This blog post provides parents in Australia creative and delicious toddler recipes. With fourteen different meal options, parents can provide variety in their children’s diets without compromising on taste. Pick from classic childhood favourites like mac and cheese, to creative options like vegetable soup, and make sure your child’s favourite meal is healthy and delicious. With these recipes, parents in Australia can enjoy mealtime with their children without the hassle.

Trying to ensure you children’s nutritional requirements are met, while also ensuring that dinners aren’t just a series of plain chicken nuggets and pasta with tomato sauce can be overwhelming for parents. Here, I’ve compiled a list of fortfoureen delicious dinners your kids will love.

Recipe One: Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is an all-time favourite for kids and adults alike. To make this ever-popular dish, all you need is cheese, macaroni, butter, milk, and flour.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 pound macaroni

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions, and drain.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Slowly stir in flour, and cook until lightly browned.
4. Slowly pour in milk, and cook until sauce thickens, stirring constantly.
5. Add cheese, and cook until melted.
6. Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce.
7. Stir until combined.
8. Serve warm.

Recipe Two: Fish Sticks

Fish sticks are a great way to get your kids to eat fish, as the crispy coating makes them extra delicious. This recipe is simple to make and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 lbs fish fillets, cut into strips
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the fish strips in the egg batter, and coat evenly.
4. Place the panko bread crumbs on a plate.
5. Dip each fish strip in the panko, and coat evenly.
6. Place the fish strips onto a greased baking sheet.
7. Drizzle the fish strips with vegetable oil.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until fish is golden brown.
9. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Recipe Three: Veggie Meatball Subs

Veggie meatballs are a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies without them even noticing! This meatball sub sandwich is perfect for lunch or dinner, and the kids are sure to love it.

Ingredients:

• 1 package veggie meatballs
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 4-6 rolls

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place veggie meatballs in a baking dish.
3. In a bowl, combine tomato sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
4. Pour the sauce over the veggie meatballs.
5. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the veggie meatballs.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
7. Place on rolls and serve.

Recipe Four: Mini Pizza Bites

This dinner idea is great for busy nights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend cooking. Your kids will love making their own mini pizzas, and it’s a great way to get them involved in the cooking process.

Ingredients:

• 1 package pre-made pizza dough
• 1-1 ½ cups pizza sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• Assorted Pizza toppings (pepperoni, vegetables, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface.
3. Using a cookie cutter, cut out large circles in the dough.
4. Place circles on a greased baking sheet.
5. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each circle.
6. Sprinkle the tops with mozzarella cheese.
7. Top with desired pizza toppings.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Serve warm.

Recipe Five: Baked Ravioli

This ravioli bake recipe is delicious and easy to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend cooking.

Ingredients:

• 1 package frozen cheese ravioli
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Arrange the frozen ravioli in an even layer in the baking dish.
4. Spread the ricotta cheese over the ravioli.
5. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top.
6. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top.
7. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top.
8. Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs over the cheese.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Serve warm.

Recipe Six: Cheesy Taco Bake

Taco night just got a whole lot easier (and cheesier!) with this cheesy taco bake. It’s sure to become a family favourite.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups cooked taco-seasoned ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 package taco shells
• 1 can refried beans
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and cooked through.
4. Arrange taco shells in the bottom of the baking dish.
5. Spread refried beans over the taco shells.
6. Spread the cooked beef and onion over the beans.
7. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.
8. Pour the diced tomatoes and salsa over the cheese.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe Seven: Chicken Alfredo

This Creamy Chicken Alfredo recipe is like going out to eat without all the expensive. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 1 package fettuccine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup frozen peas
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook fettuccine according to package directions, and drain.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, and bring to a simmer.
5. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce heat to low and add chicken, parmesan cheese, peas, and cooked fettuccine.
6. Mix until everything is well combined.
7. Simmer until sauce is thick and creamy, stirring occasionally.
8. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
9. Serve warm.

Recipe Eight: Baked Salmon

This oven-baked salmon is simple to make and is loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Place salmon fillet in the baking dish.
4. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the butter mixture over the salmon.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through.
7. Serve warm.

Recipe Nine: Broccoli and Cheese Bake

This cheesy broccoli bake is a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies without any complaints. Plus, its ready in just 30 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 2 heads broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Place the broccoli florets in the baking dish.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic.
5. Toss to combine.
6. In a small bowl, combine the cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
7. Pour the cheese mixture over the broccoli and toss to combine.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Serve warm

Recipe Ten: Sloppy Joe

This classic comfort dish is always a hit with kids. Plus, it’s ready in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 buns

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and green pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
4. Drain the fat and return the beef to the skillet.
5. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to the beef.
6. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
7. Serve on toasted buns.

Recipe Eleven: Shepherd’s Pie

This Shepherd’s Pie is packed with veggies and full of flavour. It’s the perfect way to sneak some veggies into your kid’s dinner without them even noticing.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Mashed potatoes, for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add the onion and carrots, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the tomato paste and frozen peas, and cook for 1 minute.
6. Add the chicken, and cook until heated through.
7. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken mixture.
8. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
9. Whisk in the flour, and cook until lightly browned.
10. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, and cook until thickened.
11. Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture.
12. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top.
13. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
14. Serve warm.

Recipe Twelve: Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas

Who doesn’t love pizza? These pepperoni pizza quesadillas are a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies, and they’re sure to love it!

Ingredients:

• 8-10 soft flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup diced peppers
• 1 cup diced mushrooms
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced pepperoni
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Marinara sauce, for dipping

Instructions:

1. Grease a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Place one tortilla flat in the skillet.
3. Sprinkle the cheese, peppers, mushrooms, onion, and pepperoni over the tortilla.
4. Top with another tortilla.
5. Drizzle olive oil over the top.
6. Flip the quesadilla over, and cook until golden brown.
7. Flip the quesadilla over and cook until the other side is golden brown.
8. Slice into wedges, and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Recipe Thirteen: Fish Tacos

These fish tacos are light and flavourful. And the best part is that you don’t even have to turn on the stove - just pop them in the oven and dinner is served!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs fish fillets
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• 12-15 soft flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 cup diced peppers
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Place fish fillets in the baking dish.
4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the fish fillets.
5. Spread salsa over the fish.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until fish is cooked through.
7. Remove from oven.
8. Grease a large skillet over medium-high heat.
9. Place one tortilla flat in the skillet.
10. Sprinkle the cheese, peppers, and onion over the top.
11. Place the cooked fish on the tortilla.
12. Top with another tortilla.
13. Drizzle with olive oil.
14. Flip the quesadilla over and cook until both sides are golden brown.
15. Slice into wedges, and serve with your favourite toppings.

Recipe Fourteen: Chicken Fajitas

This easy chicken fajita recipe is sure to be a hit with your kids. Serve it with your favourite toppings, and dinner is ready in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 green pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 lb chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 8-10 soft flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup diced tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the peppers, onion, and chicken, and cook until chicken is cooked through.
3. Add fajita seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
4. Grease a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Place one tortilla flat in the skillet.
6. Sprinkle cheese, tomatoes, and chicken mixture over the top.
7. Top with another tortilla.
8. Drizzle olive oil over the top.
9. Flip the quesadilla over and cook until both sides are golden brown.
10. Slice into wedges, and serve with your favourite toppings.