8 Easy-To-Make Recipes for Children

Becoming a parent is a ride filled with immense joy, boundless love, and yes, a fair bit of trial-and-error. Whether it's your baby's first gummy smile or their determined attempt to sit up on their own, each day unveils a new marvel in their journey of growth. But along with these adorable milestones comes an array of questions.

As parents, we all know the struggle of trying to balance nutritious meals with our children’s evolving taste buds.

How do I get my child involved in the kitchen?

How can I make mealtime more exciting and less of a battle?

If these questions sound familiar, you're in the right place! In this guide, we delve into the world of easy recipes for picky eaters that not only cater to their tastes but also promote healthier eating habits and sparks creativity.

Easy-To-Make Recipes For Children: A Culinary Adventure

Enough talk about why we should involve kids in cooking, let's dive into some fun and easy recipes for kids! These kid-friendly dinner ideas have been chosen for their simplicity, minimal adult supervision needed, and most importantly - they're delicious!

#1 Tomato Soup With Parmesan Toast

Perfect for chilly nights, nothing beats a bowl of hot tomato soup when it comes to easy dinner ideas for the family. Tomato soup is not only rich in vitamin C, but it also contains lycopene aids good sleep.

Serves 4

Duration - 35-40 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 3/4 lb. tomatoes, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 red onion, thickly sliced
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 2 c. whole milk
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
• 4 1/2 in. thickly sliced bread
• 3 tbsp. finely grated parmesan

Recipe           

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 7 smashed garlic cloves and sliced onions. Stir occasionally and cook them until tender. It might take 4-5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes.
2. Cook tomatoes until they soften. Add milk and bring it to a  boil on a high flame. (You can skip adding milk and replace it with water if you want to keep the soup dairy-free). Reduce the heat and keep stirring it occasionally until the flavors get blended and the soup has a thick consistency. It will take about 20 minutes to get it to a good consistency. Season with cream, salt, and pepper.
3. Garnish the soup with parsley and serve it hot.  
4. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet, rub the bread slice with garlic, and top it with grated parmesan. Bake until it turns light brown. Serve with soup.
5. You can also refrigerate it overnight. Just add milk or water for desired consistency and reheat over medium heat before serving it the next day.

#2 Sausage and Egg Sandwiches

Everyone's favorite when it comes to easy recipes for children. This quick recipe is rich in proteins and minerals like phosphorous, calcium, and potassium.

Serves 4

Duration - 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 c grated mozzarella
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 garlic clove
• 12 z. sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 c. chopped parsley
• 8 sliced bread

Recipe

1. Heat 2 tsp oil in a large pan on medium heat. With wet hands, shape sausage into four 1/4-inch-thick patties, and add them to a pan with sliced onions. Let them cook on medium-high heat. Flip and cook them until they turn brown on both sides.
2. Separate onion slices into rings and arrange them on top of the patties.
3. Continue cooking until the sausage is cooked through. This will take about 2 minutes.
4. Then, heat the remaining olive oil in a large nonstick pan on medium heat and scramble the eggs.
5. Mix tomato paste with garlic and 1 tsp olive oil in a small bowl. Spread the tomato paste on 2 slices of bread. Top the slices with the eggs, patties, mozzarella cheese, and parsley. Top that with another slice of bread.
6. Toast in a pan on both sides with olive oil until golden brown.

#3 Vegan Lasagna

Yes, you read it right! It’s vegan lasagna. Be it dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan meat-lovers, kids, or adults, everyone at your dining table is going to love this version of lasagna. Topped with the goodness of mushrooms and spinach, easy family dinners like this will help you raise a vegetable-loving kid. Make sure to add this rich and creamy recipe to your list of easy dinner ideas for children.

Serves 4

Duration - 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 c. raw cashews
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 8 oz. small cremini mushrooms, cut into pieces
• 8 oz. shiitake mushrooms, cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 c. marinara sauce
• 1/4 c. nutritional yeast
• 2 c. baby spinach, chopped
• 1/2 c. flat-leaf parsley, chopped, and some more for serving
• 1/2 c. fresh basil
• 8 no-bake lasagna noodles

Recipe

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small saucepan on medium flame and sizzle garlic. Now, stir in cashews, then add salt and pepper. Add 1½ cups water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cashews are tender. It will take about 10 minutes. Now remove it from heat and keep it aside.
2. Take another large skillet and heat the remaining oil on medium-high flame. Add mushrooms, and season it with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally and let it cook until the mushroom turns tender and light brown. Next, add one cup of marinara sauce and stir it for a minute.
3. Now, make a smooth puree of cashew mixture, ¼ cup water, and yeast. Transfer it to a bowl and fold in spinach, parsley, and basil.
4. Spread the remaining half cup of marinara on the bottom of a baking dish. Top it with 2 noodles.
5. Spread one-quarter of the mushroom marinara on top, followed by one-quarter of the cashew mixture. Repeat twice. Place the remaining 2 noodles on top. Dollop with the remaining cashew mixture and marinara sauce on top of the noodles.
6. Cover tightly with an oiled piece of foil (to prevent sticking) and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until the noodles are tender, this will take a little more than 6-8 minutes.
7. Sprinkle fresh parsley and basil. Your satisfying, meat-free, veg-loaded vegan lasagna is ready to serve. 
   

This recipe is rich in nutrients like selenium, vitamin D, B6, and iron. You can always load this recipe with zucchini, greens, and extra veggies of your choice to make it even healthier.

#4 Chicken Noodle Soup

Labeled as one of the easiest family meals, a bowl of homemade chicken soup also tops the list of comfort dinner recipes. Loaded with vegetables and spices, chicken noodle soup is rich in vitamins C and K as well as other minerals and antioxidants. So, get ready with the ingredients if you want to boost your child’s immunity.

Serves 4

Duration - Approximately 1 hour

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 carrots, sliced
• 1 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 c. chicken stock
• 1 lb. ­skinless chicken breast and thighs with bone
• 1 c. uncooked wide egg noodles
• 1 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh dill

Recipe

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, and garlic. Let them cook, stirring occasionally until the veggies are softened and light brown. Now, add chicken stock and chicken pieces.
2. Add salt and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling, lower the flame and cover it. Let it cook until the chicken is tender. This might take up to 30 to 40 minutes.  
3. Once the chicken is cooked well, remove it from the pot, shred the thighs with two forks, and cut the breasts into large biteable pieces. Now discard the bones and add the meat back to the pot.
4. Add noodles to the soup and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until tender.
5. Finally, season with chopped parsley, dill, and crushed pepper.
6. Serve it hot.

#5 Oats and Vegetable Porridge

In the mood to cook a one-pot easy family meal? Here is the recipe of the day to match your mood. Loved by all family members and easy on the stomach, oats, and vegetable porridge is a simple and no-mess recipe. Oats are very good for kids as they contain micronutrients like folates, Vitamin E, zinc, iron, manganese, and selenium, apart from the goodness of vegetables added. So, ready for a lip-smacking fiber-rich recipe?

Serves 4

Duration - 35-40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 4-6 florets, cauliflower
• 1 small capsicum (green pepper)
• 1 small carrot  
• ¼ c. cabbage
• 1 small onion
• 1 small tomato  
• water as required
• 4 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tbsp. salt
• 4 tbsp. parsley leaves
• 1/2 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tbsp. refined oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, crushed

Recipe

1. To begin with, wash and clean all the vegetables (onions, cabbage, tomato, capsicum, cauliflower, carrot). Then, using a clean chopping board, chop them separately. Keep them aside till needed.
2. Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add onions and garlic to it. Sauté for a minute or so.
3. Then, add the remaining vegetables to the pan and cook well. Stir in oats and saute for a minute.
4. To this prepared mixture, add water followed by salt and pepper. Mix well and cook the mixture for 2 minutes.
5. Finally, add chopped parsley and lemon juice to the porridge. Mix well. Serve fresh and hot!

#6 Mini Pita Pizzas

Ideal for a quick snack or a light dinner, these mini pita pizzas are a hit with kids who love to customize their toppings. It’s a fun way for them to get involved in the kitchen and explore their creativity with food.

Serves: 4

Duration: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 whole wheat mini pita breads
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• Toppings: sliced olives, chopped bell peppers, mini pepperoni, sliced mushrooms
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs

Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread pizza sauce evenly on each mini pita bread.
3. Let the kids add their favorite toppings to the pitas, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
4. Sprinkle Italian herbs over the pizzas for added flavor.
5. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
6. Serve hot and enjoy the mini feasts!

#7 Banana Pancakes

These fluffy banana pancakes are not only delicious but also pack a nutritional punch. They're perfect for a leisurely breakfast or as a wholesome dessert.

Serves: 4

Duration: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• Butter, for cooking

Recipe

1. In a large bowl, combine the mashed banana, flour, honey, baking powder, milk, and egg. Mix until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a little butter.
3. Pour small ladles of batter onto the hot skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Serve the pancakes with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

#8 Cheesy Veggie Quesadillas

These cheesy quesadillas are a great way to sneak vegetables into a kid-friendly dish. They're quick to make and delicious to eat, making them perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

Serves: 4

Duration: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 large whole wheat tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup each of chopped spinach and mushrooms
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil or butter, for cooking

Recipe

1. Sprinkle cheese on one-half of each tortilla.
2. Add chopped vegetables over the cheese and sprinkle with garlic powder. Fold the tortilla over to cover the fillings.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Brush with a little olive oil or butter.
4. Cook each quesadilla for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the tortillas are golden brown and the cheese has melted.
5. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

As parents, we are always looking for ways to nourish our children - not just physically but mentally, emotionally and socially. Cooking together presents a unique opportunity to foster bonding and learning while creating delicious meals. These family-friendly cooking ideas may be messy at times (literally and figuratively), but the benefits far outweigh the clean-up!

Remember, each child is unique with their own pace of growth. As much as we want them to be little superstars, patience and understanding are key. Programs like those offered by Raising Superstars can provide structured support in this journey. So embrace this exciting adventure of parenthood - one recipe, one milestone at a time.