Looking for easy and delicious family dinner ideas? You’ve come to the right place. Juggling your busy schedule can make preparing a home-cooked meal seem nearly impossible. But fear not, there are countless options that are both time-efficient and family-friendly.
From one-pan dishes to customizable recipes, you’ll find options that cater to everyone’s taste buds. Whether it’s chicken curry, tilapia, or pulled pork, your family will enjoy these meals, and you’ll love how simple they are to prepare. So let’s dive into some fantastic family dinner ideas that you can start serving up tonight.
Spaghetti Bolognese
To enjoy a delicious Spaghetti Bolognese, follow these simple steps:
- Sauté 1 large minced onion, 1 large grated carrot, and 2 ribs of diced celery in 1 ½ tbsp of olive oil.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, then stir in 2 tsp minced garlic, tomato paste, and spices.
- Simmer sauce, adding red wine.
- Cook pasta and combine with sauce.
It’s a perfect family dinner idea, combining taste with simplicity.
Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a family favorite. Start by cooking pasta al dente. Simultaneously, prepare your chicken by seasoning it and browning it in a pan. In the same pan, sauté garlic, add butter, and mix in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Combine the pasta with the sauce and chicken. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter
Grilled Salmon is both tasty and nutritious, perfect for a family dinner. To prepare, preheat your grill to medium-high (around 400-450°F). Clean and oil the grates. Combine garlic, butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl and brush over salmon fillets. Grill for about 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Serve your delicious and healthy dish, pleasing the whole family with its zesty flavor. Remember, a well-prepared Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter makes an excellent family dinner.
Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff is a fantastic dinner choice for your family. This easy one-pot recipe combines tender beef, creamy sauce, and flavorful seasonings. Follow these steps to prepare a delicious meal:
- Slice and season beef
- Brown in a hot skillet
- Prepare a creamy sauce with onions, mushrooms, flour, broth, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, and mustard
Serve over rice or pasta, and enjoy your quick, comforting family dinner!
Vegetable Lasagna
Ingredients: lasagna noodles, olive oil, onion, garlic, carrots, bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, salt, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, marinara sauce.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Prepare veggies in olive oil until golden, stir occasionally.
- Mix cheeses together and set aside.
- Assemble lasagna: noodles, ricotta, vegetables, cheese mix, marinara sauce. Repeat, then add noodles and top with remaining sauce and cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy your delicious, healthy lasagna!
Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas make for a quick and easy family dinner. Simply cook 1 pound of sliced chicken in a skillet, seasoned with 1 tablespoon of fajita seasoning. For the veggies, toss onion and bell peppers on a sheet pan with oil and seasoning before baking. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings. Enjoy, your delicious Tex-Mex experience!
Tacos Al Pastor
Ingredients:
- Sliced pork shoulder
- Pineapple
- Onion
- Orange juice
- White vinegar
- Chipotle
- Chile powder
- Garlic
- Salt
- Oregano
- Cooking oil
- Tortillas
Marinate pork at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Cook pork with pineapple and onion in a frying pan. Serve in tortillas with desired toppings. Enjoy your delicious and quick family dinner.
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is a delicious and festive family dinner idea from Spain. To make this dish, you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Chicken & rabbit or pork ribs
- Garlic
- Onion
- Green beans & lima beans
- Paella rice (Arroz Bomba)
- Saffron or paella seasoning
- Paprika
- Salt & pepper
In a large pan, brown the meat in olive oil, then add onions, garlic, and beans. Stir in rice, seasoning, and broth. Cook until rice is tender, and enjoy your flavorful family meal!
Coq au Vin
Coq au Vin is a perfect family dinner option that combines the flavors of chicken, wine, and vegetables. To make this dish, you’ll need:
- Chicken pieces
- Red wine
- Vegetables (mushrooms, onions, carrots, etc.)
- Pancetta or bacon
- Herbs (thyme, bay leaves)
- Flour and butter for thickening
First, brown the chicken and pancetta. Remove and sauté vegetables. Next, add wine, herbs, and chicken back into the pot, then simmer. Finish with a flour and butter mixture to thicken the sauce. Serve with your favorite side!
Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon is a classic French dish your family will love. To prepare, brown beef chunks and bacon in a Dutch oven. Add carrots, pearl onions, and mushrooms. Deglaze with red wine and beef broth. Stir in tomato paste and seasonings. Bake at 350°F for 2.5 hours. Serve over mashed potatoes or with crusty bread. Enjoy this warm, hearty meal!
Chicken Kiev
Chicken Kiev is a delicious dinner option your family will love. It features a breaded chicken breast stuffed with garlic herb butter.
Choose a side dish, such as:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables (carrots, zucchini, eggplant)
- Mixed green salad with lettuce, cucumber, and your favorite veggies.
Use a simple recipe or try an enhanced variation to suit your family’s preferences. Enjoy a satisfying and tasty meal together!
Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Gravy
A scrumptious Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Gravy will satisfy your family’s dinner cravings. Follow these easy steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Season tenderloin with salt and pepper.
- Brown pork in butter, remove from pan.
- Sauté mushrooms and garlic, then add flour.
- Mix in heavy cream, broth, and Worcestershire.
- Cover, simmer until tender (10-15 minutes).
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Enjoy this flavorful dish and see everyone’s smile at your family table!
Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Baked Ziti with Meatballs offers a hearty and satisfying option for family dinner. Start by boiling ziti pasta, then sauté onions and garlic. Add tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, and meatballs to the mixture, season accordingly. Toss the pasta and meatballs, add to a baking dish, and top with cheese. Bake until golden and enjoy!
Ratatouille
Ratatouille, a classic French dish, is perfect for family dinners. Gather the ingredients like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and various herbs. Here’s a quick way to prepare:
- Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.
- Add vegetables and cook until tender.
- Season with herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Serve with a protein side (e.g., Salmon Piccata) for a wholesome meal.
Incorporate this healthy and delicious dish into your family dinners for a flavorful experience.
Beef Chili with Cornbread
Preparing a hearty beef chili with a delicious cornbread topping is a quick, satisfying option for a family dinner. Start by browning your meat with onion and garlic. Add your favorite beans, spices, and tomato-based sauce for a rich, flavorful chili. While the chili simmers, prepare a simple cornbread mix, and follow package instructions. Serve the cornbread alongside or on top of your chili for a comforting, well-rounded meal that your family will love.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed Bell Peppers make a delicious and nutritious family dinner. Here’s a quick guide:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Remove seeds from bell peppers, place open-faced on a baking dish.
- Brown ground beef or turkey with onions and seasoning.
- Mix in cooked rice and tomato sauce.
- Fill peppers and top with cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a popular, satisfying family dinner idea. A delicious comfort meal, it features a layer of cooked, seasoned ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes. For a St. Patrick’s Day twist, try a Guinness Shepherd’s Pie.
To round out the dinner, complement the pie with sides like:
- Fried cabbage with bacon, onion, and garlic
- Easy-to-make homemade rolls
- Flavorful focaccia bread infused with olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme, and rosemary
Delight your family with this cozy dish and enjoy a memorable meal together.
Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients: Rotisserie chicken, butter, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, flour, chicken broth, heavy cream, and pie crust.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt butter in a large pot and sauté onion, carrots, and celery.
- Add garlic and flour, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Cook until thickened.
- Stir in chicken and season.
- Fill a 9-inch pie dish with filling and cover with top pie crust. Flute edges and cut vent slits.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes.
Servings: 6
Roast Chicken with Vegetables
Preparing a roast chicken with vegetables is a simple, nutritious, and delicious family dinner option.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Chop up a selection of veggies such as potatoes, carrots, and onions. Season both the chicken and vegetables with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs. Place the seasoned vegetables around the chicken, and then roast in the oven for about 1 hour.
Enjoy your tasty, well-balanced meal!
BBQ Ribs with Coleslaw
Cooking ribs can be simple: oven-roast at 300°F for 1.5 hours, then grill them briefly. For a tasty glaze, mix barbecue sauce with an equal amount of honey. Serve with coleslaw – whisk mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Combine with cabbage, carrot, onion, and parsley.
Shrimp Scampi with Garlic Bread
Shrimp Scampi: Season shrimp with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear in a skillet with butter for 1 minute per side1. Add garlic, lemon juice, and oregano2. Serve with:
Garlic Bread: Mix butter, garlic, and parsley; spread on bread. Bake3.
Enjoy this classic, easy-to-make dinner3!
Footnotes
Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan is a delicious and hearty dish perfect for a family dinner. To make it, first preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice eggplants and dip them into a mixture of whisked eggs and almond milk. Then, coat the slices with a panko and Parmesan cheese blend, seasoned with oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Bake the coated eggplant slices until crispy. Layer them with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese in a baking dish, and cook until bubbly. Serve with a simple side like sautéed green beans or a grape feta salad for a well-rounded meal.
Meatball Subs
Meatball subs make a tasty and satisfying family dinner idea. Use store-bought meatballs or create your own with ground meat, breadcrumbs, and spices. Preheat your oven and lay open hoagie buns on a sheet pan. Season with olive oil, garlic powder, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bake meatballs and arrange them on buns, topping with marinara sauce and provolone or mozzarella cheese. Consider serving with sides like cucumber salad or garlic bread for a well-rounded meal your family will love.
Fish and Chips
For a quick and tasty family dinner, try homemade fish and chips. Use fresh fish like cod or haddock and coat with seasoned flour. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy. Serve alongside golden fries and pick from popular sides such as minted mushy peas, fennel slaw, or beer-battered onion rings. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.