It is the responsibility of every parent’s to provide their kids with a good family meal which is balanced with different foods with different nutrients, which is especially important for kids. Are you looking for a way to make the child enjoy the meal? Below are one-dish meals that include favorite kids’ flavors and are recommended kid friendly recipes. This article will make you feel cooking for kids is a easy thing.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients

• Ground pepper and coarse salt
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan, plus more for serving
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef chuck
• 3/4 pound spaghetti
• 1/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree

Directions

1. 1. Place a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil.
2. 2. Mix parsley, parmesan, egg, garlic, some salt, some pepper, breadcrumbs and beef gently, and form into meat balls.
3. 3. Heat oil over medium, then heat in a heavy pot.
4. 4. Add the meatballs and cook them. Turn them occasionally until they are brown. This may take at least 10 minutes.
5. 5. Add tomatoes and boil them. Reduce the heat to simmer as you partially cover the pot and stir occasionally. It will take 10 to 12 minutes for the meatballs to be cooked thoroughly.
6. 6. Meanwhile, pour pasta in the boiling salty water and cook until they are fine.
7. 7. Drain the pasta and add the meatballs and sauce as you toss gently.
8. 8. Serve with parmesan.

Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

Ingredients

• 1 sliced red onion 
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts that’s pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 4 singles
• 1/4 cup original barbecue sauce
• 4 flour tortillas (6 inch)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. 1. Heat your grill to medium heat.
2. 2. Cook the onions in boiling water for at least five minutes or until they are tender and then drain. Place the onions in a medium size bowl and add sugar and vinegar. Mix them and refrigerate.
3. 3. Grill your chicken for at least six minutes on each side. You can brush the chicken with barbeque sauce after they are ready and cut them into strips.
4. 4. Top the tortillas with chicken, singles and the onions and fold in half.
5. 5. Grill the tortillas for 2 minutes on each side or until the singles melt and the quesadillas are light brown on each side.
6. 6. Sprinkle cilantro and serve.

Penne Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cups water
• 1 jar (24 oz.) spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded low-moisture part-skim
• 3 cups uncooked penne pasta

Directions

1. 1. Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium high heat and drain.
2. 2. Add water and spaghetti sauce and mix well.
3. 3. Stir in the pasta and bring to boil while covered.
4. 4. Simmer under medium heat for at least 18 minutes to ensure the pasta is tender.
5. 5. Garnish with cheese and cook for one minute to melt the cheese.

Whole-Wheat Banana Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 12 dried banana chips, optional
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. 2. Spread cooking spray in a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with foil liners or paper.
3. 3. Combine the two types of flour in a large bowl and add baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
4. 4. Mix bananas, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and butter in a separate bowl. Whisk them mixture until smooth.
5. 5. Fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture until they combine to create a batter form. Avoid over mixing.
6. 6. Use a spoon to place the batter in the muffin cups and place banana chips on top of each.
7. 7. Allow to bake until ready. You can use the toothpick test to confirm.
8. 8. Place on rack and make them completely cool before serving.

Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 pound elbow pasta
• 1 chopped onion
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 4 cups of milk
• 1 1/4 cups of yellow cheddar cheese that’s shredded (5 ounces)
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 1/4 cups of white cheddar cheese that’s shredded (5 ounces)
• 2 slices white sandwich bread
• 8 ounces of ham, dice into pieces of ½ inch

Directions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. 2. Cook pasta in a blown of salted boiling water until tender. Drain and reserve.
3. 3. Melt butter over medium heat in a heavy port.
4. 4. Add onions and stir until cooked.
5. 5. Whisk in flour to coat the onions.
6. 6. Whisk milk until the mixture in lump free.
7. 7. Cook the mixture until it is thick and bubbly. It is ready when it starts to coat the back of your cooking spoon.
8. 8. Pour in cayenne, a cup of white cheddar cheese and one cup of yellow cheddar cheese, and stir. Season with a tablespoon of salt and a quarter spoon of pepper.
9. 9. Pour the pasta in the cheese mixture and fold in ham. Transfer into a baking dish and set aside.
10. 10. Form breadcrumbs from blending bread. Mix with the remaining cheese and a pinch of salt.
11. 11. Top the pasta with the breadcrumb mixture, and place in and bake. It may take half an hour for it to become golden.

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup of unsalted butter that’s softened
• Powdered sugar to taste
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

1. 1. In a mixing bowl, blend baking powder, flour and salt, and set it aside.
2. 2. In a mixer, beat sugar and butter together until they produce a light color.
3. 3. Add milk and egg into the mixture and beat until well mixed.
4. 4. Put the mixture under low beating speed and add flour.
5. 5. Beat until the mixture starts pulling away from the bowls’ edges.
6. 6. Divide the mixture into two halves, wrap with waxes paper and refrigerate for 2 hours.
7. 7. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
8. 8. Sprinkle powdered sugar on a clean surface.
9. 9. Place one half of the dough on the surface and roll out the dough with a sugar powder.
10. 10. Roll out the dough to a quarter inch thickness.
11. 11. Cut dough into the preferred shapes and place on baking sheet.
12. 12. Bake for at least 10 minutes or until cookies start browning.
13. 13. Sit for two minutes on the baking sheet once you remove from the oven.
14. 14. Serve with icing or just as it is.

Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup of long-grain rice (white)
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (12 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Freshly ground pepper & salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced & trimmed on the diagonal
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 teaspoon grated and peeled fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup of snow peas, sliced & trimmed on the diagonal into thirds
• 1/2 cup homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock

Directions

1. 1. Cook your rice according to the package instructions. Set it aside when done.
2. 2. Pound chicken breasts with a mallet until they are one quarter inch thick.
3. 3. Cut the breasts into strips that are 3 inches long and half an inch wide.
4. 4. Season the strips with pepper and salt.
5. 5. Over medium heat, heat one tablespoon of oil in a non-stick skillet. Make sure it’s hot, but not smoking.
6. 6. Cook the chicken until tender. This may take at least 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken into a plate.
7. 7. Under medium heat, add the remaining oil.
8. 8. When the oil becomes hot, add eggs and stir until scrambled.
9. 9. Add ginger and scallions and cook for one minute.
10. 10. Add the rice and bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
11. 11. Mix sugar, soy sauce and stock and place on skillet.
12. 12. Add the snow peas and the reserved chicken. Cook until well heated.

Creamy Fruit Tarts

Ingredients

• 1cup mix of flour, shortening, salt, and baking powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
• 2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese that’s softened
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups assorted sliced fresh fruit or berries
• 1/3 cup apple jelly, melted

Directions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375degreesF.
2. 2. In a small bowl, mix the cup of mix, butter, 1 package of cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of sugar to form a ball of dough.
3. 3. Divide the dough into 6 parts, and press each part on bottom and three quarters inch top side in 6 tart pans, 4 1/4 x 1 inch or 10 ounce custard cups and place on cooking sheet.
4. 4. Bake until turning to light brown for 10 to 12 minutes. Place in wire rack to cool for about half an hour. Remove the tart shells from the pans.
5. 5. Beat the remaining package of cream cheese with a quarter cup of sour cream and cream. Beat until smooth.
6. 6. Spoon into tart shells as you spread over the bottoms.
7. 7. Top each of them with a quarter cup of fruit.
8. 8. Brush it with jelly.

Banana-Berry Yogurt Pops

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberry halves
• 1 container (5.3 oz.) honey nonfat Greek-style yogurt
• 1/2 small banana, cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup blueberries

Directions

1. 1. Blend all the ingredients together under high speed until they are smooth.
2. 2. Pour the mixture in 6 paper cuts measuring 3 oz each and cover by using foil.
3. 3. Insert wooden pop sticks in the center of the mixture of each cup.
4. 4. Freeze for several hours or until they are firm.
5. 5. Peel off the paper cups and serve.

For more kid friendly recipes, you can watch this video and those ones listed beside: