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75 Easy Family Dinner Ideas for a Quick and Delicious Weeknight Meal

They will all be asking for seconds!

By Samantha MacAvoy and Taylor Worden

Jun 27, 2022

a plate of green zucchini boats stuffed with chorizo

Mike Garten

Stuck in the same weeknight meal rotation? No stress! We’ve rounded up our favorite easy (and delicious) family dinner ideas for plenty of mealtime inspiration. From warming healthy soups and stews to satisfyingly easy pasta recipes, our best family style recipes require very little prep for super-satisfying meals, even on the busiest of weeknights.

What makes a family dinner, you ask? Well, that depends on every family and each kids' discerning palate. We rounded up our tastiest meals that tend to be crowd-favorites (spaghetti and meatballs!), easy to make for at least four people (tacos!) and classic options for even the pickiest eaters. Whether you’re on the hunt for family-friendly vegetarian recipes, healthy chicken dinners or easy recipes to feed a crowd, look no further.

First, some tips to get you started: Wash and dry any fresh produce on the weekend or the night before you plan to cook it to save time on hectic weeknights. Second, plan your meals ahead of time so you can shop for only what you need and avoid food waste. This doesn't have to be rigid, you can plan a few meals and count on enjoying leftovers on the days you're not cooking. Finally, clean as you go! Many of these recipes are simple sheet pan dinners or one-pot dishes, making cleanup a breeze. With these tips, plus our deliciously cheap and easy dinner recipes, you’ll have family dinner success in no time!

Mike Garten

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.

a plate of zucchini stuffed with chorizo

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

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 halves with chicken on a white plate

Mike Garten

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

The secret to this tangy, creamy dish? Use canned artichoke halves for fast, easy flavor!

Get the Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe.

tubes of pasta marinated with peppers on a white plate

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

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.

three shrimp rolls in hot dog buns with a side of creamy dip

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

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.

chicken parmesan on a sheet pan with mozzarella on top

Mike Garten

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 roasted radishes and spinach

Mike Garten

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.

roasted chicken and peppers on a black plate

Mike Garten

Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers

Juicy chicken legs add the right amount of richness to this veggie-heavy dinner.

Get the Fennel Roasted Chicken and Peppers recipe.

beef curry and white rice with cilantro and lime

Mike Garten

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.

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Liven up staples like chicken and linguine with a creamy tangy sauce of cream cheese and lemon.

Get the Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta recipe.

pork meatball subs with a side of sweet chili pepper sauce

Danielle Daly

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.

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

Seared Salmon With Charred Green Beans

This favorite uses just five ingredients but offers so much flavor.

Get the Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans recipe.

Mike Garten

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.

turkey hard shell tacos on a blue plate with slices of lime on the side

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Turkey Tacos

Taco Tuesday gets a lighter twist with our slightly spicy take on this crunchy family fave.

Get the Turkey Tacos recipe.

Mike Garten

Vegan Lasagna

No fear, if you have dairy allergies or plant-based eaters in your family, you can still eat lasagna. Yum!

Get the Vegan Lasagna recipe.

two bowls of butternut squash soup with slices of bread on the side

Mike Garten

Air Fryer Squash Soup

The air fryer soup makes this 45-minute soup even easier.

Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

Gluten-Free Spaghetti with Clams and Bacon Crumbs

Got gluten-free eaters in your household? Don't let that stop pasta night!

Get the Gluten-Free Spaghetti with Clams and Bacon Crumbs recipe.

Danielle Daly

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.

Danielle Daly

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.

Mike Garten

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Homemade crispy coated chicken is a real crowd pleaser and is best served with an easy barbecue side for the most delicious summer dinner.

Get the Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe.

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Chili Dogs

A spoonful of spicy, meaty chili elevates an average hot dog to an epic dinner dish.

Get the Chili Dogs recipe.

Mike Garten

Vegetarian Lasagna

This rich layered pasta is perfect for a crowd. Make a big batch over the weekend and keep in your freezer for the night when prepping dinner is the last thing you want to do.

Get the Vegetarian Lasagna recipe.

Mike Garten

Chicken Mole

Chicken mole features succulent, dark-meat chicken simmered in a rich, savory sauce of onions, tomatoes, chili powder and a touch of chocolate (yes, really!).

Get the Chicken Mole recipe.

Mike Garten

Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta

This recipe for tender beef and creamy grits is the most crowd-pleasing version of steak and potatoes.

Get the Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta recipe.

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Samantha MacAvoy Samantha MacAvoy is the Editorial Assistant on the Good Housekeeping food team, where she writes about tasty recipes from the Test Kitchen, must-try food products and tools, and top-tested secrets for home cooking success.

Taylor Worden Freelance Editor Taylor Worden is a Freelance Editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributes entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer.