20 Picky Eater Recipes That Anyone Will Enjoy

While some folks are choosy eaters, others are more adventurous with their palate. If you’re preparing a meal for someone who’s particular about their food, it’s helpful to understand their preferences and any dislikes. These recipes for picky eaters are perfect for those who are particular about what they eat. They’re straightforward, fuss-free recipes with tasty flavors that even the most discerning diners will enjoy.

Beef and Potato Bake

A meat and potato dish served in a bowl. — Beef and Potato Bake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This beef and potato bake is an easy, one pot meal that is filling and delicious, making it a great option for a busy weeknight dinner. With a layered potato topping, it’s a convenient dish that won’t create a lot of dirty dishes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Potato Bake

Heart Shaped Pizza

Indulge in a delightful homemade heart-shaped pizza with a crisp, golden crust, gooey cheese, and your favorite toppings. This simple recipe will win over your loved one’s heart with its delicious flavors and charming presentation.
Get the Recipe: Heart Shaped Pizza

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Picky Eater Recipes: A bowl of pasta with meat and tomatoes on a wooden table. — Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Swedish Meatballs

Ikeas meatballs being scooped from a casserole dish. — Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Try making these delicious copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs at home and enjoy the same great taste as the ones you find in the store.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

Meatball Marinara Subs

Meatball subs are in toasted buns on a tray. The Best easy dinner recipes. — Meatball Marinara Subs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs – a satisfying comfort food that’s perfect for lunch or busy weeknights. These sandwiches are far tastier than the fast-food version and are sure to please anyone, regardless of their Italian heritage.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs

Shoyu Chicken {Easy And Delicious}

Picky Eater Recipes: Tasty chicken thighs in a skillet with sauce. — Shoyu Chicken {Easy And Delicious}. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Shoyu Chicken is marinated in a soy, brown sugar marinade with a little bit of spice from the cayenne pepper. It’s easy to whip up the marinade in the morning, head off to work and saute the chicken in under 30 minutes when you get home.
Get the Recipe: Shoyu Chicken {Easy And Delicious}

Easy Balsamic Chicken

A picky eater recipe with chicken and tomatoes in it. — Easy Balsamic Chicken. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This easy balsamic chicken is a quick and easy one-pan dinner that can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. The tomatoes and balsamic vinegar make a delicious, savory, and tangy sauce for a gluten-free, filling family dinner everyone will enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Easy Balsamic Chicken

Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli (Gluten Free)

A bowl of beef and broccoli stir fry with chopsticks, perfect for picky eaters looking for a delicious and nutritious meal option. — Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli (Gluten Free). Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is loaded with tender beef and a sauce that is full of flavor. Made gluten free and super easy in the Instant Pot.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli (Gluten Free)

Honey Chicken

This Honey Chicken is tender chicken tossed in a skillet with butter, honey, garlic, fresh lemon juice, spices, and soy sauce. This Honey Lemon Chicken is a quick and easy 15-minute chicken dish.
Get the Recipe: Honey Chicken

Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Picky Eater Recipes: Macaroni and cheese in a white dish with a wooden spoon. — Baked Macaroni And Cheese. Photo credit: PinkWhen.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese made with “extra” cheese is that creamy goodness that you’ve been craving. Perfect size to indulge, or big enough to share!
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Oven Braised Meatball Stew

A bowl of hearty stew with tender potatoes and flavorful carrots, perfect for picky eater recipes. — Oven Braised Meatball Stew. Photo credit: Binky’s Carnival.

This oven meatball stew is a vintage recipe that is incredibly easy to make and totally delicious! It’s a complete meal in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Oven Braised Meatball Stew

Pasta With Peas And Ham

Picky Eater Recipes: Delicious pasta with ham and peas on a enticing white plate. — Pasta With Peas And Ham. Photo credit: Binky’s Carnival.

Pasta with peas and ham is a classic Italian dish that combines the savory flavors of ham with the sweetness of peas and the comfort of pasta. This simple and satisfying recipe is easy to make and perfect for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pasta With Peas And Ham

Twice-Baked Potatoes (4 Ways!)

Picky Eater Recipes: Cheesy potato wedges loaded with bacon and cheese. — Twice-Baked Potatoes (4 Ways!). Photo credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

Twice-baked potatoes made with 4 different flavor combinations! This easy recipe is a super tasty, naturally gluten-free side dish or appetizer for any occasion! Fluffy mashed potatoes are loaded with various add-ins, stuffed into a baked potato shell, and baked to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Twice-Baked Potatoes (4 Ways!)

Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs

Picky Eater Recipes - Delicious spaghetti with meatballs and sauce on a plate. — Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs. Photo credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

Baked in the oven or in an air fryer these easy, tender, and juicy gluten-free meatballs will be a hit whether you serve them as an appetizer, over a plate of spaghetti, or in a meatball sub. They take less than 30 minutes from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs

Dinner-Worthy Snack Board

A platter with carrots, celery, crackers and dip suitable for picky eaters. — Dinner-Worthy Snack Board. Photo credit: My Everyday Table.

Yes, we’re turning a snack plate into dinner! And why not? It’s quick and easy (ready in less than 10 minutes); balanced (with a variety of foods); and requires NO cooking (perfect for casual meals and outdoor picnics). Pull together a variety of ingredients and arrange on your snack board.
Get the Recipe: Dinner-Worthy Snack Board

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

A bowl of pasta with sauce and parmesan cheese offering a delicious option for picky eaters. — One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: My Everyday Table.

You won’t believe this creamy tomato pasta! It’s rich and creamy (without using a lot of cream!), incredibly easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and totally yummy.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

Sauteed Julienned Carrots In Maple Thyme Glaze

Picky Eater Recipe: Skillet-roasted carrots on a towel. — Sauteed Julienned Carrots In Maple Thyme Glaze. Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

Maple glazed julienned carrots are such an elegant and delicious side dish to add to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They are easy to prepare and fit most diets. These sauteed carrots will surely be a real crowd-pleaser not just among adults, but among kids as well.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Julienned Carrots In Maple Thyme Glaze

Purple Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding

A delightful bowl of chocolate pudding with a handful of berries, perfectly accompanied by a shiny spoon. This indulgent treat is sure to please even the pickiest eaters with its rich and creamy — Purple Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding (Vegan, Paleo). Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

It is a 5-ingredient vegan chocolate pudding recipe that is rich, creamy, and decadent. Instead of tofu, avocado, banana, or coconut cream, the secret ingredient is purple sweet potatoes (yams). You’ll see it gives a wonderful chestnutty flavor to it compared to orange sweet potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Purple Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding

Crispy Red Lentil Protein Waffles

A stack of waffles with fresh berries and a drizzle of syrup for picky eaters. — Crispy Red Lentil Protein Waffles (Vegan, Gluten-Free). Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

Are you looking for a delicious and crispy waffle recipe without eggs, or dairy, but with naturally added protein? These vegan waffles are no ordinary ones, as they contain high-protein red lentils instead of protein powder. The best part is that the taste of the red lentils in these waffles is absolutely hidden.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Red Lentil Protein Waffles

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole combines elbow macaroni, ground beef, and bacon along with cheddar and mozzarella for a hearty weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole