Let’s face it, getting your little one to try new, healthy foods can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. But don’t stress—there’s hope! Your child can enjoy mouthwatering meals without sacrificing nutrition.

We’ve rounded up some tasty recipes that even the fussiest eaters will gobble up, and they’re packed with goodness. Ready to make mealtime fun and delicious? Dig into our handpicked recipes for dinner for fussy eaters that’ll turn dinner into a joyful, healthy experience.

Turn Dinnertime into a Delight – Grab Your Essential Guide!

Is your evening meal feeling more like a chore than a chance to bond with your family? Revamp your dinner routine with Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids by Dr Nick Fuller! As one of Australia’s top experts on childhood obesity, Dr Fuller’s guide is bursting with practical tips and advice to tackle picky eating and create meals everyone will love.

Say goodbye to dinner disputes and hello to healthy, happy meals. Get your copy of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids today and start making your family dinners the highlight of your day!

Best Recipes For Dinner For Fussy Eaters

Tired of the same old boring meals for your picky eaters? Our scrumptious recipes will shake things up and make dinner exciting again! 

Beef and Zucchini Pie

Get ready for a family-friendly dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Our beef and zucchini pie uses filo pastry—super thin sheets of dough that are a lighter choice than puff pastry. It’s packed with flavour and nutrition, and the best part? You can mix and match veggies based on what you’ve got in your fridge.

Tip: Instead of baking one big pie, why not make individual servings? Just line small pie dishes with filo pastry, fill them up with the tasty mix and fold the pastry over the top. Brush with beaten egg and bake for 15-20 minutes. Easy, tasty, and perfect for little hands!

Enjoy cooking with our handpicked recipes that cater to fussy eaters without falling into the routine of bland or repetitive meals. Each recipe combines familiar ingredients with a twist of creativity to keep meals interesting and appealing.

Type: Contains Meat, Lactose Free

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 potato, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 zucchinis, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup (40g) frozen peas
• 125g cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup (250ml) beef or vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons wholemeal plain flour
• Olive oil spray (optional)
• 4-5 sheets filo pastry
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Side Serving 

• 2 carrots, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 zucchini, cut into batons
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into batons
• 1 potato, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• Mixed dried herbs, for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Recipe

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and cook for 4 minutes or until softened and lightly browned.
2. Add the mince and cook, breaking up any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon, until lightly browned.
3. Add the carrot, potato, zucchini, peas, tomatoes and stock, sprinkle over the flour and cook, stirring regularly for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Spray a large round pie dish with olive oil or line with baking paper.
5. While the pie filling is cooling, line a baking tray with baking paper and prepare the vegetables for the side serving. Place the vegetables in a zip-lock bag, add the herbs and olive oil and turn to coat in the oil. Tip them onto the prepared baking tray and spread out in a single layer. 
6. Line the prepared pie dish with three sheets of filo pastry. Spoon in the cooled filling, then place the remaining sheets of filo on top. Fold in the overhanging pastry and glaze the top with beaten egg.
7. Place the pie and side vegetables in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden and slightly crispy and the vegetables are cooked through.
8. Serve and enjoy!

Chicken and Lentil Green Curry

A top-notch curry that’s quick and easy! Perfect for a speedy, healthy weeknight dinner. You can whip up your own curry paste if you're feeling fancy, but this cheat’s version gets the job done in no time.

Type: Contains Chicken, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Nut Free

Serves 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 4 tablespoons good quality store-bought green curry paste
• 1x 400g can light coconut milk
• 200g chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
• ¼ butternut pumpkin, sliced into small pieces
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• ½ red capsicum, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced into small pieces
• 1x 400g tin lentils, drained and rinsed
• 100g shelled edamame 

Recipe

1. Cook the brown rice according to packet directions.
2. Whilst the rice is cooking, heat a large pot or saucepan over high heat and add the green curry paste. Fry for a couple of minutes until fragrant, then add the coconut milk and bring to a boil.
3. Add in the chicken breast and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes until white. Return the heat to medium and add in all vegetables. Cover the pot and allow it to cook for 5 minutes. Add in the lentils and edamame and cook for another 5 minutes. Ensure the vegetables are cooked through. 
4. Serve the curry with the brown rice and enjoy!

Chicken Cacciatore

A classic, comforting dish that's perfect for feeding the whole family. Why not cook it up on the weekend? Let it simmer on the stove to really bring out those rich flavours and fill your home with mouthwatering aromas. Pair it with some steamed greens for a complete meal. And if you’re a chicken fan, check out our healthy baked lemon chicken recipe! 

Type: Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Contains Chicken

Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes 

Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 4 bone-in chicken thigh fillets, skinless
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1x 400g tin whole tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3 potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Handful fresh parsley leaves chopped

Recipe

1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large non-stick saucepan or cast iron pan. Add the garlic, onion, rosemary and sage. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened. 
2. Add the chicken thighs to the pan and dry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. 
3. Add the vegetable stock to the pan and scrape down any caramelised onion bits on the bottom of the pan. 
4. Add in the tinned tomatoes, tomato paste and potatoes. Stir well and break up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon. 
5. Return the chicken thighs to the pan. Cover the saucepan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow to simmer for at least 40 minutes until the chicken is falling off the bone and the potatoes are tender. 
6. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!

One-Pan Spicy Rice

Here’s a super easy and tasty rice dish you can whip up in just one pan—less washing up, more eating! Serve it warm as a side with your favourite lean protein—grilled chicken with lemon or Moroccan spices are perfect choices. Plus, this rice keeps well in the fridge, so you can enjoy it later too. 

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 650ml boiling water
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• 2 eggs, whisked
• ½ cup plain Greek yoghurt
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Handful parsley
• ½ pomegranate 
• Extra chilli flakes to serve, if desired

Recipe

1. Add the olive oil to a medium saucepan or pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 
2. Add in the rice, cumin, paprika and chilli flakes and stir to combine. Pour the boiling water over the rice and add a pinch of salt and pepper. 
3. Stir everything together then cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes. 
4. After 10-15 minutes once the rice has cooked, use a fork to fluff the grains of rice. Pour the whisked eggs over the rice, then cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stand for a further 5 minutes with the lid on. 
5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the yoghurt and lemon juice. Set aside.  
6. Once the rice is ready to serve, top with parsley leaves. Whack the back of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon over the top of the pot so that the seeds fall out and scatter the top of the rice. 
7. Serve immediately with the lemon yoghurt and extra chilli flakes and enjoy!

Simple Salmon Spaghetti

This tasty and healthy pasta is perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner. And for a smoother mealtime experience, check out these handy Resources!

Type: Fish, Lactose Free

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 packet of pasta - we used spaghetti but whatever is in the cupboard will do
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 salmon fillets, skin on
• 1 bunch Broccolini, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ½ tin anchovies, cut into small pieces, with oil retained
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 large handful basil 
• 1 lemon, juiced

Recipe

1. Cook pasta in boiling water according to packet directions until just cooked. Reserve ½ a cup of cooking water then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
2. Using the same pot, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add the salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Add the Broccolini and cook for another couple of minutes.
3. Add the anchovies and capers, then add the spaghetti back to the pot. Stir everything together, breaking up the salmon through the pasta. Add in the reserved pasta water, basil and lemon juice and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Summing Up

Feeding picky eaters doesn’t have to be a chore! With our collection of special recipes, mealtime can be a blast for everyone. These delicious and healthy dishes are perfect for getting your fussy eater to try new foods. From Beef and Zucchini Pie to Simple Salmon Spaghetti, our meals are designed to tickle kids’ taste buds while packing in the nutrition. Make mealtime a fun event and watch your child get excited about trying new dishes. Try these recipes and turn every meal into a flavour-packed celebration!

Subscribe to receive the latest strategies, expert tips, exclusive deals, and supportive insights directly to your email!

Click Here

Meet Dr Nick Fuller

My Story

As a father, I know first-hand that raising healthy and happy children is tricky. Children are fussy, particularly at the end of the day when they are shattered. We also live in a society where companies seek to profit from what we feed our kids; incorrect and damaging advice is pushed on us and marketed towards our children, and we have no time.

But with these recipes and resources, you and your children can enjoy simple and well-founded food and lifestyle choices for lifelong health.