20 family dinner ideas that will have everyone asking for seconds

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Looking for great family dinner ideas that’ll have everyone scooping up seconds? You’ve hit the jackpot. We’re all about meals that are simple, total crowd-pleasers, and turn dinner into the highlight of everyone’s day. Whether picky eaters or adventurous foodies are around your table, these 20 recipes are perfect for making sure everyone is happy and full.

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

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

This meal is a fantastic option when you need something quick and hearty. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a dish with chicken thighs, cream cheese, and spinach baked in a pan for an effortless meal. Ready in just 30 minutes and made with simple pantry ingredients, this chicken bake is perfect for those new to the kitchen or anyone who needs a quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a delicious one-pot weeknight dinner idea that is easy enough for beginner cooks to make — no stuffing vegetables required. It comes together in just 45 minutes and yields a filling, flavorful family meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s a dinner that’s all about convenience without skimping on flavor. Ready in 30 minutes, this sheet pan dinner combines sausages with a variety of vegetables. It’s the perfect solution for those evenings when time is short, but you need a wholesome and flavorful meal. Plus, you only need one sheet pan to cook everything, meaning no pile of dishes to go through after.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Get a full meal on the table in only 30 minutes with this baked fajita dish. It combines the flavors of seasoned chicken, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, all baked together for a deliciously easy dinner. For the best weekend dinner, spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with a side salad or steamed veggies.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole uses simple ingredients like broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon and bakes it to perfection for a warm and hearty meal. It’s a practical option for busy weeknights since it uses frozen veggies, reducing extra time spent in the kitchen rinsing and chopping, meaning fewer dishes, too. Ready in just 30 minutes, try this dish for a quick and filling dinner that your whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A crock pot of taco soup.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Crock Pot Taco Soup is the epitome of set-it-and-forget-it cooking. With just 20 minutes of prep time, it’s the perfect choice for those days when you’re short on time but still want a hearty, flavorful meal. To make it, all you’ll have to do is 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. It’s a practical and reliable option for a warm and filling family meal any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Canned Chicken Patties

A plate with broccoli and chicken patties on it.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in just 20 minutes, these Canned Chicken Patties are a quick and versatile dinner solution for busy families. They are very easy to make. Just mix the ingredients, form the patties, and then cook on the stovetop. Pair them with a fresh salad, steamed veggies, or on bread as a sandwich for an effortless dinner or light lunch.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just an hour, you can create this one-pot dinner that brings the classic comfort of chicken pot pie in a soup form. It’s perfect for those evenings when you’re craving something hearty, featuring chicken and vegetables simmered in a creamy broth. It’s a great comfort food choice for a weeknight dinner, and leftovers will taste just as delicious the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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.

For those evenings that call for something dependable, try this Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Featuring sausage, cream, and tomatoes, it’s a one-pot meal that you can serve in just 30 minutes. It’s a hearty and filling soup that is great to have on hand, especially when you’re running out of fuel on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole dish with cheese, bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This family favorite combines all the cozy comforts of home in an easy-to-make casserole. It features bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese baked together until golden for a cozy and filling meal. Serve this fresh from the oven, or prepare it ahead of time and simply reheat it for serving on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A person is holding a wooden spoon full of chicken in a sauce.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish features bite-sized pieces of tender chicken cooked in a delicious buttery garlic sauce in just one skillet for convenience. They’re easy to prepare and can be served in just 20 minutes, making them a great go-to for hectic weeknights. Pair it with rice and veggies for a complete dinner, or serve it on top of a salad for a lighter meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

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

Made in just one pan and ready in 30 minutes, this dish features pantry staples like ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. This recipe is easy to prepare — perfect for beginner cooks or those who particularly don’t enjoy cooking. Make this dinner for nights when you need to quickly get a hearty meal on the table that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

A bowl of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up this one-pot soup with sweet potatoes and red peppers. After you have the ingredients prepped, all you have to do is sauté, simmer, blend, and garnish. It’s a simple but filling recipe, perfect for those days when you want a comforting homemade meal but don’t want to spend hours doing hands-on cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

This impressive yet easy-to-prepare dish features chicken breasts cooked in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. It comes together in just one pan and can be served in 30 minutes, making it a great recipe for beginner and seasoned cooks alike. Serve it with your favorite veggies or rice, and you have a complete meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute casserole is the perfect solution for a busy weeknight. Made in just one skillet for convenience, it combines ingredients like ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese for a simple but hearty meal. Plus, it’s a clever way to sneak in some extra veggies for the picky eaters in your family. And if you ever have leftovers, they will taste just as good as you made them the day before.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This salad puts a fun spin on traditional jalapeño poppers. Chicken, bacon, and jalapenos are cooked separately in the oven, sliced and mixed together with the ingredients, and then chilled before serving. With just 20 minutes of prep, you can enjoy a light yet hearty meal perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s an excellent option for meal prepping. You can make it ahead of time and include it in your busy weekday menu.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Cabbage and Sausage

A fork in a bowl of cabbage and sausage.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cabbage and Sausage recipe is hearty, flavorful, and ready in 25 minutes. Made with simple ingredients and requiring straightforward cooking techniques — aka you just need to saute everything together ​​— it’s a great option for busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy family meal that doesn’t skimp on taste or require a ton of cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in under an hour, this soup blends tender chicken and hearty vegetables in a creamy broth. It’s an easy and complete meal in a bowl, perfect for family dinners, especially when you are running out of energy on those hectic evenings. Plus, this recipe is versatile. You can use any leftover chicken or vegetables you have on hand, making this a practical option when you need dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

This recipe is great for those looking for quick, delicious family meals. It uses straightforward ingredients like chicken thighs and a simple creamy mushroom sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and parmesan cheese. Ready in just half an hour, this recipe is perfect for those busy days when you just don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking, but need a hearty meal for the whole family to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A bowl of wild rice mushroom soup with a spoon.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you have an hour to spare, you can create this creamy and hearty Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. This cozy soup pairs wild rice with the earthy flavor of mushrooms for a filling meal that the whole family will enjoy. Plus, the rice cooks alongside other ingredients, making it a practical and efficient recipe for busy family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

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