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This list of family friendly dinners includes quick pasta dishes, slow-cooked classics, and hearty rice meals—the best recipes for every busy household.
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Family dinners don’t have to be the same every night.
Whether you’re looking for something light or hearty, you’ll never run out of recipes to try. Here are some dishes you can add to your weeknight rotation.
Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
This pot pie is a cozy classic reinvented for modern family dinners.
It’s packed with chicken, milk, potatoes, and mixed veggies. Pair it with a delicious green salad with a light vinaigrette.
Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Beef stews are easy, family-friendly, and convenient to make.
This one is a slow-cooked masterpiece! It’s warm and earthy, with beef, broth, potatoes, tomato paste, and onion soup mix.
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Best Damn Chili
Enjoy this chili’s bold flavors and hearty ingredients. It’s a one-pot wonder full of smoky, spicy, and savory notes.
Sauté the beef, combine the ingredients, and let it simmer to perfection.
Get The Recipe: Best Damn Chili
Nigerian Fried Rice
Let this fried rice creation bring bold, vibrant flavors to your dinner table.
It’s a colorful mix of rice, beef liver, beans, corn, carrots, bell peppers, and other wholesome ingredients.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice
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Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Pasta dishes are a wonderful choice for busy weeknight dinners.
Try this recipe! Just layer the ingredients in the Instant Pot, cook for a few minutes, and dinner’s ready.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Here’s a creamy, cheesy perfection that’s impossible to resist. It’s comfort food at its finest!
You can make this in less than an hour. Pair it with fried chicken or steamed veggies.
Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie
This is a comforting casserole layered with beef, peas, carrots, tomato paste, and a flavorful mashed potato topping.
Place the ingredients in your Crockpot and let it cook to perfection.
Get The Recipe: Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie
Sushi Bake
This sushi bake is a deconstructed version of the sushi roll.
Assemble the layers in a casserole dish, bake, and serve. Don’t forget to garnish with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake
Instant Pot Chicken Korma
In search of more aromatic dinners? Check out this creamy Indian-inspired dish!
It has a luxurious sauce made with coconut milk, onion paste, yogurt, and seasonings. Pair it with fluffy basmati rice!
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Korma
Vegan Meatloaf
Take comfort food to the next level with this meatloaf.
Even meat lovers will love this plant-based version. It also has a rich tomato glaze that adds just the right amount of tangy sweetness.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf
Vegan Ratatouille
Turn simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
This one features marinara sauce, zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and squash. It’s so healthy and satisfying.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Ratatouille
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Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
This casserole is brimming with bold Mexican flavors!
It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal with vegan cheese, black beans, corn kernels, and red enchilada sauce.
Get The Recipe: Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
One Pan Meatball Casserole
Casseroles are incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for busy evenings!
This one features marinara sauce, mozzarella, milk, and seasonings. Pair it with a fresh Caprese salad and red wine.
Get The Recipe: One Pan Meatball Casserole
High Protein Pasta Salad With Chicken
This pasta salad is packed with protein and fresh vegetables.
Simply cook the pasta, chop the veggies, and toss everything together for a vibrant meal.
Get The Recipe: High Protein Pasta Salad With Chicken
Doritos Pie Casserole
Dorito lovers, this is your dream dinner! It’s made with ground beef, yellow onions, corn, salsa, black beans, and cheese.
Top it with crushed Doritos and a drizzle of sour cream.
Get The Recipe: Doritos Pie Casserole
Ground Chicken Picadillo
This picadillo is a savory, sweet, and tangy dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
It combines chicken with tomato sauce, olive juice, bell peppers, and yellow onions. Pair it with colorful tortilla chips for a fun presentation.
Get The Recipe: Ground Chicken Picadillo
Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
Try this dish for a comforting and healthy twist on classic chili.
It’s thick and chunky, with tender bites of sweet potato and a smoky, spiced broth. Serve with a lime wedge on the side for a zesty finish.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Brighten up dinnertime with this delicious chicken creation.
Main ingredients include gold potatoes, olive oil, and seasonings. Pair it with a Greek salad with tomatoes and cucumbers.
Get The Recipe: Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Salmon Risotto
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this salmon risotto.
It’s an elegant and comforting dish anyone can make! It includes salmon fillets, rice, chicken stock, broccoli, and parmesan.
Get The Recipe: Salmon Risotto
Ground Beef Curry
There are hundreds of tasty dishes you can make with ground beef.
You’ll love this recipe. It includes ground beef, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, curry powder, and spices.
Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Curry
Cheesy Pasta with Sausage, Sage, and Kale
Tired of the same meals every week? Make this comfort food a part of your dinner menu.
It’s a delightful mix of creamy, chewy, and crispy textures.
Get The Recipe: Cheesy Pasta with Sausage, Sage, and Kale
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White Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Make mealtime something everyone looks forward to.
This enchilada features chicken breasts, onions, mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese. Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days.
Get The Recipe: White Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Black Pepper Chicken
This dish features chicken breast, peanut oil, onions, bell peppers, and ginger.
To make it, marinate the chicken, sauté the vegetables, and toss everything in the sauce for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Get The Recipe: Black Pepper Chicken
Beef Carbonara
Try this beef carbonara, where tender strips of beef meet a garlicky pasta sauce.
It’s a satisfying dish for the whole family. Serve it with red wine or sparkling water.
Get The Recipe: Beef Carbonara
Pizza Chicken Bake
Cheesy dinners are always a great idea. This one will be a hit with the kids.
It’s packed with cheese, seasonings, herbs, and chicken breasts. Customize it with your favorite toppings!
Get The Recipe: Pizza Chicken Bake
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Gather the family and make mealtime something to look forward to.
Many dishes, like casseroles and pasta bakes, can be prepped in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer.
When dinnertime comes, all you have to do is reheat and enjoy. You just need to find the easiest recipes!
25 Easy Dinner Ideas To Make For The Family Tonight
These easy dinner ideas are so good, you’ll want to make them for dinner tonight. They’re perfect for days when you don’t want to put much time into dinner but want a filling meal the family will enjoy.
Read it here: 25 Easy Dinner Ideas To Make For The Family Tonight
25 Cheap Family Dinners So Filling, Everyone Will Leave the Table Happy
Save time and money with this list of cheap family dinners. It features everything from tacos and casseroles to pasta and rice meals.
Read it here: 25 Cheap Family Dinners So Filling, Everyone Will Leave the Table Happy
25 Best Sunday Dinner Recipes That Are Comforting To The Soul
The best Sunday dinner recipes are those that are comforting to the soul. These dinner recipes will bring the family together for a meal and some time together.
Read it here: 25 Best Sunday Dinner Recipes That Are Comforting To The Soul
Looking for more dinner recipes? Even picky eaters won’t be able to resist these exciting dishes: