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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes » 30+ Easy Dinner Ideas for Toddlers

    30+ Easy Dinner Ideas for Toddlers

    By Min On April 21, 2022

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    A six image collage of easy and healthy toddler meal ideas.

    Here are some easy toddler dinner ideas to make getting a healthy meal on the table doable! One meal for the entire family with slight modifications, as necessary.

    A six image collage of easy and healthy toddler meal ideas.
    Jump to:
    • Tips for Serving Toddler Meals
    • Easy Family Meals for 1 to 3 year olds
    • More Toddler Meal Ideas

    Tips for Serving Toddler Meals

    • Aim to include a protein, a complex carbohydrate (like whole grains), fruits and/or vegetables to expose your child to a variety of 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, 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, which can quickly spiral into you becoming a short order cook.
    • As always, modify the size and texture of food according to your child's appetite, chewing abilities, food preferences, and allergies.

    What to do when my toddler won't eat dinner

    Easy Family Meals for 1 to 3 year olds

    Meatballs and Cakes

    Mini salmoon bakes with mango yogurt sauce, pasta, cauliflower.
    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.

    Mini Baked Canned Salmon Patties (without eggs)
    These mini baked salmon patties with canned salmon are packed with vegetables and full of flavor! Perfect for baby led weaning!
    Get the recipe
    baked salmon patties on parchment paper with mango yogurt sauce in a white bowl.
    Baked Quinoa and Mushroom Beef Meatballs
    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
    Get the recipe
    Butternut squash baby beef meatballs
    Here’s an egg free and dairy free baby meatballs recipe that is perfect for baby led weaning or when you’re ready to transition to finger foods.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of 6 baby meatballs on a wooden board with toddler's hand grabbing one
    Kid-friendly Turkey Beet Meatballs
    These oven-baked turkey beet meatballs are quick and easy to prepare, healthy, and most importantly baby and toddler approved!
    Get the recipe
    overhead shot of cooked turkey meatballs on a blue plate with a side of tahini and lemon slice
    Easy baked shrimp cakes
    Super juicy and tender, these baked Asian shrimp cakes are baby and kid-friendly! Of course, the adults can enjoy them too.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of cooked shrimp tofu cakes on parchment paper

    One Pot Meals

    Hamburger helper for mom and toddler.

    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! 

    Kid-friendly 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! 
    Get the recipe
    Turkey Sloppy Joes plated three ways - for an adult, toddler, and baby.
    One Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta
    In need of an easy weeknight dinner? 15 minutes is all it takes to make this healthy one pot creamy broccoli pasta
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of scooped broccoli pasta.
    One Pot Cabbage Lasagna
    EASY and healthy no noodle lasagna made in one pot and ready in 30 minutes! This cabbage lasagna is a hearty, oh so comforting meal that the whole family, including your baby, can enjoy together. 
    Get the recipe
    lasagna served three ways - for mom, toddler, and baby
    Healthy Sweet and Sour Meatball Stir-Fry
    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!
    Get the recipe
    cooked sweet and sour meatballs with vegetables and farro in a white bowl
    One Pot Vegetarian Mexican Lentils
    Made with pantry staples like lentils, black beans, and sweet potatoes, this one pot vegetarian mexican lentils is the perfect busy weeknight meal.
    Get the recipe
    A close up look at the Mexican lentils in a skillet
    Poached cod with creamy orzo
    Poached cod with creamy orzo is an easy, 30 minute one pot recipe! It’s a delicious fish and pasta dish for babies, kids, and adults.
    Get the recipe
    overhead shot of poached cod with creamy orzo in a deep skillet garnished with green onion
    Vegan African Peanut Stew
    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! 
    Get the recipe
    cooked peanut stew in a Dutch oven with a large spoon
    One Pot Curried Chicken and Carrot Couscous
    This easy one pot curried chicken and carrot couscous is the perfect baby and kid-friendly 30 minute meal. Made with simple pantry staples, enjoy as a main or side dish.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of the cooked curried chicken couscous scooped with a large spoon

    If hungry for more, check out my One Pot Meals cookbook!

    Toddler Pasta Recipes

    Pasta with pesto, kidney beans, and mango.
    Zucchini pesto pasta + kidney beans + mangoes

    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!

    Iron-rich baby pasta
    A baby pasta recipe that is loaded with iron and vegetables!
    Get the recipe
    a small portion of pasta with blended sauce in a white bowl on the left and pasta with chunky sauce on the right with a toddler's hands grabbing the bowl
    Creamy Sweet Potato Sauce
    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.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of sweet potato sauce tossed with pasta and spinach
    Homemade Hamburger Helper
    This baby and kid-friendly homemade hamburger helper is made with ground beef, veggies, and staple pantry items. It's the ultimate one pot comfort meal!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of the hamburger helper in a large dutch oven with fresh parsley and a large orange spatula
    Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta
    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.
    Get the recipe
    cooked creamy mushroom pasta in a large skillet with an orange spatula
    Kid-Friendly Farm Fresh Meat Sauce
    This kid-friendly veggie-loaded meat sauce with ground beef and medley of vegetables is hearty, filling, and nutritious! 
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of cooked bolognese with a wooden spoon.
    Thai Red Curry Pasta
    20 minutes and a handful of pantry items are all you need to whip up this super easy vegetarian Thai red curry pasta with vegetables.
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of cooked pasta twirled around a fork.
    Zucchini pesto pasta
    Upgrade pasta with this simple and healthy zucchini pesto. It is light and creamy and can be ready in 15 minutes!
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of pesto in a white bowl.

    Casseroles

    Quinoa casserole in a bowl with toddler adding cheese.

    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.

    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!
    Get the recipe
    Chicken Spinach Pizza Couscous Casserole
    Vegetarian Sweet Potato Lasagna with Quinoa
    This vegetarian sweet potato lasagna with quinoa requires no boiling of noodles and assembly couldn't be easier!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of cooked lasagna in the baking pan with fresh basil.
    Chicken Spinach Quinoa Casserole
    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.
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of chicken quinoa spinach casserole.
    Tex-Mex Moussaka
    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!
    Get the recipe
    a close up shot of a cut up slice of moussaka

    Soups

    Cauliflower soup with a side of toasted bread, vegetables, and lemon slice.

    These are especially great when your child isn't feeling well and dehydrated.

    Vegan Chickpea Cauliflower Soup
    Super EASY to make using pantry ingredients, this creamy chickpea soup with cauliflower is the perfect soup for babies and kids.
    Get the recipe
    thick and creamy cauliflower chickpea soup in a blue soup bowl with one piece of roasted cauliflower and chopped cilantro with a gold spoon
    Korean radish soup
    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.
    Get the recipe
    a bowl of Korean radish soup placed on a wooden board
    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage
    This vegetable beef soup with cabbage is a healthy comfort meal and makes for a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your baby or kid’s diet.
    Get the recipe
    vegetable beef soup served in a white spoon with a spoon and a side of buttered toast
    Non-Spicy Korean Tofu Soup
    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.
    Get the recipe
    Korean tofu soup in a claypot with a soup

    Instant Pot and Slow Cooker

    A family style steak fajita dinner with various toppings.

    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.

    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.
    Get the recipe
    peanut chicken and broccoli served with barley on a blue plate with a a fork
    Pressure Cooker Steak Fajitas
    Super juicy and flavorful, this pressure cooker steak fajitas recipe for babies and kids is perfect for busy weeknights.
    Get the recipe
    steak fajitas served family-style with an assortment of toppings and toddler, baby, and adult's plate with tortilla.
    Instant Pot Korean Chicken and Potatoes
    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!
    Get the recipe
    cooked chicken, carrots, potatoes with green onion inside an instant pot
    Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Lentil Curry
    Discover the healing power in this slow cooker Thai chicken lentil curry! It makes for a perfect make-ahead meal and freezes beautifully.
    Get the recipe
    A close up shot of cooked curry with coconut milk.
    Slow Cooker Lentil Chili with Chickpeas
    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!
    Get the recipe
    a bowl of slow cooker chickpea lentil chili with diced avocado and cilantro

    Asian

    Salmon teriyaki, broccoli, and rice for mom, toddler, and baby.

    Here are my healthier twists on classic dishes made without sugar and minimal sodium.

    Healthy Asian Recipes for Babies and Kids

    Takeouts

    A slice of pizza with frozen peas.

    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.

    More Toddler Meal Ideas

    • Easy Breakfast Ideas for 1 to 2 Year Olds
    • Healthy Snacks for Toddlers (Quick and Easy)
    • Easy Toddler Lunch Ideas (for daycare or preschool)

    Is your toddler becoming picky?

    Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
    YES, PLEASE!
    « Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich (3 Ways)
    Easy Baked Breakfast Quinoa with Zucchini »

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    About Min

    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.

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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