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If you need tasty weeknight family dinner ideas, this list is for you. It’s packed with casseroles, skillet meals, soups, and other filling options.
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Tired of the same routine dinners? Make these meals a part of your menu.
And yes, many of them are made with healthy ingredients even the kids will love!
Sushi Bake
This dish delivers all the flavors of a sushi roll without the fuss of rolling.
It’s creamy, savory, and slightly tangy. Why not serve it with miso soup to balance the richness?
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Give your favorite spaghetti and meatballs a modern, Instant Pot version. Try this recipe!
It’s one of the most irresistible pastas ever, with tender noodles, soft yet firm meatballs, and a silky sauce.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
We all love hearty chicken dinners.
This one is a comforting make-ahead option, with rotisserie chicken, mixed veggies, milk, potatoes, and olive oil.
Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese
You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make the most delicious seafood dinners.
This baked salmon comes together in just 13 minutes. It uses Parmesan, mayo, and a bit of salt.
Get The Recipe: Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese
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Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
There’s something instantly comforting about a pot of chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove after a long day.
This version is homey and savory, with just the right amount of seasoning.
Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Busy day? Just let your slow cooker do the work, and by dinnertime, you’ll have a hearty meal waiting.
Ingredients include beef stew meat, potatoes, and tomato paste.
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
If your family loves restaurant comfort food, mac and cheese will win them over fast.
It’s cheesy and buttery, made with whole milk, Colby Jack cheese, and butter.
Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Instant Pot Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are a lifesaver for weeknight dinners. They work as hearty snacks, too!
Pair them with roasted sweet potatoes, rice, or a Caesar salad.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Make dinners more fun with these sausage balls.
The recipe uses hot pork sausage, but you can also use breakfast or Italian pork sausage. And don’t forget the honey mustard dipping sauce!
Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Stove Top Lasagna Soup
This lasagna soup is made with ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, chicken broth, tomatoes, and other simple ingredients.
It’s a deeply satisfying switch-up on traditional lasagna. It’s faster, simpler, and just as hearty.
Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup
Vegan Meatloaf
Ready to introduce the kids to plant-based meals? Start with this satisfying meatloaf.
You can also tweak this recipe and make smaller portions using a muffin pan or mini loaf pans.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf
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Gnocchi with Mushrooms
This recipe combines gnocchi with brown mushrooms, fennel bulb, olive oil, and seasonings.
Go ahead and add your favorite herbs. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes, so you can enjoy it even on your busiest weeknights.
Get The Recipe: Gnocchi with Mushrooms
Vegan Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Make this vegan soup and watch everyone fall in love with it! It’s a hearty blend of carrots, zucchini, beans, and onions.
Add a Parmesan rind or croutons for an even more comforting meal!
Get The Recipe: Vegan Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner
Sheet pan dinners are always a great idea for busy weeknights.
Check out this filling version made with chicken leg quarters, baby potatoes, and green beans.
Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner
Ground Beef Bulgogi
There really is no need to go to a fancy restaurant to savor mouthwatering Korean-inspired meals.
This bulgogi can brighten up your weeknights. Serve it with kimchi or a simple green salad.
Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Bulgogi
Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
There are tons of fried rice recipes you can try at home.
This one offers a clever way to use up leftovers. Aside from chicken and shrimp, you’ll need garlic, butter, and soy sauce.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
Stuffed Pepper Skillet with Panko Topping
Imagine all the flavors of stuffed peppers (without the tedious prep work!) in one cozy skillet.
You’ll love how flavorful and comforting this meal is! Serve it straight from the skillet with fresh basil.
Get The Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Skillet with Panko Topping
Ricotta Pesto Pasta
In search of an effortless and indulgent dinner option? This pasta is bound to be a family favorite!
You only need five simple ingredients to make it.
Get The Recipe: Ricotta Pesto Pasta
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Medallions
This air fryer dinner is made with pork tenderloin, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and other pantry staples.
Garnish the medallions with fresh herbs and serve with mashed sweet potatoes.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Medallions
Sheet Pan Pork Chops
Think of sheet pan meals as little weeknight celebrations.
Follow this recipe and feel free to add more veggies to the pan. You can include green beans, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts.
Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chops
One Pot Ground Pork Pasta with and Sweet Potato
Ground pork works in pastas, soups, casseroles, and other one-pot meals.
This recipe layers ground pork, sweet potatoes, onions, rigatoni, and other simple ingredients. You can store it for up to three days.
Get The Recipe: One Pot Ground Pork Pasta with and Sweet Potato
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Pear and Pistachio Pesto Pizza
If you’re looking for something a bit special, you have to try this pizza.
It’s bursting with nutty richness from pistachio pesto, the fruity coolness of pear slices, and creamy vegan mozzarella.
Get The Recipe: Pear and Pistachio Pesto Pizza
One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bake
Treat the entire family to a mouthwatering high-protein meal.
This recipe features lots of wholesome ingredients, from zucchini and cherry tomatoes to spinach and Kalamata olives.
Get The Recipe: One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bake
Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
This sheet pan meal is made with salmon fillets, asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, and basil pesto.
Bake everything until perfectly cooked, then pair it with lemon-parsley rice to soak up all the flavorful juices.
Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
Bubble up Pizza Casserole
Busy nights call for fun shortcuts, and this pizza casserole offers just that!
Make it ahead of time and enjoy it with garlic breadsticks and your favorite salads.
Get The Recipe: Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
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These dishes are perfect for sharing.
If you’re always busy, build your meals around pantry staples like rice, pasta, canned beans, and frozen veggies.
That way, you can swap ingredients depending on what’s available in your pantry. Also, double the recipe so you can eat leftovers the next day or repurpose them.
25 Corn Dishes That’ll Leave You Corn-Pletely Satisfied
Corn dishes are always a crowd-pleaser, and this list shows exactly just that. It includes plenty of tasty favorites, from cheesy bakes to zesty salads.
Read it here: 25 Corn Dishes That’ll Leave You Corn-Pletely Satisfied
25 Weeknight Meals That Keep Dinner From Getting Boring
Keep dinner from getting boring with these weeknight meals. Whether you’re craving something like a hearty soup or simple sandwiches, these meals are easy to make and delicious.
Read it here: 25 Weeknight Meals That Keep Dinner From Getting Boring
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Looking for more family-friendly meals? Make dinnertime easier with these delicious ideas:
- 25 Ham Leftover Recipes That Don’t Feel Like Leftovers at All
- 25 Last Minute Meals That’ll Fool Everyone Into Thinking You Planned It
- 25 Canned Tomato Recipes That Stretch Your Pantry Staples
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