• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Easy Kid-Approved Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 18, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding easy dinners that kids will actually eat can be a challenge for busy weeknights. These 18 kid-approved meals are simple to prepare and sure to please even the pickiest eaters. With a mix of fun flavors and familiar favorites, you can make mealtime enjoyable for the whole family.

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that everyone loves, perfect for a cozy night in. With minimal effort, you can whip up a meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup
    Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking.

    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup is a simple and tasty dish that uses canned tomatoes, fresh basil, and a few basic seasonings. It all comes together easily in the Crock Pot, making it a great option for a quick meal. Pair it with grilled cheese or some crackers for a comforting lunch or dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy buttery cracker crumbs. This dish is simple to prepare and can be ready in no time, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It's a comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Beef Fajitas

    Ground beef fajitas served on a tortilla.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ground beef fajitas are a simple and quick dinner option. Ready in just 30 minutes, they fit perfectly into busy weeknight schedules. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a flavorful meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pan Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Cajun chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken pasta is a guaranteed hit and combines spicy and creamy flavors in one easy dish. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
    Photo Credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Flank steak is seasoned with garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce, creating a dish that brings the flavors of a Chinese restaurant right to your table. This meal is simple to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's a great way to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    Juicy chicken thighs and fresh veggies come together in this easy one-pan meal. It's a healthy option that simplifies dinner time, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With everything cooked on a single sheet pan, cleanup is a breeze.

    Get the Recipe

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot lasagna is a great meal to prepare ahead of time. It only takes a few minutes to put together using basic ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles. After that, the crock pot takes care of the cooking, making it a simple option for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken dish is a great option for a weeknight dinner. The chicken thighs come out tender and juicy, covered in a tasty glaze that adds a lot of flavor. It's a simple meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta all in one pan. It's baked with a creamy blend of marinara sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, and gooey cheese. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Pizza

    Picking up a slice of potato pizza.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Potato pizza combines the delicious flavors of a loaded baked potato into a fun and easy-to-eat dish. With soft potatoes, garlic, oregano, onion, cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions, it’s a tasty twist on a classic. This is a great option for a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Enchilada Pasta

    Beef Enchilada Pasta
    Photo Credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

    This one-pan pasta brings together the flavors of Tex-Mex and Italian cuisine. It's quick to prepare and can be tailored to suit both meat lovers and those who prefer plant-based meals. Preparing it in advance makes it a great option for easy dinners that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole is a family favorite that brings the delicious flavors of chicken fajitas right to your dinner table with minimal effort. It combines protein-rich Mexican black beans and quinoa, and you don’t even have to pre-cook anything—just mix it all in the baking dish. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Penne Pomodoro

    20 Minute Penne Pomodoro.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish features whole canned tomatoes, fresh herbs, and penne pasta, creating a simple and filling vegetarian meal that everyone can enjoy. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With its comforting flavors and easy preparation, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation.

    Get the recipe

    Steak Bites

    Air fryer steak bites.
    Image credit: Sarah Cook

    These tender steak bites are so easy to make and are packed with tons of flavor. They are perfect for fast dinners and can be cooked in under 10 minutes!

    Get the recipeasian

    Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Peach Barbecue Glaze

    Chicken with sweet barbecue glaze served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

    This simple main dish features chicken covered in a deliciously sweet peach barbecue sauce. With just five ingredients, it’s a breeze to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe offers a tasty meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

    One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
    Photo Credit: Vegan Huggs.

    This creamy tomato pasta is a quick and easy dinner option that you can prepare in under 30 minutes, all in just one pot. It's packed with rich tomato flavor and a smooth, creamy texture that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish brings comfort and satisfaction without requiring much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

    instant pot chicken teriyaki
    Photo Credit: Karen Kelly.

    Teriyaki thighs are a simple and quick dish to prepare. The sauce is easy to whip up at home with just a few ingredients, and using an Instant Pot helps everything come together in no time. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Mac and cheese egg roll being dipped in sauce.
      23 Must-Have Southern Potluck Dishes for Every Occasion
    • Tortellini bake.
      22 Ground Beef Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Corn chowder.
      21 Set It and Forget It Summer Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
    • Crockpot Magic: 21 Hearty Dishes That Will Change Up Your Routine

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Steak bites.
      18 Easy Kid-Approved Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
    • Chili.
      19 Dump-and-Go Ground Beef Dinners That Are Ready Before You Know It
    • Marry me chicken pasta.
      21 Quick and Easy Pasta Dinners for the Whole Family
    • This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
      21 Grandma Approved Casseroles That Are Perfect for Weeknights

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB