30 Minute Meals For Families (2024)

Round Ups > 40 Kid Friendly 30-Minute Meals

By: Jodi/Published on September 14, 2018 Updated on February 13, 2024/Leave a comment

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Are you in search of proven kid-friendly 30-minute meal ideas that cater to kids’ tastes? Explore a collection of 40 recipes utilizing pantry staples and a variety of vegetables—fresh, frozen, and canned—for swift and wholesome family dinners.

These uncomplicated dinner suggestions not only fit seamlessly into hectic evenings but also guarantee that your family indulges in nourishing, well-rounded meals. Designed with quick and straightforward preparation in mind, these recipes are tailor-made for children and can be whipped up in just half an hour. A notable feature of these meal ideas lies in their flexibility regarding the use of fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables, allowing you to adapt based on availability or preference. Should fresh produce be unavailable, seamless substitution with frozen or canned alternatives ensures no compromise on taste or nutritional content.

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An intriguing tidbit about canned vegetables – these vegetables are cultivated within a short distance—approximately 12 miles—from processing plants. This proximity guarantees that the vegetables are harvested at their peak ripeness, capturing maximum flavor and nutrients. Furthermore, the canning process effectively seals in the freshness, rendering canned vegetables a convenient and dependable choice for nutritious meals. From the farm field to the can, takes just 8 hours, to preserve the vegetables’ quality and goodness.

Ultimately, the overarching aim is to promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables within your family. Regardless of whether you opt for fresh, frozen, or canned varieties doesn’t matter, but adding more veggies to your meals does. We hope these recipes help achieve this goal.

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Crunch Wrap Supreme Recipe

When you feel like hitting the drive-thru, try this homemade Crunch Wrap Supreme instead! It might look complicated to make, but it's not. Watch the recipe video to see step-by-step how to easy it is to make this delicious Mexican recipe. It's packed with canned tomatoes and fresh spinach - don't worry, your family will be asking for more!

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Cheeseburger Tacos

OurCheeseburger Tacostakes two kid favorites and blends them together. Taco-seasoned lean ground beef seared right on a soft taco, topped with melty cheese. Throw in some crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and Thousand Island dressing – and voila! You’ve got a dinner that’s not just kid-friendly, it’s mom-approved too. These Smash Tacos are a total win-win for those hectic weeknights when you need something tasty, quick, and bound to put a smile on everyone’s face.

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Salmon Bites

Get ready for a flavor-packed adventure with ourSalmon Bites– a super-easy, skillet-seared dinner for busy moms and their little ones! Juicy salmon is cooked to perfection and jazzed up with a honey, rice vinegar, and ginger dressing. It’s a no-fuss recipe with loads of flavor – perfect for moms on the go who want happy smiles around the dinner table.

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How To Cook A Ham Steak

Learnhow to cook a ham steakcooked to perfection in a skillet, seared in butter, pineapple juice, and the sweetness of maple syrup. This recipe is a blend of savory and sweet that is both comforting and indulgent. With the sizzle of the skillet and the aroma of this delicious combo, you’ll transform a simple ham steak into a dish that’s requested time and again.

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Taco Cups

Switch up taco night with these delicious handheld taco cups. Protein-packed and filled with veggies, these are a kid favorite.

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Chicken Sausage Pasta

This creamy pasta dish utilizes pre-cooked chicken sausages and canned tomatoes - packing flavor and nutrition into this delicious dinner. A kid-favorite meal!

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Baked Spaghetti Cups

Traditional spaghetti and meatballs get a fun makeover with this yummy meal idea for kids. Freeze these cups for another meal or use in your child's lunchbox the next day.

Made with cod, these simple fish tacos are quick to make. Kids love that they can customize their own to their liking, and mom's love that they are finished in under 30 minutes!

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Stuffed Pepper Soup with Sausage

Even kids who don't like peppers will enjoy this nutritious and delicious soup. Packed with ground sausage, veggies, and rice this is a balanced meal served in a steamy bowl.

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Sausage Mac and Cheese

This flavorful pasta is packed with sweet Italian sausage and cheesy pasta, baked to perfection. Your kids won't even know there is a veggie in there!

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Chicken Tortilla Soup With Rotisserie Chicken

Packed with canned veggies, beans, and rotisserie chicken this chicken tortilla soup is bursting with flavor. It can be made on the stovetop in under 30 minutes or let cook all day in your crockpot.

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Chicken Bacon Pasta

Chicken and bacon are combined with a creamy sauce for a pasta dish that will become a family favorite.

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Sirloin Steak in Oven

Sirloin Steak in the oven involves quickly searing the steak on a hot pan to create a crispy crust, followed by finishing it off in the broiler to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can have a perfectly cooked steak that is sure to impress.

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How To Cook Thin Pork Chops

Thin pork chops are a quick and easy dinner option for busy weeknights. With their fast cooking time and delicious flavor, they are a great addition to any meal rotation.

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Baked Chicken Burgers

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Gluten Free Chicken Fried Rice

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Gluten Free Sesame Chicken

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Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry

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Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Wings

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

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Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs (Or Fresh)

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Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos

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Air Fry Boneless Chicken Thighs

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Broiled Flank Steak

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How To Cook Thin Steak

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Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

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Air Fryer Taquitos

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Air Fry Frozen Chicken Breasts

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Broiled Chicken Breasts

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Oven Baked Chicken Tacos

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Instant Pot Bone In Chicken Thighs

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Canned Chicken Pasta

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Chicken Sausage Skillet

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Creamy Pasta Recipe With Ground Beef

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Chipped Beef on Toast

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Brats In The Oven

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Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies

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Steak Quesadilla Recipe

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Taco Quesadilla

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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

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Pan Fried Chicken Tenders

Items To Stock In Your Pantry for 30-Minute Meals

There are common ingredients you’ll find among these recipes. Keep these staples on hand and you’ll always be able to throw a 30-minute meal together!

  • canned diced tomatoes
  • a variety of canned beans, including refried black beans, Great Northern, and Pinto
  • canned corn
  • chicken broth
  • canned diced green chilies
  • diced frozen rotisserie chicken
  • chicken sausage links
  • lean ground beef
  • tortillas
  • frozen ravioli
  • frozen veggies such as a stir-fry blend
  • Greek yogurt
  • dry pasta
  • in season fresh veggies

If you enjoyed these recipes, please leave a star rating on your favorite or comment below! Then join me on social media @CreateKidsClub and sharephotos of your finished product!

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30 Minute Meals For Families (2024)
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