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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

15 Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make Your Kids Beg For Seconds!

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Make mealtime battles a thing of the past with these 15 kid-friendly and healthy recipes for picky eaters that are guaranteed to get your kids excited about food! All of these recipes are healthy, easy, tasty, and totally kid-approved. Whether your child is a vegetarian, the pickiest eater on the planet, or has a sweet tooth, there’s something on this list for everyone. So put on your apron and get ready to whip up some tasty treats that the whole family will love!

Easy Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese

Three ingredient tomato soup with canned tomatoes served in a white bowl with fresh basil and crusty bread as a garnish.

This is one of our favorite heart healthy recipes for picky eaters. Not only is it low in calories and fat, but it’s also packed with antioxidants and fiber thanks to the canned tomatoes and options for adding pureed hidden veggies in this soup. Made with simple ingredients, this creamy, savory, flavor-packed dish is super easy to make, and is perfect for the entire family. It’s delicious on it’s own, or paired with this sourdough grilled cheese sandwich – which picky eaters are sure to enjoy! Get this tomato soup with canned tomatoes recipe here.

Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich

What kid can resist a peanut butter sandwich?? This classic recipe is one of those familiar foods that most kids will love. But this picky eating recipe gets a healthy makeover with the addition of whole grain bread, heart healthy walnuts, no sugar-packed jam, and a drizzle of antioxidant rich honey. Super kid friendly and ready in just 15 minutes! Get this banana peanut butter sandwich recipe here.

Taco Lasagna

slice of easy healthy vegetarian layered taco casserole with tortillas, white baking dish in the background

Who doesn’t want to have a long list of healthy recipes for picky eaters? And this hearty, satisfying taco casserole is just the perfect addition. It’s basically a lasagna that resembles a cheesy enchilada, but your picky eaters won’t realize it has tons of hidden veggies packed in between the layers. It’s healthy, can easily be made vegan, and is naturally gluten-free. And the best part? It’s so easy to make! Get this layered taco casserole recipe here.

Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup

easy healthy instant pot broccoli cheddar soup recipe in a white bowl

Another addition to your list of healthy food ideas for picky eaters is this easy Instant Pot recipe! With just forty-five minutes of cooking time, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for any occasion. This lightened-up version of the classic soup is packed with flavor and still has all the cheesy goodness that even your picky kids will love. Get this broccoli cheddar soup here.

Veggie Nachos

Loaded veggie nachos piled with veggies, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, olives served on a white platter.

Looking for meals for fussy eaters? These loaded veggie nachos are a good idea to add to your list! Nachos are a great way to create a fun and healthy meal that everyone will enjoy. They’re also a perfect vehicle for adding veggie packed toppings into a meal that even young kids will eat! With their layers of crunchy chips, ooey-gooey melted cheeses, and tasty toppings, this is one of those healthy foods that’s always going to be a hit whenever you serve it. Get this loaded veggie nachos recipe here.

Vegan Enchiladas 

easy healthy vegan enchilada casserole recipe in a white baking dish

Packed full of flavor, this Mexican-inspired dish is a lightened-up version of a family favorite, so you can enjoy it without any guilt. It’s a great way to get your kids to try new foods, since you can add just about anything into an enchilada – everything from hearty beans to magical cauliflower! Ready in just about 30 minutes, this casserole is perfect for busy weeknights but is still one of our favorite healthy dinner recipes for picky eaters! Get this vegan enchilada casserole recipe here.

Vegan Tacos With Black Beans

vegan tacos with black beans, avocado, veggies, and cilantro, served on a white plate

Who’s ready for taco night? These tacos are sure to become a new family favorite. Plus, they’re super easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes! I included it in this list of healthy recipes for picky eaters because it has great flavors, satisfying texture, quick prep time, and is made with healthy ingredients! Get this vegan tacos recipe here.

Vegetarian Chili Mac & Cheese

Instant Pot chili mac and cheese served in a white bowl with an instant pot in the background.

Doing meal prep for picky eaters can be challenging, but with the Instant Pot meal prep can be a breeze! One of my favorite healthy recipes for picky eaters is this Instant Pot chili mac and cheese! This hearty vegetarian dish is packed with flavor and can easily be made vegan or gluten-free. Plus, it’s perfect for those nights when you need a healthy meal on your dinner table! Get this Instant Pot chili mac here.

Veggie Packed Rice & Beans

vegetarian stew recipe with beans and rice, served on a white plate with a spoon

Not only is it one of the best budget-friendly, family-friendly, and kid-friendly meals, but it is also packed with protein and fiber from the beans and rice, making this stew a nutritious meal that is great for warm and cold weather months! You can also opt to make it into a rice bowl style meal. Get this vegetarian bean stew recipe here.

Italian Red Lentil Pasta Recipe

Red lentil pasta served on a white plate with superfood marinara sauce.

Packed with protein and nutrients, this vegetarian dish is ready in just 30 minutes and is sure to become a new favorite and add to your list of healthy recipes for picky eaters. Lentil pasta is a great swap for regular pasta, because it tastes pretty similar when tossed with sauce, but has 10-15 grams of protein per serving! The rich marinara sauce is mixed with tender vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a wholesome and balanced meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Get this red lentil pasta recipe here.

Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna

finished vegetarian zucchini lasagna in a white baking dish

This vegetarian-friendly dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Not only is it a tasty alternative to traditional lasagna, but it’s lower in carbs and higher in fiber than regular lasagna, thanks to the zucchini sheets replacing lasagna noodles! And best of all, it’s easy to make and will be one of the favorite family meals you’ll love. Get this vegetarian zucchini lasagna recipe here.

Healthy Mac & Cheese

healthy mac and cheese with broccoli served in a white bowl

Who says comfort food has to be unhealthy? This healthier mac & cheese with broccoli is great for the whole family, and is one of my favorite healthy dinners for picky eaters. Made with gooey cheese and with lots of veggie add-ins as options, this dish is one of those easy healthy meals for picky eaters that you’ll come back to again and again. Get this healthy mac and cheese recipe here.

High Protein Veggie Burgers

pumpkin burgers on a white plate - black bean pumpkin burgers topped with spinach, tomato, cheese, onions, ketchup

What kid doesn’t like burgers and fries? If you’re looking for more high protein meals for picky eaters, this recipe is for you. And with these homemade patties made with black beans, you’ll end up with a healthier burger that’s packed with flavor and nutritional value. Serve it up with these air fried sweet potato fries or air fryer frozen french fries for a complete meal. This is a fast food makeover that will leave you and your kids loving healthy eating! Get this high protein veggie burger recipe here.

Veggie Quesadillas

veggie quesadilla recipe - black beans tomato corn quesadilla served with cold beer salsa and yogurt dip sause on dark wooden background.

Quesadillas are one of those easy meals that you can make with minimal effort, and this healthy veggie quesadilla is just bursting with melted cheese, black beans, and crisp vegetables. This easy recipe is packed with flavor and is great for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal. It’s also a fun way to get your kids in the kitchen, because they can help with assembling the quesadillas with fillings they love. The best part? It’s super customizable, makes good meals for picky eaters, vegans, vegetarians, and any gluten-free needs as well. It’s also ready in under 30 minutes! Get this veggie quesadilla recipe here.

Mexican Pizza

What kid doesn’t like copycat takeout recipes? This Taco Bell copycat Mexican pizza recipe is super satisfying, ready in less than 30 minutes, and is a healthier version of the takeout classic (but tastes just as good as the original!) It is also a great idea to add to your next meal plan for picky eaters! Get this Mexican pizza recipe here.

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