A lot of parents go through a picky stage with their kids, and some of us have full-blown picky eaters who really insist on eating only a handful of foods. While it can be stressful when your child refuses to eat something, especially something that is good for them, just know that eventually many picky eaters do broaden their food horizons.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's always easy to find new recipes for kids who refuse to try something they haven't eaten before, but it's not impossible. Try these seven international recipes for picky eaters (because they do exist everywhere) and see if your kids will … bite.
Croque Monsieur
This French classic is super kid-friendly mostly because it combines a lot of yummy food that kids love — ham, butter, cheese, and white bread — and can be dressed up with onion, nutmeg, and garlic as tolerated by your kids. Looking for a vegetarian/vegan alternative? Sub in your favorite plant-based ham and/or dairy options and you're set!
Recipe: Tasty
Country of origin: France
Bonus learning: 26 Fun Facts About France for Kids
One-Pan Stovetop Lasagna
Lasagna is often a crowd-pleaser, and one big reason it works for kids is that if your children like cheese, noodles, and pasta sauce, the rest is easy to customize. If you want to keep even the prep work light, this one-pan stovetop recipe is the ticket.
Recipe: She Likes Food
Country of origin: Italy
Bonus learning: 10 Italian Words to Teach Your Kids
Cheesy Beef Empanadas
Empanadas are a super-fun and easy recipe that, like so many on this list, are easy to customize around what your children like to eat. Essentially an empanada is a little pie stuffed with cheese, beef, chicken, vegetables, or whatever else you want to put inside.
Recipe: NeighborFood Blog
Country of origin: Spain
Bonus learning: Fun Spain Facts for Kids
Omurice
If your children are egg-friendly, this Japanese recipe is almost guaranteed to be a big hit. It essentially amounts to a ketchup-topped omelet with rice inside. Some stuff the omelet with fried rice and others with steamed, so the choice is yours.
Recipe: Pickled Plum
Country of origin: Japan
Bonus learning: Japan Facts via National Geographic
Salchipapas
You probably won't be surprised to learn that hot dogs and french fries are popular all over the world, especially with kids, and that's essentially what salchipapas amounts to.
Recipe: My Colombian Recipes
Country of origin: Colombia
Bonus learning: Colombia Basic Facts
Risotto
Risotto is an easy-on-the-stomach, easy-to-make rice dish that can be basic, made with butter and Parmesan, or jazzed up with spices and different kinds of cheese.
Recipe: Bon Appetit
Country of origin: Italy
Bonus learning: Learn Italian for Kids – Numbers, Colors, and More
Pasta With 15-Minute Ham, Pea, and Cream Sauce
There are a fair number of Italian recipes on this list, but that's because some Italian food is just so child-pleasing, like this pasta with 15-minute ham, pea, and cream sauce. Sub the ham out to make it more vegetarian-friendly!
Recipe: Epicurious
Country of origin: Italy
Bonus learning: Kids Make Homemade Pasta
