Dinner time can be quite stressful, especially when you have a family to feed. After a busy day of work, school, or running errands, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing an elaborate meal.
But what if you could create a delicious home-cooked dinner for your family in under 30 minutes?
In this blog post, we’ve curated 35 easy dinner recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights. From pasta dishes to roasted chicken, these recipes are not only quick and easy but also tasty and satisfying.
35 Easy Dinner Recipes for Family
1. Chicken Fajitas
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Add sliced bell peppers, onions, and chicken breasts to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
2. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
Heat up some olive oil in a large pot. Add garlic, canned tomatoes, heavy cream, and pasta. Cook for 15-20 minutes on medium heat, stirring often. Top with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
3. Pasta Carbonara
Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, sauté pancetta or bacon with garlic in a skillet.
Toss the cooked pasta with the pancetta mixture and mix in a sauce made from eggs, grated parmesan cheese, and black pepper.
4. Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken
Combine chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onions. Top with grilled chicken and feta cheese. For the dressing, mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and oregano.
5. Baked Garlic Butter Salmon
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Rub with garlic butter and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through.
6. Beef Stir Fry with Broccoli
Heat up oil in a wok or large skillet. Add sliced beef, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, then add broccoli florets and soy sauce. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the beef is fully cooked.
7. Easy Chicken Alfredo
Cook pasta according to instructions. Meanwhile, heat up butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a large skillet. Add cooked chicken and stir until heated through. Drain pasta and add to the skillet, tossing to coat.
8. Tuna Melt
Combine canned tuna with mayonnaise, mustard, chopped red onion, and celery. Spread the mixture on top of toasted bread and add sliced tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
9. One-Pan Sausage and Vegetable Bake
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Add sausage, sliced potatoes, carrots, and green beans to a large baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. Mushroom and Spinach Risotto
Heat up some butter in a large pot. Add chopped mushrooms and cook until browned. Stir in Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer until the rice absorbs the liquid. Stir in spinach and Parmesan cheese before serving.
11. Meatball Subs
Bake frozen meatballs according to instructions. Place them onto toasted hoagie buns and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Chicken Tacos
Grill or pan-fry sliced chicken breasts. Serve on top of tortillas with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add your favorite salsa or hot sauce for an extra kick.
13. Shrimp Scampi
Cook pasta according to instructions. Meanwhile, heat up butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a large skillet. Add raw shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Add lemon juice and parsley. Drain pasta and add to the skillet, tossing to coat.
14. Loaded Baked Potatoes
Microwave or bake potatoes until fully cooked. Slice open and top with butter, sour cream, chopped scallions, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.
15. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Rub pork tenderloin with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap with bacon slices and place onto a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
16. Vegetable Quesadilla
Heat up a large skillet. Add sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and zucchini. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened. Lay a tortilla on top and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Add the cooked vegetables on top and cover with another tortilla. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted.
17. Sausage and Potato Skillet
Heat up some oil in a large skillet. Add sliced sausage, potatoes, and onion. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the potatoes are fully cooked. Season with salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme or rosemary.
18. Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine, a quintessential French dish, is a savory delight that tantalizes the taste buds. Imagine a buttery, flaky pastry crust cradling a rich and creamy egg custard studded with smoky bacon and nutty Gruyère cheese.
The flavors meld together beautifully, creating a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite.
19. Caprese Chicken Skillet
Heat up some olive oil in a large skillet. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side. Top with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and freshly chopped basil. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
20. Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Cook rice according to instructions. Meanwhile, steam broccoli until tender. Add cooked rice, steamed broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, and cream of chicken soup to a baking dish. Mix well and bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
21. Chicken Parmesan
Bread chicken breasts with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Heat up oil in a large skillet.
Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side. Top with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
22. Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Melt butter in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add raw shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Add lemon juice and freshly chopped parsley. Serve over rice or pasta.
23. Homemade Pizzas
Create personalized pizzas with pre-made pizza dough or flatbreads. Set out a variety of toppings, like tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, and more, and let everyone assemble their own pizzas.
24. Sesame Orange Chicken
Cook bite-sized chicken pieces in a skillet and set aside. Make a sauce with orange juice, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil, and simmer until thickened. Toss the chicken in the sauce and serve over rice.
25. Vegetable and Cheese Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with a mixture of sautéed vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and shredded cheese. Cook until the tortillas are golden and the cheese is melted.
26. Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken
Butterfly chicken breasts and stuff them with a mixture of cream cheese, spinach, artichoke hearts, and grated parmesan cheese. Bake until the chicken is cooked through.
27. Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Slice pork into thin strips and stir-fry with a medley of vegetables, like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas, in a flavorful stir-fry sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.
28. Homemade Tacos
Set up a taco bar with seasoned ground beef or turkey, tortillas, and a variety of toppings, including lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
29. Lentil Soup
Make a hearty and nutritious lentil soup by simmering lentils with diced vegetables, like carrots, celery, and onions, in a savory broth.
30. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Slow cook a pork shoulder with BBQ sauce until it’s tender and can be easily shredded. Serve the pulled pork on buns with coleslaw.
31. Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Sauté tofu cubes and vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers in a flavorful stir-fry sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.
32. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Heat up a can of tomato soup, then stir in cream and fresh basil for a rich and comforting soup. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.
33. Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Season chicken drumsticks with your favorite herbs and spices, then bake until they’re crispy and cooked through.
34. Teriyaki Salmon
Make a homemade teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. Brush it onto salmon fillets and broil or bake until the salmon is cooked and the sauce caramelizes.
35. Eggplant Parmesan
Bread slices of eggplant with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, then bake until they’re crispy. Layer with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then bake until bubbly.
Final Thoughts,
Dinner time doesn’t have to be stressful. With these 37 easy dinner recipes, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
From sheet pan fajitas to chicken parmesan, each recipe is not only quick and easy but also delicious and satisfying. So next time you’re in a rush, don’t worry– we’ve got you covered.
