![Main dish recipes for kids cropped banner](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/2VsW_Y5h2tVqC-dl8wfowbPDkpo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MainDishesforKids_homemade-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-2097787-hero-6_cropped-2d048612e59c4ffe9aa4895c6fcab36b.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats
Main Dishes for Kids
Check out our favorite kid-friendly recipes and tips for main dishes (even for picky kids!).
The Recipe Finder
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![Sliced easy turkey meatloaf on a cutting board](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/_RA8lVXEUvTG3hhhsWFk3pzi2c0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-turkey-meatloaf-recipe-6363134-hero-03-d77c6dd96bf9420e9ee8e1301055844c.jpg)
Easy Turkey Meatloaf
![Three chicken breasts coated with barbecue sauce in a red skillet](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/-UTyjW6jg1Dr6TIy-Za1wBDl74Q=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/image-2a02dcba447941e7b8f79bd459c2d2d1.jpeg)
Skillet Barbecue Chicken
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Air-Fried Grilled Cheese
![Tik Tok's Chicken Cobbler](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/iN5yF7MDH0xn92hAWtb2kJvY4lg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tiktok-s-chicken-cobbler-recipe-7109230-hero-01-0143fc260e3e4cd59b67c309a3410188.jpg)
TikTok's Chicken Cobbler
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Calzone
![Pasta alfredo](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/lEmMHfNVwymCfD0XzPX5Bh4F-wc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pasta-alfredo-recipe-6825938-hero-06-df435d44798549f5b8fd8c29fd267eaf.jpg)
Pasta Alfredo
![Toasted pasta soup](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/e_fzC17nS438MfdQEV3IhzAPbxA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/toasted-pasta-soup-recipe-6823245-hero_01-16253977d246407aa33f204de16ded82.jpg)
Toasted Pasta Soup
![Chicken Alfredo Pie](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/ikSaaT7Ld0Ib1aBdTeBfdzqpSNc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-alfredo-pot-pie-recipe-6825957-hero-01-171d3e0393584ce99feb3550f4c3a15d.jpg)
Chicken Alfredo Pot Pie
![Lasagna Soup](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/TB6Vsr7ARVTMsNPXQi5QwshSnB4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lasagna-soup-recipe-6749309-hero-01-cd6f39a439334eee872079e46760cd75.jpg)
Lasagna Soup
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Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
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Air Fryer Fish Sticks
![Chicken bog ready to serve from the kettle.](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/hO3hRWfza9wJAjrptZ6nK-2hIjg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-bog-recipe-4690802-final-db23b0e1bd534dd0b291cffedaa4fba2.jpg)
24 Best Cheap Meals for Large Families
![Beer-Battered Chicken Strips](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/qh5NNxSYMtWKGOiPrmfHP6zJo3Q=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Beer-BatteredChickenStrips-TheSpruce-ca53c36c90434c9f87736377847a19ed.jpg)
11 Best Chicken Tender Recipes
![Instant Pot Sloppy Joes](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/jKoEK4to7s1WHWNt88CQMrABGYg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/InstantPotSloppyJoes-DianaRattray-58c8d2c4c06e48e598b0e892f779f205.jpg)
8 Family-Friendly Sloppy Joe Recipes
![Pizza Spaghetti Pie](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/4jnu6Tq1ZgmLHHPvDku-4rjfzCo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pizza-spaghetti-pie-4176796-hero-01-f60110ed44f74a5986e57385a0b59377.jpg)
Pizza Spaghetti Pie
![Chicken Pot Pie in a Mug](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/RxTl2kdV52xGM5Mrt4wfCOWmqFc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mug-chicken-pot-pie-hero-01-e6f926ddf48d435b8c42be4d32ded70d.jpg)
Microwave Mug Chicken Pot Pie
![lentil sloppy joes on a plate](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/WTB5hSz_23BoQ5Y4hrOs7S_ufhM=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lentil-sloppy-joes-4802075-07-5a11a0e12ac94b12921cc01e2a24b55d.jpg)
Lentil Sloppy Joes
![french-onion-soup-pasta-4776513-06](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/f_C6iw1N6j4urP3E6r_l2z5uVx0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/french-onion-soup-pasta-4776513-06-e6d7b70a92a549e09eeaba45ba8362fe.jpg)
French Onion Soup Pasta Recipe
![sloppy joe sandwiches with pickles and tater tots on a plate](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/CEkVn77xSyeXtbOJnzvCsuPtweI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/instant-pot-sloppy-joes-recipe-4772568-final-d5b60ada17eb408ab31bcb21c78116df.jpg)
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe
![Instant Pot Taco Meat](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/iZ9SmmcoL5LVXdcKRF5HQQBp6PQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/instant-pot-taco-meat--8-a46da3788b914284bff93cdc3760f543.jpg)
Instant Pot Taco Meat
![Caprese sandwich](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/wAcXZKdBRbdxHkfGh1YNHCCzwf4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CapreseSandwich-grilledcheesesocial-5b2fae9e1d64040037af9534.jpg)
5 Yummy Brown Bag Lunch Ideas
![Bacon Cheeseburger Bombs](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/da2uOETRbezwSze9MIOXVL8Yz48=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bacon-cheeseburger-bombs-4142242-hero-01-d0e4827ec6434db6af23c38bcc20e3d3.jpg)
Bacon Cheeseburger Bombs Recipe
![Skillet Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Mushrooms and Bacon](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/c_5EBeWaJGkblPY_9eg7uauogcw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chickenincreamysauce-591a032d5f9b58f4c09ef2a7.jpg)
Skillet Chicken With Creamed Spinach, Mushrooms, and Bacon Recipe
Salmon Corn Chowder
![Homemade velveeta and diy cheez whiz](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/ESofqrvmNLI_u3KteFJQ94Pfpow=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/diy-velveeta-cheez-whiz-042017-58e91b3f3df78c5162b75f53.jpg)
Homemade Velveeta Cheese and Cheez Whiz
![Meaty One-Pot Penne Alla Vodka](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/gRBFfQpwO_W2TMp_aV2NmCwUWuo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/one-pot-penne-alla-vodka-4133615-hero-01-9f83e23d728b4c62a35f6706abb70f0b.jpg)
Meaty One-Pot Penne Alla Vodka
![Chicken Kabobs for Kids](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/gDXM48KgLHjua5evhJtQtZc9meQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-kabob-recipe-for-kids-2097842-hero-1-e3189b60a1df49e8bfee3f18e4d29281.jpg)
Chicken Kabobs for Kids
![Meatloaf muffins on a plate](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/gnR25joc87YxZclpxNpMgI01-Dw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/meatloaf-muffins-3058333-hero-01-3c117cd07b88424ba7bf1b0f85143d6a.jpg)
Easy Meatloaf Muffins
![Woman cooking at stove in kitchen](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/nKcitchWU65GfK6_7-PlhTDfCqc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/woman-cooking-at-stove-in-kitchen-595347313-5b86a32c4cedfd0025e7052b.jpg)
How to Answer the Questions "What's for Dinner?" With Ease
![Homemade margherita pizza with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/l_4fydme1mDa-8TNhZn_QQJ0YIk=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/homemade-margherita-pizza-with-mozzarella-cheese-and-fresh-basil-482171973-58a6fe743df78c345b651eba.jpg)
Personal Pizza Dough
![Ramen Stir Fry your kids can help you make](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/eY5HSazSx1FURzuNAwrirPO6pQU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stir-fry-57d2c17e3df78c71b63882be.jpg)
How to Get the Kids to Help You Make the Best Ramen Stir-Fry Recipe
![Easy Baked Quesadilla](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/5f5Ua8PCip7CEznyo4gYFbyE0Dw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/family-bonding-baked-quesadilla-recipe-3544983-hero-03_edit-a9424c77136e40a19b2f1205d513f7c9.jpg)
Easy Baked Quesadilla
![](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/JfLrSD46odfydVjmi8y-XSSKP-g=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pizza_skillet-58efb7505f9b582c4d43a961.jpg)
Deep Dish Skillet Pizza
![Slow Cooker Hamburgers](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/tQI49A-nRQHpdXbtMDA_76HowD4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/slow-cooker-hamburgers-recipe-for-kids-2098104-hero-01-3dd9bf2b2ca748358047f2ff4e73b64c.jpg)
Slow Cooker Hamburgers
![Baked Macaroni and Cheese](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/4pgKaaaiadFTdP2e8PWQ0_NJuSs=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/homemade-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-2097787-hero-1-bf892afa33ac4bfa9059d1a476d89707.jpg)
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
![Easy 30-Minute Mexican Enchiladas Recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/fFiegUt_cJNnamDnvsuHhGBvrTc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-enchiladas-recipe-2342670-10-5b0d7555ff1b780036416fc6-5bad28c3cff47e0026858017.jpg)
48 Easy, Awesome Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas
![Easy vegan nutritional yeast pasta in a bowl](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/d4ywTPf9dWjvn3iHBJMFuKrqFk0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-vegan-nutritional-yeast-pasta-recipe-3377300-hero-01-69d18f3559ee48359314756d0d6920d5.jpg)
Easy Vegan Nutritional Yeast Pasta
![Chicken Curry With Cream (Shahi Murgh)](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/31-d9OL6CNIrkS2u-2i3KQ-XfsQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shahi-murgh-chicken-curry-1957379-hero-01-1c891314ad55492e9abb7869a1457dc0.jpg)
Chicken Curry With Cream (Shahi Murgh)