Cheap Quick Easy Dinner Ideas For Kids

As a mother of a child with special needs who is four years old and a toddler, I’m always looking for quick and simple dinner ideas that my children can enjoy.

Simple ingredients. A brief period of preparation. And I really hope that my kids don’t have any complaints.

My three-year-old will eat anything! But, my six-year-old with autism and sensory issues, is a completely different story.

I consider a meal to have been successful if my oldest son will take at least one bite of it and go on to finish it.

These cheap quick easy dinner ideas for children are ideal for mothers who require ideas for speedy meals with little preparation on days that are particularly challenging.

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My Easy Dinner Qualifications

The simple dinner ideas for kids that were included on this list are some of the ones that are most beloved by my own children.

My six-year-old son has autism and is very selective about the foods that he consumes, so I do have to deal with a picky eater on my hands.

Recently, he has become more open to trying new foods, but mastering new experiences takes practice and persistence.

On the other hand, he is willing to consume the recipes that are included on this list. That reveals a great deal!

On some evenings, after speech therapy, occupational therapy appointments, and preschool, I simply do not have the time to prepare meals that require a great deal of time and a significant number of ingredients.

When I’ve had a particularly trying day with the kids, there are times when I just don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of making a complicated meal.

I’m sure you can relate!

Because of this, each of the suggestions for dinner that are included on this list adheres to the following guidelines:

My kids will eat it!
They contain few ingredients
Little to no prep time
Can be cooked in 20 to 30 minutes
Is cheap to make

Waiting for the oven to heat up is likely to be the step that consumes the most time during the preparation of many of the recipes that are listed below.

The preparation of the meal using some recipes requires the use of ground beef, which is the most challenging component of the recipe.

If you’re a hectic, busy mom like I am, give some of these easy dinner ideas for kids a try this week! You won’t regret it!

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Easy Dinner Ideas For Kids

Ham and Cheese Roll Ups | Recipe Simple

My kids love these! They are a huge success! All it takes is Cresent Rolls, thinly sliced ham and cheese.

Taco Pizza | Eating On A Dime

Here is yet another recipe for Cresent rolls. I get a head start on the preparation of the ground beef by cooking it in the morning.

In addition, because this dish is intended for consumption by my children, I omit the use of green onions and serve the sour cream on the side for dipping.

Sloppy Joes | The Rebel Chick

This recipe for sloppy joes is so simple, and everything is made from scratch. In order to make the sloppy joe sauce, all you need is some mustard, ketchup, and a pinch of brown sugar.

I make grilled sloppy joe and cheese sandwiches with this incredible sauce as the topping.

Simply use wheat bread, the sloppy joe recipe mix, sliced cheese, and cook it on the grill.

Quesadillas | Through The Cooking Glass

The possibilities for quesadillas are virtually limitless.

Although my children will eat quesadillas made with just cheese, I like the recipe that is posted above because it includes other sources of healthy protein that they can include in their diet.

Hawaiian Roll Sandwiches | Mighty Mrs.

You have not truly tasted food until you have tried sandwiches made with Hawaiian roll. This recipe calls for a few basic ingredients that, when combined, produce delicious results.

The most time-consuming parts of the preparation are waiting for the oven to preheat and assembling the sandwiches with the meat and cheese.

Corn Dog Muffins | Hip 2 Save

What kind of child doesn’t enjoy corndogs?

This is a different take on the precooked frozen corndogs that you can buy from the store, and it’s a recipe that’s very simple to make.

Tator Tot Casserole With Ground Beef | This Is Not Diet Food

This dinner is the epitome of comfort food, and it’s been enjoyed by my family on multiple occasions.

I separate the ground beef and tater tots so that my oldest son, who is the pickiest eater in the family, isn’t as overwhelmed by the food.

(Those with sensory issues may find themselves unable to process everything going on around them at the dinner table if the meal includes a casserole dish.)

Cheeseburger Cups | My Fearless Kitchen

Similar to Corn Dog Muffins, but a fun and easy take on regular cheeseburgers.

Peanut Butter And Banana Rollups | Happy Foods Tube

The vast majority of mothers think of this dish as an after-school snack or a speedy lunch option.

Having said that, I have discovered that it is possible for me to pre-make these wraps whenever I am aware that we will be traveling.

They have more substance than they appear to have!

You can also add extras to the wraps, such as mini chocolate chips or Rice Crispies, and you can even replace the regular peanut butter with PB Protein in place of the regular peanut butter (PB Fit or PB2).

Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup

Grilled cheese sandwiches are always a hit! Pair with a side of tomato soup for dipping or throw in a handful of Goldfish Crackers!

Mac n Cheese Muffins | Swirls Of Flavor

This recipe calls for macaroni and cheese that has been freshly prepared (from scratch or box).

On the other hand, I like to use any leftover macaroni and cheese to make muffins. These muffins are something I make the next night if any of my children’s macaroni and cheese remains uneaten from the night before.

Lazy Lasagna | The Lazy Dish

This is pretty much the only lasagna that I’ve been successful in getting my children to consume, and it’s also one of the best super easy dinner ideas for children because there are only three components to it.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches |Lauren Greutman

In order to speed up the cooking process for the pork, I use an Instant Pot.

In order to speed up the preparation of this meal even further, I use bottled barbecue sauce rather than making the sauce from scratch. Sandwiches made with pulled pork taste fantastic when served on Hawaiian rolls.

Pizza Sandwiches Dipped In Marinara |Lil’ Luna

Children who enjoy dipping sauces will really enjoy pizza sandwiches. Because I want my boys to be able to dip, I don’t put any of the sauces on the food themselves; instead, I serve them on the side.

It would appear that it makes dinnertime more enjoyable for them.

Cheese, Meat, and Fruit Kaboobs | Delightful E Made

This is a no cook anything recipe! Take sliced deli meat, sliced cheese or chunks, and add cut grapes. Always cut the grapes length-wise! You can always substitute any of the items for different pairs of meat, cheese, and fruit.

Try Harvarti cheese, roast beef slices, and kiwi!

Apple Slice Sandwiches | Simple Seasonal

This recipe for dinner is a no-cook option that features a more nutritious take on traditional sandwiches.

I will say that in order to satisfy the appetites of your children, you will need to provide them with something in addition to these Apple Slice Sandwiches.

I serve them with organic Dino chicken nuggets as an accompaniment.

Spaghetti

Three to four ingredient’s and your dinner is complete! Spaghetti noodles, jarred spaghetti sauce, ground beef/chicken, and parmesan cheese.

Philly Cheese Steak Quesadillas | Easy Peasy Pleasy

Yes, this recipe does have green pepper in it! Instead of slices, I finely chop them to try and hide them. I’m sneaky like that!

Tuna Melt With Zucchini Fries | The Kitchen Magpie

Tuna melts are one of my favorite meals to make for just myself because they are so delicious.

I substitute regular bread for 45 low calorie Sara Lee bread. A side of zucchini fries is my go-to accompaniment for this dish.

You don’t have to come up with your own solution (as zucchini fries require a lot of preparation).

You can easily incorporate more vegetables into your child’s diet by purchasing frozen zucchini fries from Green Giant.

Breakfast For Dinner

It’s said “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Why not have breakfast for dinner?!

Whip up some pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and more for quick and easy dinner ideas for kids.

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Final Thoughts

It’s not necessary to make dinner difficult, and in fact, it shouldn’t be!

I adore recipes that require little effort to prepare, have a limited number of components, and, if possible, are ones that my children will actually consume.

Therefore, put these simple dinner ideas for kids to use as soon as possible for those nights when you are pressed for time.