28 Easy Dinner Recipes That’ll Make Your Family Say ‘Yum!’ (You Won’t Believe #15!)
Dinner time can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! With these 28 easy dinner recipes, you can whip up delicious meals that your family will love without spending hours in the kitchen. From comforting casseroles to quick stir-fries, there’s something for every palate.
Let’s get cooking and discover meals that will make everyone at the dinner table say ‘yum!’
1. Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
This classic comfort dish combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheese sauce baked to perfection. It’s a complete meal in one dish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
**Ingredients:** 2 cups cooked chicken, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 cup cream of chicken soup, 1 cup cooked rice, salt, and pepper to taste.
**Instructions:** Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients and transfer to a greased baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Your family will love the cheesy goodness!
2. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta
This quick and easy pasta dish is bursting with flavor from fresh lemon and garlic. It’s light, zesty, and comes together in just 20 minutes!
**Ingredients:** 8 oz spaghetti, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 lemon (juiced and zested), 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley for garnish.
**Instructions:** Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. In a pan, heat olive oil, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Toss in the drained pasta, lemon juice, and zest. Season and serve with parsley.
Perfect for a busy evening!
3. Taco Night – Simple Beef Tacos
Taco night is always a hit! These easy beef tacos are customizable and perfect for a fun family dinner.
**Ingredients:** 1 lb ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, taco shells, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.
**Instructions:** Brown the beef in a skillet and mix with taco seasoning. Fill taco shells with beef and top with your favorite toppings.
Let everyone build their own tacos for a fun interactive dinner!
4. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Warm, comforting, and bursting with flavor, this creamy tomato basil soup pairs beautifully with grilled cheese sandwiches.
**Ingredients:** 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup fresh basil, salt, and pepper.
**Instructions:** In a pot, combine tomatoes and broth; simmer for 10 minutes. Blend until smooth, stir in cream and basil, and season. Serve hot.
It’s a hug in a bowl!
5. Quick Chicken Stir-Fry
This vibrant chicken stir-fry is not only quick to prepare but packed with colorful vegetables and delicious flavors.
**Ingredients:** 1 lb chicken breast (sliced), 2 cups mixed bell peppers, 1 cup broccoli, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp ginger (grated), and 2 tbsp olive oil.
**Instructions:** Heat oil in a pan, add chicken, and cook until browned. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Pour in soy sauce and ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve hot over rice.
A healthy meal in under 30 minutes!
6. Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach
This hearty baked ziti is layered with gooey cheese, savory sauce, and nutritious spinach, making it a family favorite.
**Ingredients:** 12 oz ziti pasta, 1 jar marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup spinach, 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
**Instructions:** Cook pasta; combine with sauce, ricotta, and spinach. Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
A satisfying dish that brings everyone to the table!
7. Easy Beef and Broccoli
This takeout favorite can be made at home in minutes! Tender beef and crisp broccoli in a savory sauce will wow your family.
**Ingredients:** 1 lb beef (thinly sliced), 2 cups broccoli florets, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp sesame oil.
**Instructions:** Marinate beef in soy sauce and cornstarch for 10 minutes. Stir-fry beef in sesame oil until browned, add broccoli, and cook until tender. Serve over rice.
A perfect weeknight dish!
8. Sweet and Sour Chicken
This sweet and tangy dish is a hit with both kids and adults alike! It’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with rice.
**Ingredients:** 1 lb chicken breast (cubed), 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1 bell pepper (sliced), 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce.
**Instructions:** Cook chicken until browned, add pineapple and peppers, and stir in sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over rice.
A delightful flavor explosion!
9. Herbed Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes
Juicy pork chops seasoned with fresh herbs served alongside creamy mashed potatoes make for a comforting family meal.
**Ingredients:** 4 pork chops, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, 1 lb potatoes (peeled and cubed), 1/2 cup milk, salt, and pepper.
**Instructions:** Season pork chops with herbs, sear in olive oil until cooked through. Boil potatoes, mash with milk, salt, and pepper. Serve together for a hearty dinner.
Simple yet satisfying!
10. Veggie-Packed Quinoa Bowl
This colorful quinoa bowl is not only healthy but also filling and delicious, packed with fresh veggies and a zesty dressing.
**Ingredients:** 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water, 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 cucumber (diced), 1 bell pepper (diced), juice of 1 lemon, salt, and pepper.
**Instructions:** Rinse quinoa, cook with water. Toss cooked quinoa with veggies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled or warm.
A nutritious option for the whole family!
11. Spaghetti Carbonara
Indulge in this creamy and savory spaghetti carbonara, made with eggs, cheese, pancetta, and pepper. It’s a simple yet luxurious dish that’s perfect for family dinners.
**Ingredients:** 12 oz spaghetti, 4 oz pancetta, 2 eggs, 1 cup parmesan cheese, black pepper.
**Instructions:** Cook spaghetti; in a pan, sauté pancetta until crispy. Beat eggs and mix with cheese. Combine hot pasta with pancetta, and pour egg mixture over, stirring quickly. Serve immediately.
A classic Italian favorite!
12. Stuffed Bell Peppers
These colorful stuffed bell peppers are filled with a flavorful mixture of rice, ground meat, and spices, making a nutritious and visually appealing meal.
**Ingredients:** 4 bell peppers, 1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 jar marinara sauce, and cheese for topping.
**Instructions:** Preheat oven to 375°F. Hollow out peppers, mix meat, rice, and sauce; stuff into peppers. Top with cheese and bake for 30 minutes.
A delightful way to serve dinner!
13. Chicken Parmesan
This classic Italian dish features breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese, served over pasta for a comforting meal.
**Ingredients:** 4 chicken breasts, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
**Instructions:** Preheat oven to 375°F. Bread chicken, fry until golden, then layer with marinara and cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve over spaghetti.
A surefire family favorite!
14. Classic Meatloaf
This homestyle meatloaf is juicy and flavorful, topped with a tangy glaze, making it a quintessential family meal.
**Ingredients:** 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1/2 cup onion (finely chopped), 1/2 cup ketchup.
**Instructions:** Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients, shape into a loaf, and place in a baking dish. Top with extra ketchup and bake for 1 hour.
Serve slices with mashed potatoes for a comforting dinner!
15. BBQ Chicken Pizza (You Won’t Believe #15!)
This BBQ chicken pizza takes pizza night to a new level with tangy barbecue sauce, grilled chicken, and red onions, all melted under gooey cheese.
**Ingredients:** 1 pizza crust, 1 cup grilled chicken (shredded), 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 1/2 red onion (sliced), 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
**Instructions:** Preheat oven to 475°F. Spread BBQ sauce on crust, top with chicken, onions, and cheese. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Your family will be begging for seconds!
16. Garlic Butter Shrimp
This garlic butter shrimp recipe is quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights. Serve it over pasta or rice for a complete meal.
**Ingredients:** 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined), 4 tbsp butter, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1/4 cup parsley (chopped), salt, and pepper.
**Instructions:** Melt butter in a skillet, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Add shrimp, season, and cook until pink. Serve hot.
A delightful seafood dish!
17. Vegetable Fried Rice
This easy vegetable fried rice is a great way to use up leftovers and comes together in just a few minutes. It’s colorful, tasty, and a hit with kids!
**Ingredients:** 3 cups cooked rice, 1 cup mixed vegetables, 2 eggs, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 green onions (chopped).
**Instructions:** Scramble eggs in a pan, add veggies and rice, stir in soy sauce, and cook until heated through. Top with green onions.
A simple side or main dish!
18. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
These vegetarian tacos are hearty and full of flavor, featuring roasted sweet potatoes and black beans topped with a zesty lime crema.
**Ingredients:** 2 sweet potatoes (cubed), 1 can black beans, 1 tsp cumin, taco shells, lime, and cilantro.
**Instructions:** Roast sweet potatoes with cumin until tender. Mix black beans with lime juice. Fill taco shells with sweet potatoes and beans, top with cilantro.
A delicious meatless option!
19. Chicken Fajitas
These sizzling chicken fajitas are quick to make and perfect for a family dinner. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings!
**Ingredients:** 1 lb chicken breast (sliced), 2 bell peppers (sliced), 1 onion (sliced), fajita seasoning, tortillas.
**Instructions:** Sauté chicken and vegetables with seasoning until cooked. Serve with warm tortillas and toppings like guacamole and salsa.
A flavorful fiesta on your table!
20. Creamy Mushroom Risotto
This creamy mushroom risotto is rich, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner.
**Ingredients:** 1 cup arborio rice, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup mushrooms (sliced), 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1 onion (chopped), 1/2 cup white wine.
**Instructions:** Sauté onion and mushrooms, add rice, then gradually stir in broth and wine until creamy. Finish with cheese.
A gourmet dish made simple!
21. Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
End your family dinner on a sweet note with this giant chocolate chip cookie baked in a skillet. It’s gooey, warm, and perfect for sharing!
**Ingredients:** 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 2 cups flour, 1 cup chocolate chips.
**Instructions:** Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, then mix in flour and chocolate chips. Bake in a skillet for 25 minutes.
Serve warm with ice cream for an irresistible treat!
Conclusion
There you have it—28 easy dinner recipes that are sure to impress your family and make dinner time a breeze! From comforting casseroles to vibrant stir-fries, these meals are designed for busy families who still want to enjoy delicious food together.
Try them out, and let us know which ones become your new favorites!