35 Easy Dinner Ideas for Families (2024)

Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries

Swap chicken fingers and french fries for roasted chicken and potatoes. Recipe creator SANDY WITEK says, "This is a one pan meal that's in the oven in 15 minutes. Rosemary, garlic, and oregano create a mouth watering aroma. If using dried herbs in place of fresh, use 1/3 the amount. Potatoes are crispy like french fries, just serve with ketchup. Kids just love this!"

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Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Cooking fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs doesn't have to be a laborious task. Use your slow cooker to cook your ribs to perfection as you go about your day. Once you're ready to serve, simply pop them in the oven for 15 minutes, and you have dinner. Reviewer Brenda says, "These ribs were really good- I was surprised as the recipe was very simple and didn't take much time. My whole family really enjoyed these!"

World's Best Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Reviewer Patty Cakes says, "How do you turn plain 'ol pork chops into something special on a Sunday afternoon? You make THIS!" Pork chops are glazed in a mixture of ketchup, honey, soy sauce, and garlic, and then grilled. This recipe comes together in 25 minutes using just five ingredients.

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Chicken, Sausage, Peppers, and Potatoes

This recipe from Chef John comes together in a single roasting pan for easy cleanup. Reviewer TRELAINA says, "We LOVE this recipe. It is great when you have a crowd to feed. I generally don't brown the sausage ahead of time, as I find it browns up just fine in the pan (and I use mild sausage so I don't get that oil anyway). Thank you Chef John!"

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Mississippi Roast - Slow Cooker Pepperoncini Pot Roast

Serve this Pepperoncini Pot Roast with mash potatoes or egg noodles to make it a meal. Reviewer tempo124 says, "This is so easy and the result is wonderful."

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Recipe creator themoodyfoodie describes this as a, "Quick and easy way to prepare homemade, flavorful fajitas for a crowd!" Let everyone fill their own plate with tortillas and this easy, one-pan fajita filling.

Fiesta Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

Taco seasoning + chicken broth + chicken gives you a flavorful filling for tacos, burritos, and more. "This was very flavorful," says reviewer Christina. "We used this to make lettuce 'tacos,' and topped them with red onion, tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and a bit of sour cream. The whole family loved this...definite keeper."

Crispy Oven-Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Sausage and Potatoes

This easy dinner is the pot-roast shortcut you've been looking for. Simply brown the meat and veggies in a skillet before roasting them in the oven for a half hour. Reviewer Pamela R says, "This is the type of meal you prepare if you invite someone over and want to impress them...And it's easy to make!"

Easy and Quick Halushki

This Polish dish combines bacon, fried cabbage, and egg noodles, for a quick, budget-friendly meal. Reviewer MT says, "Excellent easy meal the whole family including kids loves."

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Peach Pork Picante

Peaches are the perfect pairing for savory pork! Take it from recipe creator CHRISTYJ who says, "This one skillet dish is just peachy! Salsa, seasoning, pork and peach preserves all add up to one fruity, tangy treat."

Easy Breaded Shrimp

Hand-breaded, fried shrimp is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. And the best part? It requires just four ingredients, most of which you'll already have on hand. Reviewer LEOSPETS807 says, "Finally...a breading that actually sticks to the shrimp! Very good, very easy."

Cabbage Balushka or Cabbage and Noodles

Recipe creator rlecook says, "This Hungarian favorite is cabbage, onions, and egg noodles cooked in butter." This recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, from start to finish.

Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

Before you make a panic run to the store to get a rotisserie chicken, check out this easy, whole-chicken recipe. Dress up your bird with lemons, garlic, and rosemary and bake it in less time than it takes to go to and from the store. "The whole family loved this (husband and toddler included)," says reviewer katiemiss.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

"I was apprehensive that I could cook shrimp in 10 minutes on a sheet pan and it turn out well, but I was amazed at how EASY this was to do - not to mention delicious," says reviewer LazyFoodieGirl. "After eating out so often lately because of long hours at work, I was craving a home-cooked meal but didn't have the energy for too much prep or clean up. This satisfied all of my needs AND I got to relax and enjoy a glass of wine while it was the brunt of the 'cooking'- no active babysitting of the stovetop necessary. Talk about a winning weeknight meal."

Fettuccine Alfredo with Ham

Put leftover ham to use with this five-ingredient fettuccine Alfredo. "This is an outstanding fettuccine...It has a very rich flavor and reheats well," says reviewer L HARRISON.

3 Ingredient Pulled Pork Barbeque

"Cooking the pork loin alone is too dry. Add country-style pork ribs in the slow cooker along with the pork loin to give it more moistness and flavor," says recipe creator Susan. "Serve this pulled pork barbeque on top of a baked potato or on buns for a sandwich."

Tender Slow Cooked Pork Roast

Busy weeknight? You can still make a pork roast to feed the whole family. Set and forget about this pork roast all day. When meal time rolls around, you'll have a tender, flavorful meat main. "This was so good! It fell off the bone and had such a great flavor! My husband said it was his new favorite recipe for a roast," says reviewer Caitlinw.

Roasted Carrot and Fennel Pork

"This is delicious and the perfect meal to impress company," says reviewer France C. But don't be fooled — this roast only requires 15 minutes of prep.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast With Gravy

"Super easy, makes a delicious gravy with a super moist turkey breast," says reviewer Kkampa. "My only criticism is that it certainly doesn't take 10 minutes to get everything into the crockpot; it's more like two minutes! I've made this recipe multiple times and it's great every time."

Broiled Spanish Mackerel

This recipe proves that sometimes, less is more. Reviewer impellizzeri kitchen says, "The olive oil and lemon added just enough flavor. The broiled lemon was an excellent idea."

Salsa Verde Pork

This versatile pork can be used throughout the week to add to tacos, burritos, bowls, or whatever you prefer. Who doesn't love a recipe that keeps giving all week long? Cook in the slow cooker for a truly hands-off approach. "Another meal everyone liked and I have three picky teenagers," says reviewer leathermom807. "I added some cumin and paprika and made it into enchiladas. Covered with more salsa verde and cheese and it was phenomenal. Will definitely make this again."

Chicken, Apple, and Brussels Sprout Sheet Pan Dinner

The flavors of fall shine in this sheet-pan dinner. Recipe creator My Stir Crazy Kitchen says, "If you're looking for the easiest dinner imaginable (short of takeout), sheet pan recipes are the perfect thing for you. This one, with chicken, apple, and Brussels sprouts, is not only easy to cook, but even easier to clean! Serve it alone or with rice/salad."

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Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (Roman Sheep Herder's Pasta)

Made with just pasta, cheese, and pepper, Cacio e Pepe will always be there for you when you don't know what else to make. And no one can turn it down. Reviewer SZYQ1 says, "I've made this recipe a dozen or more times and it's so quick and delicious to make!"

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Jackfruit Pulled "Pork"

Whether you're a vegetarian family or not (or maybe a mix of both), this slow-cooker pulled "pork" made with jackfruit will make everyone at the table happy. "Five gold stars! Cooking jackfruit like this really makes you forget it's not meat. It tastes like lean pork," says Reviewer Buckwheat Queen. "The only thing missing is the fat! Like the other reviewers, I suggest adding a bit of water especially if your sauce is thick. And, an excellent sauce is crucial."

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Taco-Seasoned Salmon

Who said taco seasoning is just for tacos? It puts a whole new twist on your typical salmon recipe. Reviewer jemluzio says, "All and all I think any kid or adult that does not like fish will change their mind by eating this recipe."

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Prosciutto and Asparagus Pasta

Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a classic appetizer. Add it to pasta, and you have dinner. This is a great way to get your money's worth out of prosciutto. "The flavours and textures are wonderful together," says reviewer Buckwheat Queen.

Sheet Pan Vegetable Dinner with Feta

"This sheet pan dinner recipe is super versatile - you can use most vegetables for it, depending on your preference. I chop them very coarsely to save time and the cook time can vary," says recipe creator Francesca. "We eat this as dinner with bread and salad but you can also serve it as a side. Leftovers also taste great cold."

Vegetarian Sheet Pan Dinner with Chickpeas and Veggies

Sheet-pan meals are arguably the easiest way to get fresh veggies on the table. "I was surprised at how delicious this turned out," says reviewer Kimberly Rouse.

Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese

Yes, you read that right. Classic mac and cheese is baked on a sheet pan, so you don't have to spend time babysitting the stove. Reviewer Lynne Baker says, "This is the best 'from scratch' mac and cheese I've ever made!"

Baked Old Bay® Salmon

"Surprisingly tasty! This just goes to show you that simple ingredients often make the best-tasting recipes," says reviewer France C. This is a must-try recipe for fans of Old Bay®.

Chicken Nachos with Refried Beans

When you're pressed for time, nachos are always a great solution. Recipe creator Jennifer Dunn describes this dish as, "A basic recipe for nachos with refried beans that can be modified to anything you have on hand, including leftovers!"

Roasted Sausage and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner

Get your protein and your veggies all in one sheet-pan dish. "This is a colorful, exciting, sheet pan sausage and vegetable dish that everyone will love," says recipe creator Ladytia86.

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Broiled Lemon-Pepper Tilapia

It doesn't take much to dress up tilapia for an easy weeknight meal. These fillets are basted in a lemon-pepper and butter sauce, sprinkled with bread crumbs, and baked to perfection.

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Pineapple BBQ Pulled Pork

Sweet pineapple makes a great companion to savory pork in this five-ingredient recipe. Cook the pork low and slow and watch it fall apart with the touch of a fork.

Honey-Chipotle Chicken

This mixture of shredded chicken, black beans, and a honey-chipotle sauce makes for a sweet and spicy filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more. "Made exactly as described and it was super easy," says reviewer fabeveryday.

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