Food & Drink

30+ Kid-Friendly Comfort Food Recipes Perfect for New Year’s Day

written by THE EVERYMOM EDITORS
New Years day recipe"
New Years day recipe
Source: Pinch of Yum
Source: Pinch of Yum

New Year’s Day is traditionally the day of new beginnings, resolutions, and changes. But let’s be honest, as a mom, it’s hard to think about anything beyond today. So we resolve to enjoy New Year’s Day and start that resolution of making sure our kids eat more greens on January 2. With that i mind, we’ve rounded up 30+ comfort food recipes to make your New Year’s Day a little cozier—foods your kids will love just as much as you. So get that Netflix marathon started and enjoy these meals in your PJs!

1. Breakfast Egg Muffins

Start the new year off right with this protein-packed breakfast option! The best part of these egg muffins is that they’re customizable—fill them with your kiddos’ favorite flavors for a breakfast they won’t be able to get enough of. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Life Made Sweeter

2. Fried Mozzarella Sandwiches With Pomegranate Honey

Festive, fun, and delicious. These sandwiches are a flavor-packed treat the whole family will enjoy. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Half Baked Harvest

3. Instant Pot Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese

If you have a Hamburger Helper-loving family, treat them to something even better. Everyone will be asking for seconds (or thirds) of this Instant Pot macaroni dish. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Damn Delicious

4. Taco Lasagna

¡Olé to the new year! Morph tacos into this flavorful Mexican-inspired lasagna, layered with tortillas, seasoned ground beef, black beans, and cheese.

new year's day recipes
Source: Plated Cravings

5. Chicken Penne Pasta

A creamy, cheesy pasta dish filled with yummy seasoned chicken–and, many a kid will likely appreciate its absence of exotic flavors or vegetables.

new year's day recipes
Source: Two Peas & Their Pod

6. Nacho Baked Potatoes

For the kiddos who love nachos: skip the chips in place of a nutritious potato and present the toppings as DIY so they can load up on all their favorites.

new year's day recipes
Source: Host the Toast

7. Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos

The first day of 2024 may not be a Taco Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these unique and tasty tacos together as a family.

new year's day recipes
Source: Fox and Briar

8. Buffalo Chicken Sliders

There’s something about sliders that just scream “celebration” to us. If you agree, try making these ultra-tasty buffalo chicken sliders to ring in the new year. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Frugal Mom Eh!

9. Cheese and Prosciutto Crescents

All the flavors of a quality charcuterie board with the added bonus of fluffy crescent rolls. Be sure to make a few extra of these—we know you’re going to need them! 

new year's day recipes
Source: Half Baked Harvest

10. Cheeseburger Pizza

We love this creative approach of combining two foods that many kids love–cheeseburgers and pizza. Feel free to play around with the toppings to capture what your kid(s) prefer most.

new year's day recipes
Source: Eazy Peazy Meals

11. Instant Pot Korean Beef Tacos

Turn your taco game up a notch by adding a flare of Asian flavor! These tacos are juicy, flavorful, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Pinch of Yum

12. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Chili is a perfect dish to have when it’s chilly outside. Instead of using the same recipe you have been for years, try something a little different and fun with this white chicken chili. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Hello Spoonful

13. Cheesy Avocado Quesadillas

Quesadillas are always a crowd-pleaser in my household—who can pass up melty cheese? These are even better because they’re also filled with avocado. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Damn Delicious

14. Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake

If you’re looking for a nourishing twist to pasta meals, this recipe of pillowy gnocchi and parmesan seasoned chicken is simple, tasty, and kid-approved.

new year's day recipes
Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

15. Sausage and Greens Pizza

Forget takeout, make the tastiest pizza right at home! Top your dough with kale, ricotta cheese, Italian sausage, and more for the ultimate pizza night experience. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Brooklyn Supper

16. Baked Chicken Tenders

Your little ones will love these chicken tenders that rival those of their favorite restaurant. These tenders are made with only seven ingredients, meaning they’re incredibly easy to make and a great option for New Year’s Day when energy may be low. 

new year's day recipes
Source: The Clean Eating Couple

17. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

The great thing about sheet pan meals is they’re just as simple to make as to clean up. This dish is filled with flavor, and you won’t have to spend all day preparing it. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Ahead of Thyme

18. Lasagna Garlic Bread Bowls

Try something fun and a little more out-of-the-box this New Year’s Day. These bread bowls capture all the flavor of delicious lasagna in a crafty and extra-tasty way. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Frugal Mom Eh!

19. Homemade Taquitos

If you’ve never made taquitos before, now’s the time! They’re crunchy, delectable, and sure to be a new family favorite. This recipe uses beef chuck roast, but these babies can also be stuffed with shredded chicken or veggies—the options are endless. 

new year's day recipes
Source: Tastes Better From Scratch

20. Rainbow Veggie Flatbread Pizza

Make it a colorful start to the new year with these festive vegetable-forward pizzas. Your kids may be picky vegetable eaters, but if they see them in the form of this fun pizza, minds and taste buds may change!

new year's day recipes
Source: Gimme Some Oven

21. Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Soup season is in full swing, and there’s no better way to start the new year than by cozying up with your family and enjoying an equally cozy meal together. Take the flavor of loaded baked potatoes and make it into this delectable soup.

new year's day recipes
Source: MOMables

22. Homemade Mac and Cheese

A list of kid-friendly comfort foods would certainly be incomplete without the prospect of creating the most scrumptious mac and cheese dish. Bubbling with gooey cheddar cheese fresh out of the oven, you’re giving the boxed stuff a run for its money!

new year's day recipes
Source: Kristine’s Kitchen

23. Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ravioli

If you don’t want your first day of the new year to be spent in the kitchen but still want to treat your family to a delicious meal, try making this five-ingredient baked ravioli dish. 

baked spinach and mozzarella ravioli
Source: With Salt and Wit

24. Sweet and Sour Chicken

If your junk drawer is full of takeout menus, we highly recommend trying your hand at making your favorite Chinese restaurant recipe at home. This sweet and sour chicken recipe will be even better than that of your go-to Chinese spot. 

sweet and sour chicken
Source: A Saucy Kitchen

25. Meatball Subs

For a recipe that’s both kiddo- and Joey Tribbiani-approved, try making these meatball subs while watching Friends reruns. Sounds like a perfect first day of the year if you ask us. 

meatball subs
Source: Garnish With Lemon

26. Turkey and Dumplings

When those holiday leftovers are on their last leg, make them into this tasty dish filled with turkey, veggies, and dumplings. 

turkey and dumplings
Source: Grandbaby Cakes

27. Persian Chicken Noodle Soup

As exciting as the holidays are, this is unfortunately the time of year when our immune systems can take a hit! Start the year off with tons of veggies that are oh-so-good for you with this Persian chicken noodle soup. 

Persian chicken noodle soup
Source: Girl and the Kitchen

28. French Onion French Dip Sandwiches

If, like us, you can’t help but to say “oh yes” to au jus, these French dip sandwiches are probably calling your name, too. This recipe is extra special because it includes caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese to put a French onion spin on things.

French onion french dip sandwiches
Source: Baker By Nature

29. Instant Pot Pot Roast

It’s hard to say exactly what makes pot roast the ultimate comfort food—it could be the tender, juicy beef or the soft veggies. Regardless, this is a perfect recipe for your New Year’s Day.

instant pot pot roast
Source: Kristine’s Kitchen

30. Swedish Meatballs

One of my favorite family traditions is having appetizers for dinner on NYE. Pair these with everyone else’s favorite appetizers for a fun family meal. 

swedish meatballs
Source: The Salty Marshmallow

31. African Chicken Peanut Stew

Manifest a fun year by kicking it off with a new and exciting recipe. This African chicken peanut stew is the perfect option because it’s as delicious as it is simple to make. 

African chicken peanut stew
Source: Precious Core

32. Homemade SpaghettiOs

If your little one refuses to eat anything besides Chef Boyardee but you’re not impressed with the ingredient list, we’ve got you covered. These homemade SpaghettiOs taste so good they won’t want to go back to the canned version. 

homemade spaghetti os
Source: Rachl Mansfield
10 Fun and Easy NYE Celebration Ideas for Families
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