A 7-Day Meal Plan of Kid-Friendly Dinners

Updated: Jan. 12, 2022

School has been especially stressful this year. Here are some fun dinners the whole family will look forward to all day.

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Sunday: Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese

Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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Monday: Cheeseburger Soup

A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn’t share its recipe with me. So I developed my own, modifying a recipe for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American treat turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
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Tuesday: PB&J French Toast

My grandpa made an awesome breakfast for us grandkids: French toast that started on the griddle as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.—Lindsey Folsom, Dorsey, Illinois
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Wednesday: Waffle-Iron Pizzas

These little pizza pockets are a fun mashup using the waffle iron. Try your favorite toppings or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs on this waffle pizza. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Thursday: Air-Fryer Pigs in a Poncho

For pigs in a blanket Mexican style, we add refried beans and green chiles. Spice it up even more with pepper jack, jalapenos and guacamole. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa
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Friday: Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
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Saturday: Fair-Favorite Corn Dogs

Bring the county fair home to your kitchen with these summer-ready corn dogs. A tip for dipping: Pour the batter in a tall Mason jar and dunk your dogs to create an even coating all around. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Find more 7-day meal plans.