59 Weeknight Dinners the Whole Family Will Love
You’ll have no problem gathering everyone around the table with these delicious ideas.
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All Our Best Recipes
Cooking a family-friendly meal on a busy weeknight is no small task. If you’re anything like us you’ve got a handful of main dishes you can rely on, some go-to ideas for chicken and a few solid pizza recipes that work their way into the rotation every once in a while. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut though, which is why it never hurts to have a few extra choices in your back pocket. That’s the idea behind these picks. We’ve rounded up a few ideas that you may not have considered before: easy dump dinners, crave-worthy baked pastas, fun breakfast-for-dinner recipes and more. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend these crispy pork chops, breaded in a Panko coating that isn’t hard to prep at all. We throw in some Italian seasoning since it’s a staple in many spice cabinets but feel free to use whatever you like and have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pork Chops
20-Minute Instant Pot Pizza Frittata
This pizza-frittata mash-up is crazy-easy to make, thanks to your Instant Pot ®. Shredded provolone and grated Parmesan work best for this frittata because they stay suspended perfectly in the egg base and add just the right umami flavor. We serve the frittata with a simple spinach salad for a fun and family-friendly meal.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Instant Pot Pizza Frittata
Pasta with Cauliflower-Parmesan Butter
A simple, vegetable-packed meal that will get dinner on the table quickly and make everyone in the family happy. Creamy butter is loaded with cauliflower and salty Parmesan cheese, then blended smooth, making it perfect for picky vegetable eaters.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Cauliflower-Parmesan Butter
Skillet Taco Pizza
Every night can be pizza night when it’s so easy to prepare at home. Use store-bought pizza dough to cut down on time and serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Taco Pizza
One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
You can have this creamy and comforting pasta with chicken on the table in just 30 minutes and best of all, it all cooks in one pot — you won't even need to boil water first! It's packed with tender chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onions, and finished off with a creamy tomato sauce.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Hamburger Steaks with Onion and Mushroom Gravy
This recipe is an update of the classic Salisbury steak. With additions like smoked paprika in the beef mix and lightly caramelized onions in the gravy, this version will be a new family favorite to enjoy with a side of mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Steaks with Onion and Mushroom Gravy
Chicken Tortilla Dump Dinner
Enjoy all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a comforting casserole that's fast and easy to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Dump Dinner
Blended Beef, White Bean and Squash Burgers
This smoky, juicy burger is a three-in-one combination of a classic beef burger, a veggie burger and a bean burger. It's a delicious and easy way to cut down on meat while still getting lots of satisfying flavor. After you've tried this version, put your own spin on it by subbing in your favorite spice blend instead of the paprika, garlic and onion powder used here.
Get the Recipe: Blended Beef, White Bean and Squash Burgers
Shrimp Stir-Fry
This shrimp stir-fry recipe is simple and fast. It cooks in about 5 minutes, so be sure to prep all your ingredients and cook the rice in advance.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Stir-Fry
Ohio Turkey Chili
There's nothing more Ohio than Valerie's Cincinatti-style chili spaghetti.
Get the Recipe: Ohio Turkey Chili
Spinach-and-Mushroom-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Waffle Chicken Fingers
Combine chicken and waffles for an inventive take on a classic.
Get the Recipe: Waffle Chicken Fingers
General Tso’s Taco Bake
Eddie says, “I love using rotisserie chicken because you can just pick it up, it’s easy and you don’t have to worry about cooking.” He coats the chicken in a sweet sauce inspired by his favorite takeout dish, then stuffs the meat into crunchy taco shells.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Taco Bake
Caesar Salad with Shrimp
Ree’s simple yet elegant salad is the ultimate meal when you need to impress in a hurry. She whips up a quick homemade dressing, which she lets seep into quartered hearts of romaine. Artfully arranged shrimp and baked garlic croutons add the final, crowd-pleasing touch.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad with Shrimp
Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes
Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes
Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Sunny uses quick-cooking chicken tenders and cuts them into bite-size chunks for her easy, satisfying pot pie.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Pasta Pizza
Store-bought pizza dough makes Trisha's tortellini-topped pizza a breeze to make.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Pizza
Lazy No-Bake Lasagna
True to its name, Valerie’s lasagna requires next-to-no effort. Bonus? The dish is prepared in just one pot, which is so important when you don’t want to wash dishes at the end of a long day.
Get the Recipe: Lazy No-Bake Lasagna
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Here's a family dinner trick from Ree: Make meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for later. When you and the fam need to eat next, just pop them out and cook them in this quick Asian-inspired sauce.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Chicken Curry in a Hurry
A true one-pot wonder, Ree’s chicken curry comes together in just 25 minutes from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry in a Hurry
Halibut Fish Tacos
Get the Recipe: Halibut Fish Tacos with Cilantro Savoy Slaw
Pork and Pineapple Grain Bowl
These bowls are packed with so much flavor it's almost unbelievable you can make them in only 40 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Pineapple Grain Bowl
Butternut Squash-Stuffed Shells
These stuffed shells are packed with a flavorful spinach and ricotta filling and nestled in a cozy roasted butternut Alfredo sauce. There's no better way to eat your veggies!
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash-Stuffed Shells
Chicken Tamale Pie
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie
Bacon-Tomato Linguine
A brighter riff on carbonara, this cheesy, bacony weeknight pasta feels somehow more substantial thanks to the addition of tomatoes and basil.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Tomato Linguine
Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry
Get the Recipe: Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry
Make-Ahead Chicken Tetrazzini
Need a night off? This family-friendly chicken and pasta casserole can be made up to a day in advance and stored in your refigerator until you're ready to bake it.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Chicken Tetrazzini
Lighter Taco Skillet
Ree's taco skillet dinner is delicious and easy, and thanks to ground turkey, a lighter (but still satisfying) way to feed the fam in one fell swoop.
Get the Recipe: Lighter Taco Skillet
Pasta e Fagioli with Chickpeas
Comforting pasta e fagioli, or pasta and beans, gets a weeknight makeover in this easy version that uses chickpeas instead of the usual cannellini.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli with Chickpeas
Eggs in Purgatory
To some it's eggs in purgatory. To others, it's shakshuka. To us, it's super delicious tomato-baked eggs that make the perfect casual weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Eggs in Purgatory: Shakshuka
Pizza Pot Pies
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies
Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole with Ham and Peas
Foil-Packet Chicken Fajitas
Bring your favorite restaurant dish home with these personal-sized foil-packet fajitas. They take no time to prepare, clean-up is a breeze and they are totally customizable, so even the pickiest eater will dig in.
Get the Recipe: Foil-Packet Chicken Fajitas
Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs
Using ground chicken, make Giada's zesty meatballs to serve in a hearty pasta dish with orecchiette and fresh mozzarella.
Get the Recipe: Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Here's what to make if you are craving everything an egg roll has to offer — crunchy vegetables, savory pork and a sweet, tangy sauce — but want to cut back on the carbs. This recipe comes together quickly so be sure to have all the ingredients prepped before you begin.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Vegetable Bowl
Fast Fake-Baked Ziti
Get the Recipe: Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
Beef and Cheddar Casserole
Get the Recipe: Beef and Cheddar Casserole
Pork Chops with Roasted Kale and Walnut Pesto
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Roasted Kale and Walnut Pesto
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Garlic Oil Sauteed Pasta with Broccoli
Get the Recipe: Garlic Oil Sauteed Pasta with Broccoli
Crispy Pork Chops with Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
This dinner for four is ready in just 40 minutes thanks to boneless pork chops. Plus, change up the everyday roasted sprout with a quick honey-Sriracha sauce.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Pork Chops with Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp is perfect for workdays because it cooks up fast. Take, for instance, The Pioneer Woman's shrimp tacos; they're ready from start to finish in just 16 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tacos
Beef and Black Bean Sliders
Get the Recipe: Beef and Black Bean Sliders
One-Pot Super Easy Fusilli
This dinner is as simple as dumping everything into a pot — dry noodles, tomatoes and all — and letting it simmer. The liquid from the stock will absorb into the pasta and create a rich, flavorful sauce.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Super Easy Fusilli
Salmon and Polenta
Salmon fillets are perfect for family dinners. Serve them with grilled polenta, a sweet and comforting carb alternative to potatoes, which take forever to cook.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon and Polenta
Lighter Chicken Parmesan
Can you believe The Pioneer Woman's version of chicken Parmesan is not only lighter but also takes just 16 minutes to cook?
Get the Recipe: Lighter Chicken Parmesan
Meatball Marsala
Why should chicken have all the fun? Give meatballs the Marsala treatment and prepare to be amazed (and in only 40 minutes).
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marsala
Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad
Ree's pasta salad is loaded with bacon and cheese, so even the kids will devour it.
Get the Recipe: Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad
Oven-Fried Chicken
Get the Recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken
Barbecue Mac and Cheese
Damaris adds barbecue sauce and beer for a twist on this classic dish. Shred your own cheese for the creamiest mac and cheese – pre-shredded packages often includes cellulose to help prevent clumping, but can leave you with a gritty cheese sauce.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Mac and Cheese
Mexican Tortilla Pizzas with Chorizo
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Pizzas with Chorizo
Fish Sticks with Broccoli
Get the Recipe: Fish Sticks with Broccoli Rice
Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs
Ellie proves that white meat isn't the only "good-for-you" part of the chicken. She uses bone-in chicken thighs and removes the skin, brushing the meat with a tangy glaze.
Get the Recipe: Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs
Bacon and Broccoli Rice Bowls
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Broccoli Rice Bowl
Chicken Noodle Soup
Thanks to the help of quick-cooking chicken breasts, Ree's pot of comforting chicken noodle soup is ready in just 35 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup
Fontina Risotto with Chicken
Get the Recipe: Fontina Risotto with Chicken
Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken
Bring the family together for a whole chicken dinner. Tyler's recipe is simple and classic: He stuffs the cavity with lemon, garlic and herbs and roasts it over new potatoes that absorb the bird's flavorful juices.
Get the Recipe: Lemon And Herb Roasted Chicken With Baby Potatoes
Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce
Get the Recipe: Tortellini With Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce
