These 16 dinner recipes are great for busy families. We get it, life is hectic with work, school, and everything else. That’s why these recipes are about making your evenings easier. They’re quick to prepare, use simple ingredients, and are perfect for those who don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Whether you’re new to cooking or just looking for some no-fuss meals, these recipes are here to make your dinner time less of a chore.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is perfect for families on the go. It’s a straightforward, one-pot meal that you can get on the table in just 45 minutes. No need to stuff any veggies — just mix, bake, and you’re done. It’s a great way to serve up a hearty and flavorful dinner that doesn’t take all evening to prepare to make your busy weeknights a bit easier.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
For those extra hectic evenings, this dish is a lifesaver. In less than 30 minutes, you can serve a hearty meal that combines the ever-versatile cabbage with the smoky flavors of sausage. Everything is cooked in just one pan, which means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying dinner with your family.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Spinach Chicken Bake
Make this easy chicken casserole when you need something warm and hearty. Featuring juicy chicken thighs, cream cheese, and spinach, this dish bakes everything into a single pan for an effortless dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those nights when you’re juggling a busy schedule but still want to provide a wholesome meal for your family.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This one-skillet meal is flavorful, protein-packed and sure to be a hit with the whole family. It perfectly combines ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, mushrooms, and cauliflower rice for a filling dinner that’s great for busy evenings. Make this dinner for those days when you need to quickly get a hearty meal on the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Garlic Chicken
There’s nothing better than a one-pan meal you can serve in just 30 minutes. Featuring chicken breasts cooked on the stovetop in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream, this dinner is an impressive yet easy-to-prepare recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve it with rice or veggies for a well-rounded meal that keeps your evening routine smooth and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This veggie-loaded casserole is a great go-to on hectic evenings. Combining broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, everything is baked until golden for a warm and hearty meal with minimal effort. This dish is also a practical option for busy weeknights. It uses frozen veggies, reducing extra time spent in the kitchen rinsing and chopping, meaning fewer dishes, too. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those evenings when you’re looking for a hassle-free way to serve a wholesome dinner for the family.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner roasts sausages and a variety of vegetables, perfectly caramelizing everything to bring out the natural flavors. Ready in 30 minutes with only one sheet pan to cook everything, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you’re looking for a hearty dinner that won’t keep you in the kitchen all night long.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Crock Pot Taco Soup
If you need an effortless dinner to get you through a busy weeknight, try this hearty taco soup. You only need 20 minutes of prep to make this — you’ll brown the ingredients, add everything to the pot, and let your slow cooker handle everything. Enjoy your day as the soup slowly cooks, ready to serve by dinnertime, without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen cooking.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Italian Sausage Soup
This Italian Sausage Soup is a weeknight dinner that always has your back. Reminiscent of a creamy tomato soup with added flavor from the Italian sausage and shredded Parmesan, it’s a warming and hearty meal that requires only minimal effort in the kitchen. It’s easy to make, comes together in just one pot, and uses simple ingredients you may already have. Ready in just 30 minutes, make this recipe for nights when you need to get a warm dinner on the table quickly.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
This simple and savory stovetop dish is an extra quick solution for hectic weeknights. Ready in about 20 minutes, this dish features bite-sized pieces of juicy, tender chicken cooked in a delicious buttery garlic sauce in just one skillet for convenience. Pair them with rice and veggies for something hearty, or serve them on top of a salad for a lighter meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
On those busy evenings when you’re pressed for time, this soup brings warmth and comfort in just an hour. The creaminess of the sweet potatoes and the subtle heat of red peppers blend perfectly, creating a smooth and hearty soup that your whole family will love. It’s a simple but filling recipe, perfect for those days when you want a comforting homemade dinner but don’t want to spend hours doing hands-on cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Fajita Baked Chicken
When the craving for comfort food strikes, here’s an easy and cheesy baked chicken dish to curb your cravings. Made in just one dish and ready in 30 minutes, this hearty bake combines seasoned chicken with the flavors of mini sweet peppers and cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes with the oven doing most of the heavy lifting for you, this dish is easy enough for a simple weeknight dinner but still special enough for date nights or family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Here’s another one-skillet dinner perfect for extra busy weeknights. In this recipe, ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese come together into a simple but hearty meal you can serve in just 30 minutes. It’s a great way to sneak in some extra veggies for the picky eaters in your family, and if you 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
Canned Chicken Patties
If you’re looking for a simple, flavorful, and no-frills dinner, this recipe is for you. Ready in just 20 minutes, these patties are easy to make and always a hit with the kids. All you need to do is mix and form the patties and cook on the stovetop. The result is perfectly crispy patties with juicy insides. Serve them with a fresh salad, steamed veggies, or on bread as a sandwich for a dinner everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
There’s nothing more comforting than a creamy mushroom soup on a busy weeknight. Ready in just 45 minutes, this dish blends a variety of mushrooms and spices in a savory for a flavorful and filling soup. It’s hearty, creamy, and a great way to add more veggies to your meals. Perfect when you need a warm dinner that effortlessly fits your family’s busy schedule.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Chicken Corn Soup
This dish is a simple and hearty recipe that brings together juicy chicken breasts, corn, potatoes, carrots, and onions in a creamy broth in less than an hour. 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. It’s also a great way to use any leftover chicken or vegetables you have on hand, making this a great option when you need dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup