23 Family-Friendly Dinners for Stress-Free Nights
Weeknights are hectic, but dinner doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, looking for quick and easy meals, or just want to get a satisfying meal on the table, these family-approved meals are here to help.
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.
Lemon Pepper Shrimp
This juicy lemon pepper shrimp recipe is sure to become a weeknight dinner fave and there’s a lot to love. It’s full of butter-y, lemon-y, pepper-y flavor (YUM!); it’s ready in about 10 minutes; and it’s made with a handful of ingredients. The bright and delicious lemon flavors enhance the shrimp in this delicious recipe. We love it over rice, but it would also be great on pasta.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Shrimp.
Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Pierogies
This sheet pan kielbasa and pierogies meal is quick, easy, and flavor-packed. Everything roasts together on a single pan – smoky kielbasa, crispy pierogies, and caramelized onions and peppers. Serve with sour cream and sauerkraut and dinner is ready.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Pierogies.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
If you love the classic flavors of chicken parmesan, you’ll adore these Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan Meatballs. They’re loaded with all the savory goodness you expect from the dish but in a fun, easy-to-make meatball form. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner packed with flavor and ready in no time!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan Meatballs.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Pop this chicken dish into the crockpot for a delicious dinner option later in the day. Tender shredded chicken breast meat cooks in salsa until it shreds for a dish that is fuss-free and so flavorful. Serve it on tacos, top nachos with salsa chicken, or serve it over a bowl of spicy rice for a delicious dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Salsa Chicken.
Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese And Vegetables
This Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese and Vegetables is a total crowd-pleaser. The tender chicken, juicy tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella come together in a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Add roasted veggies for extra color and taste, and you’ve got a dinner everyone will love, all cooked on one sheet pan!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese And Vegetables.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
