As a millennial parent, I prioritize dinners that are easy to make and great for a meal around the table. My collection of 21 go-to recipes fits perfectly into our busy schedule, works for laid-back weekends, and is great for entertaining guests without the extra kitchen time. These tried-and-true meals are simple, fast to prepare, and consistently a hit with kids and adults.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are ready in 20 minutes and are perfect for busy evenings, especially when I just don’t feel like sitting in the kitchen all night making an extra-detailed meal. You cook chicken in a garlic butter sauce in one pan, which makes cleaning up easy. This recipe is simple and great for a quick dinner. Serve with rice and veggies for a full meal or over greens for a lighter dish. It’s always a top choice for nights when I’d rather not cook but still want something homemade.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
The Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole turns a classic dish into a 45-minute one-pot meal. It combines ground beef, bell peppers, tomato sauce, rice, and cheddar cheese, cutting down on prep time. This dish is also flexible and can be customized to include whatever veggies I have on hand and need to use up. It’s great for anyone looking for an easy, cozy meal on evenings when ordering in seems tempting.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
The Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is the ultimate low-effort meal. Arrange sausages and veggies on a sheet pan and bake. This dish is customizable with any vegetables you have, so if you have anything you need to use up, it will likely work great here. If you prep the veggies in advance, you can make this meal even faster. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those wanting a no-hassle, wholesome dinner.
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Broccoli Casserole
This Broccoli Casserole needs just a few simple ingredients and about 50 minutes to prepare, streamlining your dinner prep. It’s designed for those evenings when spending hours in the kitchen just isn’t an option. Cutting down on active cooking time frees up your evening, making it perfect for unwinding or spending quality time with family.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
With broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, the Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is baked and ready in 30 minutes. Using pre-shredded cheese and pre-cooked bacon cuts preparation time even further. It’s a great option for anyone looking to minimize time in the kitchen but still serve a delicious, filling meal, proving quick dinners can also be fun and cozy.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Just brown some beef and throw it in the slow cooker with beans, corn, and seasoning for Crock Pot Taco Soup. This recipe demands minimal hands-on time, letting you focus on other tasks while dinner cooks itself. It’s a stress-reducer for those juggling busy schedules who don’t have time or energy to sit over the stove all night.
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Cabbage and Sausage
Combine cabbage and sausage in one pan for a quick 25-minute meal. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also minimizes cleanup, making it a go-to for tired evenings. It’s good for anyone needing a fast, filling dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor, so you can still enjoy a good meal even when cooking is the last thing on your mind.
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Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
With canned tuna, egg noodles, peas, and cheddar, the Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole comes together quickly and cheaply. It’s simple to make and ready in less than an hour, good for busy parents or anyone on a budget. This casserole provides a way to serve a hot, cozy meal without the stress of last-minute dinner decisions, helping to simplify your meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
The Creamy Ground Beef Skillet merges ground beef, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms in a single pan for a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for those seeking a hearty dinner without the lengthy prep and cleanup. It provides a practical solution to weeknight dinners, allowing more time to relax and less time fussing in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This salad requires cucumbers, onions, and a simple creamy dill dressing and is ready in 30 minutes. It’s an excellent choice for a light and refreshing meal, particularly during busy weeks. Serve it on its own, or boost the protein with some bacon crumbles or pan-fried tofu.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties cleverly uses pantry items — like canned chicken — to create a delicious meal in 20 minutes. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a dinner that feels thoughtfully prepared. It’s a lifesaver for those evenings when you need to whip up something quickly without sacrificing taste or resorting to ordering expensive takeout.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Garlic Chicken
With just chicken, garlic, cream, and Parmesan, you can have a Creamy Garlic Chicken ready in 30 minutes. This dish reduces kitchen time while delivering a meal that seems like it took much longer to make. It’s perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself on a weeknight, providing a gourmet experience without the complex steps or lengthy cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Spinach Chicken Bake
Throw chicken, spinach, and cheese into a dish and bake for an uncomplicated meal ready in about 30 minutes. This Spinach Chicken Bake is a simple way to combine healthy ingredients in a delicious way, perfect for busy nights. It simplifies dinner without skimping on nutrition, making it easier to enjoy a balanced meal even when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Requiring just cabbage, bacon, and onion, this meal is prepped, cooked, and ready to serve in 25 minutes. Fried Cabbage with Bacon provides a simple yet filling way to get your veggies in with minimal kitchen time. It’s a simple solution for adding more greens to your diet without the hassle, so you have a quick, delicious meal that keeps weeknight dinners hassle-free.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This dish brings shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and garlic together in one pan for a quick 30-minute meal. Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a hassle-free way to enjoy a flavorful dinner, perfect for those looking to upgrade their mealtime without spending hours cooking. It provides a simple route to a fancy dinner, making any evening feel a bit more special with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Made with sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes, Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a hearty meal that only needs one pot and 30 minutes of your time. This soup is the comfort food you need on a busy day, providing warmth and richness without the lengthy cooking time. It streamlines your dinner routine, providing a delicious way to unwind after a long day with a meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.
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Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This one-skillet Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce combines chicken, mushrooms, and bacon in a creamy sauce for an appetizing meal ready in 30 minutes. It cuts down on both prep and cleanup, making it a good choice for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner. This recipe enhances your dining experience by having the taste of a labor-intensive meal without the actual labor, giving you more time to enjoy your evening.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
In just 30 minutes, create a Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken in a single pan. This recipe is perfect for those evenings when you’re looking for something quick but don’t want to compromise on flavor. It simplifies mealtime by combining simple ingredients into a dish that’s both easy to make and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Whenever I have chicken breasts in the fridge, I love to make this one. This Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken is ready in 30 minutes and features chicken, cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and mozzarella. It’s an easy meal that’s great for when you want something hearty but don’t have the time or energy for a complicated recipe. Plus, as a millennial parent, I love that it’s not just quick but also a favorite for my family.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Combine ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese for a 30-minute Cheesy Beef Casserole. This meal is a game-changer for nights when cooking feels like a chore. The best part? The kids love it. It’s also freezer-friendly, making it perfect for meal prep or saving leftovers for an easy reheat so you have tomorrow’s dinner ready, too.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This Chicken Tortellini Soup is a hit for its one-pot ease and quick 40-minute cooking time, making it a reliable pick for a nutritious weeknight dinner. It’s straightforward to make, saving time and hassle in the kitchen — perfect for the busy lives of millennial parents. It’s the kind of meal that brings a great meal to everyone around the table without much fussing around in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup