Healthy & Easy Dinner Recipes For Your Kids

Dinner is an important meal. It is imperative that dinner be light and easy on the stomach so that it can be easily digested. However, planning out dinners which are healthy and easy to make as well as tasty enough for your kids is no mean feat. So here are some dinner recipe ideas which will make the food vanish off your little one’s plate in no time.

Kid Friendly Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

Here is a list of vegetarian recipes which is kid friendly since they are less in spice and oil.

1. Mexican Rice

Although the name suggests it to be a Mexican recipe it is as Indian as can be. It is quick and easy to cook and the ingredients can be bought at any grocery store.

a. What You Will Need

• Long grain rice (basmati) – 1 cup
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 – 3 medium size tomatoes – finely diced
• I cup corn kernels (you can use the can ones too)
• ½ cup green bell peppers (diced)
• ½ cup red bell peppers (diced)
• ½ cup yellow bell peppers (diced)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tbsp jalapeno peppers (chopped but optional)
• 2 cups of water
• 1/4th cup coriander leaves
• 2 tbsp lime/lemon juice

b. How to Prepare

• Wash the rice, drain the water and make the grains of rice dry.
• Heat oil over medium heat.
• Then fry the washed and dried rice for about 5 – 6 minutes.
• Then add the corn, the bell peppers and the Jalapeno peppers (optional) and sauté over medium heat for about 2 minutes.
• Then add the cumin powder, salt, and the diced tomatoes and continuously stir it.
• Keep stirring till the water from the tomatoes does not dry out.
• Then add 2 cups of water, give it a stir and lower the heat.
• Put a lid on and let it cook for a good 10 minutes or till all the water has dried.
• Take the lid off and let it sit without stirring for 2-3 minutes.
• Then add the coriander leaves, lime/lemon juice and mix it all gently.
• Your Mexican rice is ready to be served.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 5 to 10 minutes

d. Cooking time: 18 – 19 minutes

e. Servings: 4 people

2. Vegetable Khichdi

Nothing can be more easy, quick and nutritious than this dish. It is also easy on the stomach.

a. What You Will Need

• Jeera rice, Kaalo Nooniya rice or Gobindo Bhog rice (any variety of small aromatic rice) – 1 cup
• Carrots, spinach, beans, green peas etc (you can add any type of vegetable which your child likes) – 2 cups
• Red lentil (Masoor Dal) – 1 cup
• Salt to taste

b. How to Prepare

• Wash the rice and the lentil and keep it soaked in water for some time.
• Then in a pressure cooker, put the soaked rice, lentil, and vegetables all at once.
• Add water (the water level should be three fingers above the rice, dal and vegetable mix).
• Add salt.
• Pressure cook until 3 – 4 whistles.
• Let the pressure release on its own and then open the lid of the pressure cooker.
• Serve hot (you can add a spoon of ghee or butter).

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 minutes

d. Cooking time: 5 – 8 minutes

e. Servings: 4 people

3. Vegetable & Paneer Stuffed Roti

If you want your child to eat something solid and healthy, this is the one to go for.

a. What You Will Need

• Wheat flour (it can be a multi-grain flour too) – 2 cups
• Water (as much as is required to make a soft dough)
• Grated carrot, grated paneer, french beans diced in small pieces, spinach
• Half a tsp ginger paste
• Salt to taste

b. How to Prepare

• Make a soft dough out of the flour.
• In a bowl, mix all the cut vegetables, paneer, salt, and ginger paste together.
• Divide the dough into 8 small portions.
• Take one portion and make a ball.
• Then make a hole in the ball and put a scoop of the mixture in it. Seal it.
• Taking little flour, roll the stuffed ball and make a flattened round shape.
• Heat a tawa and cook the roti.
• When half cooked, take the tawa off the stove.
• Roast the half cooked roti by placing it directly on the flame.
• Flip the Roti to the other side and make sure not to burn it.
• Serve it hot by putting a little ghee on one side of the roti with either some dal or curd.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 – 12 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 15 minutes (for 8 rotis)

e. Servings: 3 – 4 people

4. Dalia Khichdi

It is a wholesome dish made out of broken wheat and vegetables.

a. What You Will Need

• Dalia (broken wheat) – 1 cup soaked in water
• Moong dal – 1 cup soaked in water
• Ginger paste – 1 Tsp
• Potato, French beans, pea, carrot, onion (all cut & diced into small pieces)
• Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
• Salt (to taste)
• Whole Jeera (Cumin seeds) – 1 Tsp
• Vegetable oil – 1 Tsp
• Bay leaf – 1 – 2 leaves

b. How to Prepare

• In a pressure cooker, heat the oil.
• Add the bay leaves, cumin seeds (whole).
• Then add the diced onions (one medium-sized onion).
• Once the onions turn golden brown, add the vegetables.
• Sauté for a minute or two and add the ginger paste.
• Then again stir for a minute and add the soaked dalia and the dal (without the water).
• Then add the turmeric powder and salt.
• After mixing it all together, add water (the level of water should be 3 fingers above the mixture).
• Let it pressure cook for a good three whistle.
• Once it is done, let it sit for some time.
• After about 5 minutes, open the lid and serve it hot with some ghee or butter (optional).

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 minutes

d. Time Required for Cooking: 10 – 12 minutes

e. Servings: 4 people

5. Vegetable Wraps

Although it sounds like a snack, vegetable wraps can be given to children for dinner. It is wholesome, healthy and looks so appetizing that any child will get attracted to it.

a. What you will need

• Wheat flour or multi-grain flour rotis/chappatis – 8 nos.
• Lettuce leaf – 8 leaves
• 2 medium-size carrots (grated)
• 1 big size tomato (diced)
• 1 onion – (sliced)
• Hung curd or mayonnaise
• ½ tsp garlic paste
• Lemon juice
• Pepper powder (optional)
• Mint Paste
• Salt as per taste – (optional if the mayonnaise has salt)

b. How to Prepare

• Prepare the spread by mixing the hung curd or mayonnaise with mint paste, pepper (optional), lemon juice and salt (optional).
• Spread the mixture over the roti.
• Then place the lettuce leaf over it.
• Place the vegetables on one side of the roti.
• Roll it up and it is good to be served.
• It can also be made using a cooked vegetable curry instead of the uncooked vegetables.

c. Time Taken for Preparation: About 10 minutes.

d. Time Required for Cooking: About 10 minutes required for 8 rotis.

e. Servings: 3 – 4 people

Child-friendly Non-Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

Non – vegetarian dishes are something that most children enjoy. Listed below are 5 dishes that all children will relish and eat.

1. Chicken Thukpa

It is a somewhat bland spicy chicken and noodle soup which is just right for a light dinner.

a. What You Will Need

• Cooked noodles – 1 cup
• Small chicken pieces (boiled)
• Carrot, peas, French beans (half cooked) – 1 cup
• Spring onions (chopped) – 1/4th cup
• Onions (diced)
• White oil – 1 tbsp
• Chicken stock (you can get it by boiling the chicken pieces) – 3 cups
• Salt to taste

b. How to Prepare

• In a pan, put some white oil and fry the onions.
• Then put the half boiled vegetables and stir them for a minute.
• Then add the chicken stock.
• Once it starts to boil, add the chicken pieces and the noodles.
• Switch off the stove and add spring onions.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 15 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 5 Minutes

e. Servings: 2 – 3 people

2. Chicken Dumplings

Unlike the popular belief, the dumpling is not a fast food. It is actually a very healthy food since it requires no spice and no oil to cook.

a. What You Will Need

• A tight dough made of wheat flour
• Minced chicken – 200 gms
• Onion (2 large ones) – diced in small pieces
• Ginger paste
• Salt to taste

b. How to Prepare

• Divide the dough into very small round balls (approx 20 – 25 balls).
• In a bowl, mix the minced chicken, onion, ginger paste and salt altogether.
• Roll out each ball in the size of a small puri.
• Put a spoonful of the mixture in each and bring both the sides together. Make pleats on one side and seal the other with it (it will look like a half moon).
• Another easy way of giving shape to a dumpling is by bringing the edges in the centre and sealing it in the middle (it will look round in shape).
• Grease the steamer with white oil and place the dumplings in it.
• Put a lid and steam it.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 20 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 5 – 7 minutes

e. Servings: 4 – 5 people

3. Chicken Biryani

This is an easy, quick version of the Chicken Biryani and is less spicy which makes it a kid-friendly recipe.

a. What You Will Need

• Basmati rice – 1 cup
• Chicken – 400 gms
• Onion (1 large size) – diced
• Tomato (1 large size) – diced
• Ginger & garlic paste – 2 tbsp
• Kashmiri chili powder – ½ tbsp
• Coriander powder – 1 Tsp
• Yogurt – 3 – 4 tbsp
• Lemon juice – 2 Tsp
• Water – 2 cups
• Salt – as per taste
• Ghee – 2 tbsp
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
• Bay leaves – 1
• Cinnamon – 1 small stick
• Cloves – 2 nos.
• Cardamom – 2 nos.

b. How to Prepare

• Wash the rice and the chicken pieces.
• In a pressure cooker, put the ghee and the oil.
• Then add the bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, and
• Fry them for a minute and add the diced onions.
• Once the onions turn golden brown, add the ginger-garlic paste.
• After some time, add the diced tomato.
• Fry them till they turn mushy.
• Add the coriander powder, Kashmiri chili powder, and
• Then add the chicken pieces (approximately 3 – 4 big pieces)
• Stir well and coat the chicken pieces with the masala.
• Add curd and stir it well.
• Add a cup of water. Once it starts boiling, pressure cook for 2 whistles.
• Switch off the stove and wait for the pressure to release.
• Once done, open the lid and add the soaked rice and stir it well.
• Add ¾ cup of water and bring it to boil.
• Put the lid and pressure cook in medium flame for 3 whistles.
• Switch off the stove and let it sit till all the pressure is released.
• Stir the rice carefully and add the juice of a lemon.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 20 – 25 minutes

e. Servings: 3 – 4 people

4. Lemon Chicken Pasta

This is a tangy pasta dish which is light on the stomach and filling as well.

a. What You Will Need

• 150 grams pasta
• 200 grams shredded chicken
• 1 tsp of lemon juice
• 2 tbsp of canola oil
• 1 clove garlic (crushed)
• Salt to taste
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Ground black pepper (optional)

b. How to Prepare

• Boil water and cook pasta in it.
• Drain out the water and put it under running water.
• In a pan, put canola oil.
• Add the crushed garlic.
• Then add the pasta and the shredded chicken (cooked).
• Add salt, lemon juice and the black pepper (optional).
• Before serving, add the grated parmesan cheese to it.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 20 minutes

e. Servings: 5 people

5. Chicken Curry

It is a simple chicken curry which even toddlers can have with chapatti, rice or dosa.

a. What You Will Need

• 250 grams boneless chicken
• Onion (1 medium size)
• Tomato (1 medium size)
• Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
• Kashmiri chili powder – 1 Tsp
• Coriander powder – 1 Tsp
• Cinnamon stick – a small one
• Cardamom – 2 nos.
• Cashew nut
• Water – 1 cup
• Salt – As per taste
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
• Bay leaves
• Coriander leaves

b. How to Prepare

• Wash the chicken pieces.
• Slice the onion, make a puree of the tomato and chop coriander leaves (Optional).
• Soak cashew in warm water and make a paste of it.
• In a pressure cooker, add oil.
• After the oil heats up, add bay leaf, crushed cardamom, cinnamon.
• Then add the sliced onion.
• Once the onion turns golden brown, add the chicken, turmeric, coriander powder, Kashmiri chili powder and garlic-ginger paste, tomato puree. Cook for some time.
• Add the chicken and mix well with the masala.
• Add the cashew paste and again mix well.
• Then add 1 cup water and once it starts to boil, put the lid.
• Cook till two whistles.
• Let it sit and release the pressure.
• Then open the lid. You can add some coriander leaves (optional).

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 Minutes

d. Cooking Time: 10 minutes

e. Servings: 3 – 4 people

Quick Dinner Recipes for Children

Most children are fussy eaters. Therefore, making dinner for kids is always a thing of worry for mothers. To put an end to your woes, here is a list of fun dinner ideas for kids.

1. Creamy Vegetable Soup

Children usually enjoy a bowl of soup at any time of the day. It makes for one of the quick and easy dinners for kids.

a. What Will You Need

• Spring onion – 1
• Spinach leaves – 5 – 6 leaves
• Carrot (medium size) – 1
• Milk – 1 cup
• Water – 2 cups
• Corn flour – 1 tbsp
• Grated, processed cheese – 1/4th cup
• Black pepper (optional) – ½ tsp
• Salt – to taste

b. How to Prepare:

• Chop the spring onions, spinach and grate the carrot.
• Mix milk, water, and corn flour well.
• Add the vegetables to the mix and cook on medium flame for 5 minutes.
• Stir continuously.
• Lastly add the cheese, salt, and pepper (optional) and stir well.
• You can serve hot with buttered toast or soup sticks.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 5 – 6 minutes

e. Servings: 2 – 3 people

2. Rasila Aloo

This super quick potato curry with very little spice and tangy flavour is to die for. It is a great accompaniment with chapatti, paratha or even rice.

a. What Will You Need

• Medium size potatoes – 4 nos.
• Medium size tomato – 1 no.
• Roasted Jeera (Cumin) powder – 1 Tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
• Vegetable oil – 1 Tsp
• Raai (black mustard seeds) – ½ tsp
• Hing powder (Asafoetida) – 1/4th tsp
• Kashmiri Mirchi powder
• Water – 2 cups
• Coriander leaves (optional)
• Salt to taste

b. How to Prepare

• Boil the potatoes till they are well cooked.
• Peel the skin and cut the potatoes into small pieces.
• Dice the tomato and chop the coriander leaves.
• In a pan, put the oil.
• Add Hing (Asafoetida).
• Then add the raai (black mustard).
• Then add the tomatoes, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric powder and the salt.
• Once the tomatoes become mushy, add the boiled potatoes. Break up few of the potato pieces so that it mixes with the water and forms a nice thick gravy.
• Then add the water and put a lid.
• Cook it in medium flame.
• Once the water dries up a bit, switch off the stove.
• Add the roasted jeera (cumin) powder and mix it well.
• Then add the chopped coriander leaves (optional).

c. Time Required for Preparation: 10 minutes

d. Cooking time: 5 Minutes

e. Servings: 3 – 4 people

3. Dal Tadka

It is a dish which almost every Indian household prepares once in a while. It can be eaten with chapattis, parathas or rice.

a. What You Will Need

• Sprouted moong dal – 2 cups
• Onion (medium size) -1 no.
• Tomato (medium size) – 1 no.
• Ginger – a small piece
• Garlic – 4 cloves
• Jeera powder – 1 Tsp
• Coriander powder – ½ tsp
• Kashmiri chili powder – 1 Tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
• Ghee – 1 tbsp
• Water – 2 cups
• Salt – to taste

b. How to Prepare

• Soak the sabut moong (whole moong dal with the green cover) for 5 -6 hours.
• Then wrap it in a cotton/muslin cloth overnight. Sprouts will appear overnight.
• In a pressure cooker, put oil.
• Add onion and fry them till they become golden brown. Then add the chopped ginger and garlic.
• Then add the sprouts, tomato, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder, jeera(cumin) powder, dhania (coriander) powder and salt.
• Then add 2 cups of water and pressure cook till 2 whistles.
• Switch off the stove and let it sit till the pressure gets released.
• Lastly, add the ghee and give it a final stir.

c. Time Required for Preparation:

• To get the sprouts – 1 day
• For other preparation – 5 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 10 minutes

e. Servings: 4 people

4. Toddler Curd Rice

Curd Rice is the comfort food for people down South, in India. It is just the thing to eat when you want something light for dinner.

a. What You Will Need

• Curd – 2 tbsp
• Rice – ½ cup
• Milk – 2 cups or as required
• Water – 2 – 2.5 cups
• Cream
• Salt to taste
• Sugar – 1 Tsp

For seasoning –

• Ghee – 1 tbsp
• Black mustard seeds – ½ tsp
• Urad dal – 1 Tsp
• Asafoetida – 1 Tsp
• Carrot (grated) – ¼ cup

b. How to Prepare

• Wash rice and cook it until 4 – 5 whistles.
• Let it sit until all the pressure is released.
• Mash the rice.
• Add salt, yogurt, milk, sugar, cream and mix well.
• In a frying pan, add ghee, and then add the mustard seeds, urad dal, and
• After about 30 seconds, add the grated carrot. Sauté for a minute or so.
• Pour it into the rice and mix well.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 5 Minutes

d. Cooking Time: 19 Minutes

e. Servings: 3 – 4 people

5. Oats Baked Vegetable Au Gratin

It is a no fuss and no spice dish and a wholesome meal in itself.

1. What You Will Need

• French beans – 5 – 6 nos.
• Carrot (medium size) – 1 no.
• Cauliflower (small) – 1/4th
• Green peas – ½ cup
• Potato (small) – 1 no.
• Capsicum (medium) – 1 no.
• Oats – 100 grams
• Skimmed milk – 600 ml.
• Black pepper powder – ½ tsp.
• Tomato puree – 2 tbsp
• Salt – To taste

b. How to Prepare

• Cut the beans diagonally into small pieces, dice the carrot, cut cauliflower into small florets, and cut the potato and capsicum into small cubes.
• Roast the oats.
• Make tomato puree.
• Pressure cook all the vegetables with a little salt.
• Once the hissing sound starts, switch off the stove and allow the pressure release on its own.
• Boil the milk, add the roasted oats and keep on stirring till it turns thick.
• Then add the salt, pepper and tomato puree to it.
• Add the boiled vegetables to the white sauce and mix it up well.
• Transfer the contents to a baking dish.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven. Once done, keep it to bake for 20 minutes at 200 degrees
• If the upper layer does not turn brown, you can grill it for 5 minutes.
• Serve hot with some toast.

c. Time Required for Preparation: 6 – 10 minutes

d. Cooking Time: 20 minutes (5 minutes more if you grill it)

e. Servings: 5 – 6 people

For most people, given the hectic schedule during the day, eating usually is anything you can lay your hands on. The same must be for your kids too with school and all. Therefore, eating dinner which is nutritious, easy to make (after a long and tiring day at work) and easy on your digestive system, is important. Try out the dinner ideas mentioned above and let your dinner time woes turn into dinner delights.

Also Read:

Breakfast Recipes for Children
Potato Recipes for Kids
Sandwich Recipes for Children
Cheese Recipes for Kids