44 Healthy Weeknight Meals Your Kids Will Love

Read Time: 22 mins

44 Healthy Weeknight Meals Your Kids Will Love1/44 Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy sandwich filling is easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over so well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I’m always asked what my secret ingredient is! —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 264 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium,

34g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein

34g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 lean meat. 2/44 Makeover Tater-Topped Casserole 27 Reviews Makeover Tater-Topped Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love Tater Tot casserole, but wanted a lighter version of the recipe. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen slashed the fat in this classic dish, while keeping all the Tots my family loves. Who know you could have healthy Tater Tots?! —Scott Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 340 calories, 14g fat

and I came home determined to duplicate the flavor

(4g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 657mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. 3/44 Baked Potato Soup 53 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Favorite Baked Potato Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I enjoyed a delicious baked potato soup at a restaurant while on vacation and I came home determined to duplicate the flavor. It took me five years to get the taste right! —Joann Goetz, Genoa, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 469 calories, 28g fat (17g saturated fat),

My wife and kids love it, and so do my friends!

86mg cholesterol, 563mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. 4/44 Pizza Spaghetti 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The idea for this recipe came to me when I saw someone dip a slice of pizza into a pasta dish. My wife and kids love it, and so do my friends! —Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 354 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 512mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean

I came up with this oven-baked version

meat. 5/44 Oven-Fried Fish Nuggets 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I love fried fish, but we’re both trying to cut back on dietary fat. I came up with this oven-baked version. He likes it as much as deep-fried fish, so I know it’s a winner. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 9 piece: 171 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 415mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 starch. 6/44 Apple Chicken

Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat

Quesadillas 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sister came up with an easy recipe that can be served as a main course or an appetizer. People are surprised by the combination of chicken, apples, tomatoes and corn inside the crispy tortillas, but they love it. —Stacia Slagle of Maysville, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 quesadilla: 300 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 475mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat. 7/44 Healthy Lasagna

6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Makeover Traditional Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 55 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve never been quick to pass along my special recipes, but this one is so good that it’s become our family’s Christmas Eve tradition! —Michelle Behan, Littleton, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 349 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 571mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. 8/44 Crockpot Mac and Cheese 65 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of

This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish

Home Total Time 4 hours Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t ask for a second helping. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 502 calories, 28g fat (18g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. 9/44 Turkey Stew with Dumplings 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Stew with Dumplings Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

It really hits the spot on chilly fall and winter days

Creator: My husband and I love dumplings, and this mild-tasting, homey dish has flavorful ones floating on a tasty turkey and vegetable stew. It really hits the spot on chilly fall and winter days. —Rita Taylor, St. Cloud, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 255 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. 10/44 Weeknight Pasta Squiggles Test Kitchen Approved Weeknight Pasta Squiggles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This zesty pasta dish is ideal for busy

weeknights

weeknights. It contains just a few ingredients, is easy to prep, and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes this healthy pasta recipe a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 278 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat. 11/44 Sliced Ham with Roasted Vegetables 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Sliced Ham with Roasted Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe

that spark the ham’s hearty flavor

From the Recipe Creator: To prepare this colorful, zesty oven meal, I “shop” in my backyard for the fresh garden vegetables and oranges (we have our own tree!) that spark the ham’s hearty flavor. It’s my family’s favorite main dish. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 375 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 1179mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 7g fiber), 31g protein. 12/44 Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to

This easy-peasy meal fits the bill

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken with 3/4 cup rice: 500 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein. 13/44 Rich Baked Spaghetti 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It takes a little longer to make baked spaghetti, but the difference in taste, texture and

richness is well worth the time

richness is well worth the time. I serve this lasagna-style dish with a tossed green salad and breadsticks for a hearty, healthy meal. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 343 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable. 14/44 Coconut-Crusted Turkey Strips 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Coconut-Crusted Turkey Strips Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My granddaughter shared these baked turkey strips with me.

With a plum dipping sauce, they’re just the thing for a light supper

With a plum dipping sauce, they’re just the thing for a light supper. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked turkey with 2 tablespoon sauce: 278 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 519mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 15/44 Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce and Tomato 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce and Tomato Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have reduced

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat

grains and other starches in my diet due to health reasons, so I was looking for filling, comforting meals without pasta or potatoes. When I was tinkering with this spaghetti squash recipe, I discovered something fun to eat! —Becky Ruff, Mc Gregor, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups squash with 1 cup meat sauce: 354 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. 16/44 Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Delicious Oven Barbecued Chicken Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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