22 Kid-Friendly Weeknight Dinners That Come Together Fast
Weeknights move fast and it often feels like your family gets hungry even faster! These easy dinners keep things simple, quick, and totally doable after a long day. Great for packed schedules or those nights when you just need something easy, delicious, and family-approed!
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.
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.
Bean and Cheese Burritos
Bean and cheese burritos are always a good idea for weeknight dinners. These are so easy to wrap up for a meatless meal that is filling, budget-friendly, and best of all, delicious. Put out some fresh toppings or add them inside so your family can dress a simple bean burrito up if desired.
Get the Recipe: Bean and Cheese Burrito.
Healthy Orange Chicken
This orange chicken is a flavorful and takeout-inspired meal. Bright citrus flavor and a tangy sauce make this chicken dinner a meal that everyone will enjoy and ask to have again and again. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, made with everyday ingredients, and contains all the components I look for in a healthy meal – protein, produce, carbs, and flavor!
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken.
Ground Beef & Broccoli
Looking for a quick weeknight meal that the whole family will love? (Always!) This ground beef and broccoli stir-fry is a must-make! It’s packed with protein, veggies, and all the bold takeout-inspired flavors you love.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Bowl.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penne Pomodoro
If you have 25 minutes, you can make this incredibly easy and tasty homemade pomodoro sauce. This quick and easy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and it has so much flavor that it’s hard to believe that it’s ready in just 30 minutes. This sauce uses high-quality ingredients and lets the classic Italian flavors shine in the best way possible.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro.
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.
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.
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.
Feel-Good Minestrone
You’ll love this healthy soup recipe! Loaded with vegetables (8 different ones to be exact) and beans (3 different types) this minestrone soup simmers away in a rich tomato broth and is both hearty and healthy at the same time. It’s cozy, comforting, delicious, and nutritious on a cold day or chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup.
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.
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.
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.
