Best Recipes for Picky Eaters

If you’ve got a picky eater at your table, chances are there’s been more than one occasion when you’ve let them eat something—anything—just to fill their tummies. If getting some veggies and protein involved seems more like a pipe dream, check out these easy recipes that just might get your kids to move beyond the buttered noodles.

A Mind "Full" Mom

Hidden Veggie Quesadillas

Upgrade those plain cheese quesadillas with butternut squash puree! It’s the same color as the cheese (a.k.a. easily camouflaged) and chock-full of vitamins and other healthy perks. Feeling extra adventurous? Try the Cilantro Lime Cream! Get the recipe from A Mind “Full” Mom.

Scrummy Lane

Classic Carbonara

A classic carbonara has no cream and no heavy sauce because the eggs do all the work, making it both light and decadent at the same time. This recipe from Scrummy Lane gives lots of tips on how to make the perfect carbonara.

Intelligent Domestications

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Wings

Three ingredients and a few hours in a Crock Pot and bam! Now you have killer BBQ chicken wings to feed the masses, all thanks to this recipe from Intelligent Domestications. Plus the kids will get a kick out of the “secret ingredient.” Click here to get the complete, short-and-sweet how-to and check out their other Crock Pot recipes that require only a few ingredients.

My Fussy Eater

Mac n' Cheese, Please

Let’s face it, “mac and cheese” are like magic words in Kid World. That’s why we like how this recipe takes a kid favorite and makes a few healthy additions. Broccoli smothered in cheese and pasta can open the gates for even picky eaters—but if your tots just can’t go green, you can always sub in cauliflower instead. Get the recipe from My Fussy Eater.

Lemons & Basil

Sweet Potato Wraps

We’re always on the hunt for healthy snacks that the little ones will actually eat, and these sweet potato wraps from Lemons & Basil get the toddler seal of approval. You can fill them up with butter, cheese or peanut butter for a perfectly balanced snack. Get the recipe by clicking here.

Kitchen Sanctuary

Multitasking Meatballs

Just think of these meatballs as the secret agents of your dinner table. In addition to a veggie-full sauce, they’ve got a hidden dose of zucchini, onion, and mushrooms. Add it all up and your family will have a favorite new meal that’s actually healthy comfort food. Get the recipe over at Kitchen Sanctuary.

Kristine's Kitchen Blog

Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies

Yep, you can have cookies for breakfast! These almost-too-good-to-be-true treats are bursting with fresh carrots and apples, which means they’re an awesome way to kick off your day. Bonus: they’re freezeable and sugar-free! Get the recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog.

Simple Roots Wellness

So Good Smoothie

Psst! Can you keep a secret? This pretty smoothie has lots of berry flavor and a superstar veggie ingredient: cauliflower! Once blended, kids will never know about this sweet treat's mystery ingredient—it’s perfect for breakfast or a snack! Simple Roots Wellness has the scoop.

iStock

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This delicious homemade chicken noodle soup is a win for everyone. You can't go wrong with this recipe from Jennifer Tyler Lee. Find it here.

Maya Visnyei

Eat & Repeat: One Pot Pasta

If your picky eater’s go-to request is always pasta, why not make the most of it? This recipe sneaks in a few mushrooms but won’t overwhelm kids with unfamiliar flavors. Best of all, you’ll only need one pot for the whole shebang! Get the recipe from Sweet Potato Chronicles.

Kitchen Sanctuary

Irresistible Carrot Fries

Do you want fries with that? When it comes to these carrot fries (which are crunchy, cheesy, and baked, not fried) the answer is always yes! They’re a fun way to get kids excited about carrots and a snap to make, too. Get the recipe from Kitchen Sanctuary.

Kari of Get Inspired Every Day

Your Go-To Stir Fry

Thank goodness for stir fry! This dish not only features a good amount of broccoli, it also has sweet and savory flavors that are better than any take-out options. And did we mention it only takes 30 minutes to make? Get the recipe from Get Inspired Everyday.

It's Peachy Keen

Baked Rollups

Roll up some ham and cheese for a dinner that will have the little ones forgetting about their pre-boxed meat, cheese and crackers (you know which ones we're talking about!). You and your kids can whip up this recipe from It's Peachy Keen in less than 20 minutes for a fun, fingers-only meal.

A Whisk and Two Wands

PB&B Quesadillas

If your little one is tired of sandwiches, switch it up with this tortilla version on the stove. See A Whisk and Two Wands for a way to take this recipe outdoors, so your mini master chef can impress the whole family!

Oatmeal with a Fork

Apple Juice Chicken

You know that stockpile of juice boxes your family has been collecting? This sweet recipe, courtesy of Oatmeal With a Fork, puts them to good use! This chicken is flavorful and easy to make—and we’re willing to bet it’ll be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.

Bitz & Giggles

Easy Pizza Casserole

How yummy does this pizza casserole look? Any picky person will love this. Get the recipe from Bitz & Giggles.

Scrummy Lane

Baked Panko Cod with Lemon Butter Sauce

This fish and chips recipe is a delicious classic that will please everyone. Find the recipe at Scrummy Lane.

Kristine's Kitchen Blog

Berry Smoothie

This berry smoothie is a great way for kids to have more veggies and have no clue about it! The sweet smoothie will be gone before they could ever realize it. Get the recipe from Kristine's Kitchen Blog.

Gimme Some Oven

Lasagna Soup

Lasagna soup is a tasty recipe that anyone will enjoy. This recipe can be made traditional or plant-based. Find it at Gimme Some Oven.

—Taylor Clifton & Abigail Matsumoto

Featured image: iStock

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