BBQ Chicken Calzones
Once you have the ingredients laid out (rotisserie chicken, BBQ sauce, onion, cilantro and cheese) create a family assembly line to put these calzones together. And then bake until golden brown.
Recipe via Chef in Training
One Pot Baked Ziti
Besides being simple to make, this baked ziti requires only one baking dish to clean afterwards. Just add ground-up sausage, tomatoes, pasta and mozzarella to a pan and bake. Top with fresh basil for garnish.
Recipe via Damn Delicious
White Bean Kale Quesadillas
This meal is perfect for any vegetarians in your family (and we’re betting even the non-vegetarians will be sneaking seconds). While you cook the beans, have the kids tear the kale into small pieces and make a BBQ dipping sauce out of yogurt and BBQ sauce.
Recipe via Running to the Kitchen
Lasagna Cups
Here’s yet another ingenious use for cupcake tins as a dinner tool. Lay cooked lasagna sheets into the tins (a good job for the kids). Cook the meat, vegetables and tomatoes separately; add to the cups, layering with mascarpone cheese and then top with fresh mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling.
Recipe via Simply Delicious Food
Cheeseburger Balls
You’ll have a ball making these cheeseburgers for dinner (pun intended), using refrigerator biscuit dough as the base and filling with precooked hamburger meat, cheddar cheese and any other fixings you’d like. Serve with a side of fries and ketchup and you’ll have an instant crowd-pleaser.
Recipe via The Girl Who Ate Everything
Crispy Baked Sweet Chili Chicken Strips
Spice up ordinary chicken tenders with this tangy recipe. The secret to making them extra crispy? Cornflakes.
Recipe via Chocolate Moosey
Broccoli Grilled Cheese Melt
The broccoli grilled cheese melt packs in as much gooey goodness as it does a daily serving of veggies. Even for the kids who avoid broccoli like it’s their bedtime, we have faith that just one bite will leave them wanting more.
Recipe via Two Peas and Their Pod
BLT Pizza
Everyone’s favorite sandwich just got better—now, in pizza form. Whether you choose to make your own dough or buy premade, the recipe for this pizza is both simple and delectable, and your little ones are sure to agree.
Recipe via She Knows
Shake and Stir Chicken Stirfry
Have the kids put their gym shoes on for this recipe because they’re going to be on the move. While you cook the chicken and vegetables, they have the very important task of vigorously shaking all the sauce ingredients in a mason jar (just double check that the lid is on tight!).
Recipe via Lil’ Luna
Hot Dogs on a Stick
What kid doesn’t love a dinner he’s actually allowed to play with (and by play, we mean dip into ketchup and mustard). This recipe offers a twist on ho-hum hot dogs and buns. Just wrap refrigerated crescent dough around the hot dogs, insert sticks, bake and dip away.
Recipe via Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen
Fajita Kabobs
For nights when you’re able to fire up the grill, have the kids help you put together these fajita kabob skewers—alternating between chicken, onions, red, yellow and green bell peppers. Serve with a side of beans and tortillas.
Recipe via Two Peas and Their Pod
Loaded Turkey Chili Baked Potato
Looking for a simple weeknight dinner? Create a “baked potato bar” with this kid-friendly turkey chili recipe (that you could easily make as a separate meal earlier in the week). Let the kids choose how they’d like to load their potatoes using the chili, shredded cheese, sour cream and chives.
Recipe via Skinny Taste
“Not So Fried” Rice
What makes this dish mom-approved? The rice is sautéed instead of fried, making it healthier for your little ones without losing any of the flavor. Plus, eating dinner out of a pineapple is bound to make the meal a special treat.
Recipe via Relish
Lemon Chicken
This chicken recipe uses a total of four whopping ingredients: Chicken, lemon, corn flour and cooking oil. Serve with a side salad and a dipping sauce made from plain yogurt with honey or maple syrup.
Recipe via Things for Boys
Cheese Fondue
This meal ranks at the top of fun family experiences—from preparation to the last bite. Chop up veggies, fruit, bread and meats and have the kids help arrange them into bowls. For a guaranteed kid-pleasing cheese fondue, try this recipe over at The Gunny Sack.
Recipe via The Gunny Sack
Chicken Enchilada Pillows
Use up any remaining dough from those hot dog sticks to make the following night a Mexican fiesta. Layer cooked shredded chicken, beans, corn, cumin, enchilada sauce and cheese into the crescent dough, dip into an egg and bake. Top with more sauce, sour cream and cheese.
Recipe via Chef in Training
Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes
These mini chicken potpies are sure to fill your family’s bellies—big or little. Place biscuit dough into cupcake tins and then fill with a mixture of cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, veggies, shredded cheese and herbs. Bake for 15 minutes and dinner is served.
Recipe via Tablespoon
Thai Peanut Noodles
For nights when your family is craving takeout, this Thai noodle dish should do the trick. While you chop veggies, have your kids make the sauce: a combination of honey, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar and chili-garlic sauce.
Recipe via She Knows
Mini Taco Salads
A “make your own” dinner is often a big plus when picky eaters are involved. Place burrito-size tortillas into Tortilla Bakers and put in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Once crispy, fill with southwestern fixings and top with a southwest salad dressing made from sour cream and salsa.
Recipe via Skip to my Lou
Salad in a Jar
Here’s another fun way to use mason jars at dinner (and get kids excited about salad). Layer the ingredients for individual Cobb salads in the jars, using turkey, avocado, boiled egg, cheddar cheese and lettuce. Add dressing; close the top and shake, shake, shake!
Recipe via Weelicious
Parmesan and Spinach Orzo
Take a break from spaghetti and introduce the kids to a new kind of pasta dish. This creamy meal is the perfect comfort-food fix but, thanks to skim milk, isn’t as rich as it appears.
Recipe via Life as a Strawberry
Shepherd’s Pie Pockets
The “stuffing” part is sure to be your kids’ favorite part of the process with this recipe. Once the ingredients are snuggled into their pockets, use a fork to seal the edges. Bake for 10 minutes and you’ll have yourself some homemade hot pockets.
Recipe via Real Food by Dad
Sloppy Joe Sliders
The beauty of this Sloppy Joe recipe is that it sneaks some shredded zucchini into the mix without the kids noticing. Plus, the mini buns make it easy for kids to assemble and less messier to eat.
Recipe via Another Marvelous Meal
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
A big plus with these meatballs is that they can span several meals—on top of pasta, in a French roll or even by themselves with some marinara dipping sauce. If your kids really want to have some fun, decorate with googly eyes to make meatball monsters before devouring.
Recipe via Dinner Mom
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
This healthier mac-n-cheese alternative will still have the kids going back for seconds. Instead of just loading up on butter and cheese, the recipe incorporates cauliflower and low-fat sour cream.
Recipe via Momtastic
