23 Toddler-Approved Dinners That Are Surprisingly Easy

Feeding toddlers can be a challenge, but these dinners make it way easier. They’re all simple to make and use ingredients most kids actually like. The best part is many of these can be prepped ahead or made in big batches for leftovers. Don’t stress if your little one only eats the cheese off the quesadilla – at least they’re eating something!

Baked Chicken Nuggets with Sweet Potato Fries

These homemade nuggets taste way better than frozen ones and you know exactly what’s in them. Cut chicken breast into small pieces, dip in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs and bake. The sweet potato fries get crispy in the oven and are naturally sweet which kids love. Both cook at the same temperature so you can make them together. Way healthier than takeout but still feels like a treat to toddlers.

Get the recipe here.

Mini Meatballs with Hidden Veggie Marinara

The meatballs are tiny which makes them perfect for little hands. You can hide grated zucchini or carrots right in the meat mixture and they won’t even notice. The marinara sauce can have pureed vegetables blended in – just use whatever you got in the freezer. Make a big batch and freeze them for busy nights. Serve with pasta or just let them eat the meatballs with their hands like little appetizers.

Get the recipe here.

Cheese Quesadillas with Mild Salsa

These are so simple – just cheese melted between two tortillas. You can add shredded chicken, beans, or mild veggies if your kid will eat them. Cut into triangles which makes them easier for small hands to hold. The mild salsa is more like a dip than anything spicy. Even picky eaters usually like melted cheese. Keep the salsa on the side so they can choose to dip or not.

Get the recipe here.

Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups with Crackers

No cooking required for this one! Just lay out slices of turkey and cheese, roll them up, and secure with a toothpick. Serve with crackers and maybe some fruit or veggies on the side. Kids like foods they can pick up and eat themselves. You can make these ahead for busy evenings. Some kids prefer the turkey and cheese separate which is fine too – just put it all on their plate.

Get the recipe here.

Spaghetti with Butter and Parmesan

This is the simplest pasta dinner ever. Just cook spaghetti and toss with butter and grated parmesan cheese. Most toddlers love plain pasta anyway. You can offer marinara sauce on the side for dipping if they want it. Some kids like to slurp the noodles which is messy but fun for them. Add a side of steamed broccoli or peas and call it dinner.

Get the recipe here.

Mini Pizza Bagels

Split bagels in half, spread with pizza sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until melty. Kids love having their own individual pizzas. You can let them help make these which gets them more interested in eating. Keep toppings simple – just cheese or maybe some pepperoni if they’ll eat it. These reheat well for lunch the next day too. Way easier than making actual pizza dough.

Get the recipe here.

Pancakes for Dinner with Turkey Sausage

Kids think having breakfast for dinner is the coolest thing ever. Use a pancake mix to make it easy or make them from scratch if you prefer. Serve with turkey sausage links which are usually milder than pork sausage. Let them pour their own syrup – they love having control over their food. You can add fruit to the batter if they’ll eat it. This dinner always feels special to little ones.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Fish Sticks with Steamed Broccoli-ingredient missing

Homemade fish sticks are way better than frozen ones. Cut white fish into strips, bread them, and bake until crispy. Most kids like mild white fish better than stronger-tasting fish. Serve with steamed broccoli trees on the side – some kids will eat them, others won’t, but at least you offered. Make a big batch of fish sticks and freeze them for quick dinners later.

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

This classic combo never gets old. Use good bread and real cheese for the best flavor. The tomato soup can be from a can – no shame in that when you’re feeding toddlers! Some kids like to dip the sandwich in the soup which is messy but fun. Cut the sandwich into strips or triangles for easier eating. This is comfort food that works for the whole family.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This one-dish meal has everything in it. Mix cooked chicken, rice, some vegetables, and cheese with a little broth and bake until bubbly. You can use rotisserie chicken to make it even easier. Kids usually like casseroles because all the flavors are mixed together and nothing is too distinct. Make a big pan and you’ll have leftovers for days. Some kids will pick out the vegetables but at least they’re getting chicken and rice.

Get the recipe here.

Taco Tuesday Soft Tacos

Use soft flour tortillas which are easier for little hands than hard shells. Fill with ground turkey or fish, cheese, and maybe some lettuce. Keep all the toppings separate so kids can build their own. Most toddlers just want the meat and cheese anyway. You can use taco seasoning packets to keep it simple. This feels like a fun activity dinner where they get to participate.

Get the recipe here.

Mac and Cheese with Hidden Cauliflower

Make regular mac and cheese but puree some steamed cauliflower into the cheese sauce. They’ll never know it’s there! Use a good melting cheese like cheddar. Some kids are suspicious of homemade mac and cheese if they’re used to the box stuff, but most will eat it. The cauliflower doesn’t change the taste much but adds nutrients. This is comfort food with a secret healthy twist.

Get the recipe here.

Meatball Subs on Mini Rolls

Use frozen meatballs to make this super easy. Heat them in marinara sauce, put them on small rolls with cheese, and toast until the cheese melts. The mini size makes them perfect for toddler hands. Most kids love meatballs and the roll makes it feel like a special sandwich. Cut them in half so they’re not too big. These are messy but fun to eat.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Vegetables

Drumsticks are perfect for kids because they have a built-in handle! Season them simply with salt, pepper, and maybe some garlic powder. Roast them with whatever vegetables you have – carrots, potatoes, and onions work well. The vegetables get sweet when roasted which appeals to kids more than steamed veggies. Let them eat the drumstick with their hands like a little caveman.

Get the recipe here.

Egg Fried Rice with Frozen Peas

This is a great way to use up leftover rice. Scramble some eggs, add the rice and frozen peas, and stir-fry it all together. Keep the seasonings mild – just a little soy sauce. Most kids like rice and eggs separately so they usually eat this combo too. You can add other mild vegetables if your kid will eat them. This comes together really fast on busy nights.

Get the recipe here.

Mini Corn Dogs with Baked Beans

Kids love corn dogs but the full-size ones are often too big. Mini ones are perfect for little appetites. Bake them instead of frying to make them a bit healthier. Serve with baked beans which most kids think taste like candy anyway. This feels like fair food which makes dinner more exciting. You can add some fruit on the side to round out the meal.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This is comfort food that cooks itself while you’re busy. Put chicken, vegetables, and broth in the slow cooker in the morning. Add the dumplings in the last hour. The chicken gets super tender and the dumplings are fluffy. Most kids love dumplings because they’re like little clouds of bread. This makes the house smell amazing too. Perfect for cold days when you want something warming.

Get the recipe here.

Pigs in a Blanket with Fruit Salad

These are just mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough and baked. Kids think they’re the greatest thing ever! Serve with fruit salad to add some nutrition to the meal. You can make these ahead and just reheat them. They’re perfect for little hands and most toddlers love hot dogs anyway. This feels like party food which makes regular dinner more fun.

Get the recipe here.

Baked Ziti with Mild Cheese-ingredient missing

This pasta casserole is usually a hit with kids. Mix cooked ziti with marinara sauce and lots of mild cheese, then bake until bubbly. The pasta gets all creamy from the melted cheese. You can hide some pureed vegetables in the sauce if you’re sneaky about it. Make a big pan and freeze half for another busy night. Most kids love cheese and pasta so this is usually a safe bet.

Get the recipe here.

Chicken Noodle Soup with Crackers

Nothing beats homemade chicken noodle soup when kids are cranky or not feeling well. Use rotisserie chicken to make it easier. The noodles are fun to slurp and the warm broth is comforting. Serve with crackers for dipping which kids love to do. You can make this in the slow cooker too. The vegetables get soft enough that even picky eaters might try them.

Get the recipe here.

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Making meatloaf in muffin tins creates perfect kid-sized portions. Turkey is milder than beef which appeals to more toddlers. You can hide grated vegetables in the meat mixture. These cook faster than a big meatloaf and freeze well for later. Some kids like ketchup on top which makes them even more appealing. The individual size makes them feel special and fancy.

Get the recipe here.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey

Cut the peppers in half and fill with a mixture of ground turkey, rice, and mild seasonings. The peppers get sweet when baked which appeals to kids. Some toddlers will eat the filling but not the pepper, and that’s fine too. Use colorful peppers to make the plate look more interesting. These look fancy but are actually pretty simple to make. Good way to get vegetables and protein in one dish.

Get the recipe here.

Breakfast for Dinner – Scrambled Eggs and Toast

Sometimes the simplest dinners are the best ones. Scrambled eggs are protein-packed and most kids like them. Make the toast in fun shapes with cookie cutters if you want to be fancy. Serve with fruit or hash browns on the side. This is comfort food that comes together in minutes. Kids love the novelty of having breakfast foods at dinner time. Keep it simple and don’t overthink it.

Get the recipe here.