Wondering what to cook for your toddler tonight? Get inspired with our round-up of toddler meal ideas from around the world.
To tempt your little one’s tastebuds, we've chosen dishes that are colourful as well as delicious. They’re simple to make, and above all, provide a range of nutrients that your toddler needs to develop healthily.
A three-sectioned plate with tomato and cheese pasta, banana chunks and cubed cucumber.
1 / 12
Tomato sauce and pasta
This is a classic favourite with toddlers everywhere, pleasing even the fussiest of eaters. Top with grated cheese and serve with cucumber chunks and banana slices for an all-round balanced meal.
If you have time, why not make your own pasta sauce with lots of extra fresh vegetables? If you prefer to use ready-made sauces, look for ones made especially for children, with no added salt.
A three-sectioned plate featuring roast chicken, cubed cheese and slices strawberries and kiwi.
2 / 12
Roast chicken
Even toddlers who aren't keen on meat are often happy to tuck into roast chicken. Serve with chunks of cheese for calcium, and strawberry and kiwi slices for vitamins and minerals.
To bring even more variety to your toddler's mealtimes, try cooking the chicken with different seasonings, such as ginger, garlic, lemon or herbs. Or try adding a tablespoon of tinned sweetcorn for extra colour and fibre.
Three-sectioned plate filled with meatballs, cherry tomatoes, slices of apple and roasted butternut squash.
3 / 12
Meatballs
Frozen meatballs can rescue any dinner dilemma in minutes. Serve with roasted root veggies, halved cherry tomatoes and green apple slices for a colourful meal to please even the pickiest of palates.
Meatballs are surprisingly quick and easy to make at home, and keep well in the freezer. Experiment with different ingredients, such as pork and apple or chicken and lemon.
Three-sectioned plate filled with orange, peas and potatoes and roasted chicken.
4 / 12
Last night's leftovers
Save money and cut down on waste by creating delicious meals from leftover food. Reheated meat, veg and potatoes are just as tasty as they were the night before, and a simple way to put together a meal in minutes. Add fresh fruit such as orange slices for an extra dose of vitamins.
Three-sectioned plate filled with avocado on toast, berries and roasted courgette.
5 / 12
Hummus on toast
Hummus and avocado are both packed with goodness. Together they make a delicious flavour combination that the whole family can enjoy, though your toddler may prefer his avocado on the side, rather than on the toast. Serve with roast courgette, tzatziki dip, and mixed berries for a complete and varied meal. For younger toddlers, cut any large berries in half to reduce the risk of choking.
Three-sectioned plate filled with tuna on toast, carrots, slices of apple and a pot of yoghurt.
6 / 12
Tuna mayo
Stir some mayonnaise through tinned tuna and smear on half a toasted muffin or crumpet for a quick snack in seconds. Serve with chopped carrots, apple slices and a yoghurt pot for a well-balanced and nutritious meal.
Tuna mayo is wonderfully versatile, working brilliantly in sandwiches, jacket potatoes and salads. It's also a great way to help make sure your family's getting enough fish.
Three-sectioned plate filled with rice and black beans, chopped avocado and cubes of cheese.
7 / 12
Rice and black beans
Add a little Caribbean flavour to your child's plate with the traditional favourite of rice and black beans. Serve with a dollop of tomato salsa for extra flavour, and a serving of avocado and cheese to round off the meal.
This dish can be a bit messier than others, but it's a great way to encourage your little one to explore new textures and flavours.
Three-sectioned plate filled with frittata, wholegrain .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers and strawberries and kiwi.
8 / 12
Frittata
A Spanish frittata is the perfect way to serve up leftover meat and veg. Serve with fresh fruit salad and wholegrain .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers for a hearty Mediterranean meal.
Frittatas are quick and easy to make on the hob. Or simply throw veg such as halved cherry tomatoes and cooked broccoli into a shallow dish, cover with beaten egg, and blast in the microwave for a few minutes until fully cooked.
Three-sectioned plate filled with pepper, cheese and bean quesadillas, red pepper and dates.
9 / 12
Quesadilla
Mexican quesadillas make a great alternative to sandwiches. Simply load a tortilla with cheese and cooked beans, then roll up and slice into pinwheels that are fun for tiny fingers to hold.
Finish off the meal with a tub of sour cream dip, crunchy red pepper sticks, and sweet, sticky raisins or dates.
Three-sectioned plate filled with shepherd's pie, green beans and dried apricots.
10 / 12
One-pot meals
Meals such as shepherd's pie, casseroles, stews and lasagne are perfect to cook in big batches. You can then keep individual portions in the freezer for whenever you need a quick dinner option.
Try serving one-pot meals with extra veg on the side, and a handful of dried fruit to finish, for a simple yet satisfying supper.
Three-sectioned plate filled with peas and ham-fried rice and crispy kale chips.
11 / 12
Asian cuisine
Take inspiration from the East and expand your little one's palate with this tempting flavour combination. Ham-fried rice combines tried-and-tested favourites in a new way. Serve with steamed greens, or if you're feeling adventurous, crispy kale chips baked with a little sesame oil.
Three-sectioned plate filled with tomato and vegetable soup, .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers and apple puree.
12 / 12
Veggie soup
Vegetable soup can be messy, but it's a great way to persuade your little one to eat a range of different vegetables at once. Add pasta to give your little one extra energy, and serve with .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers and no-added-sugar apple puree.
Wondering exactly how much your little one should be eating at each meal? Check out our portion sizes for toddlers
To tempt your little one’s tastebuds, we've chosen dishes that are colourful as well as delicious. They’re simple to make, and above all, provide a range of nutrients that your toddler needs to develop healthily.
A three-sectioned plate with tomato and cheese pasta, banana chunks and cubed cucumber.
1 / 12
Tomato sauce and pasta
This is a classic favourite with toddlers everywhere, pleasing even the fussiest of eaters. Top with grated cheese and serve with cucumber chunks and banana slices for an all-round balanced meal.
If you have time, why not make your own pasta sauce with lots of extra fresh vegetables? If you prefer to use ready-made sauces, look for ones made especially for children, with no added salt.
A three-sectioned plate featuring roast chicken, cubed cheese and slices strawberries and kiwi.
2 / 12
Roast chicken
Even toddlers who aren't keen on meat are often happy to tuck into roast chicken. Serve with chunks of cheese for calcium, and strawberry and kiwi slices for vitamins and minerals.
To bring even more variety to your toddler's mealtimes, try cooking the chicken with different seasonings, such as ginger, garlic, lemon or herbs. Or try adding a tablespoon of tinned sweetcorn for extra colour and fibre.
Three-sectioned plate filled with meatballs, cherry tomatoes, slices of apple and roasted butternut squash.
3 / 12
Meatballs
Frozen meatballs can rescue any dinner dilemma in minutes. Serve with roasted root veggies, halved cherry tomatoes and green apple slices for a colourful meal to please even the pickiest of palates.
Meatballs are surprisingly quick and easy to make at home, and keep well in the freezer. Experiment with different ingredients, such as pork and apple or chicken and lemon.
Three-sectioned plate filled with orange, peas and potatoes and roasted chicken.
4 / 12
Last night's leftovers
Save money and cut down on waste by creating delicious meals from leftover food. Reheated meat, veg and potatoes are just as tasty as they were the night before, and a simple way to put together a meal in minutes. Add fresh fruit such as orange slices for an extra dose of vitamins.
Three-sectioned plate filled with avocado on toast, berries and roasted courgette.
5 / 12
Hummus on toast
Hummus and avocado are both packed with goodness. Together they make a delicious flavour combination that the whole family can enjoy, though your toddler may prefer his avocado on the side, rather than on the toast. Serve with roast courgette, tzatziki dip, and mixed berries for a complete and varied meal. For younger toddlers, cut any large berries in half to reduce the risk of choking.
Three-sectioned plate filled with tuna on toast, carrots, slices of apple and a pot of yoghurt.
6 / 12
Tuna mayo
Stir some mayonnaise through tinned tuna and smear on half a toasted muffin or crumpet for a quick snack in seconds. Serve with chopped carrots, apple slices and a yoghurt pot for a well-balanced and nutritious meal.
Tuna mayo is wonderfully versatile, working brilliantly in sandwiches, jacket potatoes and salads. It's also a great way to help make sure your family's getting enough fish.
Three-sectioned plate filled with rice and black beans, chopped avocado and cubes of cheese.
7 / 12
Rice and black beans
Add a little Caribbean flavour to your child's plate with the traditional favourite of rice and black beans. Serve with a dollop of tomato salsa for extra flavour, and a serving of avocado and cheese to round off the meal.
This dish can be a bit messier than others, but it's a great way to encourage your little one to explore new textures and flavours.
Three-sectioned plate filled with frittata, wholegrain .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers and strawberries and kiwi.
8 / 12
Frittata
A Spanish frittata is the perfect way to serve up leftover meat and veg. Serve with fresh fruit salad and wholegrain .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers for a hearty Mediterranean meal.
Frittatas are quick and easy to make on the hob. Or simply throw veg such as halved cherry tomatoes and cooked broccoli into a shallow dish, cover with beaten egg, and blast in the microwave for a few minutes until fully cooked.
Three-sectioned plate filled with pepper, cheese and bean quesadillas, red pepper and dates.
9 / 12
Quesadilla
Mexican quesadillas make a great alternative to sandwiches. Simply load a tortilla with cheese and cooked beans, then roll up and slice into pinwheels that are fun for tiny fingers to hold.
Finish off the meal with a tub of sour cream dip, crunchy red pepper sticks, and sweet, sticky raisins or dates.
Three-sectioned plate filled with shepherd's pie, green beans and dried apricots.
10 / 12
One-pot meals
Meals such as shepherd's pie, casseroles, stews and lasagne are perfect to cook in big batches. You can then keep individual portions in the freezer for whenever you need a quick dinner option.
Try serving one-pot meals with extra veg on the side, and a handful of dried fruit to finish, for a simple yet satisfying supper.
Three-sectioned plate filled with peas and ham-fried rice and crispy kale chips.
11 / 12
Asian cuisine
Take inspiration from the East and expand your little one's palate with this tempting flavour combination. Ham-fried rice combines tried-and-tested favourites in a new way. Serve with steamed greens, or if you're feeling adventurous, crispy kale chips baked with a little sesame oil.
Three-sectioned plate filled with tomato and vegetable soup, .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers and apple puree.
12 / 12
Veggie soup
Vegetable soup can be messy, but it's a great way to persuade your little one to eat a range of different vegetables at once. Add pasta to give your little one extra energy, and serve with .....تمنع روابط التحميل الغير قانوني......ers and no-added-sugar apple puree.
Wondering exactly how much your little one should be eating at each meal? Check out our portion sizes for toddlers
