23 extra easy family recipes that will never let you down

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Finding extra easy family recipes that you can always count on makes life a lot simpler, especially when you’re busy. These 23 recipes are about making cooking easy and reliable, perfect for both beginners and experienced cooks. They save time to ensure you can always have a meal with your family, even on your busiest days.

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.

A quick 30-minute meal, great for families. It mixes chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach in one pan. Easy for anyone to make, it’s a great pick for a no-fuss family dinner. Plus, only one pan means less cleaning up afterward.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

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.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this meal is cooked all on one sheet pan. It includes tasty roasted sausage and vegetables. It’s a complete meal, perfect for busy nights. Easy to make, this dish is great for both new and experienced cooks.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

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.

This soup takes 30 minutes and is made in one pot. It has Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream, making a hearty meal. It’s simple to cook, so it’s great for those just starting to cook. This soup is filling enough to be the whole meal, so you don’t need to worry about prepping a side dish too.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup with peas and carrots.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just one hour, you can enjoy this one-pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup. It’s hearty, creamy, and cozy, perfect for family dinners. Easy to make with simple ingredients, this soup is an ideal choice for a comforting meal on any night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

This dish, ready in 30 minutes, combines chicken, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. It’s straightforward and great for beginners. Serve it hot from the oven for a full meal on busy weeknights.
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 combines steamed broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon. It’s simple to prepare and can be tailored to your family’s liking. Enjoy it hot from the oven for a comforting and quick meal, perfect for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Canned Chicken Patties

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

With only 20 minutes of prep time, these canned chicken patties are super easy and quick to make. They’re versatile, served alone or as sandwiches, making them ideal for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Crock Pot Taco Soup

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

This slow cooker taco soup needs just 20 minutes of prep. Featuring ground beef and common pantry items, it’s a fuss-free recipe. Set it in the slow cooker and let it do its magic, perfect for a convenient family meal.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

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

Always a family favorite, this potato casserole combines bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheese. You can prepare it in advance, making it an extra flexible option for family meals during busy weeks.
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.

These chicken bites, cooked in a buttery garlic sauce, are ready in just 20 minutes. This simple stovetop recipe pairs well with various sides, offering a quick and flexible option for family dinners.
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.

Make a quick dinner in 30 minutes with this skillet recipe. It has ground beef, cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. Easy to cook in one pan, it’s a good choice for a simple weeknight family dinner.
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.

In about an hour, you can make this soup with sweet potatoes and red peppers. It’s all done in one pot. This recipe is good for a relaxed family meal on the weekend.
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 chicken dish is ready in 30 minutes and cooked in one pan. The garlic cream sauce makes the chicken rich. It’s easy to cook, great for beginners. Pair with veggies or rice for a full meal.
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 all-in-one 30-minute casserole features ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese. It’s a straightforward dish that’s easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s great for leftovers, making meal planning easier.
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 perfectly balances the heat of jalapeños with a smooth mayo dressing. It includes chicken, making it hearty enough to stand as a main dish. It’s easy to put together and leftovers are delicious for tomorrow’s lunches!
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.

A simple meal made with just cabbage and sausage, this dish is cooked in one pan. It’s a complete meal on its own, perfect for busy family nights with no extra fuss. It’s a recipe that just will never let you down.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, create a flavorful chicken dish with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce. This one-pan recipe is easy, even for beginner cooks. Pair it with rice or pasta for a fuller meal, ideal for a quick family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 25 minutes, this one-pan meal combines cabbage, bacon, and onion. It’s straightforward and needs no side dishes, making it a great option for a quick and easy family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken Corn Soup

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

This soup, ready in under an hour, mixes tender chicken with veggies in a tasty broth. Simple to make, it’s a great choice for family dinners, especially when time is short. The soup is a complete meal, saving you the hassle of having to prepare any side dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

A warming 45-minute soup that’s easy to make in one pot. Perfect for any night of the week, it’s a straightforward recipe suitable for cooks of all levels. Enjoy this hearty soup for a complete meal that’ll never let you down.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce garnished with fresh herbs.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute recipe gives you chicken in a delicious mushroom sauce, all from a single pan. It’s easy to follow and pairs well with rice or noodles. Quick and convenient, it’s ideal for a family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Shawarma Kebabs

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

Enjoy flavor-packed skewers in about 30 minutes. Whether grilled or broiled, these kebabs are easy to make. Serve with rice or salad for a complete meal, perfect for families on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

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

In about an hour, you’ll have a creamy, nutty-flavored Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. It’s a hearty soup where the rice cooks alongside other ingredients, saving you as much time as possible. It’s always a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

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