As you approach retirement, it’s the perfect time to perfect those staple dinner recipes that have stood the test of time. These are the solid, great meals that can become your signature dishes, the ones you’ll want to pass down and share at family gatherings for years to come. So before you settle into the well-earned relaxation of your golden years, make sure you’ve got these 27 dishes down to an art.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This dish is perfect for those who love the taste of stuffed bell peppers but want to skip the extra steps. Just toss together bell peppers, ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese, then bake. It’s a breeze to make on a hectic evening and a staple in our go-to family dinner recipes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
This chicken bake is an easy, cheesy, and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Made with chicken, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, it comes together quickly and packs a lot of flavors. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a great pick for a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Enjoy these garlic butter chicken bites, ready in just 20 minutes. All you’ll need is chicken, garlic, butter, herbs, and a skillet. This easy dinner staple is great for a quick dinner and pairs well with many sides.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Here’s another staple for you to master. Arrange the sausages and veggies in the sheet pan, pop them in the oven, and bake until they are perfectly caramelized and tender. It’s ready in 30 minutes and customizable, so you can add whatever veggies you have on hand. Make this on busy weeknights when you need a nutritious, effortless, and hearty meal for the family.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Enjoy the classic flavors of chicken pot pie in this easy and hearty soup. It combines chicken, Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, celery, corn, and peas in a creamy broth, all simmered together in just one pot for convenience. It’s ready in just an hour and freezes well, making it a great dinner and meal-prep recipe for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup
For this recipe, start by browning some beef, adding the ingredients to the Crock Pot, and letting it do its thing. It’s an easy staple to master since you only need 20 minutes to prep everything. After all, great meals don’t require constant attention.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
This recipe turns the classic twice-baked potatoes into an easy casserole. You’ll combine the same comforting ingredients — potatoes, cheese, bacon, and green onions — and bake them until golden. It’s a great meal-prep recipe, and leftovers store really well, so you can enjoy them later.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
If you want an easy and hearty soup that tastes and feels like you spend hours on it, this recipe is for you. This dish features sauteed mushrooms simmered in a creamy and savory broth, ready to be enjoyed in just 45 minutes. Feel free to add a dollop of sour cream and some fresh herbs before serving to add an extra layer of comfort.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This casserole bakes noodles, tuna, and peas together in a creamy sauce with a crispy crust. You’ll cook the noodles, toss all the ingredients in the sauce, and bake — it’s that simple. Kids love this, and you can have it on the table in just an hour.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
This casserole combines broccoli, cheese, and a creamy sauce and bakes it with a cheesy crust made of crushed buttery crackers. Start by steaming the broccoli, then make the creamy sauce, mix them together, and bake until golden. Ready in just 50 minutes, it’s perfect for beginner cooks or anyone who doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
This dish combines cabbage and sausage in a single skillet, all ready to be enjoyed in just 25 minutes. You’ll prep the ingredients, saute until tender, and season — that’s it. It’s an easy recipe you can master in just one try. Make this on those evenings when you need something flavorful, quick and filling.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Fajita Baked Chicken
This dish puts a spin on traditional fajitas, making it a standout option for quick, flavorful dinners. Seasoned chicken breasts are topped with mini sweet peppers and mozzarella cheese, then baked until bubbling and golden. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a recipe we always keep ready for those busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Chicken Corn Soup
This soup simmers chicken, corn, carrots, and potatoes in a creamy broth for an easy and comforting meal that’s ready in less than an hour. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and very customizable, as you can add in or replace the veggies with what you have on hand. It’s a great dinner staple, especially when you need something effortless and filling after a long, busy day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Canned Chicken Patties
Think crispy and juicy chicken patties, all prepped and cooked in just 20 minutes. You’ll combine canned chicken, breadcrumbs, eggs, and spices, form them into patties, and cook them on the stovetop until perfectly golden and crispy. These patties go well with many sides. Serve them with veggies, rice, or as a sandwich for a quick, filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This soup combines Italian sausage, tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy broth in just 30 minutes for a comforting, flavorful meal. It’s very straightforward to make. You’ll cook the onions and sausages, add the other ingredients, and simmer everything together until done. Make this on busy weeknights when you need a quick and hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Packed with broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, this 30-minute casserole is a hit for incorporating more veggies into meals. After steaming the veggies, mix them with the creamy sauce and bake until golden. It’s one of our favorite go-to’s since it’s easy, hearty, and a great way to incorporate more veggies into your meals.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This easy recipe combines sweet potatoes and red peppers with onions, garlic, and savory broth into a rich, smooth soup. After you have the ingredients prepped, all you have to do is sauté, simmer, blend, and garnish. This soup is also customizable and can be tailored to your taste by adjusting the seasonings or making it creamier. It’s an excellent choice for busy weeknights 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
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This dish can be cooked, prepped, and ready in only 30 minutes. You’ll cook ground beef with cauliflower rice, tomatoes, and spices and then top them generously with cheddar cheese. It’s a great dinner option you’ll want to master ASAP — it’s cheesy and savory, cooked in just one pan, and uses simple and easy-to-find ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Here’s another 30-minute dish you can master. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and aromatic spices. Serve it on its own, on top of your favorite grain, on top of cauliflower rice, or alongside a simple side dish for an impressive and filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This salad puts a fun spin on traditional jalapeño poppers. It’s very easy to make and uses simple ingredients you may already have in your pantry. Mix chicken, jalapeños, bacon, and green onions in creamy mayo-based dressing, chill it for an hour, and you’re done. This salad is also great for meal prep, so you can make it ahead and have a ready-made dinner in no time.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
This one-skillet dish cooks juicy chicken thighs in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce made with heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. It’s flavorful, creamy, protein-packed, and goes well with many sides. Make this hearty dish today and have it ready to serve in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
These poppers are cheesy, savory, and packed with flavor. You’ll combine chicken, bacon, egg, cheddar, and spices, form them into balls, and bake until golden brown. Serve with homemade ranch and your choice of side for a casual dinner that everyone will surely enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This chicken dish is a comfort food hero you can easily master in no time. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream and ready to be served in just 30 minutes. It’s easy, impressive, and pairs well with almost any side dish, making it a top choice for laid-back family dinners or special gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Here’s a casserole that combines round beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese into a creamy, savory, and hearty dinner. You can whip this up in only 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights when you need a wholesome dinner. Plus, if you have leftovers, you can store and reheat them to enjoy later.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
This hearty soup is full of rich flavors. You’ll combine wild rice, mushrooms, and broth for a comforting soup ready in just over an hour. The rice is also cooked with other ingredients, so you can save more time and serve the soup as quickly as possible. It’s the perfect choice for a filling, easy, and comforting dinner any night.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Making this dish is as easy as counting 1,2,3. You’ll saute the bacon and cabbage, season to your liking, and you’re done. It’s quick, uses simple ingredients, and, best of all, ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s a great recipe to have on hand for a wholesome and savory addition to our dinners.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Shawarma Kebabs
Here’s an easy but impressive recipe you need to master, STAT. You’ll start by marinating the chicken in rich shawarma spices. Once those are ready, you’ll just skewer them and then bake. Perfect for any night of the week, these tender, juicy kebabs are a flavorful way to spice up family meals.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs