60 Tasty, Easy Family Dinner Ideas to Satisfy Your Whole Crew
60 Tasty, Easy Family Dinner Ideas to Satisfy Your Whole Crew
There are 365 days in a year, and a limited number of times you’re willing to tolerate frozen fish fingers and tots for dinner (though these can certainly be a godsend). So what is a time- and idea-strapped home cook to do? Don’t stress: We’ve rounded up all the family-friendly, nutritious and easy-to-prep recipes you’ll need for months of weeknight meals. Here are our favorite fresh, fail-proof family dinner ideas.
When building out our list, we started with the tried-and-true basics: Think chicken fajitas, tuna melts and spaghetti and meatballs. Then, we sprinkled in a few surprises, like a Thai steak salad with crisp pears and fish sauce dressing; a sheet pan gnocchi; and a sweet-and-sticky stir fried tofu bowl. Since we know that “family dinner” can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, we gave you as diverse a range of meals as we could. That means we’ve got plenty of vegan and vegetarian recipes, along with heavier fare like beef stroganoff and steak with fingerling fries.
Nervous about making time? We’ve got lots of meal prep tips for you. First, wash and dry all of your fresh produce ahead of time to save you a little time on a hectic weeknight. You can also chop heartier veg ahead of time, such as root vegetables and kale. Second, do a little meal planning ahead of time, so you can shop for what you need: This will help you limit food waste, as well as saving some of the mental labor involved with picking a recipe. And finally, clean as you go! With these tips — and a few trusty recipes in your back pocket — you’ve got weeknight dinner success in the bag.
Spaghetti and Air Fryer Meatballs
Hectic week? Air fryer meatballs are your knight in shining armor.
Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads
Dress up some store bought flatbreads with easy, perfectly flaky salmon and tangy yogurt sauce.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon Flatbreads recipe.
Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale
Charred chicken breast and kale are well worth taking the time to fire up your grill. We also like to throw some crusty bread on the grates while they’re still hot.
Beef and Broccoli
The old tagline, “ready in less time than it takes to order delivery,” rings true: This beef and broccoli is quick. Serve with white or brown rice to soak up all the sauce.
Get the Beef and Broccoli recipe.
Saucy Pizza Beans
It's like your family's favorite pepperoni pie with an extra dose of protein, thanks to a can of beans.
Get the Saucy Pizza Beans recipe.
Cobb Salad
A composed Cobb salad is sort of like a choose-your-own adventure for dinner — and we like our adventures covered in crispy bacon.
Get the Cobb Salad recipe.
Crab Cakes and Creamy Sauce
Paired with a good salad (and a glass of chilled white wine for the parents), classic crab cakes make for a mean main dish.
Get the Crab Cakes and Creamy Sauce recipe.
Quick Pork Ragu with Ravioli
Buy a good store-bought ravioli to toss with rich, shortcut pork ragu — and don’t forget to pass the Parm.
Get the Quick Pork Ragu with Ravioli recipe.
Creamy Corn Pasta
This family favorite is sublime with fresh summer corn, but it’s also delicious with frozen so you can enjoy it year-round.
Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.
California Roll Salad
We love a make-your-own sushi night — on the weekends. For other nights, we like to slap together this crunchy, creamy California roll-in-a-bowl.
Get the California Roll Salad recipe.
Pierogi with Sautéed Cabbage
Frozen, store-bought pierogi star in this genius, 5-ingredient skillet dinner.
Get the Pierogi with Sautéed Cabbage recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Green Beans
Do you know how good gnocchi can be when you roast them? We didn’t, until we met this sheet pan fave.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Green Beans recipe.
Smoky Black Bean and Quinoa Soup
This veggie soup packs in tons of protein and fiber (and flavor!).
Beer-Battered Fish Sandwiches
The easiest way to get kids to try fish? Fry it up and pile it on a buttery, brioche bun (of course).
Get the Beer-Battered Fish Sandwiches recipe.
One-Pot Spaghetti
Elegant but still super kid-friendly, this pasta is one of our favorite lazy dinners.
Get the One-Pot Spaghetti recipe.
Tandoori Chicken
Never cooked Indian food at home before? Dip your toes in with this super fragrant air fryer chicken, which comes together in under an hour — no tandoor required. We love it with a fluffy pile of basmati rice on the side.
Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.
Sticky Tofu Bowl
Glazed in a sticky-sweet sauce and roasted with mushrooms, we could eat this tofu every day.
Get the Sticky Tofu Bowl recipe.
RELATED: 40 Easy Tofu Recipes That Make the Perfect Vegetarian Meal
Garlic Butter Salmon
Everybody loves salmon, and we know very few foods that aren’t improved by butter and garlic. You can even swap in orzo or egg noodles for the rice.
Get the Garlic Butter Salmon recipe.
Butternut Squash Curry
This sweet, creamy curry is loaded with nutrient-packed winter squash. Go vegan with soy sauce or vegan fish sauce.
Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.
BBQ Chip Chicken
It’s chips. It’s chicken. It’s both. Balance this junk food-tastic main with a gorgeous tomato and green bean salad.
Get the BBQ Chip Chicken recipe.
Peanut Sauce Soba with Crispy Tofu
Dredge tofu in cornstarch and air-fry for the ultimate crispy, protein-packed topper for nutty soba noodles.
Vegetable Ramen With Mushrooms and Bok Choy
We’ve never met a kid who didn’t love noodles, and this budget-friendly fave also happens to pack in all the veggies they probably wouldn’t eat otherwise.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Bring the whole pan to the table for a show-stopping weekday meal.
Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe.
Delicata Squash Pizza
Have some tomato-hating kids? This white pie combines provolone and blue cheese for a rich, cheesy and tomato-free bite.
Get the Delicata Squash Pizza recipe.
Shrimp Enchiladas with Zucchini and Corn
These mean, green enchiladas are as fun to look at as they are to eat. Use a good-quality store bought salsa to make this family favorite even easier.
Beef Stroganoff
Juicy steak in a creamy mushroom sauce, served over egg noodles, is pure family-friendly comfort food.
Get the Beef Stroganoff recipe.
Saucy Sausage Meatballs
Introduce the kids to new flavors with these meatballs simmered in a cinnamon and orange zest-spiked sauce.
Get the Saucy Sausage Meatballs recipe.
Green Soup with Crispy Tofu
Learn this formula for making extra-crispy tofu and you'll be using it to top off more than just this creamy soup.
Get the Green Soup with Crispy Tofu recipe.
Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads
Serving this robustly-flavored chicken on flatbread means you can fold it up and eat it like a sandwich—if the kids (or you!) prefer.
Get the Tandoori-Spiced Cauliflower Chicken Flatbreads recipe.
Pasta with Vodka Sauce
Don’t worry — nearly all the alcohol gets cooked out of this luscious vodka sauce, so it’s super family-friendly.
Get the Pasta with Vodka Sauce recipe.
Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Red Grapes and Cabbage
Boneless pork tenderloin is ideal for weeknights: The whole dish comes together in under a half hour!
Get the Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Red Grapes and Cabbage recipe.
Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Spoon flavorful gochujang shrimp into the lettuce cups before serving, or let your family DIY their own dinner.
Get the Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Summer Rolls
These colorful roll-ups are a great a light dinner alongside a grilled protein.
Get the Summer Rolls recipe.
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Grilling
Kale Pesto Pasta
Switch it up from the typical spaghetti and boil broken lasagna noodles for a fun, hearty bite.
Get the Kale Pesto Pasta recipe.
Shrimp Ceviche
Serve this tangy shrimp salad with salty plantain chips to scoop up every last bite. Or, bulk it up with some fluffy white rice.
Get the Shrimp Ceviche recipe.
Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crostini
This uber-simple tomato soup with broiled Parmesan toasts is like a lighter version of the classic grilled cheese combo — with all the same flavor.
Chicken with Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes
Sear chicken and veggies in a skillet, then finish the cooking process in the oven for a colorful, one-pan meal.
Classic Tuna Melt
Affordable, filling, melty-gooey-crunchy perfection.
Get the Classic Tuna Melt recipe.
Gochujang Fried Rice
Feel free to add your choice of protein to this just-spicy-enough fried rice, but do NOT skip the runny egg on top.
Get the Gochujang Fried Rice recipe.
Zucchini Linguine
Shredded raw zucchini will warm through when tossed with pasta, cutting down on cooking time. Dinner will be ready in half an hour!
Get the Zucchini Linguine recipe.
RELATED: 35 Low-Calorie Zucchini Noodle Recipes That Will Make You a Forever Fan of Zoodles
Green Curry Shrimp
Thanks to spicy green curry paste, this tasty broth only needs to simmer for five minutes to build a mouthwatering flavor.
Get the Green Curry Shrimp recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Chicken
The secret to this tangy, creamy dish? Use canned artichoke halves for fast, easy flavor!
Get the Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe.
Marinated Pepper Pasta
Prepare marinated peppers ahead of time (or use store-bought) to whip up this flavor-packed vegetarian pasta in a pinch.
Get the Marinated Pepper Pasta recipe.
Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini
This five ingredient meal is perfect for a crowd: Simply prepare a stuffed halved zucchini for each person, and voila!
Get the Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
RELATED: 50+ Zucchini Recipes That Are Easy, Healthy and Delicious
Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes with Roasted Artichokes
Crusty bread is an ideal side for dipping into this protein-packed dish — no side of pasta or rice needed!
Get the Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes With Roasted Artichokes recipe.
BLT Shrimp Rolls
The only cooking required in this summer sandwich is to crisp up the bacon, making it a perfect meal to throw together in under 15 minutes.
Get the BLT Shrimp Rolls recipe.
RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes
Vegan Bolognese
This vegan take uses meaty mushrooms and filling lentils to create a plant-based dish so tasty, even meat eaters won't be able to resist.
Get the Vegan Bolognese recipe.
RELATED: 70 Vegan Recipes so Good, You'll Forget About Meat and Cheese
Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan
Now THIS is what we call a crowd pleaser! This cheesy classic is prepared in the oven instead of deep fried, making it a perfect (and delicious) hands-off meal.
Get the Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes
In addition to being a healthy main, salmon doesn't take long to roast, creating an easy meal full of nutrients.
Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon With Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.
Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers
Juicy chicken legs add the right amount of richness to this veggie-heavy dinner.
Instant Pot Beef Curry
Weeknights have never been easier: Make use of your instant pot for this filling, spicy curry.
Get the Instant Pot Beef Curry recipe.
RELATED: 20 Instant Pot Soups That Are Basically Comfort in a Bowl
Gingery Pork Meatball Subs
The best way to get your kid excited about new flavors? Put them into a meatball!
Get the Gingery Pork Meatball Subs recipe.
Chicken Scarpariello
With tender chicken, juicy sausage and a sweet-sour sauce, this flavorful favorite is enough to feed four.
Get the Chicken Scarpariello recipe.
Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans
This favorite uses just five ingredients but offers so much flavor.
Pasta e Fagioli
Tender pasta, beans and hearty veggies make this cozy soup filling enough for the whole family.
Get the Pasta e Fagioli recipe.
Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower
Garam masala has a warming heat, so it's not too spicy for the little ones.
Get the Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower recipe.
Crispy Pork Noodles
Inspired by Szechuan cuisine, this recipe features ramen noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce and topped with crispy, pan-fried pork.
Get the Crispy Pork Noodles recipe.
Fish Tacos with Pico de Gallo
These fresh, flavorful tacos are the ideal way to make any seafood-wary kids fall for fish.
Get the Fish Tacos with Pico de Gallo recipe.
Air Fryer Squash Soup
The air fryer soup makes this 45-minute soup even easier.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 46 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That Are Fast and Super Delicious
Grilled Hanger Steak with Charred Broccolini
Everyone loves steak, especially when it's served simply and only takes 30 minutes to make.
Get the Grilled Hanger Steak with Charred Broccolini recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Whether you're expecting a few close friends or your entire extended family, these uncomplicated family dinner ideas will keep everyone well-fed and happy.