This post is about 23 great meal ideas that make family dinners perfect. They are easy to cook, and everyone loves them. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a chill weekend, these recipes work well for any day. They make family dinners fun and easy — no matter if you’re new to cooking or have been doing it for a while.
Spinach Chicken Bake
This meal is a lifesaver on hectic evenings. In just 30 minutes, your whole family can enjoy a warm meal with juicy chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. It’s easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner might be the easiest family-friendly meal ever. Just arrange sausages and your choice of vegetables on a sheet pan, and let the oven work its magic. It only takes 30 minutes to make this and the result is a meal that brings out the rich flavors of each ingredient, all cooked together in just one sheet pan for convenience.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
In just one hour, you can serve a comforting bowl that combines all the beloved flavors of traditional chicken pot pie in a hearty, soup form. This one-pot dish combines protein, veggies, and carbs, making it a perfect family dinner choice. It’s also great for meal prep. You can make it the day before and still enjoy a filling and protein-rich meal that’s just as delicious the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Gather the family for a comforting dish that combines bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheese. This casserole simplifies the classic twice-baked potato process, making it a breeze to prepare on a busy weeknight. It’s also a versatile recipe that can incorporate leftover potatoes, adding to its convenience. Perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers, it’s a dish that’s both hearty and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Get ready to enjoy a delicious family dinner in just 30 minutes. This easy-to-cook recipe features chicken thighs simmered in a creamy mushroom sauce. It’s a great choice for weeknights when you’re looking for something both hearty and easy to prepare. Serve it with your favorite sides for a meal everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Serve up a warm and comforting bowl that’s perfect for any family dinner. This creamy sausage soup comes together in just 30 minutes and only requires one pot, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. Packed with the rich flavors of Italian sausage and a creamy tomato base, it’s a meal that’s sure to be a hit with everyone, even with the kids.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
Seasoned chicken breasts are topped with cream cheese, sweet mini peppers, and mozzarella, and then baked to perfection in just 30 minutes. A twist on classic fajitas, this chicken dish is baked in just one pan for ultimate convenience. It’s a hassle-free meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, providing a delicious and filling dinner without the need to cook long hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
You’ll find this veggie-packed casserole perfect for those busy weeknights. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious combination of broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon. It’s a great way to get your family to eat more greens and it’s so simple to make. Plus, the easy cleanup is a bonus, making your dinner routine smoother.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy these easy-to-cook and flavorful chicken bites. After browning the chicken, you’ll saute them in a savory garlic butter sauce. Everyone will enjoy this dish as it pairs well with anything from rice, veggies, or salad. And with just one skillet needed, you’ll have barely any cleanup, making your evening a little bit easier.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This recipe combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, and cheddar, creating a warm, delicious family-friendly meal without too much effort. Everything comes together in just one pan for convenience and this dish can be served in just 30 minutes. It is perfect for busy weeknights — straightforward instructions, with simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry, and minimal cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Warm up your family’s evening with this wholesome and comforting soup. Ready in just one hour, it combines sweet potatoes and red peppers in a creamy broth, adding a much-needed veggie boost to your dinner table. It’s an easy recipe that’s both filling and flavorful, making it a great option for busy nights or relaxed weekend family meals.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup
You’ll love how simple it is to make this comforting soup. Just brown the ground beef, toss it in the Crock Pot with other ingredients, and let it cook itself. It’s perfect for busy nights when you’re wanting a cozy, family-friendly meal without too much hassle. Also, everything comes together in just one pot, meaning there’s less cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
In just 30 minutes, you can serve this stovetop recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. This recipe is great for busy evenings as it’s a quick, filling meal that’s also easy to clean up. It’s a simple dish that’s always a hit with the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This hearty casserole combines beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar, which are baked until bubbling and golden. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a great choice for those hectic nights when you need a delicious and hearty family meal that comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This salad is a game-changer for family dinners. You’ll love how it combines chicken, bacon, and jalapeños with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. You can chill it for an hour before serving, making it perfect for meal prepping. Enjoy this for a light dinner with a flavorful kick.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Cabbage and Sausage
Make family dinners stress-free with this one-pan recipe that’s ready in 25 minutes. Cabbage pairs wonderfully with smoky sausage, creating a filling dish with minimal effort. It’s a great pick for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Whip up a quick and impressive dinner in just 30 minutes with this one-pan recipe. You’ll simmer chicken thighs in a rich sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan, creating a dish that’s both comforting and easy to prepare. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it with your favorite veggies or rice for a meal that’s sure to be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Ready in just a little over an hour, this soup combines the earthy flavors of mushrooms with nutty wild rice in a creamy broth. The rice cooks while you simultaneously cook the other ingredients to save you time and ensure you can prep and serve the soup as quickly as possible. It’s a simple, one-pot meal that’s great for a hearty family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Canned Chicken Patties
If you need a quick dinner fix, these chicken patties should be at the top of your go-to list. Ready in only 20 minutes, they’re crispy on the outside and oh-so-tender on the inside. The kids will really love this. You can serve them up with veggies, in a sandwich, or just as they are. These patties are perfect for those evenings when you only have a few minutes to spare but need something that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Busy nights call for easy, flavorful meals. This dish combines cabbage and bacon in just 25 minutes, making it a great pick for quick family dinners. The combination of ingredients in one skillet makes this both easy to make and clean up afterward. Whether you’re serving it as a main or a side, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Chicken Corn Soup
For a warm, comforting meal that’s easy to pull off on busy evenings, turn to this hearty soup. It brings together chicken, corn, potatoes, and carrots in a creamy broth, all in just one pot. This soup is not only delicious but also versatile. You can add extra veggies to make it even more wholesome for the kids. Ready in less than an hour, featuring simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this soup is a great recipe to serve for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This is a hearty, one-pot soup that combines mushrooms into a savory, creamy, and flavor-packed broth. It’s a great way to enjoy a nutritious dinner with your family, especially on those cooler evenings. Serve it alongside bread or a salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Shawarma Kebabs
Experience rich Middle Eastern flavors in your kitchen with these shawarma kebabs. They’re surprisingly easy to prepare and perfect for a protein-packed family dinner. Ready in about 30 minutes, they’re a great go-to for busy evenings and meal prepping.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs