You don’t need to be an expert chef to cook up some delicious dishes, because we’ve found 19 recipes that are so simple, your kids can join in the fun! That’s right, cooking gets way more exciting when the whole family’s involved and even little chefs can succeed in the kitchen. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time together and let your kiddos discover their inner culinary genius.
We’ve got everything covered – from appetizing salads to comforting soups, tasty pasta dishes to scrumptious desserts. So, there’s definitely something everyone will enjoy making (and eating!). Give these easy-peasy recipes a try, you never know, you might just find your new family favorite. Let’s roll up our sleeves, gather around the kitchen, and get ready for some good times together!
Pizza Casserole
This dish is a fantastic way to combine the fun of pizza night with the ease of a casserole. Kids love assembling it, layering their favorite pizza toppings with pasta and cheese. It’s a great choice for busy evenings, requiring minimal prep and delivering big on flavor. The best part? It’s customizable to suit different tastes, so everyone at the table is happy.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Broccoli Cheese Soup is a classic comfort food that’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s perfect for young chefs to try, involving simple ingredients and steps. The creamy, cheesy goodness is a hit with kids, and it’s a sneaky way to get them to eat their greens. Serve it with some crusty bread, and you’ve got a meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup
Dutch Oven Carnitas
Dutch Oven Carnitas offer a delightful foray into Mexican cuisine without the complexity. Kids can help by mixing the spices and preparing the pork, which then slow-cooks to perfection. It’s a great way to introduce them to new flavors. The result is tender, flavorful meat that can be used in tacos, burritos, or salads – a versatile dish for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Carnitas
Cream of Onion Soup
Cream of Onion Soup is a simple, yet elegant dish that’s easy to make. With just a few ingredients, kids can help create a soup that’s both comforting and flavorful. It’s a great introduction to cooking, teaching them basic skills like sautéing and simmering. Plus, it’s a tasty way to enjoy onions, a staple in many kitchens.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Onion Soup
Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg
This recipe is a fun, easy breakfast option that kids can master. Layering creamy cottage cheese on toast, topped with crispy bacon and a perfectly poached egg, it’s a balanced meal. It’s a great way to start the day, teaching kids simple cooking techniques. Plus, it’s delicious and nutritious, a win-win for busy mornings.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg
Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
A blend of butternut squash and sweet potatoes makes this soup a colorful and nutritious choice. It’s a simple recipe, where kids can help with basic prep work. The creamy texture and sweet flavor are appealing to young palates. It’s a great dish for teaching kids about different vegetables and the joys of making soup from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe
Recreating the famous Texas Roadhouse Chili at home is both fun and easy. Kids will enjoy measuring spices and combining ingredients for this hearty dish. It’s a great way to introduce them to the concept of copycat recipes. Plus, the delicious result is a warming, flavorful chili that tastes just like the restaurant version.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe
Cuban Sandwich Casserole
This casserole is a twist on the classic Cuban sandwich, transforming it into an easy-to-make dish. It’s a fun recipe for kids, layering ham, cheese, pickles, and bread in a casserole form. The result is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, a hit with the whole family. It’s a creative way to enjoy the tastes of a Cuban sandwich with the convenience of a casserole.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Casserole
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin is a delicious and impressive dish that’s surprisingly simple to make. Kids can help with wrapping the tenderloin in bacon, a task they usually find fun. It’s a great way to introduce them to more sophisticated dishes while keeping the steps manageable. The end result is a juicy, flavorful pork dish that’s perfect for a special meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
This dish brings the flavors of New Orleans into your kitchen with minimal effort. Kids can help by preparing the shrimp and mixing the seasoning. It’s a great introduction to Southern cuisine, with bold flavors and simple cooking methods. Plus, it’s a quick recipe, ideal for a tasty weeknight dinner that’s a bit different from the usual.
Get the Recipe: New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu is a modern take on a classic dish, made easier and healthier. Kids will enjoy assembling the chicken, ham, and cheese, and the air fryer does the rest. It’s a fun way to teach them about layering flavors and using kitchen gadgets. The result is a crispy, tasty dish that’s sure to be a new family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Turkey & Peppers
You know, Turkey and Peppers is one of those dishes that’s so straightforward, even the kids can jump in and help. It’s a great mix of fresh veggies and lean turkey – simple stuff but really tasty. The best part is, it’s pretty hard to mess up, so it’s perfect for beginner chefs. It’s not just healthy, it’s colorful too, which always makes dinner a bit more fun. Plus, there’s a real sense of pride for the kids when they serve up a ‘grown-up’ meal like this.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Peppers
Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps
Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps are a really cool twist on the classic. It’s like, you get all the flavors of Chicken Parmesan, but it’s wrapped in lettuce! The kids have a blast making these because it’s like playing with their food, but in a good way. It’s a sneaky way to get them to eat balanced too – a bit of protein, some veggies, and a sprinkle of cheese. Quick, easy, and no complaints at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps
Taco Casserole
Taco Casserole is basically taco night made even easier, if you can believe it. It’s super kid-friendly, and they get to layer all their favorite taco fillings into a dish. It’s really forgiving, so if they go a bit overboard on the cheese, no harm done. Everyone loves it, and if you’re lucky to have leftovers, they’re even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole
Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches are a hit at my house. It’s simple – just some grilled chicken with those fresh Caprese salad flavors. Kids get a kick out of making these because they feel like they’re making something fancy. It’s a great lunch or light dinner option, and a nice way to introduce more grown-up tastes in a sandwich form.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich
Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus
Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus sounds fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s a great dish for the kids to help out with, especially prepping the shrimp and veggies. The creamy sauce and tender shrimp are always a big hit. Plus, it’s kind of nice to make an ordinary night feel a bit more special with a dish like this.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
Making Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp is super simple and it’s a fun way to introduce kids to seafood. It’s pretty much just marinating and grilling, so the kids can really get involved. It’s light, healthy, and packed with those great Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for a family BBQ or a quick, tasty dinner during the week.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
Al Pastor Carnitas
Al Pastor Carnitas are a fantastic way to bring some Mexican flair to your kitchen. The kids can get involved with prepping the marinade and then building their own tacos. The pork comes out so tender and flavorful after slow cooking. It’s a great weekend dish, filling the house with amazing smells as it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas are a fun, family-friendly dish. It’s all about cooking some chicken, then letting everyone build their own quesadillas. The kids love getting to choose what goes in theirs. It’s perfect for a relaxed dinner, maybe on movie night or just when you want something easy and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas