Mini pumpkin frittatas
Rebecca Searles, the founder of Family Garden Life, knows just what it takes to get kids to eat vegetables. Add her pumpkin frittata recipe to your repertoire for family dinners. Source: kidspot
Sweet potato and broccoli frittata
To disguise the broccoli in this frittata and please fussy eaters, slice large florets with a mandolin so the 'green' slices are as thin as the sweet potato ones are. Source: kidspot and Australian Sweet Potatoes
Healthy apple pie bites
This tasty treat, like an apple pie sandwich, can be assembled by the kids as a fun party activity. The ingredients used to make it are lower in fat, sugar and salt than a traditional apple pie. Source: kidspot
Lunch box meatballs
These meatballs are perfect for the kid's lunchboxes, as well as an addition to soup, a bowl of chilli con carne or a tomato passata with spaghetti. Cook once, eat twice! Source: kidspot
Japanese rice balls
Use up whatever you have leftover in the fridge in these easy rice balls. They're a great snack and perfect for lunch boxes. Source: kidspot
Broccoli, pea and potato puree
s your bub a little apprehensive when it comes to eating broccoli? This delish broccoli, pea and potato puree should change all that! Try it and you may be pleasantly surprised. Source: kidspot
Annabel Karmel's star burger patties
Fancy a family burger night? Well, you’re in luck as my Mini Star Burgers are suitable for the whole family and packed with all-important iron too! Source: kidspot and Annabel Karmel
Annabel Karmel's sweet potato and carrot waffles
I’ve given this traditional sweet treat a nutritious makeover by using grated carrot and sweet potato, but little ones will still lap them up! Source: kidspot & Annabel Karmel
Mini ham and zucchini quiches
Little quiches are the ideal food for little hands to hold, making these mini quiches the perfect recipe to pack into school lunch boxes. Cook them the night before or make ahead and freeze. Pack 2-3 of them with some carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes for a wholesome lunch. Not just for lunch boxes, you can also serve these delicious quiches at your next picnic or as finger food for a casual party. We love how versatile the recipe is, easily swap the zucchini for grated or chopped mushroom, the ham for crispy bacon, or serve them with a dollop of sour cream or pesto. Source: kidspot and Greer Worsley
Mini banana muffins with yoghurt topping
These moist mini banana muffins are toddler size and have a delicious topping that everybody will love. Source: kidspot and Jennifer Cheung
Pumpkin-spiced quinoa balls
This simple finger food is all-natural, with a subtle hint of spice and little pops of texture to excite your baby. Source: kidspot, One Handed Cooks cookbook
Mini egg and bacon pies
Made using Bega Farmers' Tasty Cheese, these pies are the perfect thing to whip up when you need finger food at any party - whether it's for adults or kids. Source: kidspot
Mini calzones with spinach
Looking to up your family's veggie intake? These delicious folded and veggie-packed, pizzas will be gobbled up as soon as you serve them. Source: kidspot and Devondale
Beetroot bliss balls
This is a really clever way to disguise beetroot, a rich source of vitamin C, fibre and cancer-fighting phytonutrients. Source: kidspot
Mini baked bean muffins
Mini muffins make a great snack for young children on the go or, as a lightweight snack for teenagers before sport. They're also great to pass around as a quick bite with drinks or at family gatherings. Source: kidspot
Pork and quinoa balls with sweet chilli sauce
Eat these pork and quinoa balls straight out of the oven or keep in the fridge for quick lunches. Source: kidspot
Apple, pear and cinnamon puree
The two best fruit starters come together with a little bonus flavour: cinnamon. Try Gala, Fuji or Pink Lady apples and Nashi pears. If a pear is totally ripe it won’t need cooking at all. Both are great sources of fibre and vitamin C. Pears are especially good for constipated babies. Source: kidspot
Easy apple and mango puree recipe babies love
Packed with vitamins A, B and C, iron, potassium and protein, mangoes are a sweet-tasting treat that are good for babies. Mix with simple, well-loved apple puree for a fruity surprise (check recipe notes for tips about this recipe). Source: kidspot
Pear and apricot puree
Fruit purees make excellent first foods for baby - and your little one is going to love this sweet combination of pear and apricot. You can use fresh ripe apricots when they're in season or try them canned in their own juice. Source: kidspot
Green bean, pea and potato puree
The highly popular peas and mash with another green friend: beans. Easy to make, it’s a great way to add more calcium, vitamin C and vitamin K to baby’s diet. Source: kidspot
Healthy fruit puree recipe perfect for babies
After rice cereal, a fruit puree is the best first food for your baby. Simply cook a little apple or pear until soft and then puree the cooked fruit until it is completely smooth. Source: kidspot
Healthy sweet potato and pear puree
This sweet potato and pear puree is a great first food for babies thanks to its sweet taste and soft texture. The deliberate pairing of sweet potato with pear for a delightful taste experience! Source: kidspot
Sweet potato, zucchini and egg puree
Freeze this puree before adding the egg to have a simple dinner ready for the baby any night of the week. Just add a fresh egg before serving. Source: kidspot
Sweet vegetable puree babies will love
Some favourite flavours all mashed together make a nutritious and tasty dinner for little ones. A great source of dietary fibre and vitamins C and A. Source: kidspot
Homemade yoghurt
Here is a way to make creamy natural yoghurt at home for your baby and avoid all the additives and preservatives that some some store-bought yoghurts contain. It's an easy, budget recipe and full of active cultures that are great for little tummies. Source: kidspot
Sweet and savoury sweetcorn and avocado puree
A nice blend of sweet and savoury - corn and avocado is an ideal combo for dinner! Make sure the kernels are pureed and aren't left whole (see recipe notes). If using an uncleaned corn cob, make sure you remove the husks and silk before proceeding with the recipe. Source: kidspot
Creamy banana and avocado puree
A simple combination that can be made fresh anywhere at anytime thanks to both ingredients’ easy mashability - no blender required. Source: kidspot
Nutritious pear and rice cereal
This baby puree made from pears and rice cereal is a really nutritious meal for your baby. You can add this to your list of tasty first foods. Source: kidspot
Quick and easy pear, peach and banana puree
A little bit tropical, this combo is a triple hit of fibre, potassium and vitamin C. A frozen cube stuffed into a fruit net will also help alleviate teething pain. Source: kidspot
Easy apple and raspberry puree
These two fruits make great mixers with other foods and also taste great together. By pureeing separately and freezing, you can use in other dishes or stir together to make this puree. Source: kidspot
Green goodness: pea and zucchini puree
A bright green no baby could resist, this puree tastes great mixed with a little bit of mashed potato too. Full of protein, folate and vitamin A. Source: kidspot
Sausage and spinach lasagne
Leftover sausages? Turn them into lasagne. The rich tomato and spinach sauce, combined with a creamy bechamel topping, makes for a tasty twist on an old favourite. Source: kidspot
Pumpkin and spinach risotto
A meal fit for the whole family. Make a large batch and puree a portion for baby. Source: kidspot
Pumpkin and potato mash
This is a lovely smooth puree that your baby will be gobbling up in no time! Try and use butternut pumpkin if you can because it is a sweeter, creamier-tasting pumpkin and great for babies. Source: kidspot
BBQ hoisin and honey chicken
Here’s an easy Asian-style chicken dish that’s kid-friendly and a breeze to prepare. Even better, you can cook it on the barbecue for that delicious char-grilled flavour, and any leftovers will make great lunch box fillers the next day. Source: kidspot
Chicken, corn and avocado
Favourite flavours all come together to create a delicious dinner in puree form. Finely grated chicken, rather than smooth puree, introduces a little texture. Source: kidspot
Tuna and creamed corn macaroni
This delish tuna and creamed corn macaroni is fab for babies who are ready to try eating lumpier food. It's a great first step after the puree stage. It's lovely and creamy without being too rich. Yum! Source: kidspot
Baby's first vegetable purees
These purees are your baby's very first tastes of solid food and should be served one at a time to introduce new taste sensations gradually. Pureed vegetables are the next step on from rice cereal. Source: kidspot
Beetroot and potato puree
Tasty, colourful and filled with goodness, this puree is great for babies or as a dip for toddlers. Also a great afternoon snack for the whole family when served with pita bread, carrots, celery or crackers. Don’t forget your gloves and apron - beetroot is a notorious stainer-of-everything! Source: kidspot
Naturally sweet and healthy baby's first apple puree
After rice cereal, fruit purees are baby's next step in new taste sensations. Naturally sweet, apple puree is easy to make and healthy for your baby, either by itself or mixed into rice cereal. Source: kidspot
Apricot chicken and sweet potato puree for babies
An adult fave made just for baby. This combo of fruit and chicken is made milder with sweet potato and is a great source of vitamins A and C. Source: kidspot
Baby porridge
Porridge is a highly nutritional breakfast no matter how old you are and it can easily be made into a smooth puree so it taste delicious for baby, too. Source: kidspot
Simple pumpkin soup
This pumpkin soup is a family favourite. Full of the flavour of roast pumpkin, it is perfect with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives alongside some crusty bread. Source: kidspot
Simple chicken fried rice
This chicken fried rice is a great quick kids' dinner when you want to use up leftover veggies in the fridge and have some BBQ chicken to hand too! Some quick chopping action and frying pan is all that's needed to get this tasty meal on the table in minutes! Source: kidspot
Panfried tuna and white bean cakes
A twist on old-fashioned fish cakes, these yummy little patties are creamy on the inside, and crispy on the outside and most of the ingredients should be on hand in the pantry. Source: kidspot
Meatloaf cupcakes
These delicious meatloaf cupcakes are topped with a cheesy mash potato swirl that is packed full of flavour and will have every child digging in! Source: kidspot
Slow cooked roast beef
This slow cooked roast beef is so juicy and tender it may just fall apart when you're slicing it! We've cooked it in an oven bag for ease and it also helps with the washing up. The delicious lemon, herb and garlic marinade also works well with chicken and lamb. Love a bit of heat? Why not add some dried chilli flakes or chopped fresh chilli to the marinade to add that extra bit of kick to your dinner. Source: kidspot
Classic curried egg salad
Curried egg salad and curried egg sandwiches are such classic Australian recipes and we think this recipe is the best of them all! It's got your regular curry powder and mayonnaise in it, but it also has a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice to cut through the richness of the other ingredients. If the salad on it's own or topped on bread isn't your thing, you can easily serve the curried egg mixture in lettuce cups or even on steamed rice. Source: kidspot
Scrambled egg tacos
We love this great twist on classic tacos and using scrambled eggs as the main source of protein makes them a wonderful dinner for vegetarians. They also make an ideal lunch box filler and you can mix up the vegetables to suit your child's favourites to encourage them to eat more veggies! Source: kidspot
Easy Italian beef burgers
Sick of the old 'regular' beef burgers? Try these easy and simple Italian based ones! Use any type of rolls or bread you like, and serve them with fries or polenta chips (see recipe notes for a link to our polenta chip recipe). Source: kidspot
Mexi pies
These yummy pies use up left over chilli con carne to whip up an easy midweek dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Make life even simpler by using frozen pastry. Job done! Source: kidspot
One-pot orzo pasta and cheatballs
Orzo pasta (also known as risoni) is a rice-shaped pasta that's suitable to be cooked absorption style, just like a risotto. This recipe uses sausages to make meatballs in speedy fashion which makes this recipe not only a time-saver, but also a great budget beater. Source: kidspot
Lentil and lemon soup
It's hard to believe that this simple combination of ingredients can result in such a tasty soup. Just a few basic vegetables, lentils, some water and seasoning and this nutritious, flavoursome soup will make the perfect weekday meal. Source: kidspot
Lentil bolognese
This lentil bolognese is packed full of vegetables. Keep it for Meat-free Monday or just use it when you need to whip up a meal from pantry ingredients. Source: kidspot
Macaroni cheese
There's nothing simpler to make - or more comforting to eat - than macaroni and cheese. Serve on its own for an easy Sunday dinner or as a side dish with a barbecue and a fresh green salad. Source: kidspot
Oven baked risotto
This tomato risotto recipe is super easy because not only is it oven-baked (so no stirring required!) - you can toss all the ingredients into the pot at the beginning and let the oven take care of the rest! Just add a handful of grated parmesan cheese before serving. Simple. Source: kidspot
Sweet soy beef lettuce cups
A fun hands-on dish that will be a family favourite before you know it. Source: kidspot
Quick glazed salmon
You can have this quick glazed salmon on the table in 20 minutes. Its simple Asian flavours are healthy and fresh and we could all do with more fish in our diet. Source: kidspot
Slow roasted tomatoes
These delicious slow roasted tomatoes are packed full of delicious concentrated flavour. Roast them for as long as you can wait! Source: kidspot
Tomato soup with pesto and risoni
Tomatoes and pesto are a marriage made in heaven. Risoni is a type of pasta that looks like large grains of rice. Put all three together and you have an easy, healthy and filling soup. Source: kidspot
3 ingredient pulled pork
This 3 ingredient pulled pork has a deliciously smokey and sweet flavour and is a great meal to feed a crowd. Serve it up in soft rolls with a delicious coleslaw. Source: kidspot
Beef casserole
Make this hearty casserole with chuck steak as the long, slow cooking tenderises the beef until it's melt-in-the-mouth tender. Plenty of veggies means all you need to serve this with, is some crusty bread or creamy mash! Source: kidspot
Curried mince
This curried mince recipe is full of vegetables and has the added surprise of pineapple. The sweet and sour flavours are carried well by the beef and even the fussiest eaters will love this. Source: kidspot
Potato pancakes (Mock fish)
Mock fish is a very old-fashioned dish that my mother used to make on Good Friday. It is easy on the budget and makes a Sunday night quick dinner. You can also pop them into lunchboxes cold. Source: kidspot
Paris mashed potato
Milk, cream and butter are what make this mashed potato extra special. Just remember to warm them first so you get the creamiest and yummiest mash around! Source: kidspot
Veggie topped flatbread pizza
Always handy to have flat bread in the freezer for pizzas, wraps or dipping. The kids love these easy pizzas. Source: kidspot
Roast pumpkin, tomato and feta pasta
Tomatoes don’t always need to be the star when it comes to pasta sauce. Add some delicious slow-roasted pumpkin and feta, give it all a quick whizz in the blender, and you’ve got yourself an easy new pasta in your repertoire that the whole family will love. Source: kidspot
Mighty miso and sea vegetable soup
Sea vegetables boast a huge number of benefits for all ages. Add this simple Japanese soup to your regular meal routine to help make your family healthy from the inside out. Source: kidspot
Easy homemade tortillas
This is a great recipe to get the kids involved in. They'll love mixing the simple dough, then rolling it out to make yummy tortillas hot from the pan ready for making their favourite Mexican. Yum! Source: kidspot
Mini meatloaves
These little meatloaves are made with beef mince and topped with mustard, cheese and tomato sauce. Kids will love the mini portions. Any leftovers can be sliced and popped in sambos for their lunch boxes the next day. Source: kidspot
Beef and vegetable dinner
This beef and vegetable dinner is one of the easiest ways to introduce meat to your baby. By cooking it simply and then pureeing it with cooked vegetables, you will have a delicious puree that baby will find easy to eat. Source: kidspot
Garlic bread topped Mexican beef mince bake
This mouth-watering bake is a flavourful and satisfying dish that's quick to prepare yet delivers big on taste. With a total cooking time of just 35 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknight dinners or when you're craving a hearty, comforting meal. The showstopper is the brioche slider rolls, brushed with a garlic-infused melted butter mixture. Placed on top of the cheesy beef filling, they crisp up beautifully in the oven, creating a golden and aromatic garlic bread lid that perfectly complements the rich and flavourful filling beneath. This delightful fusion is sure to become a favourite in your dinner rotation. Source: kidspot
Creamy corn puree
Until recently, it was advised that babies wait until they were 12 months old before introducing them to corn, due to the potential for allergies. Happily, this advice has changed and babies as young as six months old can enjoy pureed sweet corn - a great veggie to mix with chicken and other veggies such as carrot, sweet potato or pumpkin. If your child has a history of eczema, asthma or other food allergies, ask your doctor first. And don’t feed whole kernels until they’re around 12 months old. Source: kidspot
Salmon cakes
These golden, crunchy salmon cakes are simple, tasty and really easy to prepare. Best of all they are made from pantry staples, making them a wonderful budget-friendly dinner. Another great reason to make these salmon cakes is that you can add any leftover ingredients that you have in the fridge like: fresh herbs (parsley, dill and coriander work well), finely grated lemon rind, chopped chilli, capers, garlic or even some wholegrain mustard. Got a pantry stocked with lots of herbs and spices? Why not add some dried Italian herbs, smoked paprika, lemon pepper seasoning or Mexican chilli powder. Not just for dinner, send these tasty patties off too school with the kids in their chilled lunch box for a wonderful change to their usual sandwich. Source: kidspot
Nutrient-rich broccoli, pea and pear puree
High in vitamin C and fibre, broccoli is a good green veg for older babies as it can cause a bit of gas in little ones. Blended with peas and pear for sweetness this puree makes a great addition to plain vegetable versions. Source: kidspot
Alla Norma pasta bake
Pasta alla Norma is a delicious Sicilian pasta dish with eggplant, tomato sauce and basil. The eggplant is filling and great for a vegetarian weeknight dinner option. Barilla is fighting food waste in Australia and giving pasta a second life through delicious recipes like this one. Source: kidspot
Simple shepherd's pie
Shepherd's Pie is a terrific one-dish dinner your whole family will love. With a rich cooked mince full of bacon, mushrooms and peas covered with creamy mashed potato, it's the perfect meal for a cold winter's night. Source: kidspot
Baked stuffed tomatoes
These tomatoes make a great light meal served on their own, with a little bread or even with some olives and a piece of good feta." -Adam Liaw. Needing some vegetarian or vegan inspiration? These delicious rice-stuffed tomatoes are a wonderful tummy-filler for both kids and adults. Wanting to add some meat? Check out the notes at the end of the recipe for Adam's suggestion. Recipe from: 7 Days of Dinner by Adam Liaw, published by Hardie Grant Books. Source: kidspot
Mexican chicken
This recipe uses wonderful pantry staples to create a really tasty and surprisingly easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. The delicious creamy sauce comes from the addition of sour cream and the depth of flavour comes from the two convenience products - bottled salsa and taco seasoning mix! Served on steamed rice, why not add some cheeky corn chips on top for a delicious crunch. Not sure how to make a good guacamole? All you need to do is mash the avocado with some lime juice, salt and pepper. If you want a bit of a kick to the guac, add some chopped fresh chilli or dried chilli flakes. Source: kidspot
