Holiday Party Recipes That Will Please Even the Kid Guests

From starters to mains and a desserts too, this will be a bash the little guys love.
By: Foodlets

Related To:

Antipasti de Salumi

Giada's Antipasti de Salumi

Giada's Antipasti de Salumi

Whether it’s an open house, a dinner party or a family celebration, these are the top holiday recipes kids just can’t resist. From starters to mains and a dessert, too, this will be a bash the little guys will love.

Use cookie cutters to create adorable cheese shapes to serve along with crackers, salami, olives and any other nibbles your kids enjoy.

I love serving soup at an open house. It’s easy to keep warm and doesn’t mind sitting on the stove for hours at a time. And this tomato soup from the Barefoot Contessa is amazing. Roasting the tomatoes ahead of time punches up the flavor, an important step when it’s not tomato season.

Individual portions can be so popular with kids — especially when they look a little like flowers. This dish is practically a meal in itself, great for a day that includes lots of pre-dinner snacks and plenty of desserts.

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Vinegar and Olives

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

This showstopper takes only 20 minutes to cook. Bonus: The sweet tang of that balsamic married with the tanginess of those olives makes the perfect sauce for soft, melt-in-your mouth pork that all four of our kids love.

Baked Mac and Cheese with Carrots

Adding a shot of veggies to a gooey and delicious pasta dish means that even in the midst of a party, kids can get something nutritious in every bite.

Saucy Meatball Sliders

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

Our kids love the simple homemade meatballs from this recipe, and guess what? A meatball oozing with thick tomato sauce nestled right in a doughy dinner roll makes a perfect snack (or main, depending on how big you are) for any holiday party!

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

What happens when you combine two ingredients that are universally loved by kids? A gorgeous dinner that’s easy enough for busy parents to make ahead of time.

Baked Zucchini with Brown Rice, Tomato and Sausage

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

Hands down, this is the No. 1 most-popular casserole I’ve ever heard of with kids all over the country ... and beyond. Make it ahead of time, enjoy your party, and then throw it in the oven when you’re ready.

Chocolate-Cinnamon Fudge

Giada-Cinnamon-Chocolate-Fudge

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

With just a handful of ingredients, Giada combines two beloved kids’ flavors into a platter of goodness.

Charity Curley Mathews is a mom to four kids under the age of 7 and the founder of Foodlets.com: Mini Foodies in the Making…Maybe, a site full of simple, real food ideas for toddlers, kids and families, plus all the advice you need for eating together in peace. Usually. She’s a contributor to The Huffington Post, InStyle and eHow. Follow Foodlets on Facebook or Pinterest and you’ll never miss a new recipe or tip.

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