Get out of your dinner rut with these 23 ideas

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Get out of your dinner rut with these great family dinner recipes. These 23 meal ideas are perfect for bringing everyone together. Easy to prepare, they fit well into busy schedules.

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken With Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a one-pan meal you can make in just 30 minutes. It’s a hearty dish perfect for a busy weeknight and features chicken thighs simmered in a rich mushroom sauce. Pair it with your favorite grain or a side salad, and have a complete and filling meal ready in no time at all.
Get the recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is an easy-to-make recipe that offers a wonderful mix of flavors. This dish features butternut squash, cauliflower, spinach, red onions, and bacon, all baked together in just one pan. It’s hearty, easy to make, and also very versatile — feel free to add or replace the veggies with what you have on hand. Serve it with some homemade dressing and garnish with dollops of sour cream for a dish that everyone will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try this Creamy Italian Sausage Soup for a warm, comforting, and hearty dinner. This dish features ingredients like smoky sausages, cream, and tomatoes, simmered together for the perfect combination of flavors. Made in just one pot for easy clean up and can be served in about 30 minutes, make this when you need a dinner that’s both easy and convenient.
Get the recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp with spinach and tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try out some new flavors at dinner with this restaurant-worthy dish you can serve in just 30 minutes. This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach features juicy shrimp with fresh spinach and tomatoes in a savory garlic sauce. It’s an easy-to-make yet impressive dinner you can serve with your family or even date nights.
Get the recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Another easy-to-make dish to get you out of that dreaded dinner rut is this Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. This dish features chicken thighs with spinach and cheeses, all baked together until bubbly and golden. Made in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those evenings when you’re looking for something different than your usual dinner fare.
Get the recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry with rice in a bowl with a fork.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Inspired by Indian flavors and a popular dish in Europe and Australia, this one-pan recipe combines sausages and vegetables in a creamy curry sauce. Ready in just 45 minutes, this Sausage Curry is perfect for those nights when you want something different but easy enough to pull on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

A bowl of chicken pot pie soup being scooped with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a one-pot recipe that’s hearty, creamy, and cozy. It’s easy to make with straightforward ingredients, so you can easily get out of your dinner rut without extra hassle. It’s a perfectly comforting meal for family dinner — all ready in 1 hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Break free from boring dinners with a one-pan dish ready in 40 minutes. Inspired by the flavors of Italy’s Tuscany region, this dish features tender chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, simmered in a rich creamy sauce. It’s a great way to introduce new flavors to your home without spending too much time and effort in the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is a fun twist on a classic. Ready in under an hour, this casserole brings together sirloin steak, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, topped with provolone cheese, and baked until golden. It’s easy to make and perfect for a busy night. Just pop it in the oven and wait until it’s ready to be eaten
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Quickly get out of your dinner rut with this easy-to-make Creamy Garlic Chicken. Made in just 30 minutes, this one-pan dish combines tender chicken breasts with a smooth, garlic-parmesan sauce. It’s a simple yet appetizing dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want something special without much fuss.
Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is an easy yet flavorful dish that’s sure to impress. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan recipe combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheddar cheese, and mushrooms. It’s a great choice for those looking to try something new and delicious in their dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken kicks you out of dinner rut in just 30 minutes. Featuring boneless chicken thighs simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, this dish is perfect for family dinners or date nights. Made in just one pan and with ingredients you might already have in your pantry, it’s a great recipe to have on hand, especially on busy weeknights.
Get the recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bowl of creamy bacon asparagus pasta with a fork.
Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shake up your dinner game with this Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta. This dish takes asparagus and turns it into noodle-like strands, which are then mixed together with a creamy Alfredo sauce and topped with crunchy bacon bits. If you are looking for a new way to add more veggies to your meals, this is your sign to cook this.
Get the recipe: Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Keto Zuppa Toscana is a creative rendition of the classic Olive Garden favorite, featuring radishes as a clever, low-carb substitute for potatoes. This one-pot wonder is not only a breeze to prepare but also brings a hearty blend of garlic, sausage, and kale to your table. In just one hour, you can enjoy this hearty soup, perfect for rejuvenating your meal routine with its warm and creamy flavors.
Get the recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bring a savory dish to your dinner table with this Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. This recipe combines ground turkey meatballs simmered in a creamy homemade coconut curry sauce. Make this in just 30 minutes and have an impressive meal bursting with Thai-inspired flavors.
Get the recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Cauliflower Cheddar Ct the recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Preparing scallops at home might seem daunting, but this Lemon Garlic Scallops proves otherwise. Scallops are pan-seared to golden perfection and then sauteed in a garlicky lemon flavor. It’s a great way to break away from your usual dinners. The instructions are simple and this impressive and delicious meal can be served in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bring a taste of Mexico and the Caribbean to your dinner table with this Pollo Asado. This dish features chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant mix of cilantro, onion, orange juice, and lime juice, and then cooked to perfection, either on the grill or in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy, and subtly smoky chicken with a vibrant orange-red color. Enjoy the chicken on its own or in tacos, burritos, bowls, or quesadillas.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Chicken thighs in cream sauce with artichoke hearts in a pan with a spoon.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is a refreshing change from the typical dinner options. This dish combines tender chicken thighs with a rich, flavorful artichoke cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick yet impressive recipe that’s perfect for family dinners or a special at-home date night. It’s also made in one pan, meaning less time cleaning after.
Get the recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bring rich flavors to your kitchen with this oven-baked Shawarma Kebabs. Kebabs are a celebrated street food but making them is very simple. This recipe requires very minimal hands-on effort. After cutting up the chicken, marinate the pieces, skewer, and then bake in the oven. Make them for a weeknight dinner for a delicious and high-protein meal.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Two bowls of Crock Pot taco soup with cheese and sour cream.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Crock Pot Taco Soup is a great choice when you want to make something new and different, but don’t want to spend endless time in the kitchen. This recipe requires just 20 minutes of prep time. To make it, you’ll brown some ground beef on the stovetop, add all of the remaining ingredients to your slow cooker, set it to cook, then garnish and serve.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Bowl of instant pot butter chicken atop cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced,

Break away from your usual dinner selections with this Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Also known as murgh makhani, butter chicken is an Indian-inspired dish that gets its powerhouse flavors from a variety of seasonings. Ready in just 40 minutes, marinated chicken is paired with a rich sauce to create a curry that has layers of tomato, onion, garlic, and garam masala. What makes this recipe stand out is the tender, almost melty, chicken morsels. To achieve this, marinate the chicken for as long as possible. The more this dish marinates, the better the flavor.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Add more veggies to your meals with this Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Traditional risotto can be a dish that requires a lot of attention. This cauliflower risotto, thankfully, is quite easy to prepare. Made in just one pan and ready in 30 minutes, it is creamy, flavorful, nutrient-dense, and makes a perfect side for weeknight family dinners.
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant pot chicken adobo in a bowl atop cauliflower rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 40 minutes, this Instant Pot recipe brings the taste of the Philippines to your table. This dish masterfully combines the sweet, salty, spicy, and sour notes characteristic of Filipino cuisine. The chicken thighs are simmered in savory sauce and pair well with white rice or cauliflower rice. Prepared in under 40 minutes, it’s a perfect choice for anyone looking to try something new and exciting for dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

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