Getting your kids to eat their dinner is no easy task, but these 15 recipes are about to change that. These meals are so good, your kids won’t be trying to pass their food off to the dog under the table. You’ll have them asking for seconds instead of sneaking bites to their furry friends. With these simple yet delicious recipes, dinnertime will feel like a win, and you won’t be stuck chasing down scraps from the dog. Time to take back control of the dinner table.
Chicken Tinga
If you’re after something to shake up taco night, look no further. Chicken Tinga is here to fill that spot with its juicy shredded chicken wrapped in a robust sauce that’s sure to be a hit. Kids won’t try sneaking this under the table; they’ll be too busy asking for more. It’s also versatile, sliding easily into burritos or onto nachos, making it the right pick for a dish that keeps everyone at the table. You can whip it up without sweating over a hot stove for hours.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers
Think about bringing the tastes of a beloved Italian restaurant right into your kitchen. Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers serves a crowd without the fuss and at a fraction of the price. Its hearty combination has a way of winning over even the smallest of critics. Not only that, it’s hearty enough to stand as a meal on its own or work as an impressive side dish. Give it a go; you’ll see plates cleaned without a single pleading glance at Fido.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers
Baked Spanish Rice
Gone are the days of plain rice that gets pushed around the plate, because Baked Spanish Rice turns a humble side into the star of dinner with flavors that command attention. It’s a hands-off dish that gives you more time to catch up on your day while it bakes to perfection. Kids will dig into this vibrant alternative, and it might just become a requested favorite. It’s a no-fuss meal component that delivers big on taste while keeping things simple.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spanish Rice
Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
Eating out can be special, but so can a meal crafted at home that mimics a family favorite dining spot. Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo delivers the creamy, seafood-packed experience without the restaurant markup. It’s rich enough to be a treat yet easy enough for a weekday. Kids will be tempted to lick their plates, and who could blame them? It’s proof that a dish doesn’t have to be complicated to completely win the table over.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
Tacos Dorados
Why settle for regular tacos when you can upgrade your meal with something a bit more exciting? Tacos Dorados bring a gratifying crunch that any kid (or adult, for that matter) would find irresistible. This dish isn’t something you’ll find being passed under the table to the dog; your kids will be clinging to every bite. Not only do they dazzle on the dinner table, but they’re also perfect for dipping. Trust me, it’s going to be pretty quiet during dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tacos Dorados
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Sometimes, the simplest dishes have a way of surprising you the most. With Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots, it’s about transforming the everyday veggie into something unexpectedly likable. Kids often turn up their noses at carrots, but with this recipe, you’ll find them reaching for seconds. It’s an easy side that pairs well with just about any main course, and it keeps well for lunches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Cucumber Salad with Feta
You need a dish that feels light but is heavy on flavor, and that’s where Cucumber Salad with Feta comes into play. This dish brings a refreshing change of pace to the dinner lineup. It’s simple to toss together quickly, making it the perfect last-minute addition to any meal. While it might be light, the combo has a distinct flavor that tends to be a hit with kids. And you know it’s good when they’d rather have another helping than slide it onto the dog’s plate.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
Air Fryer Chicken Fries
When you want something that’s a surefire hit, Air Fryer Chicken Fries should be your go-to solution. They’re a tasty, crunchier cousin to the traditional chicken nugget, and kids can’t get enough of them. This is definitely a hands-on, dip them and enjoy kind of meal that keeps everyone happy and engaged. An air fryer makes it quick and nearly mess-free, which is a bonus for any busy parent.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fries
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
You don’t have to be a chef to get kids excited about dinner with Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. This dish is all about bringing that cozy Italian restaurant vibe right into your dining room. It’s creamy, it’s comforting, and let’s be honest, it’s fun saying the name. This one’s bound to become a regular request, and it’s surprisingly undemanding to make. Kids will be so taken by the flavors, they’ll forget about feeding scraps to the dog.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Brisket Fried Rice
Move over plain jane sides, Brisket Fried Rice is here to liven things up. It’s a complete meal in a bowl, with enough substance to satisfy a hungry crowd. This dinner solution saves the day when you’re dealing with leftovers but want something that doesn’t taste like leftovers. With a dish like this, kids are not only clearing their plates, they’re asking what’s for lunch tomorrow. Plus, it’s adaptable; throw in what you have and watch it disappear.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice
Pizza Pasta Salad
How about mixing up pizza night without actually making a pizza? Pizza Pasta Salad is just the twist you need. It’s a cool, cheerful dish that goes well with any season and setting. Kids love the familiar flavors in a form they might not expect, and it’s a great way to keep dinner casual. Best of all, it’s just as good on day two, so pack it up for a tasty lunch surprise.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
Bringing the allure of sweet and tasty to the dinner table with Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is a sure way to capture the kids’ attention. This dish brings together a wonderful contrast that’s a treat for any palate. It turns the regular shrimp night into something a bit more special without extra effort. Even the pickiest eaters will be taken by the combination of textures and flavors. After this, they might just rethink their stance on shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
Tortellini Soup with Sausage
For those cooler nights or when you need a bowl of comfort, Tortellini Soup with Sausage is like a hug in a bowl. It’s hearty, warming, and has a way of bringing everyone to the table with no complaints. This is one of those meals that fills the room with an inviting aroma, getting everyone excited for dinner. It’s a welcome change from the usual soup routine and something about tortellini makes it feel more like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage
Baja Fish Tacos
Trying something a bit different from the usual taco lineup can lead to new favorites, like Baja Fish Tacos. They’re lighter than your typical taco but don’t skimp on flavor. Wrapped in a soft tortilla, each bite brings a bit of the beach vacation vibe to dinner. It’s a fun way to get the kids into fish without a battle, and the change-up from the norm keeps dinner exciting. Get ready to serve up seconds, because there won’t be leftovers with this one on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
There’s something magical about a meal that practically cooks itself while you go about your day. 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken is as straightforward as it gets. Yet, it’s a juicy, tender dish that beckons kids to the dinner table. Plus, it’s versatile; shred it for tacos, sandwiches, or serve as is. Honestly, it’s a relief to find a recipe that requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum enjoyment.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
