20 Easy Recipes for Effortless Family Dinners
Some nights, you just need something easy! No complicated steps, no specialty ingredients, as little cleanup as possible. That’s where these recipes come in. Perfect for family dinners, these are fast, flavorful, and family-approved.
Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak
This buffalo chicken cheesesteak recipe is easy to make, delicious, and packed with flavor. It has a mouthwatering combination of tender sliced chicken, sautéed peppers and onions, gooey cheese, and spicy buffalo sauce. Top with melty white American cheese for a dinner you’ll want on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak.
Easy Salmon Caesar Salad
This simple Caesar salmon salad is a quick and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can have it on the dinner table in just about 30 minutes, and the whole family is sure to enjoy it! Pair with freshly baked bread or a bowl of soup for a filling and tasty meal that is ready in a flash.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Caesar Salad.
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Looking for a quick and healthy dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor? This easy ground turkey stir-fry recipe is it! This easy dinner comes together in less than 30 minutes and is packed with protein, loaded with broccoli, and gets major flavor from a sweet and savory stir-fry sauce that’s made with pantry staples.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stir Fry.
Chicken Fajita Quesadilla
Made from simple ingredients, this quesadilla fajita is incredibly flavorful and has everything you need in a meal: protein, produce, carbs, and flavor. It’s a great weeknight meal option too since you can have it on the table in 30 minutes. Serve with fresh toppings or black beans on the side.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Quesadilla.
Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki
If you are craving takeout at home, try this slow-cooker recipe for chicken teriyaki! You’ll have a flavorful and easy dinner waiting for you – with minimal work. Chicken is coated in a jarred teriyaki sauce for a true dump-and-go recipe! Serve with rice and a veggie.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki.
Ground Pork Stir Fry
Stir fry dinners always makes a great busy night meal option. This recipe starts with ground pork and adds mushrooms, spinach and the yummiest peanut butter sauce for a filling meal that is flavorful and comes together fast for a great family-style meal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Stir Fry.
Baked Furikake Salmon
This baked furikake salmon is perfect for dinner at home. It may sound a bit fancy, but it is ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish. You will love the crunchy panko furikake coating over flaky, perfectly cooked salmon. Serve with rice and a veggie and dinner is served!
Get the Recipe: Baked Furikake Salmon.
Crockpot Pesto Chicken
You’ll need just two ingredients for this flavorful and juicy chicken. It uses budget-friendly chicken thighs to stretch your grocery budget and keep your chicken juicy. Pile this saucy chicken on bread for sandwiches and add a bit of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes for a Caprese-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pesto Chicken.
Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders
Serve up a hearty sandwich for dinner in the perfect size to accommodate the entire family. Saucy meatballs and cheese taste perfect when tucked between delicious Hawaiian sweet rolls. Serve with an easy salad, fruit, or raw veggies and dip on the side.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders.
Shrimp Teriyaki
Get some sweet, sticky, and savory shrimp teriyaki on the table in less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Pair with rice and some steamed veggies for a complete meal that tastes better than takeout, and is ready in less time than it would take to order and pick up from your local restaurant. Your family will love this easy meal on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Teriyaki.
Turkey and Cheese Sliders
These delicious turkey and cheese sliders are loaded with layers of deli turkey, caramelized mushrooms and onions, and melty cheese – all on sweet Hawaiian rolls! They are perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or game-day spreads. Easy to assemble and bake, they’re sure to become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Turkey and Cheese Sliders.
Crispy Baked Quesadillas
These baked quesadillas are easy and cheesy with plenty of tender chicken tucked between crispy baked shells. It’s a great way to make quesadillas for a crowd as you no longer need to babysit the stove! The recipe calls for chicken, but you could swap it for cooked ground beef, black beans, or fajita veggies instead if desired.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Quesadillas.
Dinner-Worthy Snack Board
Who says you can’t have a mini charcuterie board for dinner? This snack board has such a delicious assortment of deli meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and veggies. It has all of the variety we look for in a meal, with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Worthy Snack Board.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
If my kids had to pick an all-time favorite meal, this is it. Our homemade spaghetti with meat sauce features a slow-simmered, rich tomato meat sauce made with perfectly browned ground beef, Italian sausage, a balanced tomato sauce, and traditional Italian seasonings. Serve with al dente spaghetti, a salad, and garlic bread.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Pepper Steak Stir Fry
This easy pepper and steak stir fry recipe, comes together in just 30 minutes and it’s better than takeout! It’s got everything I look for in a meal (from both a nutrition and an enjoyment standpoint): carbs, veggies, protein, and FLAVOR!
Get the Recipe: Pepper Steak Stir Fry.
Southwest Salad
The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.
Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
Meet my kid’s favorite quesadilla – it’s beefy and cheesy and there’s a lot to love. Ground beef cooks up quickly with a homemade blend of taco spices and is stuffed between tortillas with plenty of cheese. Serve with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, and jalapenos.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas.
Turkey Pesto Panini
This recipe is inspired by a Starbucks panini, but we’ve added a lot more fillings for even more flavor. It comes together quickly thanks to deli turkey and has tons of flavor, thanks to the pesto and cheese. Serve with fries, chips or fresh fruit.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pesto Panini.
Moo Shu Shrimp
This moo shu shrimp recipe has everything you’re looking for in a weeknight meal. It’s nutritious, it’s fast (just 20 minutes), and it’s totally delicious. With classic moo shu flavors, this easy stir-fry is quick and easy to make at home. Serve over rice or with a warmed tortilla as a nod to moo shu wraps.
Get the Recipe: Moo Shu Shrimp.
Turkey Tacos
Ground turkey is seasoned with a mix of spices and simmered with salsa to add another layer of flavor for juicy and delicious taco meat every time. Stuff into tortillas and add your favorite fresh toppings. This turkey taco recipe is quick and easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Tacos.
