5 Kid-Approved Healthy Meals

If you’re like me, you are always looking for things to fix that will be healthy and nutritious for Kids but doesn’t necessarily look healthy and nutritious. There are some things my kids just flat out refuse to try because it doesn’t look appetizing. Creating healthy recipes that kids will love, can and should be both fun and nutritious. We are working on incorporating healthy things into their meals that they will recognize and WANT to eat! Here are the 5 Kid-Approved Healthy Meals we started with.

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1. Whole Wheat Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat pasta (e.g., penne or spaghetti)
• A variety of colorful vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, peas)
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant, then add chopped vegetables and cook until tender-crisp.
3. Toss cooked pasta with vegetables, adding a drizzle of olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Even if they pick around the veggies, it gives them the opportunity to see them in their meal and taste them to figure out which veggies they DO like! I encourage you to keep introducing them in different ways an eventually even the pickiest eater will see You enjoying them and decide to try and enjoy nutritious things as well. This Works really well with cut up baked chicken on top as well. Thats how we serve ours and that way they still get their protein and something filling if they do pick around everything else.

2. Turkey and Cheese Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat or low carb tortillas
• Sliced turkey breast
• Shredded cheese (e.g., cheddar or mozzarella)
• Optional: spinach or finely chopped vegetables

Instructions:

1. Place tortillas on a flat surface, add a layer of cheese, turkey, and optional vegetables.
2. Top with another tortilla and cook in a skillet over medium heat until cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown. Flip carefully to cook both sides.
3. Cut into wedges and serve with a side of salsa or guacamole.

This one is a FAVORITE in our house! We substitute the turkey here for rotisserie chicken most of the time but turkey slices make for a quick meal when you don’t have chicken prepared or the time to prepare it! We also love making Breakfast quesadillas and YES even for supper. Scramble some eggs with bell peppers and onions and maybe a little bit of cheese and serve with salsa! You can even add in a little Turkey sausage to take it up a notch.

3. Baked Chicken Fingers

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• Whole wheat breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Olive oil or melted butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip chicken strips in olive oil or melted butter, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.

Also, A favorite in our household. Try serving with Sweet potato Fries which can easily be made in the air fryer, for a healthier option!

4. Veggie Packed Tomato Sauce for Pasta or Pizza

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Onion, finely chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Carrots and zucchini, grated
• Canned crushed tomatoes
• Dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add grated vegetables and cook until they start to soften.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and herbs, simmering for 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Blend sauce if desired for a smoother texture. Serve over whole wheat pasta or use as a pizza sauce.

I love this one because it is PURE genius. It’s always amazing if you can serve the kids something super healthy and they don’t even know it! Not to mention all the things you can do with this sauce!! The possibilities are endless here! You can use this tomato sauce in Taco soup as well! My kids LOVE taco soup served over tortilla chips. Not the healthiest option but it does get them to eat beans and corn. You can find our Instant Pot Taco soup recipe HERE.

5. Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits

Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt or any preferred yogurt
• A variety of fruits (e.g., berries, bananas, kiwi)
• Granola or whole grain cereal
• Honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a glass or bowl, layer yogurt, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup (if using), fruit, and granola.
2. Repeat the layers until the glass is full.
3. Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing snack.

My kids do prefer flavored yogurt, but you can use whatever you prefer. The kids love helping me cut fruit and prepare these in a pretty glass in layers. If you want to involve your kids in food prep Let me suggest getting this Plastic cutting set! Perfect for kids to help without having any trips to the emergency room. You can also use sugar free chocolate pudding and do the same layering with fruit, and they enjoy it as well. I also mix sugar free cool whip with sugar free cheesecake pudding to make a fruit dip type texture and layer that too.

These recipes are not only nutritious but also customizable to cater to your children’s preferences, ensuring they enjoy their Kid-Approved Healthy Meals.

Let me know in the comments if you tried any of these for your family or any of these variations.

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