Quick Kid-Friendly Recipes

Please even the most finicky eaters with a collection of family-favorite recipes, including pizza, tacos, meatballs, macaroni and cheese, chicken parmesan, and more.

This is fast food you can feel good about eating. Children and grown-ups alike will love not only the crispy chicken, but also dipping it (and some veggie sticks) in the sweet, tangy sauce.

Don't turn to canned sauce the next time your kids ask for spaghetti and meatballs. We've got a super-simple recipe for this Italian favorite that takes only 30 minutes to make and shines with the flavors of hearty beef chuck and ripe tomatoes.

Who can say no to sliders? Our mini turkey burgers are mixed with grated cheddar and onions, giving the meat a more dynamic flavor and a richer consistency -- without scaring off veggie-phobic little ones.

Watch as Lucinda Scala Quinn combines two different cheeses and spices things up with just a hint of cayenne pepper for this macaroni and cheese recipe.

You'll never go back to frozen once you try this simple recipe. We combine panko breadcrumbs and Old Bay seasoning for an easy breading that bakes up crunchy and finger-friendly in just 15 minutes.

Children aren't always fans of a busy plate, which is why this stir-fry of sesame oil-infused beef and broccoli is a safe bet. Finely chopped herbs like garlic and scallions disappear into the simple sauce, invisibly imparting their flavor on the meat and veggies.

Made from part of the chicken wing, our bite-size chicken drumettes are glazed with an easy barbecue sauce and keep great for days. Make a batch ahead of time for your kids, heat them up, and watch them disappear.

Add herbed cheese and frozen spinach to pita crusts for a down-and-dirty approach to pizzas that are tasty and perfectly sized for small hands.

Watch as Everyday Food editor Sarah Carey adds peppery arugula and toasted pine nuts for some grown-up flavors in a kid-friendly pasta dish.

This Scandinavian favorite goes from appetizer to kid-friendly main in a flash (just add egg noodles), and it's ready when you are.

Tacos are a great way to showcase tasty fillings like beef while still being economical -- but many recipes call for heavy add-ons like cheese or sour cream. Our leaner recipe delivers plenty of beefy flavor and a cool crunch without unwanted fat.

It's possible to save time in the kitchen without sacrificing the ability to give your kids a meal with a personal touch. Use frozen ravioli in this dish, but add your own herbs or spices for a meal personally suited for your loved ones.

As any parent knows, kids love it when there's a sweet side to something savory or salty. These fried shrimp, with their crust of shredded coconut and breadcrumbs, sure fit that bill.

A thin layer of sliced apple, browned with white cheddar cheese, gives this frittata a golden sweet-and-savory crust that your kids won't be able to resist.

Not every kid is wiling to try something new. But these saucy meatballs, made from dark chicken-thigh meat, sandwich bread, and Parmesan cheese, are so close to the beef version, who's to say you have to admit anything up front?

Gooey Gruyere and crisp slices of pear make this grilled cheese sandwich the perfect lunch for a rainy day, no matter how old you may be.

File this supple and hearty baked pasta under "What they don't know can't hurt them." Pureed winter squash, mixed with a little Parmesan, fills in as a luscious, veggie-based pasta sauce.

It's never too early to learn how to use chopsticks, and here's a great recipe to practice with: chunks of chicken, diced bell peppers, and crunchy snow peas fried with white rice and a simple soy broth. (Backup fork optional.)

Watch as Emma Feigenbaum of Everyday Food joins Martha in the kitchen to prepare a family-friendly meal of crispy pork chops with peppers and creamy corn.

Here's another way to get pizza in under 30 minutes, with less wondering what goes into the ingredients. Choose your favorite frozen pizza dough and marinara sauces -- or make your own ahead of time!

A complete meal in a bowl, this pasta dish pairs beans and grain for protein, and includes lots of vegetables for vitamins.

Any firm white-fleshed fish can be substituted for the tilapia; we like cod, catfish, or haddock.

Don't wait until your kids are sick to try our restorative one-pot chicken soup. Using a whole chicken saves you time, cleanup, and money.

At first glance, this crispy, gooey baked pie of beef, tortillas, and cheese wouldn't seem particularly good for a kid. But we've sneaked some spinach and corn in the mix -- add more, or include beans, if you like.

Serve these creamy noodles -- think Alfredo sauce to go -- as a tasty side to chicken tenders, or add ham and spinach for a heartier result on their own.

Nothing tickles a kid at the dinner table more than a meal custom-made just her size. These mini meatloaves get a touch of sweet-and-sour from ketchup and mustard, and can be made larger or smaller as needed.

Grownups will appreciate bocconcini, small nuggets of mozzarella, for their mild, fresh flavor and their firm texture; kids will find the novelty of eating balls of cheese irresistible.

One meal for everyone in the house: allow three to four of these tiny burgers for each adult, but for kids, you can tuck one little burger into a miniature pita, and serve with ketchup.

Bored with beef? Spruce up taco night by serving these bright and crunchy tacos of fried tilapia. The lightness of the fish means you can use bolder toppings, such as red cabbage.

It's not always an option to deep-fry -- you have to watch it constantly, and it can leave quite a mess. So we created an easy way to make chicken with a golden, crunchy crust using the broiler.

Baked corn dogs, a new and improved take on a state-fair snack, put fast, fun food at your fingertips. Be sure to buy ice-pop sticks if you don't have them on hand.

Make the grilled chicken ahead of time -- or just use leftovers -- to make this quick and easy pasta dish.

One time-tested way to get kids interested in food is asking them to help you in the kitchen. And what could be more fun than crushing cornflakes for this sweetly crunchy baked chicken?

We all know how messy red sauce can be. Next time the kids ask for pasta, serve it with our creamy sauce of half-and-half, bacon, and frozen peas. It's full of familiar tastes and textures, and isn't as much of a stain hazard.

Need a quick meat entree to go along with pasta or a salad? These pan-fried pork cutlets, crusted with breadcrumbs and Parmesan, are a tasty option.

Light and lemony, these patties of tuna, breadcrumbs, and cilantro are crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside. Add or remove jalapenos as needed.

Just one quick trip to the grocery and you have everything you need for these sumptuous chicken enchiladas in a red sauce, as mild or peppery as you like.

These meatballs of turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and onion stay moist by simmering in a lush tomato sauce only long enough to cook through.

Kids love honey-mustard sauce for its sweet-and-sour silkiness. But why settle for store-bought when you can make your own with just two ingredients, perfect as a dipping sauce for these kebabs of cubed pork.

Playtime turn into a sleepover? Have a few of our yummy bean burritos ready in the freezer; they keep for up to three months, and have enough cheesy, hearty goodness to satisfy everyone in the house.

Sweet and sticky, this chicken mixes kid-friendliness with sophistication. Scallions, a go-to ingredient in Japanese cooking, mellow when roasted.

Indulge your children (and your own inner child) with a sumptuous, restaurant-level, creamy macaroni and cheese, dotted with crispy, crumbled bacon.

Kids will love naming their favorite color from the red, yellow, and green peppers that make this easy at-home chicken stir-fry a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

There's a lot of interactivity in this nonetheless sophisticated meal, with broiled salmon eaten off of skewers and small potatoes smashed, then tossed with butter and spinach.

We dare you to find a more interesting recipe for homemade croutons than the way these flame-kissed cubes of bread are made in this fun twist on a Caesar salad.

For kids who are fans of Mexican food, here's a fun approach to the classic chicken tender, with corn tortillas in the crust. Serve with salsa, cheese sauce, or guacamole to accentuate the flavor.

Watch as Lucinda Scala Quinn makes this crowd-pleasing favorite in a skillet, which cuts down on the baking time.

This meal makes the most of supermarket ingredients. Even in small amounts, blue cheese and cayenne pack enough flavor to satisfy the whole family.