In this post, we will look at 27 easy family dinner recipes.
When it comes to family dinners, convenience and simplicity are key.
After a long day, no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen, yet we all crave wholesome, flavorful meals that everyone can enjoy.
If you’re cooking for picky eaters or trying to balance work, school and extracurriculars, having a go-to list of easy dinner recipes can save you time and stress.
That’s why we’ve compiled 27 easy family dinner recipes that are not only quick to make but also guaranteed to please the entire family.
From comforting classics like spaghetti carbonara and baked ziti to fun, interactive meals like taco night and homemade pizza, these dishes are ideal for busy weeknights.
You’ll find options for every taste, from savory stir-fries to hearty casseroles and from one-pan meals to slow cooker stews.
Many of these recipes can be customized, allowing you to swap out ingredients based on preferences or what you have on hand, making them both versatile and stress-free.
27 easy family dinner recipes.
1. One-Pan Chicken & Veggies.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, mixed veggies (broccoli, carrots, potatoes), olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning. Arrange chicken and veggies on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning. Roast until chicken is cooked through. Simple, nutritious and no messy cleanup.
2. Spaghetti Carbonara.
Ingredients: Spaghetti, eggs, grated Parmesan, pancetta or bacon, garlic, black pepper. Cook spaghetti In a separate pan, sauté pancetta with garlic, whisk eggs and Parmesan together. Combine drained spaghetti with pancetta, then mix in egg mixture off the heat and stirre constantly. Serve with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
3. Taco Night.
Ingredients: Ground beef or chicken, taco seasoning, tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa. Cook ground meat with taco seasoning. Serve with tortillas and a variety of toppings, allowing everyone to customize their tacos. Perfect for family-style dining and picky eaters.
4. Slow Cooker Beef Stew.
Ingredients: Beef chunks, potatoes, carrots, onions, beef broth, tomato paste, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. The beef becomes tender, and the flavors meld together into a hearty, delicious stew.
5. Baked Ziti.
Ingredients: Ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, ground beef or sausage (optional). Cook ziti, mix with marinara sauce, ricotta and optional cooked meat. Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until bubbly and golden.
6. Chicken Stir-Fry.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots), soy sauce, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, rice. Stir-fry chicken and vegetables in a hot pan, then add soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a cornstarch slurry for a thickened sauce. Serve over rice for a quick and healthy meal.
7. Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup.
Ingredients: Bread, butter, cheddar cheese, canned or homemade tomato soup. Grill sandwiches with butter and cheese until crispy and golden. Heat tomato soup on the side and you have a comforting and nostalgic meal ready.
8. Sheet Pan Fajitas.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, bell peppers, onions, fajita seasoning, tortillas. Toss sliced chicken and vegetables with fajita seasoning, spread on a sheet pan and roast for 20-25 minutes. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.
9. Meatball Subs.
Ingredients: Frozen or homemade meatballs, marinara sauce, sub rolls, mozzarella cheese. Cook meatballs in marinara sauce, then place in sub rolls and top with mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and the subs are golden and bubbly.
10. Homemade Pizza.
Ingredients: Store-bought or homemade pizza dough, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, toppings (pepperoni, veggies, etc.). Roll out dough, spread on sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Bake until crispy. Let everyone make their own mini pizzas for fun family interaction.
11. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta.
Ingredients: Shrimp, pasta, garlic, lemon, olive oil, parsley. Cook pasta, sauté shrimp with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Toss shrimp with pasta and top with parsley. This dish is light, flavorful, and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
12. Beef Tacos.
Ingredients: Ground beef, taco seasoning, tortillas, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream. Cook ground beef with taco seasoning and serve in tortillas with traditional taco toppings for an easy and satisfying dinner.
13. Quesadillas.
Ingredients: Tortillas, shredded cheese, cooked chicken or veggies, sour cream, salsa. Layer cheese and fillings between two tortillas and cook in a skillet until golden and crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.
14. Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, olive oil. Coat chicken with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasonings. Bake until golden and crispy.
15. Pasta Primavera
Ingredients: Mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, carrots), pasta, olive oil, garlic and Parmesan. Cook pasta and sauté vegetables with garlic and olive oil. Toss everything together and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for a light and colorful dish.
16. Sloppy Joes.
Ingredients: Ground beef, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hamburger buns. Cook ground beef with ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Serve the meat mixture in soft buns for a messy but delicious meal.
17. Chicken Enchiladas.
Ingredients: Shredded chicken, tortillas, enchilada sauce, cheese, onions. Roll chicken and cheese in tortillas, place in a baking dish and cover with enchilada sauce and more cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
18. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls.
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, teriyaki sauce, rice, steamed broccoli. Grill or sauté chicken and coat with teriyaki sauce. Serve over rice with a side of steamed broccoli for a balanced, flavorful dinner.
19. Lasagna.
Ingredients: Lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, marinara sauce, ground beef or sausage, mozzarella, Parmesan. Layer noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and cheese in a baking dish. Bake until bubbly and golden.
20. Grilled Burgers.
Ingredients: Ground beef, burger buns, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, condiments. Form patties from ground beef and grill to your desired doneness. Serve in buns with a variety of toppings.
21. Stuffed Bell Peppers.
Ingredients: Bell peppers, ground beef, rice, tomatoes, cheese, seasonings. Stuff halved bell peppers with a mixture of cooked ground beef, rice, and tomatoes. Top with cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes.
22. Chicken Alfredo.
Ingredients: Fettuccine, chicken breasts, Alfredo sauce, Parmesan. Cook fettuccine and grill chicken. Toss pasta with Alfredo sauce and top with sliced chicken and extra Parmesan.
23. Tuna Casserole.
Ingredients: Canned tuna, pasta, cream of mushroom soup, peas, breadcrumbs. Mix cooked pasta with tuna, soup, and peas. Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes.
24. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.
Ingredients: Cooked shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, buns, coleslaw. Toss chicken with BBQ sauce and serve on buns with a side of coleslaw for a tangy and smoky meal.
25. Pulled Pork Tacos.
Ingredients: Slow-cooked pork shoulder, tortillas, salsa, cilantro. Slow cook pork shoulder until tender, shred, and serve in tortillas with fresh salsa and cilantro.
26. Fish Tacos.
Ingredients: White fish fillets, tortillas, lime, slaw mix, taco seasoning. Season and grill fish, then serve in tortillas with lime and a quick slaw mix for a light and flavorful taco night.
27. Chicken Pot Pie.
Ingredients: Chicken, mixed vegetables, pie crust, cream of chicken soup.
Instructions: Mix cooked chicken with vegetables and cream of chicken soup. Pour into a pie crust, top with another crust, and bake for 30-35 minutes.
This post will lead you to the 27 easy family dinner recipes.
