Family-Friendly Weeknight Dinner Recipes

Please the whole family with these quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes from Food Network chefs.

Save Collection

Related To:

Photo By: Armando Rafael

Photo By: Rob Pryce

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Photo By: RYAN DAUSCH

Photo By: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Photo By: Ryan Dausch

Photo By: Kang Kim

Photo By: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Photo By: Charles Masters

Photo By: RYAN DAUSCH

©Marina Malchin

Photo By: Kang Kim

Photo By: Andrew Purcell

Photo By: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Photo By: Andrew Purcell

Photo By: Christopher Testani

Photo By: RYAN DAUSCH

Photo By: Con Poulos

Photo By: Christopher Testani

Photo By: Heather Ramsdell

Photo By: Antonis Achilleos

Photo By: Heather Ramsdell

Photo By: Johnny Miller

Baked Pork Chop

This simple preparation is perfect for a weeknight — just shake and bake!

Get the Recipe: Baked Pork Chop

Pasta Pizza

Store-bought pizza dough makes Trisha's tortellini-topped pizza a breeze to make.

Get the Recipe: Pasta Pizza

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

Ohio Turkey Chili

There's nothing more Ohio than Valerie's Cincinatti-style chili spaghetti.

Get the Recipe: Ohio Turkey Chili

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

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

Spinach-and-Mushroom-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Frozen spinach is clutch for pulling off these tender stuffed chicken rolls, since, unlike fresh spinach, it won't shrink up when it cooks. Just defrost the spinach in the microwave, then wring it out in a clean kitchen towel before mixing it with your sauteed mushrooms, garlic and fresh ricotta.

Get the Recipe: Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breasts

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

Chicken Tamale Pie

Food Network Kitchen turned classic tamales into this shepherd's pie-style casserole with a cornmeal topping.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie

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

Giada De Laurentiis transforms a family favorite, cheesy pizza, into individual pot pies loaded with chicken and broccoli.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies

Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole

Turn prepared gnocchi into a satisfying meal with the addition of peas, ham and a creamy, cheesy sauce.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole with Ham and Peas

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

Waffle Chicken Fingers

Combine chicken and waffles for an inventive take on a classic.

Get the Recipe: Waffle Chicken Fingers

Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

Adding canned pumpkin to crowd-pleasing creamy Alfredo sauce gives a boost of flavor and nutrients.

Get the Recipe: Tortellini With Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

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

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

Beef and Cheddar Casserole

Try a new take on the casserole — a standby one-dish dinner. This one combines hearty ground beef with cheddar and egg noodles.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Cheddar Casserole

Halibut Fish Tacos

Start a new taco night tradition — forgo meat and cheese fillings in favor of fresh fish and vibrant salsa verde.

Get the Recipe: Halibut Fish Tacos with Cilantro Savoy Slaw

Fast Fake-Baked Ziti

Rachael Ray's crowd-pleasing pasta is cooked on the stove and needs only a few minutes under the broiler to get the cheese bubbly and brown. She serves it with a super-quick salad of fresh spinach and artichoke hearts.

Get the Recipe: Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti

Pork Chops with Roasted Kale and Walnut Pesto

This recipe makes more pesto than you will need, but the leftovers will not go to waste. Try adding a spoonful to scrambled eggs, mix with mayonnaise for a sandwich spread, toss with some hot pasta and pasta cooking water, or even stir a bit into your favorite brothy soup.

Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Roasted Kale and Walnut Pesto

Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes

Chopped rotisserie chicken stands in for whole chicken breasts in this timesaving skillet dinner from Food Network Magazine. Though the process is simplified, all of the usual accoutrements are here: San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Throw in some thawed artichoke hearts for more meaty texture.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes

Fish Sticks with Broccoli

These 35-minute fish sticks from Food Network Magazine provide the perfect excuse to introduce your family to new flavors: Serve them with sweet Thai chili sauce instead of ketchup — it has a slight kick but isn't super-spicy.

Get the Recipe: Fish Sticks with Broccoli Rice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oven-Fried Chicken

If traditional fried chicken is a family favorite in your house, try this healthier take. Oven-"fried" chicken is still nice and crisp, but with less fat. And because it’s made in the oven instead of fried on the stovetop (which requires constant supervision), it gives you more time for dinner prep.

Get the Recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken

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

Melissa d'Arabian stretches her dollar by subbing some of the beef for mashed black beans in these kid-sized burgers.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Black Bean Sliders

Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

Introduce the kids to nutrient-rich spaghetti squash by serving it like pasta with juicy meatballs and a quick homemade marinara.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

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

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Cook pork shoulder low and slow for hours with brown sugar, spices and a little apple cider vinegar until it becomes smoky and pull-apart tender without ever entering a smoker.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Garlic Oil Sauteed Pasta with Broccoli

Melissa's veggie-packed pasta can be on the table in less than 20 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Oil Sauteed Pasta with Broccoli

Bacon and Broccoli Rice Bowls

These Asian-style rice bowls make a great stand-in for takeout. Set out toppings like cilantro, scallions and pickled jalapenos so everyone at the table can pick and choose.

Get the Recipe: Bacon and Broccoli Rice Bowl

Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry

Food Network Magazine's stir-fry is full of Asian flavors. Hold back on the chile paste or sambal for a milder dish.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry

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

Sesame Soba Noodles

Get your family eating healthy with Rachael's delicious alternative to take-out. This noodle dish is loaded with fresh veggies and a flavorsome honey-soy dressing even the kids will love.

Get the Recipe: Sesame Soba Noodles

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

Classic Chicken Parmesan

Pair these breaded and sauced chicken breasts with some quick penne and a side salad for a well-rounded weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Classic Chicken Parmesan

Salmon Cakes with Salad

Crab cake fans will love these less-expensive seafood cakes made with salmon and spiced with Old Bay.

Get the Recipe: Salmon Cakes With Salad

Sausage and Peppers Sheet Pan Dinner

For a nearly hands-off take on this classic dish, place sweet Italian sausage, sliced bell peppers and onions on the pan.

Get the Recipe: Sausage and Peppers Sheet Pan Dinner

Couscous-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Leave it to Guy to come up with a recipe for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that's anything but boring. He stuffs them with a Mediterranean couscous studded with feta, olives and tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Couscous Stuffed Chicken Breast with Feta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives

Fontina Risotto with Chicken

A whole cup of grated fontina takes Food Network Magazine's easy risotto recipe to new levels of indulgence. Stir in some diced smoked chicken to complement the cheese's nutty flavor.

Get the Recipe: Fontina Risotto with Chicken

Pasta with Broccoli and Almond Tomato Sauce

Change things up for pasta night with this hearty dish made with roasted broccoli and a pesto-inspired sauce using almonds and basil.

Get the Recipe: Pasta With Roasted Broccoli and Almond-Tomato Sauce

Glazed Chicken and Broccoli Sheet Pan Dinner

Fill the pan with chicken drumsticks tossed with teriyaki, broccoli florets sprinkled with packaged fried shallots, and fingerling potatoes with salt and pepper. Depending on their size, the potatoes might need a little longer to cook, so put them in 5 to 10 minutes before everything else.

Get the Recipe: Glazed Chicken and Broccoli Sheet Pan Dinner

Mexican Tortilla Pizzas with Chorizo

Creamy avocado and smoky chorizo crumbles unite over a crunchy baked tortilla in this easy Mexican pizza recipe. Refried beans stand in for classic tomato sauce, and Oaxaca cheese makes an excellent substitute for standard mozzarella.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Tortilla Pizzas with Chorizo

Cranberry-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Combine cranberry and red currant jelly to make a beautiful glaze for pork tenderloin. With everything ready in less than an hour, you'll want this recipe in your weekly roundup.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry-Glazed Pork Tenderloin