55 Dinner Recipes The Kids Of Delish Readers Are *Actually* Asking For (2024)

Craving chicken Parm but not in the mood for all the time it requires to prepare this labor of love dish? Opt for our chicken nugget Parmesan casserole instead. This comforting dish has all the cheesy flavor you know and crave, but with simple shortcuts to cut down on all that cooking time (and effort). Store-bought chicken nuggets are a much faster swap-in for breading and pan-frying chicken cutlets—just layer them in between cheesy pasta, then top it with more chicken nuggets, more sauce (store-bought for ease), and cheese for an irresistible presentation.

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These highlight everyone's favorite part of grilled cheeses—the crispy, cheesy edge bits. Discover all the other ingenious recipes you can make in your waffle maker.

Get the Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese recipe.

Nothing is more comforting than chicken pot pie topped with a buttery crust. Swap out the crust for garlic bread, though, and now we are really talking. The top gets golden and crunchy, while underneath, the texture comes out more like dumplings. 😍

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If your kids just can't get enough of the classic Panda Express dish, this copycat recipe will be a game-changer. Ready in under an hour with all of the same sweet and savory flavors you love, staying in for weeknight dinner has never been easier.

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Craving homemade pizza, but don’t want to deal with finicky pizza dough? We get it, that stuff can be tricky. Skip it altogether, and grab the nearest loaf of French bread instead. The loaf makes for a delicious pizza “crust” that will get crispy on the outside while staying nice and soft on the inside. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

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Super-thin patties and crispy edges are the draw of a smash burger. The patty is so thin, it’s almost impossible to dry out because it cooks so quickly, and cooking two patties for each burger gives you more of those lacey edges. Using an ungreased skillet or griddle is important, as it gives the ground beef a chance to really stick to the surface and form an irresistible crust.

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Here’s one way to get more veggies into picky eaters’ mouths: Score and scoop out zucchini pulp, chop, and cook it down with spices into a cream sauce, then incorporate it into good ol’ kid-approved .

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These are delicious as is, but you can also stuff them into a wrap or pita with your kid's fave veggies for a more substantial meal.

Get the Baked Falafel Bites with Spicy Tahini Dip recipe.

Meatballs don’t take the sloppy out of sloppy Joes, they just turn it into a whole new form. Trust us—these little ones are just as delicious as the original ground beef version. Cheesy, hefty, and super-saucy, this skillet dish also comes together in just under an hour, making it the perfect anytime meal.

Get the Sloppy Joe Meatball Bake recipe.

Looking for a hearty vegetarian weeknight dinner? Our smoky vegetarian chili mac is here to save the day! It all comes together in one pot, and it's SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape, melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever else you like (as long as it's crunchy!).

Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.

In our opinion, the crunchier, the better. Which is why pretzels make the perfect chicken coating for these nuggets. The obvious and best dipping sauce? Honey mustard, of course. It's a MUST.

Get the Sheet Pan Honey Mustard–Pretzel Chicken recipe.

Aside from their signature breadsticks and their creamy zuppa toscana, one of Olive Garden’s most iconic dishes is their meatballs. Sauced in bright marinara and perched atop a glossy mound of spaghetti, they transform into a showstopping entrée that still manages to deliver those down-home comfort food vibes.

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The broccoli is in no way hidden, but it's still a great way to sneak in an extra serving of greens to this grown-up mac and cheese. Even the pickiest of eaters will eat their vegetables if they're coated in cheese.

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We love using muffin tins for genius hacks like this. The "cups" are pieces of white bread that get molded and then filled with a ground beef mixture that tastes just like a cheeseburger. Don't forget to drizzle with your favorite condiments and top with a pickle chip.

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The genius shortcut in this grown-up take on Spaghetti-Os? A jar of marinara. This recipe is super-flexible too. Anelletti is the preferred pasta cut here for the ultimate nostalgia factor, but any small cut—like elbows or bowties—will do.

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We keep these simple with just five ingredients, but you can always add additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions. Chef's choice!

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Have fun customizing these ramen noodles with your favorite veggies and toppings. Try using frozen peas or halved snow peas in place of the bell pepper and carrot. Skip the egg and top with seared chicken or tofu and try the whole thing topped with a smattering of everything bagel seasoning.

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There is no limit to what you can add to a frittata! We love making a kid-friendly pizza-flavored frittata, with some sautéed cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, grated Parmesan, and basil.

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Meatloaf can be many things to different people—for some, it might be a comfort food from childhood; for others, a reliable weeknight dinner. Whatever it is for you, one thing is for sure: Your go-to recipe should be simple and dependable, but also packed with flavor to keep you (and your family and guests) coming back for more. We tested this recipe again and again to guarantee that this WILL be your new forever go-to, never-fail meatloaf.

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These are a great way to sneak extra veggies into the tater tots you already know your kid (and maybe you!) loves. These would also be killer in a tater tot casserole.

Get the Zucchini Tater Tots recipe.