15 Family Dinner Menu Ideas for Picky Eaters

Appetisers can make or break a meal, especially for fussy eaters. These delicious starters promise to be easy kid-friendly dinners for picky eaters, ensuring every bite is a hit.

Cook ground lamb with minced garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chilli flakes until browned and fragrant. Spoon the lamb mixture into fresh lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with chopped spring onions and fresh coriander for a burst of colour and flavour. These Spicy Lettuce Wraps With Larby Lamb are perfect quick dinner ideas for picky eaters, offering a fun and spicy twist.

Pro Tip: To enhance the flavour, toast the spices before adding the lamb. To enhance the flavour, toast the spices before adding the lamb. Add chilli flakes to a dry pan and toast over medium heat until aromatic,for about 30 seconds. This releases the essential oils in the spices, giving the dish a richer and more intense flavour profile.

Mix boiled corn and beans with diced onions, tomatoes, and green peppers. Add salt, pepper, and a touch of curry powder for seasoning. Give the mixture the shape of small patties and fry until they are golden brown on both sides. Serve with a side of avocado dip for a refreshing touch. These bites are excellent additions to Kenyan family menu ideas, adding both nutrition and flavour.

Pro Tip: To bind the patties better, mash a portion of the beans before mixing. This creates a stickier consistency, ensuring the patties hold together during frying.

Highlights

Combine cooked quinoa, black beans, grated carrots, and finely chopped onions in a bowl. Season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give the mixture the shape of patties and bake until golden brown at 200°C (400°F). Serve on whole-grain buns with your favourite toppings.  These burgers are perfect for easy kid-friendly dinners for picky eaters, offering a nutritious and tasty option.

Pro Tip: To enhance the flavour, roast the black beans before mixing them into the patties. Lay the beans out on a baking traycook in the oven set to 180°C for 10-15 minutes.This process intensifies their taste and removes excess moisture, resulting in firmer, more flavourful burgers.

Main courses should be the highlight of the day, even for picky eaters. These dishes are perfect as easy weeknight meals for picky eaters in the UK, guaranteeing smiles at the dinner table.

Mix ground beef with finely grated carrots, zucchini, and chopped spinach. Add breadcrumbs, an egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into meatballs and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes. Present with your choice of pasta and tomato sauce. These Hidden Veggie Meatballs are a fantastic option for weekly menu ideas for family, as they sneak in veggies, making them ideal for picky eaters.

Pro Tip: After forming the meatballs, let them rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking. This lets the flavours mix and ensures the meatballs retain their firmness during cooking. Additionally, use a mix of Parmesan and breadcrumbs to coat the meatballs; this creates a crispy outer layer that kids love.

Cook lentils until tender and set aside. Sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened. Add garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and cooked lentils. Season with basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, then simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over whole-grain spaghetti. This dish is a fantastic addition to family dinner menu ideas in the UK, as it’s both nutritious and appealing to picky eaters.

Pro Tip: For a richer flavour, allow the sauce to simmer over low heat for an extra 30 minutes.This allows the flavours to deepen and meld together beautifully. If possible, prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight; this enhances the taste even more.

Cook macaroni until al dente and steam broccoli florets until cooked through. To prepare the roux, melt butter in a saucepan and mix in flour until combined. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. 

Stir until the grated cheddar cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Then, mix the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni and broccoli. This dish is a perfect choice for easy weeknight meals for picky eaters in the UK, offering a comforting and nutritious option.

Pro Tip: For a creamier texture, use a mix of cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Additionally, bake the mac and cheese in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes with a breadcrumb topping for a crispy, golden finish that kids will love.

Side dishes can make any meal more enjoyable, especially for picky eaters. These easy dinner ideas for picky eaters add variety and excitement to any plate.

Marinate chicken wings in a mixture of yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and tandoori spices for at least 2 hours. Adjust your oven to 200°C (400°F). Bake the wings for 25-30 minutes until they’re crispy and golden brown. These wings are a fantastic addition to Indian family dinner menus, bringing a burst of traditional flavours that will appeal to even the pickiest eaters.

Pro Tip: For the best results, use a wire rack on your baking tray. This allows the heat to circulate around the wings, making them crispier. Also, finish them off under the grill for a few minutes for an extra charred and smoky flavour.

Layer slices of ripe tomatoes and fresh basil leaves on a plate. Tear burrata cheese into pieces and place them over the tomatoes and basil. Apply extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar glaze, then season with salt and pepper. This salad is a perfect choice for easy dinner ideas for picky eaters, offering a fresh and flavourful option that is both simple and appealing.

Pro Tip: For an enhanced flavour, use heirloom tomatoes and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes after slicing. This allows the natural juices to develop and blend with the burrata, creating a richer taste.

Cut firm tofu into bite-sized cubes and marinate in garlic and soy sauce for 20 minutes. Cover the tofu pieces with a mixture of breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast, then bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes until crispy. These nuggets are perfect as easy dinner ideas for picky eaters, providing a crunchy and satisfying alternative to traditional meat nuggets.

Pro Tip: Press the tofu before marinating to remove excess water. Cover the tofu with a clean towel, place a heavy object on top, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This allows the tofu to soak up the marinade more effectively and results in a firmer texture for the nuggets.

Everyone loves a good dessert. These options are great recipes for fussy eaters, including adults in the UK, ensuring a sweet ending for all.

Simmer whole milk with sugar and saffron strands until it reduces by half. Stir in ground pistachios and cardamom powder, then pour the mixture into moulds. Freeze for at least 6 hours until solid. This kulfi is a wonderful complement to your Indian family dinner menu ideas, offering a creamy and exotic treat that is both unique and delightful.

Pro Tip: For a smoother texture, blend the milk mixture before pouring it into moulds. Additionally, soak the pistachios in warm water and peel them before grinding; this enhances the flavour and gives the kulfi a vibrant green colour.

Highlights

Mix rolled oats, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl. In another bowl, combine applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Combine the dry wet and  ingredients, then fold in the chopped apples and raisins. Place portions of dough on a baking sheet and let it cook at 180°C for 12-15 minutes. These cookies are the perfect dessert to follow quick dinner ideas for picky eaters, providing a sweet, wholesome treat that will delight even the most selective eaters.

Pro Tip: For extra moisture and flavour, soak the raisins in warm apple juice for 10 minutes before adding them to the dough. This plumps up the raisins, making them juicier and more flavourful in the cookies.

Mash cooked sweet potatoes and mix with flour, baking powder, sugar and a light sprinkle of salt. Once a smooth dough forms, roll it out and shape it into triangles. Deep-fry the pieces in hot oil until they achieve a golden brown colour. These sweet potato mandazi are perfect for Kenyan family menu ideas, offering a slightly sweet and soft treat that introduces new flavours in a familiar way.

Pro Tip: To ensure a fluffier texture, set the dough aside for 30 minutes for 30 minutes before rolling. This allows the baking powder to activate fully, resulting in lighter and softer mandazi.

Beverages can be a fun addition to any meal, especially for picky eaters. These drinks pair perfectly with easy dinner ideas for picky eaters, keeping everyone refreshed and satisfied.

Blend ripe mango chunks with yoghurt, a splash of milk, sugar, and a pinch of cardamom until smooth. Serve chilled, garnished with a sprinkle of cardamom or a few saffron strands. This refreshing drink is perfect for summer family menu ideas, offering a creamy and fruity delight that picky eaters will love.

Pro Tip: To achieve an extra creamy texture, opt for Greek yoghurt and add a few ice cubes while blending. This not only thickens the lassi but also keeps it cool and refreshing for longer.

Blend 1 cup of Greek yoghurt, 1 ripe banana, 1 handful of fresh spinach,  a cup of almond milk and a spoonful of vanilla protein powder until smooth. For a touch of extra sweetness, add a teaspoon of honey, if you like. This smoothie is an excellent addition to easy kid-friendly dinners for picky eaters, offering a nutritious and tasty option that even the fussiest kids will enjoy due to its creamy and mildly sweet flavour.

Pro Tip: Freeze the banana slices and spinach leaves beforehand to make the smoothie extra thick and creamy. This also makes the smoothie more refreshing and enjoyable, especially for picky eaters who might prefer a milkshake-like texture.

Highlights

In a small bowl, blend 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of warm milk (dairy or non-dairy) until the cocoa and sweetener are fully dissolved. Chill and serve over ice. This drink is a perfect complement to quick dinner ideas for picky eaters, providing a sweet and nutritious treat that kids will eagerly drink due to its rich, chocolatey flavour and familiar taste.

Pro Tip: To make the chocolate milk even creamier, blend the mixture with a small piece of ripe avocado. This adds healthy fats and a smooth texture without altering the chocolate flavour, making it more appealing to picky eaters.

While the family dinner menu ideas listed above have been successful with picky eaters, it’s very likely your child might still resist because they aren’t used to these new foods or might spot hidden vegetables and refuse to try them. perience.

Why not take a more engaging approach by booking a private cooking class? A private chef can come to your own kitchen and introduce you to a variety of techniques for preparing nutritious foods and how to present them in a fun and non-threatening way. Additionally, picky eaters are often more willing to eat what they help prepare. You could involve your kid in the cooking process. This would give them a sense of ownership over their meals, making them more open to trying new dishes. 

To get the best out of this experience, you can book a private cooking class through yhangry. Our platform makes it easy to find top professional chefs who can tailor the experience to your family’s needs, turning mealtime into an enjoyable and educational adventure for everyone.