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Here are some easy toddler meals to make getting a healthy, balanced meal on the table doable! One meal for the entire family with slight modifications, as necessary.
Aim to include a protein, a complex carbohydrate (like whole grains), fruits and/or vegetables to expose your child to a variety of foods (with different flavors, textures) and nutrition.
Always make sure there is a “safe” food, something that your child enjoys eating. That way, even if your child is not happy with the meal or feels very strongly against trying new foods, there is something on the plate they will eat. They’re still getting some sort of nutrition AND exposure to foods they haven’t quite opened up to, YET.
Along the same lines, what you don’t want to do is offer a different meal from the rest of the family, which can quickly spiral into you becoming a short order cook and promote picky eating.
As always, modify the size and texture of food according to your child’s appetite, chewing abilities, food preferences, and allergies.
Favorite Toddler Meal Idea #1 – Meatballs and Cakes
Pictured: Mini baked salmon patties + mango yogurt + purple cauliflower + pasta
These are great make-ahead options for busy weeknights! Double or triple the recipe next time you cook up a batch and freeze the extra. Serve alongside whole grains (e.g. bread, rice, pasta) and whatever fruits/vegetables you have on hand.
You can serve whole or cut into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat.
baked meatballs made with ground beef, mushroom, and quinoa. It's the ultimate comfort food that can be enjoyed as is or with pasta, vegetables, salads
These baby meatballs are made with just 5 simple ingredients and are egg free and dairy free. Tender and flavorful, these are perfect for baby led weaning, toddlers, and the whole family.
These are my absolute go-tos when I’m feeling especially exhausted from the day. Just add all the ingredients into a pot! You’ll also be amazed by how flavorful they become over time.
Cooking everything together gives the ingredients and flavors an opportunity to meld, producing something incredibly satisfying! You will see ;).
They also mean less dishes!! Your child may struggle with mixed foods like these, especially if they weren’t exposed to them as a baby, but keep trying and offering! It’s never too late.
Start with a small portion so your child doesn’t feel overwhelmed or scared and make sure you serve it alongside food they do enjoy.
Research shows that repeated exposures to food increases their familiarity which leads to acceptance.
So get out your trusty dutch oven or pot and let’s get cooking!
5 from 26 votes
Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes
Made with lean beef, vegetables, and a super easy homemade sauce with pumpkin, this quick and easy meal can be on your table in 30 minutes!
Bursting with flavor, this creamy butternut squash curry with chickpeas is the ultimate comfort food. It's seriously the perfect one pot weeknight meal.
This easy cabbage lasagna serves as delicious and unique alternative to traditional noodle-based lasagna, and the best part is that it can be prepared entirely in a skillet.
A healthy, Asian family-friendly meal that you can get on the table in 30 minutes or less! This easy one-pot sweet and sour meatball stir-fry is baby and kid-friendly!
Here's a super easy, comforting, and nutritious One pot Mexican lentils recipe for the whole family! Made with pantry staples like lentils, black beans, frozen corn, and sweet potatoes, this hearty vegetarian meal is sure to become your next go-to busy weeknight meal.
Cozy up with a bowl of this warm and creamy pumpkin risotto. While it may seem "fancy," It requires minimal stirring so you can get this fall comfort meal onto the dinner table even on the busiest of weeknights.
This vegan African peanut stew is rich and flavorful and uses staple pantry ingredients. Made in one pot, requires minimal prep work, loaded with nutrition – It's an easy family meal!
We do this a lot on Friday nights, and it is totally a form of self care for me.
There is no need to cook anything and you can get a well-balanced meal on the table in 5 minutes!
You can place a bunch of favorite snacks onto your child’s plate or on a big platter (like a wooden board, food tray, baking sheet pan) for the whole family to share.
Here are some healthy and flavorful recipes to try! I’ve also included some sauces that pair well with pasta.
If your child only likes plain pasta, then serve the sauce on the side. But do continue to offer this small portion (if they don’t even want it on their plate, serve on a separate one and keep it nearby so they can still see it) for exposure!
5 from 99 votes
Iron-rich baby pasta
A baby pasta recipe that is loaded with iron and vegetables!
This baby and kid-friendly sweet potato sauce is EASY to whip up and can be enjoyed with pasta, grains, or as a dip for crackers and vegetables. It's great alternative to tomato-based sauces.
This homemade hamburger helper is the perfect meal that the whole family can enjoy. Made with ground beef, veggies, and pantry staples, it is oh so hearty, comforting, and guaranteed to be on your table in 30 minutes or less!
This fresh butternut squash pasta sauce recipe is so easy to make and with simple ingredients. It is creamy, flavorful, and the perfect fall comfort food.
All you need are a handful of ingredients, one pot, and a blender to make this 20 minute green pasta sauce. It will get your child eating spinach and lots of it too!
Brighten up your pasta dishes with this vibrant carrot pasta sauce. Packed with nutrients and bursting with sweet and savory flavors, it's a delicious alternative to traditional pasta sauces
Here's a super creamy mushroom pasta made with coconut milk instead of heavy cream! This healthy baby and toddler pasta sauce is made with simple ingredients and will be ready in 30 minutes or less.
In need of a quick, no-fuss, delicious meal? This miso pasta is made with just a handful of ingredients and can be on your table in 20 minutes or less!
In 30 minutes, you can enjoy this silky, creamy macaroni carbonara! It is lighter than the traditional version with a secret ingredient that you're going to love.
We can all use some comfort at the end of the day with meals like these! Full of hearty grains, proteins, vegetables, and cheese, they are filling and satisfying.
5 from 6 votes
Pizza Casserole with Couscous
this pizza casserole is not only quick and easy to make but also nutritious, with ingredients like chicken, whole wheat couscous, and spinach!
Here's the ultimate Philly cheesesteak casserole made with ground beef and a medley of vegetables. This easy and comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights, and there are endless ways to enjoy with the whole family.
A baby and kid-friendly comfort meal you don't want to miss! This chicken spinach quinoa casserole with black beans is super easy to make and loaded with iron and protein.
Layered with flavor-packed meat and veggie sauce, corn tortilla, and Greek yogurt sauce, this casserole is sure to become your go-to, quick and easy meal!
These are especially great when your child isn’t feeling well and dehydrated.
4.96 from 25 votes
Carrot and Lentil Soup
This carrot and lentil soup tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen but only takes 30 minutes to make! It's hearty, nutritious, and super flavorful.
A healthy and easy to digest soup for your baby! This Korean radish soup is especially great to serve during times of illness, teething and constipation.
This non-spicy Korean tofu soup, or sundubu jjigae, is warm and comforting, and perfect for the entire family to enjoy, especially babies and toddlers.
Packed with fresh ingredients, this easy Vitamix tomato soup with basil is made without added sodium, sugar, or cream! Simply roast the vegetables, blend them up, and enjoy hot or cold.
Easy Toddler Dinners #7 – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker
You can’t have an easy toddler meals round up without these two pieces of kitchen equipment! All of these are full of nutrition and flavor with minimal effort on your part.
4.85 from 13 votes
Instant Pot Peanut Chicken and Broccoli
Another EASY, 30 minute weeknight meal you can enjoy with your baby and kids! This Instant pot chicken and broccoli is also a great way to continue exposing your child to one of the top food allergens, peanuts.
If you're in need of a quick and easy weeknight family meal, here's an Instant Pot Korean chicken and potatoes recipe that everyone, including babies, will enjoy!
A cozy, hearty meal is what I promise with this Thai chicken and lentil curry recipe! Made with a few kitchen staples, it's a healthy and EASY dinner perfect for the whole family.
Thick and hearty, this vegetarian slow cooker chickpea lentil chili is sure to keep your baby and child happy and nourished. It's also an incredibly iron-rich meal!
It doesn’t have to be Friday or the weekend to get takeout. Give yourself FULL permission to take all the help that you can get! I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for pizza and frozen vegetables.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.
I am a granma to 2 little ones. 18 months 2yrs. This was so refreshing. It’s been 20 some years since I’ve had little ones around. Thank you for sharing.
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I am a granma to 2 little ones. 18 months 2yrs. This was so refreshing. It’s been 20 some years since I’ve had little ones around. Thank you for sharing.
HI Tarra! I hope these ideas bring much joy and comfort to your sweet family!