20 Effortless Dinners for Busy Families
When life gets hectic, dinner shouldn’t be another stressor. These effortless dinners are designed with busy families in mind—minimal prep, simple ingredients, and maximum flavor. When you want something that’s easy and comforting, these are the recipes for you!
Shrimp Fajitas
Not only is this meal nutritious and delicious, but it’s also totally easy to make, making it a great option for weeknight dinners. Shrimp is seasoned with a homemade fajita seasoning blend and cooks with bell peppers, onions, and garlic for maximum flavor. Put out a bunch of fresh toppings like lettuce, pico de Gallo, and sour cream, and let everyone build their own fajita.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Fajitas.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
This Italian dish seems a little complicated, but it’s really quite simple. Use high-quality butter, cheese, and pasta for this dish, as it’s about all that’s in it! It’s easy enough for a quick dinner but nice enough to turn it into a date night meal, too.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe.
Easy Udon Noodles
Save your time and money on a busy weeknight. These easy udon noodles taste even better than takeout! Made with snow peas, broccoli, and peppers, this pan-fried noodle dish is loaded with veggies and flavor. Naturally vegetarian, you could add some protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu if desired.
Get the Recipe: Easy Udon Noodles.
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
This one is a crowd-pleaser and a family favorite! Orecchiette pasta is tossed with tender broccoli and hearty chunks of sausage to make a meal that looks as good as it tastes. You might even have everything you need to make this orecchiette pasta dish in your kitchen already, it’s made with just five simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli.
Shrimp Quesadillas
You can make these tasty quesadillas in just 20 minutes! Shrimp cooks in mere minutes, which makes it a great weeknight protein option. The toasted tortillas have layers of melty cheese and succulent spiced shrimp. This easy dinner delivers great flavors in each bite.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Quesadillas.
Ground Pork Stir-Fry
Looking for a quick, flavorful dinner that comes together in no time at all? This ground pork stir-fry is a total weeknight winner! Made with juicy ground pork, tender veggies, and a simple stir-fry sauce, everything cooks up in one dish for a dinner that’s ready in less than 30 minutes and better than takeout!
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Stir Fry.
Big Mac Salad
Skip the drive-thru and get the flavor you crave, at home. This recipe has Big Mac-inspired flavor in each bite, but with a lighter and fresher flavor. Serve with fries for a delicious and nutritious main course dinner salad.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad.
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.
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.
Panko-Crusted Salmon
Tender and flaky salmon is topped with a mustard mixture to impart flavor and keep it from drying out, and then is topped with panko breadcrumbs that add a golden brown layer of crunch. It’s a family favorite. Not only is this oven-baked salmon recipe easy, but it’s also made with simple ingredients (just like crispy baked cod), ready in 20 minutes, and super delicious!
Get the Recipe: Panko Salmon.
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.
Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Thinly sliced steak is cooked to perfection and bites of crisp and tender broccoli are coated in a deliciously glossy sauce that is sweet, savory, and balanced that brings everything together. This beef and broccoli is made with simple ingredients and can be prepped in just 15 minutes, which is why we love it on busy weeknights, and given all of the rave reviews on my original steak stir-fry, I know your family will, too!
Get the Recipe: Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry.
Cheesy Boursin Pasta
This is the best cheesy pasta and it’s made with just a few ingredients. Creamy Boursin cheese is the base of this simple sauce and has the smoothest creamy texture. Simply cook the pasta, and whip up the sauce with some sliced garlic, Boursin, and pasta water. Serve with a simple green salad and breadsticks for an utterly delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Pasta.
Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
This 20-minute stir fry makes a great weeknight dinner. The sweet and savory chunks of chicken taste just as good as the dish from your local Chinese restaurant. Serve it over rice or with stir-fried veggies for a take-out fake-out dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry.
Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet
Taco night has never been so tasty! This dish is as easy as can be and is loaded with cheesy ground turkey, black beans, corn, and plenty of taco toppings to make a one-dish meal that can fill up a hungry family. You can have this quick meal on the table in just about 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet.
Naan Pizzas
These easy mini naan pizzas are perfect for nights when you don’t feel like cooking as they take just a few minutes to prep. Put out toppings and let everyone make their own.
Get the Recipe: Naan Pizzas.
Dumpling Soup
Save your money and skip the takeout because you can make this delicious and easy dumpling soup at home in just 15 minutes. Frozen dumplings cook in a garlic and ginger broth and spinach wilts in the last few minutes of cooking for a light, but satisfying soup. Top with chili crisp oil and sesame oil for more flavor.
Get the Recipe: Dumpling Soup.
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.
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.
