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Children Story Time admin

10 Easy and Healthy Dinners for Kids

Posted by Children Story Time admin, 8 minutes read
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10 Easy and Healthy Dinners for Kids to enhance kids learning

Trying to decide what to have for dinner when you’ve got kids can be quite the problem. What can you make quickly that your kids will actually eat, that is at least somewhat good for them?

 

Here are our top ten easy and healthy dinners for kids (and parents!) to enjoy.

 

Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

We all love a set-it-and-forget-it recipe; it makes for one less thing to worry about on a busy school day full of chores and practice pick-ups. These meatballs, courtesy of Eating Well, are super simple – you just set up the slow cooker and go!

 

For this recipe, serving up to 10 people, you’ll need:

  • A can of crushed tomatoes
  • Dry red wine (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks out)
  • Onion
  • Seasonings (garlic, basil, oregano, salt)
  • Ground turkey or chicken
  • An egg
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Small mozzarella balls

 

Very simply, you’re going to put the sauce ingredients in the slow cooker, mix and shape the meatballs, add those in, and cook until you’re ready to eat! Set it up in the morning and you’ll have delicious, ready-to-eat meatballs for dinner that your kids will love. For the full recipe, you can go here.

 

Turkey Ginger Noodle Soup

Nothing is more comforting after a long day than a bowl of hot soup. This recipe from Taste of Home is excellent for those days when your kids are constantly on the go (snow days, anyone?). It serves up to eight people, which makes it awesome for big families…or for leftovers for tomorrow night.

 

For this recipe, you’ll need:

  • Veggies (carrots, corn, peas)
  • Water chestnuts
  • Seasonings (chili powder, salt, pepper, ginger root)
  • Fresh parsley
  • Chicken stock
  • Coconut water, lemon juice
  • Cubed turkey breast
  • Noodles of your choice (they recommend thin rice or spaghetti noodles)

 

The prep for this one is surprisingly simple. Brown the meat with the seasonings, plop it in the slow cooker with the liquids and veggies, then set it aside to cook until you’re ready to go. Add the noodles in at the last minute and you’ve got a fresh, delicious meal that’ll warm and comfort exhausted kids.

 

The full version of this recipe is available here.

 

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

When cooking around kids, the fewer pans you need, the better, and you don’t get much less clean-up than this! This recipe for chicken fajitas comes from Eating Well and uses one bowl and one sheet pan, and that’s it.

 

For this recipe, which serves four people, you’ll need:

  • Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • Olive oil
  • Seasonings (chili powder, cumin, garlic, and salt)
  • Veggies (red and yellow bell peppers and onion)
  • Corn tortillas
  • Lime juice
  • Garnishes of your choice

 

All you have to do is preheat your oven, prepare a baking sheet, slice up your chicken and veggies, and put everything in a bowl. Mix it up, spread it out on the pan, and let it roast for 15 minutes. You’re all done! Stir in your lime juice and serve in a make-your-own buffet style with all the fixings. Not only is this a healthy option, it’s also a fun dinner for your kids to make for themselves! You can check out the full recipe here.

 

Fish Fingers and Mushy Peas

This classic British recipe is a perfect finger-food dinner! Brought to you by the BBC, this recipe serves four people and can be on the table in 30 minutes or less.

 

Here’s what you need:

  • Firm white fish with the skin removed
  • Flour
  • An egg
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Butter
  • Pease
  • Lemon
  • Fresh mint

 

Cut up the fish into fingers, batter, and pan-fry them. While they’re cooking, boil the peas, add the butter, lemon zest, and mint to them, and mash them up! You can serve it with a side of potatoes or with the peas alone, and with dipping sauces of your choice. You can find the full recipe here. Remember that this is a British recipe, so the measurements are in metric measurements rather than imperial measurements.

 

Veggie Tacos

We can’t leave our vegetarian friends out of the equation! If you’re looking for something easy that isn’t meat-based, we’ve got the perfect solution for you. Courtesy of Taste of Home is a recipe for some awesome vegetarian bean tacos.

 

For this recipe, which serves four people, you’ll need:

  • Beans (refried and black)
  • A can of diced tomatoes
  • Tortillas
  • Veggies (onion and, optionally, jalapeno peppers)
  • Seasonings (garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander)
  • Canola oil
  • Various toppings (they suggest lettuce, cheese, cubed avocados, sour cream, or salsa)

 

All you have to do is cook up the veggies until they’re soft, then add in the beans, tomatoes, and seasonings and heat them through. Your dinner is on the table in about thirty minutes, and your kids get a fun do-it-yourself dinner with no meat!

 

You can find the full recipe for this one here.

 

Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki

These chicken skewers prove that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for a healthy meal. This recipe delivers a one-two punch of creamy tzatziki sauce and delectable fresh veggies. And even better, it only takes about 10 minutes to prep.

 

Below is what you’ll need for this recipe:

  • Skinless chicken breasts
  • Lemon
  • Oregano and garlic
  • Peppers
  • Tortilla wraps (optional)
  • Leafy greens (parsley, spinach)
  • Olive oil
  • Greek yogurt

 

And don’t forget some bamboo skewers! Otherwise, you won’t have a way to build your kebab. Also, you might want to remind the kids that the sticks are for food, not sword fighting.  Some parents might be rightfully worried about giving their kids sharp sticks. Thankfully, you can adapt this recipe into chicken tzatziki wraps with ease. Hence the optional tortillas. Prep is pretty straightforward. After chopping and seasoning the chicken, you can place them on the skewers. Ensure you alternate between pieces of chicken and pepper slices. As the skewers slowly cook on a griddle pan, you can whip up the tzatziki sauce.

 

For a full recipe, head here

 

Baked Taquitos

Kids love finger food. So why not give them a convenient snack that’s also downright delicious? These baked taquitos are crispy and savory. And with a refried bean and cheese filling, they’re also vegetarian! 

If you’re looking for easy and healthy dinners for kids, you can’t do much better than this recipe. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to make it:

  • Refried beans (homemade or canned vegetarian)
  • Green onions
  • Salsa
  • Chili powder and kosher salt
  • Mexican blend cheese
  • 6-inch corn or flour tortillas
  • Olive oil

Getting this meal ready is a breeze. Start by mixing the refried beans with the onions, salsa, spices, and cheese. Then, place two tablespoons of this mixture into the tortillas and tightly wrap them. As a warning, rolling the taquitos will be messy!  After assembling your taquitos, bake them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. You could also whip up your kids’ favorite dipping sauces, such as guacamole or hot sauce.  You can find this recipe in its entirety here. It makes 14 taquitos, which is enough for three to four people. You could also boost this meal with tasty sides like Spanish rice.

 

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches 

When it comes to dinner for the little ones, you can’t beat BBQ! After all, who doesn’t love that sweet, smokey taste? While some BBQ recipes are heavy on fat, this one is astonishingly healthy. It’s perfect for the family to enjoy on a sunny day while sipping lemonade.

Below are the ingredients required to whip these sandwiches up:

  • Shredded, cooked chicken
  • Spices and herbs (salt, peppers, chili powder)
  • Minced garlic 
  • Chopped celery and onions
  • Ketchup
  • Salsa
  • Brown sugar and butter
  • Vinegar
  • Hamburger buns

You won’t believe how easy making this mouth-watering meal is. Start with a saucepan and sauté the veggies in butter until nice and tender. Then, add the sauces and spices and mix those as well. Next, add the shredded chicken. Once mixed, bring the pan to a boil and then reduce the heat and cover for 15 minutes. After your BBQ mixture is ready, add â…“ a cup to each hamburger bun.  You can also toast the buns for a little more crunch and stability. Or skip the bread entirely and just enjoy the BBQ chicken.

 

Head here if you want to see the full recipe.

 

Vegetarian Pasta

If you want easy and healthy dinners for kids, look no further than this pasta recipe. It’s perfect for giving your kids a hearty, scrumptious dinner while keeping things vegetarian. Plus, its mix of veggies packs a ton of crucial vitamins and antioxidants.

Here’s what you need to have for this recipe:

  • Red peppers
  • Carrot
  • Tomato purée and chopped tomatoes
  • Fennel bulb and seeds
  • Vegetable stock
  • Crushed chilies and garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Egg pasta
  • Caster sugar
  • Shredded Basil

 

Start by grilling the peppers skin-up until they start charring. Then allow them to cool, peel the skin off, and cut the flesh into strips. Next, add the oil to a pan and cook all the veggies (besides the peppers). Once the veggies are soft, add the purée, tomatoes, garlic, and chilies. Finally, stir in the sugar and vegetable stock. Then, let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. Blend the sauce until smooth, and then add the basil and peppers. Voila! Now all that’s left is to add the sauce to the egg pasta and enjoy. You can get the full version of the recipe here.

 

Grilled Ground Turkey Burgers

Who doesn’t love a good burger? Especially when they’re as crisp and delectable as these ground turkey burgers! What makes this meal even more excellent is its flexibility. You can easily add all your favorite toppings to tailor-make the perfect meal for your family.

 

Below is what you’ll need to for this recipe:

  • Lean ground turkey
  • Spices and herbs (salt, pepper, oregano, minced parsley)
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Chopped onion and celery
  • Hamburger buns
  • Bread crumbs
  • Egg (lightly beaten)

 

This meal takes a little extra prep time but is pretty straightforward. Start by combining the beaten egg, veggies, spices, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Then add the turkey and mix the sauce into the meat. Once thoroughly absorbed together, shape the turkey into patties. One pound of lean turkey will provide about four patties. Finally, throw the patties on a greased grill until thoroughly cooked. Alternatively, you can broil them on both sides. Then, simply place on buns with your desired toppings and enjoy! Feel free to check out the recipe here.

 

Conclusion

Making dinner for your kids doesn’t have to be an hours-long affair full of complicated recipes and hundreds of dishes to wash up afterward. You can have an awesome, tasty, and most importantly, healthy meal on the table in less than an hour – you can even make most of these ahead of time and chill them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat! Try out one of these five easy and healthy dinners for kids the next time you’re stuck on what to do, and you’ll make your mealtimes much more fun.

 

This article provides you with a new activity outside of our products in the reading app for 3rd graders, 2nd graders, 1st graders, and preschoolers…

 

Meta Description

Help your kids eat healthier without stressing yourself out using these fun recipes!

 

References

 

https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/13903/a-month-of-healthy-dinner-ideas-for-kids/

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/healthy-dinners-for-kids/

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-dinner-kids-recipes

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grilled-ground-turkey-burgers/

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/super-veg-pasta

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/bbq-chicken-sandwiches/

https://www.acouplecooks.com/easy-baked-flautas-taquitos/

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chicken-skewers-tzatziki

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