Are you tired of trying to convince your picky eater to eat dinner? Try these 56 best picky eater dinner ideas that are easy, budget-friendly, kid-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need a stress-free family meal.
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If you have a picky eater in your family, you know how challenging it can be to find meals that they will actually want to eat. As a mom of two picky eaters, I have spent many years looking for recipes that will appeal to both of my picky eaters, only to find lists of recipes that include ingredients that I know they would never touch.
So, I wanted to gather up some picky-eater-approved recipes that get a thumbs up from my boys, with the hope that maybe you will be able to find some easy kid-friendly meals to make dinnertime stress-free in your home. These no-fuss family meals have simple ingredients with minimal prep and clean-up, making them perfect for busy nights.
What Do Picky Eaters Actually Like to Eat?
While I know that picky eaters can have completely different preferences, some of the similarities they do share are liking meals that:
- Include mild flavors, as they tend to stay away from anything too spicy, sticking to foods that are plain or lightly seasoned.
- Are simple, and they recognize, like chicken nuggets, pasta, or pizza.
- Have familiar textures, as they may not mind crunchy or soft foods, but they usually dislike mushy textures.
Some picky eaters also dislike casseroles or foods that are mixed together. However, I have found that with my picky eaters, if I include some of their favorite foods within the casseroles, they are more willing to try them. For example, pizza casseroles, or taco casseroles, even chicken, potatoes, or rice casseroles with cheese, because they are familiar with the ingredients and enjoy them.
Plus, you can even sneak in some veggies by blending in carrots and zucchini in sauces, or adding squash or sweet potatoes to mac and cheese to make them extra creamy.
Looking for more kid-friendly recipes that picky eaters will love?
- 30 Days of Kid-Friendly Recipes for Picky Eaters
- 42 Kid-Approved Crockpot Dinners
- 52 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Ideas
56 Best Picky Eater Dinner Ideas
These easy dinners for picky eaters include everything from simple slow cooker recipes to ground beef dinners, skillet, and one-pot meals. As well as quick dinner ideas, you can get on the table in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for busy school nights, your kids will love these delicious, budget-friendly meals.
1
Semi Homemade Kitchen
Easy One Pan Beef Enchilada Pasta
This enchilada pasta is the ultimate one-pan meal for busy weeknights that both kids and adults will enjoy.
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2
My Rad Kitchen
Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Casserole is a creamy and delicious dish with tender chicken, broccoli, pasta, and a rich homemade cheese sauce.
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3
The Cookin' Chicks
Garlic Bread Pizza
Love garlic bread and pizza? Combine the two with this Garlic Bread Pizza recipe. Perfect for a quick dinner that's easy to make and kid-approved.
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4
Prime Women
Low(er) Calorie Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo
This chicken fettuccini alfredo is sure to please your whole family without all the calories of this traditional pasta dish.
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5
Mom Life Home
Homemade Margherita Pizza
Homemade Margherita pizza made in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients, fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and herbs for a fast and delicious family dinner idea perfect for busy nights.
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6
Flavorful Eats
Slow Cooker Sausage & Gnocchi Pizza Casserole
Slow Cooker Sausage & Gnocchi Pizza Casserole is a cheesy dinner the whole family will love! Just add your favorite toppings!
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7
Whole New Mom
Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets
These Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets taste like you spent a TON of time in the kitchen, but they come together fast and taste delicious!
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8
The Soccer Mom Blog
Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
This easy stovetop mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and ready in 20 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients.
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9
Get Inspired Everyday!
Easy Baked Spaghetti
This Baked Spaghetti recipe is sure to become a family favorite! It can be made with regular or gluten free pasta and is incredibly flavorful.
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10
Join Your Life
Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
Crispy Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets with Sriracha Mayo is a delicious, kid-friendly recipe that can be ready in 30 minutes!
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11
Little Nonni
Rigatoni al Forno
Rigatoni al forno is baked to perfection with a hearty meat sauce and a crisp, melted cheese topping. It's ideal for weeknight family dinners.
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12
Risa’s Family Kitchen
Cheesy Mini Meatloaf
This kid-friendly Cheesy Mini Meatloaf cooks so much faster than a larger meatloaf. Each muffin-sized meatloaf is cheesy, delicious, and the perfect size for kids.
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13
Lauren Fit Foodie
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole with Biscuits (Kid-Friendly!)
This Pizza Casserole with Biscuits is the best weeknight dinner that’s kid-approved! It only requires 6 ingredients and is an easy way to enjoy all your favorite pizza flavors in just one dish!
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14
Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
Enjoy all the delicious flavors of a juicy bacon cheeseburger with this bacon cheeseburger pasta that's made with ground beef, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, pasta shells, and tangy sauce. It's perfect for a no-fuss family dinner on busy weeknights.
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15
Trop Rockin Recipes
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Ravioli Casserole is the perfect easy dinner recipe that kids will love! Frozen ravioli, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, cheese, and sour cream come together for a delicious weeknight dinner idea.
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16
Right At Home with Violet
Loaded Cheesy Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Ground Beef
This loaded sweet potato and ground beef with smothered cheese and spices is an easy and flavorful meal.
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17
Shortcut Chicken Parmesan Bake
This shortcut chicken parmesan bake uses frozen chicken tenders for a super easy weeknight casserole that everyone will enjoy.
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18
In the Kitch
Walking Tacos (aka Taco in a Bag)
Try out these walking tacos with Doritos, seasoned ground beef filling, fresh veggies, and your favorite condiments!
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19
In the Kids Kitchen
Easy Chicken & Waffles Sliders
A bite-sized version of a Southern classic, these Chicken & Waffles Sliders are easy, delicious, and kid-approved!
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20
The Wholesome Spoon
Chicken Bacon Potato Bake
Chicken Bacon Potato Bake is packed with smoky flavors, juicy chicken, creamy sauce, and tender potatoes for a tasty family dinner idea that kids and adults will love.
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21
Neighbor Food
Crispy Breaded Chicken Cutlets
These crispy chicken cutlets have a golden, crunchy coating and juicy center, making them perfect to enjoy any night of the week.
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22
Easy Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)
These crispy totchos are topped with taco-seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar cheese for a delicious dinner or game day recipe that everyone will love.
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23
On My Kid's Plate
Baked Ham And Cheese Pinwheels
Hot ham and cheese pinwheels with crescent rolls are the perfect melty dinner idea. These roll-ups are simple, quick and great for kids!
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24
Comfort Cooks
Mini Corn Dog Muffins
Mini Corn Dog Muffins are a fun, easy, and family-friendly recipe that combines fluffy cornbread with juicy hot dogs in one bite.
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25
The Fresh Cooky
Chili Mac Casserole Recipe
Chili Mac Casserole is cheesy, hearty, and packed with bold chili flavor using simple pantry ingredients. It comes together fast, making it perfect for busy nights!
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26
The Slow Roasted Italian
Easy Cacio e Pepe Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients)
This Cacio e Pepe recipe is ready in 15 minutes with five simple ingredients. The perfect kid-friendly and picky eater meal.
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27
I Heart Eating
25 Minute Homemade Mac and Cheese
Homemade mac and cheese recipe is an easy dinner recipe that makes the creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese from scratch in just 25 minutes!
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28
Whipped it up
Four Cheese Pizza Recipe
This four cheese pizza is restaurant quality. Learn how to make it for dinner tonight!
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29
An Edible Mosaic
Easy Pizza Soup Recipe
This pizza soup recipe is a pizza-lovers’ dream, and a sure way to get kiddos and picky eaters excited to eat their vegetables.
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30
A Cedar Spoon
Easy Baked Chicken Tenders (Crispy + Kid-Approved)
Crispy oven-baked chicken tenders that the whole family will love with no deep frying needed. These easy baked chicken tenders are flavorful, juicy, and perfect for busy weeknights.
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31
Hezzi D's Recipe Box
Air Fryer Pita Pizzas
Try these Air Fryer Pita Pizzas, which cook up in just 5 minutes. Just add your favorite toppings!
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32
Baked Ziti with Meatballs
This easy baked ziti with meatballs is the ultimate shortcut recipe for quick family dinners. Made with frozen meatballs and jarred pasta sauce, it's the perfect budget-friendly, kid-approved meal that even picky eaters love.
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33
Sweet and Savory Meals
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is made with tender chicken thighs in a sweet and savory sauce with pineapple flavors.
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34
Little Chef Within
American Goulash
This easy American Goulash recipe is a delicious ground beef and macaroni skillet that is ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for family dinners.
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35
Homemade in the Kitchen
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups with Tomato Soup Dipping Sauce
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups with Tomato Soup Dipping Sauce is a fun dinner that picky eaters will love.
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36
Layered Nacho Casserole
This easy and frugal casserole has layers of tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, salsa and shredded cheddar cheese.
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37
Small Town Woman
Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti pie is a tasty and fun twist on a classic dish with tons of flavor and simple ingredients. In a few easy steps, anyone can create this delicious family-friendly meal.
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38
365 Days of Baking and More
Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Chicken Quesadillas are a simple recipe with fresh ingredients and a fast prep time, making them ideal for busy weeknights.
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39
Bites with Bri
Bagel Bites (Air Fryer) Frozen & Homemade
These Bagel Bites (Air Fryer) are super nostalgic, but way better than the frozen ones. These are great for kids, take less than 10 minutes to make, and are completely customizable.
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40
xoxoBella
Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Easy to make, bacon cheeseburger sliders are a fun kid-friendly family dinner idea.
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41
The Magical Slow Cooker
Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs
This Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs is a delicious family-friendly meal made with frozen meatballs, rich sauce, and tender pasta!
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42
Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
This easy pepperoni pizza casserole combines penne pasta, sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni for a quick, family-friendly dinner idea for busy weeknights.
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43
Maria's Mixing Bowl
Easy Taco Cups Recipe
This cheesy Easy Taco Cups are perfect for a quick weeknight meal. And, they make a tasty dinner the whole family will love.
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44
Noshing With The Nolands
Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Casserole
Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Casserole is a family feast that young and old will love. It's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
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45
Haute & Healthy Living
One Pot Hamburger Helper
One-pot hamburger helper is filled with hearty beef and tender noodles, coated in a rich sauce. It’s easy & 100% kid-friendly!
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46
I Heart Naptime
Homemade Meatball Subs
These homemade meatball subs are toasty, cheesy, and so delicious. It's an easy dinner idea that comes together in just 20 minutes!
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47
The Forked Spoon
Stuffed Shells Recipe
Classic Cheesy Stuffed Shells Recipe made with a flavorful three-cheese ricotta filling and homemade marinara sauce. Ideal for an easy weeknight dinner and to freeze leftovers for later!
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48
3 Meat French Bread Pizza
This easy 3-meat French bread pizza is packed with savory pepperoni, hearty ground beef, and sweet Italian sausage on a crispy on the outside, soft on the inside French bread crust and topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese for the perfect tasty bite.
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49
Mama Loves Food
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are feel-good nostalgia on a bun. Forget the canned sauce, these homemade sloppy joes taste so much better. Your whole family will love these delicious sloppy joes!
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50
Nibble and Dine
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
This casserole starts with a base of shredded chicken, onion, peas, and carrots cooked in a creamy homemade sauce. It’s covered with tater tots that get crispy in the oven, and ready in just 1 hour.
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51
Mom Foodie
Chicken Fajita Pasta Recipe
Chicken Fajita Pasta is an easy pasta dish, perfect for a quick family meal. It's made with a rich creamy sauce, fajita seasoning, chicken, pasta, onions & sweet peppers.
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52
Little Black Skillet
Lazy Lasagna with Frozen Cheese Ravioli
This lazy ravioli lasagna is a no-fuss, big flavor recipe that is kid-approved. Ideal for busy nights.
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53
Bless This Meal
Dump and Go Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli is a creamy and flavorful dish. Just dump everything in and let the slow cooker do the work.
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54
Cheerful Cook
Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan
Breaded Chicken Parmesan is crispy, creamy, cheesy, and super easy to make!
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55
Living Chirpy
Mini Cheese Tacos
Mini Cheese Tacos is a taco shell made with melted cheese and filled with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream.
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56
She's Not Cookin'
Big Mac Crunchwrap Supreme
This Big Mac Crunchwrap Supreme recipe combines the best of two famous flavors—the Big Mac with its special sauce—and the convenience of a less-messy, toasted tortilla Crunchwrap Supreme.
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