12 Recipes to Cook With Kids This Weekend

Cooking with kids is awesome! And let’s be real, it also takes extra time, extra cleanup, and often times extra patience. But in my opinion, it’s so important and valuable for so many reasons. In helping kids be open to a variety of foods, to exposing them to a variety of foods, to help teach them how to cook, and how to plan a meal, and of course, all of the math and science that comes along with cooking projects! These are all pretty easy and I’ve shared specific ideas on what the kids can help with for each recipe.

Easy Udon Noodles

A bowl of udon noodles with vegetables and chopsticks. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Kids love these noodles, have them help (safely) cut the veggies and mix up the sauce. Save your time and money on a busy weeknight. These easy udon noodles taste even better than takeout! Made with snow peas, broccoli, and peppers, this pan-fried noodle dish is loaded with veggies and flavor. Naturally vegetarian, you could add some protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu if desired.

Get the Recipe: Easy Udon Noodles.

Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet

A ground turkey taco skillet with corn, black beans and jalapeno pepper rings. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Taco night has never been so tasty! This dish is as easy as can be and is loaded with cheesy ground turkey, black beans, corn, and plenty of taco toppings to make a one-dish meal that can fill up a hungry family. You can have this quick meal on the table in just about 15 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet.

Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip

creamy apple dip — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This apple dip is creamy, sweet (but not too sweet), and has delicious and nutritious peanut butter flavor as well. The kids can help measure and mix everything, and then arrange it on a platter if you want! Made with just a few ingredients you probably already have, it’s so easy to whip up a batch and is a must for apple season. Pair with pretzels, vanilla wafers, cookies, and plenty of apples for a snack board.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip.

Dumpling Soup

A bowl of brothy soup with dumplings. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This recipe is easy enough that you won’t mind if cooking with the kids adds a few extra minutes. Frozen dumplings cook in a garlic and ginger broth and spinach wilts in the last few minutes of cooking for a light, but satisfying soup. Top with chili crisp oil and sesame oil for more flavor.

Get the Recipe: Dumpling Soup.

Turkey Tacos

Have kids measure out the spices and salsa to make these turkey tacos. Ground turkey is seasoned with a mix of spices and simmered with salsa to add another layer of flavor for juicy and delicious taco meat every time. Stuff into tortillas and add your favorite fresh toppings. This turkey taco recipe is quick and easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Tacos.

Dinner-Worthy Snack Board

A charcuterie board with meat, olives, nuts, cheese and fruit. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Who says you can’t have a mini charcuterie board for dinner? Have the kids help find items to include, prep, and arrange the board. This snack board has such a delicious assortment of deli meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and veggies. It has all of the variety we look for in a meal, with minimal prep.

Get the Recipe: Dinner Worthy Snack Board.

Shrimp Fajitas

A platter of tortillas, shrimp, peppers and lettuce. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

With DIY meals like this one, have your kids help make a platter of fajita toppings. Shrimp is seasoned with a homemade fajita seasoning blend and cooks with bell peppers, onions, and garlic for maximum flavor. Put out a bunch of fresh toppings like lettuce, pico de Gallo, and sour cream, and let everyone build their own fajita.

Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Fajitas.

Ranch Cheez-It Snack Mix

This Cheez-It snack mix has it all! Salty pretzels, cheesy crackers, satisfying nuts…all mixed up with ranch seasoning and baked to bring it all together. It’s perfect for holiday gifting, game days, movie or game nights at home, or as an anytime snack. The kids can mix, measure, and stir everything together.

Get the Recipe: Ranch Snack Mix.

Ground Beef Ramen Noodles

This homemade dinner rivals takeout from your local restaurant. Made with bell peppers, carrots, and ground beef, this easy dish delivers great flavors in a budget-friendly package that manages to pack in flavor, veggies, and protein! The kids can help prep the veggies, open the ramen packets, and mix up the sauce.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Ramen Noodles.

Cowboy Caviar

My seven-year-old made this with minimal help from me (I helped with some of the measurements). Made with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, two types of beans, and a tangy dressing, it’s hard to stop eating this dip! Serve with tortilla chips or crackers for a scoopable snack that everyone always adores.

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar.

Shredded Chicken Nachos

Nachos topped with salsa, sour cream, peppers and shredded chicken. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Sheet pan nachos are the ultimate easy dinner! Make small aluminum foil trays that will fit on a large sheet pan and everyone can make their own plate of nachos. Serve with chopped lettuce, salsa, sour cream and jalapeno peppers or let everyone add their own fresh toppings.

Get the Recipe: Shredded Chicken Nachos.

Cheeseburger Macaroni

A skillet of homemade hamburger helper. — Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

Skip the boxed option and make the best homemade cheeseburger macaroni with simple ingredients. This recipe is so easy and makes a comfort food dish that sticks to the ribs. The whole family is going to want seconds of this cheesy pasta!

Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Macaroni.