Forget fast food and takeout! Make your own kid-friendly recipes at home with dinner favorites like pizza, chicken nuggets, French fries and mac and cheese. You'll also find a few family-favorite sweet treats—crispy bars, chocolate chip cookies and more.
27 Homemade Kid-Friendly Recipes
Homemade Pizza
Learning how to make pizza at home? This recipe is a hearty, zesty main dish with a crisp, golden crust. Feel free to use whatever toppings your family enjoys on this homemade pizza recipe. —Marianne Edwards, Lake Stevens, Washington
1/27
2/27
Party Time Mini Cheeseburgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids and adults alike will love the taste of these moist and mouthwatering mini burgers. Juiced up with pickle relish and topped with cheese slices, these "sliders" will disappear in no time flat! Be sure to make plenty. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
Nutrition Facts: 1 mini cheeseburger equals 217 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 65 mg cholesterol, 387 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 13 g protein.
3/27
Snickers Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 218 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
4/27
Homemade Fish Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these are amazing with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. —Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 278 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
5/27
Chicken Noodle Soup
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 239 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 1176mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
6/27
Surprise Monkey Bread
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 loaf (12 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
When my neighbor hosts brunch, she always asks that I make this monkey bread recipe. I also make a savory version with garlic and cheese for dinner. —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 467 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 625mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
7/27
Bee My Honey Fruit Dip
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Orange, cinnamon and nutmeg round out this creamy spiced dip. I serve it with apples, pineapple and strawberries. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 95 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
8/27
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
6 nuggets (calculated without marinara): 191 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.
9/27
Taco Twists
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Why serve tacos only in ordinary flour or corn tortillas? For a mouthwatering change of pace, bake the taco beef in flaky, golden crescent rolls. My family enjoys these for a warm lunch or light dinner.—Carla Kreider, Quarryville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 taco twist: 214 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 463mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein.
10/27
Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always tried to make cooking fun—for myself, my daughters and my grandchildren. Cooking teaches children the importance of following directions and being organized. This recipe is easy to make, and kids really like it. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 450 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein.
11/27
Oven Fries
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I jazz up these baked french fries with paprika and garlic powder. Something about the combination of spices packs a punch. The leftovers are even good cold! —Heather Byers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
12 pieces: 200 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 457mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
12/27
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. —Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 388 calories, 22g fat (15g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 542mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 16g protein.
13/27
Monster Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world's best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 320 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 213mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
14/27
One-Skillet Pasta
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was given to me 25 years ago and remains a family favorite. It's a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, and making a one-skillet pasta saves time on prep and cleanup, too. —Susan Spence, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 553 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 994mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 7g fiber), 41g protein.
15/27
Homemade Breadsticks
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Present these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 breadstick: 69 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
16/27
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe based on our family's love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Red heart-shaped sprinkles make them fun for Valentine's Day. Vary the color to match the occasion. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
17/27
Pizza Noodle Bake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 644 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 43g protein.
18/27
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created these dairy-free chocolaty peanut bars, and my kids and their friends can’t get enough! —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 390 calories, 27g fat (6g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
19/27
Ambrosia Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because it’s so simple to make, this tropical fruit medley is great as a last-minute menu addition. Plus, this ambrosia salad requires just five ingredients. —Judi Bringegar, Liberty, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 247 calories, 14g fat (10g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 67mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
20/27
French Toast Fingers
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love anything on a stick. Bite-sized French toast skewers make a fun breakfast for them to munch before heading out the door. —Mavis Diment, Marcus, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 298 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 474mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
21/27
Muffin-Cup Cheddar Beef Pies
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 beef pies
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love these beef rolls so much. I always make extra since they heat up so quickly. I give the kids their choice of dipping sauces—spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing are the top picks. —Kimberly Farmer, Wichita, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 meat pies: 482 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 850mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
22/27
Homemade Corn Dogs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Prepare corn dogs at home just like you'd get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 corn dog: 316 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
23/27
Quick Icebox Sandwiches
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother liked making these cool, creamy treats when I was growing up in the States because they're so quick to fix. Then I made them for my three kids.—Sandy Armijo, Naples, Italy
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 142 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
24/27
Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 541 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1335mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein.
25/27
Marshmallow Fruit Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
5 cups (40 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 56 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
26/27
Pizza Muffins
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I just baked these mini pizzas and the kids are already demanding more. The no-cook pizza sauce and refrigerated dough make this meal a snap. —Melissa Haines, Valparaiso, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
2 pizzas with 2 tablespoons sauce: 209 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 747mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
27/27
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Roll your burgers, cheese and taters all into one. It's the perfect dish to use to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done when this is the reward! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 479 calories, 31g fat (12g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1144mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
