Kid Friendly Casseroles

Published March 6, 2018
Baked macaroni and cheese casserole

Making casseroles your kids will love isn't always an easy task. That's why having the right kid-friendly casserole recipes on hand is a must when you're a parent. The following dishes are nutritious, delicious, and will get two thumbs up from your little ones.

Canadian Bacon Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a kid-friendly favorite, which is why this Canadian bacon mac and cheese dish will leave your kids begging for seconds. Plus, you can sneak in veggies without the little ones complaining. Serves eight.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces noodles, cooked and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups Canadian bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups cooked green peas
  • 2 10-ounce cans condensed cream of cheddar soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
  3. Stir in Canadian bacon, peas, soup, milk, butter, seasonings, parmesan cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  4. Place mixture into greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  5. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake casserole at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Carrot Apricot Oatmeal Casserole

Getting kids to eat veggies can be a daunting task, but sweetening carrots up naturally with fruit makes this dish a hit among young and old alike. Feel free to substitute for different nuts, seeds and fruit if you prefer. Serves eight to 10.

Ingredients

  • Apricot oatmeal casserole
    4 large apricots, sliced
  • 2 cups carrots, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup brown rice, cooked
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup shelled pistachios
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Roast carrots with olive oil on a baking sheet for 20 minutes.
  3. Blend carrots and apricots in a blender with eggs, coconut milk, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and spices until smooth.
  4. Cook rice according to package instructions.
  5. Mix rice with carrot mixture in a large bowl until well combined.
  6. In a separate small bowl, combine nuts, seeds, oats, honey and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil until evenly coated.
  7. Place carrot and rice mixture in a greased 9 X 13 baking dish.
  8. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle nut, seed and oats topping on the casserole, and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Avocado Broccoli Bacon Casserole

This kid-friendly dish is loaded with protein, veggies and healthy fats. The ooey-gooey cheese will have little ones coming back for more. Serves six to eight.

Ingredients

  • Avocado broccoli casserole
    6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 avocado, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup cooked broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup cooked turkey bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a medium-sized bowl.
  3. Add cheese, avocado and broccoli; stir well.
  4. Spray pie pan with cooking spray.
  5. Add egg mixture to the pan.
  6. Sprinkle bacon bits on top.
  7. Bake for at 350 degrees Fahrenheit 30 minutes, let cool for 5 minutes, and enjoy!

Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole

Most kids love tater tots, so this recipe is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground hamburger meat
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 bag tater tots
  • Shredded cheese of your choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Brown hamburger meat in medium-sized skillet.
  3. Combine ground beef with soup and stir together continuously.
  4. Heat over low heat for approximately 15 minutes.
  5. Place mixture in a casserole dish and cover with tater tots.
  6. Place casserole in oven until tater tots are light brown.
  7. Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle with cheese. Place casserole back in oven briefly to melt the cheese.

Choosing Casserole for Kids

Not all kids are excited when you talk about serving casserole for dinner, but this doesn't have to be the case if you pick the right recipes. Meet children's nutrition needs and gain high fives when choosing fun and delicious casseroles for lunch or dinner.

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Kid Friendly Casseroles