30+ Healthy Meals for Kids
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These healthy meals for kids will satisfy the whole family. From kid-friendly favorites like mac & cheese, pizza and chicken fingers, your kids will love these dinners—and you’ll love the veggies they’re getting in each bite. (If you’re curious about the recommended daily serving of vegetables for kids or adults, the USDA’s MyPlate Plan offers a helpful chart based on age and gender.) Recipes like Healthy Oven-Fried Pork Chops and Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili are flavorful and fun meals your kids will love.
Creamy Pesto Beans
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These creamy pesto beans are pulled together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.
Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These sheet-pan crispy black bean tacos are the best way to spice up your dinner with bold flavors and satisfying crunch. Baked to crispy perfection on your trusty sheet pan, these tacos are packed with seasoned black beans and melty cheese and served with a creamy chipotle crema, making them a fuss-free meal the whole family will love!
Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This loaded chicken and broccoli salad is a protein-packed powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on the classic “loaded” flavors you love. With tender, juicy chicken and crisp, fresh broccoli as the base, this salad delivers a satisfying bite in every forkful. A creamy dressing ties everything together, while mix-ins like crispy bacon, shredded cheese and scallions add layers of flavor. It’s the perfect salad for a high-protein lunch or dinner that keeps you full and energized.
Cheesy White Bean & Rice Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This cheesy white bean and rice skillet is the ultimate one-pan wonder. The rice forms a crispy golden layer at the bottom, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. Aromatic seasonings combine with tender white beans, while a blanket of melted provolone over the top brings on ooey-gooey perfection. If you like a little heat, don’t skip the teaspoon of chopped Calabrian chiles.
Saag Aloo Matar
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This cozy one-skillet recipe draws inspiration from two Indian dishes: saag aloo and aloo matar. It’s packed with plenty of vegetables, including leafy greens, potatoes and peas, all simmered in an aromatic tomato-based sauce. Saag aloo matar is perfect on its own or served with warm naan or basmati rice.
Loaded Broccoli & Beef Casserole
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Giovanni Vazquez, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
This loaded broccoli-and-beef casserole is packed with comforting flavors. Lean ground beef teams up with broccoli and brown rice to create a hearty, fiber-packed base with a creamy sauce. The highlight is the melted cheese on top—once broiled, it transforms into a golden, crispy layer that’s finished with bacon and scallions for the ultimate “loaded” experience. To keep prep simple, look for bags of pre-cut broccoli florets.
Classic Sesame Noodles with Chicken
Sesame noodles become a satisfying meal with lean chicken and tons of veggies in this quick, healthy noodle recipe. Be sure to rinse the spaghetti until it’s cold, then give it a good shake in the colander until it’s well drained. Are you a spiralizing pro? Swap 5 cups of raw zucchini, carrot or other veggie “noodles” for the cooked pasta.
Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Skillet Casserole
Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This delightful one-skillet cheesy chicken Alfredo casserole combines penne pasta, tender broccoli and shredded rotisserie chicken smothered in a creamy sauce. To simplify the sauce, we opt for a pre-shredded Italian cheese blend. Though cheese blends vary, they typically contain Parmesan cheese, imparting the traditional Alfredo flavor. Seek blends with aged cheeses or blends that include sharp cheeses like provolone or Asiago for a richer flavor profile.
Sweet Potato–Black Bean Tostadas
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
These sweet potato tostadas pack in plenty of plant-based protein, combining hearty black beans and nutrient-packed sweet potatoes for a satisfying and flavorful meal. Along with the protein, you’ll also get a boost of gut-healthy fiber and plenty of anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals from the sweet potatoes.
Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This cheesy chicken-broccoli orzo is the ultimate weeknight game-changer. This dish brings crowd-pleasing flavors together in one pan for easy cleanup. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying, comforting and delicious. Sharp Cheddar cheese adds savory flavor, but another easy-melting cheese like Gruyère or Swiss would work well too.
Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This sick-day chicken noodle soup, packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles, is designed to soothe and nourish when you’re feeling under the weather. The combination of tender chicken breast, ginger and garlic boosts flavor, while the warm broth helps clear congestion and keep you hydrated. Ready in just 20 minutes, this soup is the perfect remedy for a cold, offering comfort and relief with minimal effort.
Broccoli Melts
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves. We crisp up these sandwiches on the stovetop, but if you have a sandwich press, you can use that instead.
Taco Skillet Pasta
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This taco pasta casserole is the ultimate mashup of comfort food and Tex-Mex flavors. This one-pan wonder that combines pasta with classic taco ingredients cuts down on cleanup and packs a serious protein punch, thanks to lean ground beef and shredded Mexican cheese. Top it off with fresh cilantro, avocado, tomato and a dollop of sour cream for a nutritious, flavor-packed meal that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Chicken & Green Bean Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This chicken and green bean casserole is our spin on a classic Thanksgiving favorite. By adding tender, juicy chicken to the traditional ingredients of green bean casserole, we transform it into a main dish, the perfect meal for any night of the week. It’s a nostalgic nod to the flavors of Thanksgiving, wrapped up in a convenient, one-dish dinner that’s just as cozy and delicious!
Air-Fryer Mini Margherita Pizzas
Broccoli will become your new go-to pizza topping once you try a bite of these mini pizzas. The florets turn crisp-tender in the air fryer and add color and nutrients to put a veggie-packed twist on a margherita pizza.
Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Add extra vegetables to your day with this easy one-skillet pasta recipe. Finely chop mushrooms to resemble the texture of ground beef and stir them into a classic meat sauce for a healthy twist on a dinnertime favorite.
Healthy Oven-Fried Pork Chops
These whole-wheat panko breadcrumb-coated pork chops get just as crispy as fried chops, but they’re baked. Serve with steamed broccoli and baked sweet potato for a satisfying healthy weeknight dinner.
Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Casseroles make perfect meal-prep dinners, and this enchilada version is no exception. The whole casserole can be built and left to hang out in the refrigerator for up to three days—just bake it off on a busy night and you have a healthy, easy dinner on the table in no time. The quick homemade enchilada sauce in this recipe is great when you don’t have any of the canned sauce on hand; just season crushed tomatoes with spices and salt for an instant enchilada sauce.
Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce
Instead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you’re serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce.
Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the great comfort foods, especially when stuffed with a satisfying mixture of lean ground beef and broccoli florets plus reduced-fat sour cream and Cheddar cheese. Add a tossed salad and you have a healthy and hearty meal that will leave you feeling good.
Chhole (Chickpea Curry)
This healthy Indian recipe is a flavorful chickpea curry that you can make in just 20 minutes. Also called chana masala, this dish is a comforting and delicious dinner.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Rachel Marek
Mounding a classic Philly cheesesteak mixture in a colorful bell pepper and melting cheese on top is an easy way to skip the bread and cut the carbs.
Oven-Fried Fish & Chips
Fish and chips are traditionally sold wrapped in paper to soak up excess grease. To cut the calories in half and reduce the fat, we coat the delicate fish in a crispy cornflake crust and then bake it along with sliced potatoes. Serve with coleslaw and malt vinegar or lemon wedges.
American Goulash
Photographer: Brie Goldman Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
Homemade Chicken Tenders with Everything Bagel Seasoning over Salad
Using everything bagel spice is a quick way to season and add extra crunch to breadcrumbs for chicken tenders. If you can’t find any premixed, it’s easy to make your own to have on hand for quick and easy recipes like this chicken tender-topped salad that’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Easy Vegetarian Chili
Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit—sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.
Baked Mac & Cheese
Mac & cheese can be a true comfort on a gloomy day, and our healthy update takes advantage of extra-sharp Cheddar balanced with creamy low-fat cottage cheese and tucks a layer of spinach into the middle, which may help picky eaters down their vegetables. Whole-wheat pasta adds robust flavor and extra fiber.
Black Bean Quesadillas
In a hurry? These satisfying quesadillas take just 15 minutes to make. We like them with black beans, but pinto beans work well too. If you like a little heat, be sure to use pepper Jack cheese in the filling. Serve with: A little sour cream and a mixed green salad.
Creamy Skillet Ranch Chicken & Broccoli
This crowd-pleasing dinner feeds four and can be on the table in just 30 minutes. To top it off, the creamy ranch sauce, chicken and broccoli all come together in one skillet, making cleanup just as easy as cooking.
Classic Hamburger
Slow-cooked onions add moisture and flavor to these lean beef burgers. A quick blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and vinegar makes a perfect tangy, sweet and creamy “special sauce” for this burger. We love the dill relish here, but use sweet relish if you prefer it. Serve with sweet potato fries.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
These cheesy baked pizza rolls with marinara dipping sauce would be fun for a casual party for kids or adults—or just for dinner! Classic pizza fillings are tucked into egg roll wrappers, which are baked—no frying required!—until nice and crispy on the outside. Feel free to mix up the fillings; for example, you could drop the pepperoni to make these vegetarian or nix the mushrooms if you’re not a fan.
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