delicious. The slow simmering means every bite is going to be bursting with that deep, saucy goodness that even the pickiest eaters can’t say no to. So, you get to kick back and relax, knowing a crowd-pleasing dinner is sorted and ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
California Eggs Benedict
Bringing breakfast to the dinner table with California eggs benedict is a surefire way to mix things up. It gives sunny flavors, turning an ordinary evening meal into something a little more interesting. It’s a fun variation that adds excitement to dinnertime and, believe it or not, it’s kid-approved—often sending them back for seconds. Switching up the meal routine with this dish keeps everyone at the table guessing what’s next and totally fulfilled.
Get the Recipe: California Eggs Benedict