21 uncomplicated dinner ideas for busy families

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These 21 dinner ideas for busy families highlight hassle-free and easy-to-follow recipes. Each can be made with minimal effort and yield delicious and filling meals.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This convenient one-pan Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a go-to option for effortless family dinners. With its customizable roasted sausage and vegetables, it offers a flavorful and time-saving meal choice for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is an easy and satisfying choice for a family dinner. The combination of steamed broccoli and cauliflower, creamy cheese sauce, and crispy bacon creates a comforting and flavorful meal that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Enjoy the refreshing and light flavors of this Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad, ready in just 30 minutes. Made with a creamy blend of sour cream and mayo, it’s a perfect dish for easy family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is a flavorful and easy one-pan meal, ideal for busy family nights. Featuring marinated chicken thighs, cream cheese, mozzarella, and vibrant spinach, it’s a dinner option that the whole family will enjoy and appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole in a dish.
Cheesy beef casserole in a dish. Photo credit: Sara Nelson.

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a perfect choice for easy family dinners. Ready in just 30 minutes, it features ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese for a filling and flavorful meal that will satisfy everyone.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This quick and flavorful Creamy Dijon Chicken is a one-pan meal choice for easy family dinners. The seasoned chicken is cooked to perfection and topped with a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crumbled bacon. It’s a simple recipe that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef and cauliflower rice skillet garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a 30-minute dinner recipe that features ingredients like ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. It’s a one-skillet dish that is easy to make and extra flavorful!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

This hassle-free Bacon Cheeseburger Salad is a convenient and flavorful choice for easy family meals. With simple ingredients that require minimal preparation, this salad captures the flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger in a refreshing and satisfying way.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Impressively straightforward, this 30-minute Tuscan Garlic Shrimp recipe features succulent shrimp and a dairy-free garlic sauce, accompanied by vibrant grape tomatoes and spinach. It’s a great choice for a quick and flavorful family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Canned Chicken Patties

These convenient Canned Chicken Patties offer an effortless family meal option. Ready in just 20 minutes, they can be served on their own, alongside steamed vegetables, or between slices of bread as a satisfying sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a simple and delicious recipe that can be prepared and served in only 25 minutes. Cabbage, bacon, and onion come together to yield a dish with perfectly balanced flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Enjoy these Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats as a quick and filling snack or a refreshing family lunch. The combination of canned chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheese creates a flavorful and satisfying option. Hollowed-out cucumber halves serve as a fun vessel for this delicious chicken salad.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Delight in this Bell Pepper Sandwich, which feature a unique twist on traditional sandwiches. By replacing bread with bell peppers (any color of bell pepper will work!), you’ll have a flavorful and light dinner that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Experience the ease and richness of this Creamy Tuscan Chicken, a flavorful one-pan dish perfect for your family. In just 40 minutes, you can make this for a quick and satisfying family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Broccoli Fritters

These Broccoli Fritters will be a hit with the whole family and can be prepared in just 35 minutes. Featuring chopped broccoli florets and Parmesan cheese, they can be served with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for an extra burst of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a surprisingly easy and delicious family meal that takes only 30 minutes to prepare. With a blend of aromatic spices and a velvety sauce made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and chicken stock, this dish is bursting with flavor and perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Savor the creamy and succulent goodness of these Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Seasoned to perfection, the tender chicken thighs are accompanied by a luscious and creamy sauce, complemented by the artichoke hearts. It’s a satisfying and protein-packed option for an effortless family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Sausage Curry

Garnished sausage curry with a wooden spoon.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This family-friendly Sausage Curry is a one-pan dish bursting with flavors. Combining flavorful sausages, aromatic vegetables, and a rich and creamy curry sauce, it’s a filling meal option that everyone will relish.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Lemon Pepper Wings

Savor the tangy and zesty flavors of these delectable Lemon Pepper Wings. They are an easy and flavorful choice for a family recipe, baked to perfection in the oven. Serve them on their own or accompanied by a tangy dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Wings

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare this quick and flavorsome Cabbage and Sausage recipe, which can be ready in less than 30 minutes. It yields a delicious and filling dish, perfect for a satisfying family meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

This Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is an effortless and cheesy option for family dinner. Seasoned chicken breasts are topped with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and golden melted mozzarella cheese, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that will please everyone.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

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