Easy Dinner Recipes for Kids, Babies & Toddlers

Are you short on time and can’t decide what to cook for your little one? Do you struggle with dinner recipes that are tasty and nutritious for your children?

We all have those days when we are too exhausted; and preparing dinner for our kids, babies, or toddlers feels overwhelming.

It’s tiring to constantly think about what to make for dinner that is both satisfying and healthy!

Little Lunches takes away the struggle and mental load of meal planning for children with a team of dietary experts and chefs, who carefully put together easy dinner recipes that are kid approved.

Dinner Recipes for Kids, Babies & Toddlers

1y and up
Pan seared shrimp
Pan seared shrimp Total time: 15 minutes
Baby 6-8m
Mashed sweet potato and avocado
Mashed sweet potato and avocado Total time: 20 minutes
1y and up
Bolognese potato pie
Bolognese potato pie Total time: 60 minutes
Baby 9-12m
Baby salmon patties
Baby salmon patties Total time: 40 minutes
Baby 9-12m
Baby red curry chicken
Baby red curry chicken Total time: 35 minutes
Baby 9-12m
Baby cod and vegetable fish patties
Baby cod and vegetable fish patties Total time: 25 minutes

Little Lunches Where Nutrition Meets Taste Buds & Convenience

We have all been there when preparing dinner for our kids, babies, and toddlers, most parents are:

  • Tired from a long day
  • Confused about what to make
  • Short of groceries required to make a specific dish
  • Worried about their children’s dietary requirements
  • Overwhelmed by the need for variety by the little ones

With Little Lunches, these challenges become a thing of the past. Our platform provides parents with access to hundreds of nutritious, flavorful, and convenient recipes specifically designed for young families.

Here's how we make dinner prep a breeze:

  • Expertly Crafted Recipes: Developed by professional chefs and dietitians, our recipes ensure your child gets delicious and healthy meals.
  • Easy to Follow: Our recipes come with simple instructions and require minimal prep time.
  • Customized to Your Pantry: We tailor recipes based on the ingredients you have on hand, eliminating the need for last-minute grocery runs.

Say goodbye to the stress of meal planning. With Little Lunches, you can prepare dinner on time and enjoy a variety of dishes that will keep your little ones happy and healthy.

Our Favorite Dinner Categories for Kids, Babies, & Toddlers

Little Lunches brings a variety of dinner options that cater to the unique tastes and nutritional needs of young children.

Some favorite dinner recipes for children include:

Pasta

Pasta is a beloved choice for many reasons. Its soft texture is perfect for little ones, making it easy to chew and swallow. At Little Lunches, we elevate this classic dish by incorporating finely chopped vegetables, pureed red lentils, and other nutrient dense ingredients that boost its nutritional value while keeping it delicious. This way, your toddlers get to enjoy a tasty meal that’s also packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Pasta night becomes a win-win for both parents and kids!

Mashed Vegetables

Mashed vegetables are a fantastic and easy addition to cooked patties, sauces, stews, or meatballs. They enhance the flavor and add a nutritious punch to your dishes. Little Lunches promotes incorporating mashed vegetables into recipes to ensure your children get the proper nutrient intake. By blending these vegetables seamlessly into meals, we help you serve dishes that are both flavorful and packed with essential nutrients.

Nuggets

Nuggets may be a favorite amongst children but store-bought packages may not provide the nutritional benefits they need. Our quick nugget recipes are made with real, wholesome ingredients so your children can enjoy a fun and protein-filled meal.

Quinoa Bowls

Quinoa is a naturally gluten-free option for young children who may be sensitive to gluten. We design meals using quinoa with vegetables and options for proteins to satisfy the taste buds and nutritional needs of growing kids. Little Lunches includes quinoa in pancake recipes, meatballs, patties, and more to boost nutrition without compromising on taste.

Ready To Change How You Do Dinner?

Download the Little Lunches app and enjoy easy, nutritious, and enjoyable recipes that cater to your child’s needs. By signing up with Little Lunches, you can unlock a range of kid-friendly dinner recipes from your phone.

Our dinner recipes are easy to prepare and filled with the nutrients your child needs.

Join 500,000+ parents and make Little Lunches your meal planning partner! We will turn your dinner routine around with a single click!

FAQs about Dinner Recipes for Kids

Most kids enjoy dinners that include a variety of familiar and nutritious foods like pasta, chicken, vegetables, rice, and fruits. Common dinner recipes include spaghetti with meatballs, chicken nuggets with steamed broccoli, and macaroni and cheese. These meals are balanced, easy to prepare, and generally well-received by children

For a nutritious and kid-friendly dinner, consider meals like homemade chicken tenders with sweet potato fries, spaghetti with marinara sauce, or grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. These recipes are not only popular with kids but also straightforward to prepare, ensuring a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Additionally, Little Lunches provides weekly personalized meal plans crafted by our team of clinical dietitians, giving you a road map for what to cook for dinner all week long.

When preparing dinner for your baby, focus on simple, nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest. Options include pureed vegetables, mashed sweet potatoes, soft-cooked carrots, and small portions of tender chicken or fish. For those following a Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) approach, include a variety of textures with nutrient-dense foods to promote self-feeding and exploration.

FAQs about Dinner Recipes for Toddlers

For a picky toddler, try making fun and appealing meals like mini chicken quesadillas and veggie-packed pasta. These meals are both nutritious and likely to please even the fussiest eaters. Make it an attractive dish and a fun filled dinner.

To meal prep dinners for toddlers, start by planning a week’s worth of balanced meals using the Little Lunches app, then cook and portion them out in advance. Focus on easy-to-reheat dinner recipes like pasta dishes, vegetable stir-fries, and grilled chicken with rice. Store the meals in airtight containers to maintain freshness throughout the week.

Foods that help toddlers sleep include bananas, warm milk, oatmeal, and turkey. These foods contain nutrients like tryptophan, magnesium, and calcium, which can promote relaxation and better sleep.

FAQs about Dinner Recipes for Babies

When preparing dinner for your baby, focus on simple, nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest. Options include pureed vegetables, mashed sweet potatoes, soft-cooked carrots, and small portions of tender chicken or fish. For those following a Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) approach, include a variety of textures with nutrient-dense foods to promote self-feeding and exploration.

Yes, babies can eat rice for dinner, but it should be paired with a high-iron source and a vegetable. A good option is ground chicken or turkey with rice and steamed broccoli. This combination provides essential nutrients, supports healthy growth, and ensures a balanced meal.

Foods that can disrupt a baby’s sleep include sugary snacks, chocolate, and foods high in caffeine such as chocolate-flavored treats. These should not be given at dinner as they can lead to restlessness and difficulty sleeping.