Picky Eaters: The 5 Best Kid-Approved Dinners

When you’re faced with a house full of picky eaters, the thought of preparing dinner can be overwhelming. But with these easy-to-make, picky eater-approved meals, meal times are now a breeze, at least for this week!  

Baked Chili Cheese Dogs  

All kids love hot dogs. If your littles love pool days with hot dogs on the grill, they will love this baked alternative.  

Simply place your hot dog buns in a prepared baking dish and add the hot dogs inside. Open a can of chili (or use homemade) and top each dog with a good helping. Before tossing the hot dogs into the oven, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar and bake until bubbly. Don’t forget the side of oven fries!   

Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos 

Nachos are a versatile option for picky eaters. They can also be a great vessel for introducing new flavors, like these BBQ chicken sheet pan nachos. It’s a small step towards expanding their taste buds.   

Cover your sheet pan with parchment paper and layer on tortilla chips. Using a rotisserie chicken, shred two cups and place over the chips. Add some diced tomato, onion, and green pepper. Sprinkle two cups of Mexican-style shredded cheese and, to finish off, drizzle on your favorite sweet BBQ sauce.  

Bake until the cheese has fully melted, and serve immediately.  

Cheesy Stuffed Shells  

Most picky eaters have no issues eating pasta, but the same old pasta night after night can be monotonous. Instead, try some cheesy stuffed shells.   

Begin by cooking jumbo pasta shells per the box directions. While that is cooking, prepare your cheese mixture. Combine ricotta, parmesan, shredded mozzarella, one egg, and freshly ground pepper. Mix well, fill the shells with the ricotta mixture, and place them in a baking dish.  

Pour your favorite marinara sauce over top and add a helping of shredded mozzarella. Bake until bubbly and delicious.  

Texas Toast Pizza 

Savory, buttery Texas toast smothered in tangy tomato sauce, spicy pepperoni, and gooey cheese sounds like the perfect kid-friendly dinner. Plus, you can whip this up on a busy school night in about 20 minutes!   

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the frozen Texas toast slices on top. Top each toast with a spoonful of pizza sauce and spread to the edges. Add pepperoni and mozzarella and bake until the cheese has completely melted.  

Homemade Spaghetti  

This kid-approved meal is perfect for even the pickiest eaters. Pair it with a fresh slice of French bread and a side salad, and dinner is served. 

Start by sautéing onions and garlic in a deep pan. Add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings. Add two cans of crushed tomatoes and a can of diced tomatoes, seasoning as you go, and let simmer for at least 30 minutes. Pair with your choice of noodles for a simple and hearty home-cooked dinner. 

Wrapping Up Kid-Approved Dinners  

Just because you have some picky eaters on your hands doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice dinner for the whole family. By choosing meals with elements of your picky toddler’s favorites, you can begin to expand their palette and try new things!