5 Better-for-You, Kid-Friendly Dinners

Make healthy and fast weeknight meals that are also kid-friendly.

Kid-friendly meals are a necessity when you're a busy mother of two. Like other parents, I also want these creations to be healthy, fast and something I actually want to eat. Here are five recipes that cover all the bases.

Pizza (pictured above)

What little one would turn down handheld pizza? Experiment with different fillings and serve with a garden salad. Make extra and freeze so you’ve got dinner covered for another night as well.

Recipe: Pizza Pockets

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm 

Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks

RAVIOLI_SOUP_112.tif

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks

Photo by: Andrew Purcell

Andrew Purcell

Soup

Soup is a smart way to introduce children to more veggies. Make a batch of this hearty soup in less than 25 minutes and pack up leftovers for lunchboxes.

Food Network's BLT Pasta Skillet

Food Network's BLT Pasta Skillet

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

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

Pasta

Pasta is usually an easy sell in my house. Whole-grain varieties contain extra vitamins, minerals, and fiber — all things that growing bodies need. This one-pot wonder can be made ahead and stored in the fridge; after a quick trip to the oven, dinner is done.

FN_FN Kitchens Homemade Frozen Fish Sticks.tif

FN_FN Kitchens Homemade Frozen Fish Sticks.tif

FN_FN Kitchens Homemade Frozen Fish Sticks.tif

©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Fish

It can be challenging to get kids to eat more fish, but turning it into finger food can help a lot! Whole-grain breadcrumbs, cornmeal and a secret ingredient make a super-crispy coating that is baked, not fried. Serve fish with steamed broccoli and roasted sweet potatoes for a complete meal.

Chicken

Make chicken more exciting. This four-ingredient recipe is loaded with muscle-building protein and takes about only an hour to bake.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

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