The 60 Best Family-Friendly Weeknight Dinner Recipes

The quickest way we know out of a dinner rut: The Food Network Collection of 60 family-friendly dinner recipes, including easy dump dinners, crave-worthy baked pastas, fun breakfast-for-dinner recipes and more, developed by the Food Network test kitchen and Food Network stars like Ree Drummond, Sunny Anderson and Kardea Brown.

Cooking a family 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. But we know you’re helping with homework, shuttling one kid from wrestling and another to soccer, rinse, repeat. A busy household always needs new ideas to help get dinner on the table more quickly, more easily, and with a bit more fun, too.

That’s why we lean on recipes with good make-ahead properties: freezer-friendly meals like sweet and sour meatballs, or a chicken and pasta casserole that can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated until bake-time. One-pot meals, like no-bake lasagna, keep the washing-up to a minimum.

And we know the urge to get nutritious foods into kids but not spend too much cash doing it, because let’s face it: Some nights they will barely touch it. So, consider our budget classics, like beef, white bean and squash burgers and kid-sized sliders that mix mashed black beans in with some of the beef.

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.

Enjoy all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a comforting casserole that's fast and easy to throw together. Better yet? This one-dish wonder easily feeds up to 8 people, so you can feed a crowd — or enjoy leftovers the next day.

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.

Bulgogi translates to any meat that is thinly sliced, marinated and cooked over fire (“bul” means “fire” and “gogi” means “meat”). Most beef bulgogi recipes call for Asian pear, which tenderizes the meat and yields a saucy bulgogi. Other recipes, such as this one, yield drier, more caramelized meat. This quick, no-fuss recipe uses mainly pantry ingredients and only takes 1 hour to marinate the thinly sliced rib-eye. If you are using a thicker cut of meat, have more time to marinate or just prefer a saucier result, feel free to add grated Asian pear and adjust the soy sauce and sugar to your liking.

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.

Ree's taco skillet dinner is delicious and easy, and thanks to ground turkey. It's a lighter (but still satisfying) way to feed the fam in one fell swoop.

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!

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.

Sunny uses quick-cooking chicken tenders and cuts them into bite-size chunks for her easy, satisfying pot pie. It's no wonder this family-favorite has hundreds of 5-star reviews!

Start a new taco night tradition. Forgo meat and cheese fillings in favor of fresh fish and vibrant salsa verde. We're willing to bet the whole family will give this dish a big thumbs up.

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.

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.

Our test kitchen turned one classic dish (tamales) into another (shepherd's pie) with this hearty casserole. The secret is the delicious cornmeal topping. It really completes the idea and brings the classic tamale flavor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There's nothing more Ohio than Valerie's Cincinatti-style chili spaghetti. Good news: You don't have to be from Cincinatti to appreciate this hearty dish. It's guaranteed to please at every table.

Combine chicken and waffles in a whole new way! This inventive take on a classic dish is quick, simple — and guaranteed to satisfy.

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.

Like that penne vodka slice from you local pizzeria — but better! Store-bought pizza dough makes Trisha's tortellini-topped pizza a breeze to make.

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.

A true one-pot wonder, Ree’s chicken curry-inspired dinner comes together in just 25 minutes from start to finish. That means you can get a hearty, flavorful meal on the table any night of the week.

These bowls are packed with so much flavor it's almost unbelievable you can make them in only 40 minutes. As an added bonus, everyone can customize their own with their favorite toppings.

A brighter riff on carbonara, this cheesy, bacony weeknight pasta feels somehow more substantial thanks to the addition of tomatoes and basil. It's colorful, flavorful — and guaranteed to please.

Food Network Magazine's stir-fry is full of bold flavors. Hold back on the chile paste or sambal if someone at your table prefers a milder dish.

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.

Comforting pasta e fagioli, or pasta and beans, gets a weeknight makeover in this easy version that uses chickpeas instead of the usual cannellini. Pro tip: make a double batch so that you have leftovers for lunch the next day!

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!

Giada transforms a family favorite (cheesy pizza) into individual pot pies loaded with chicken and broccoli. The protein and veggies add heft, without taking away from the classic flavor you're hoping for.

Turn prepared gnocchi into a satisfying meal with the addition of peas, ham and a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's a simple meal that comes together with the basics — but never disappoints.

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.

Giada's zesty meatballs are made with ground chicken. That makes them the perfect choice for a hearty pasta dish (just add orecchiette and fresh mozzarella) that doesn't feel heavy or rich.

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.

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

Melissa's veggie-packed pasta can be on the table in less than 20 minutes. That means you can feed the whole family a nourishing meal, any night of the week. Win!

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.

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.

Melissa d'Arabian stretches her dollar by subbing some of the beef for mashed black beans in these kid-sized burgers. No one will notice the change — but you'll be able to get more for your money and make your groceries last longer.

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.

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.

Can you believe The Pioneer Woman's version of chicken Parmesan is not only lighter but also takes just 16 minutes to cook? What's not to love about that?!

Why should chicken have all the fun? Give meatballs the Marsala treatment and prepare to be amazed (and in only 40 minutes).

Ree's pasta salad is loaded with bacon and cheese, making it a great choice for a family-friendly dinner. Even the pickiest eaters will devour it!

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.

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.

Thanks to the help of quick-cooking chicken breasts, Ree's pot of comforting chicken noodle soup is ready in just 35 minutes. Serve with crusty bread and perhaps a simple green salad — and dinner is done!

Adding canned pumpkin to crowd-pleasing creamy Alfredo sauce gives a boost of flavor and nutrients. And, we're willing to bet you don't even need to make an extra trip to the store, since canned pumpkin is a pantry staple!

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.