18 Kid-Friendly Dinners for Busy School Nights

From spaghetti and meatballs to buttermilk fried chicken tenders, these kid-friendly dinners will have everyone leaving the table happy and full. Don’t expect an after-dinner snack request for at least an hour. 😉

Easy Spaghetti and Meatball Recipe

Using a good-quality store-bought sauce makes this spaghetti and meatball recipe weeknight-friendly.
Classic Tomato Soup

Made from pantry staples, this tomato soup makes a hearty meal, especially when topped with croutons or paired with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders

One of my most popular recipes, these chicken tenders are marinated in seasoned buttermilk and pan-fried to crispy, crunchy perfection.
Mac and Cheese

Ultra-creamy and topped with crispy panko and herbs, this is my favorite homemade mac and cheese.
Easy Chicken Parmesan

This recipe takes a few shortcuts, making it doable on a weeknight, yet it tastes as good as the chicken parm from your favorite Italian restaurant.
Breakfast Burritos

Filled with sausage, eggs, cheese and fresh avocado salsa, these bodega-style breakfast burritos are delish any time of day!
Beef with Broccoli

This beef with broccoli is perfect for when you’re craving Chinese food but don’t want to go out.
Grilled Turkey Burgers

With only 5 ingredients, you can throw these flavorful and juicy turkey burgers together in a matter of minutes.
Chicken Nachos

Loaded with pulled rotisserie chicken and ungodly amounts of cheese, these chicken nachos are hearty and satisfying – and everyone is happy when you say, “Nachos for dinner!”
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

This pasta dish is packed with flavor and quick to make — and the whole family gobbles it up, broccoli and all.
Sloppy Joes

These smoky, spicy Sloppy Joes are made completely from scratch — no ketchup or mystery seasoning packets — and they make an easy weeknight dinner.
Chili Mac

This old-school chili mac is quick, comforting, and kid-friendly.
Grilled Chicken Fajitas

These fajitas are easy to make and you can do all of the prep ahead, so all that’s left to do at dinnertime is grill the chicken. Plus, they’re fun — perfect for getting the whole family sharing everything at the table.
30-Minute Hoisin Beef Bowls

Made from ground beef, hoisin sauce, ginger and garlic, these bowls are a weeknight favorite. Bonus: everyone can add their own toppings.
Baked Penne with Spinach, Ricotta & Fontina

In this easy recipe, penne pasta is tossed in a creamy spinach and ricotta sauce, topped with cheese, and baked until golden brown.
Chicken Meatballs with Tomato-Balsamic Glaze

These light chicken meatballs are moist and loaded with flavor, and they make a quick kid-friendly supper.
Thai-Style Pork Fried Rice

This recipe holds well, so it’s the perfect dinner to leave on the stove for those nights when everyone is running in different directions.
Ham & Cheese Tailgate Sliders

These sliders are doused in a tangy butter, mustard and poppy seed sauce. It’s impossible to eat just one!

September 3, 2020