23 family dinner ideas for extra easy meals

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Looking for easy meal ideas for family dinners? These 23 recipes are simple to make and delicious — a great choice for extra busy evenings. They’re designed to be prepped as quickly as possible, so you don’t have to spend all night in the kitchen.

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

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

This meal takes 30 minutes to make. It’s a mix of beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese, all in one dish. It’s easy to cook and doesn’t need many dishes to wash. You can even have leftovers for the next day, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

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 dish is a mix of broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon. It’s simple to cook, and you can change it to what your family likes. It comes out hot from the oven and is comforting, plus it’s quick to clean up afterward. This makes it a good meal for a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

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

All you need is cabbage and sausage for this dish. It cooks in one pan, so it’s not hard to make or clean up. It’s a full meal by itself, which means you don’t need to cook anything else. It’s a good choice for a quick dinner on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy spinach chicken bake in a glass baking dish.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can make this dish with chicken thighs, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach. It’s simple enough for anyone to cook and comes straight out of the oven ready to eat. This dish is perfect for a quick dinner on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

This soup comes together in 30 minutes using a single pot. It combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream for a hearty meal. It’s an easy recipe that’s a great choice for those who are new to cooking. Quick to make, this soup is a great choice for a fast family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Crock Pot Taco Soup

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

With only 20 minutes of prep time, this slow cooker meal is straightforward. It includes ground beef and common pantry items. Once everything is in the slow cooker, you can go about your day. This recipe is perfect for families on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

This single-pan meal, ready in just 30 minutes, features chicken in a rich mushroom sauce. It’s easy to prepare and a great option for beginner cooks. Serve it with rice or noodles to complete the meal, making it a convenient choice for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

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

Prepare a hearty meal in 30 minutes with this skillet recipe. It includes ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. The dish is a standalone meal, perfect for weeknight dinners. Its quick prep time makes it ideal for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Fajita Baked Chicken

Ready in 30 minutes, this recipe combines chicken with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. It’s easy, even for beginners in the kitchen. Serve it hot for a full meal. With its quick prep time, this dish is suitable for a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

In about an hour, you can enjoy this creamy and comforting soup made with sweet potatoes and red peppers. It’s a straightforward, one-pot recipe that is a great choice for a weekend or weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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.

This meal takes just 30 minutes to prepare using a single sheet pan. Roasted sausage and vegetables come together to create a complete and hearty meal, perfect for busy evenings. The recipe is easy to follow, making it accessible for all cooking levels.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Enjoy this warming soup, ready in 45 minutes, and made using just one pot. It’s simple to make, suitable for both weeknights and weekends. This soup is filling enough to stand alone, providing a hearty meal without the need for side dishes.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

In just 20 minutes, this simple recipe brings you chicken cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. It’s an easy stovetop meal that’s perfect for a quick family dinner. You can serve these tasty bites as they are or with a side of your choice.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

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

This hearty casserole blends bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese for a comforting dish. You can prepare it in advance to fit your schedule, making it a great choice for family meals.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Get dinner ready in 30 minutes with this one-pan chicken in a creamy garlic sauce. Pair it with veggies or rice for a complete meal. It’s a simple and effective recipe, especially for those just starting to cook.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

This chicken salad combines the heat of jalapeños with a smooth mayo dressing. It’s hearty with added chicken, making it a filling main dish. Easy to prepare, this salad is perfect for a family meal for tonight and leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan shrimp and spinach dish, ready in 30 minutes, is a well-rounded meal. It includes garlic, tomatoes, and spinach, and is simple enough for anyone to make. It’s a quick and refined choice for a family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Ready in 30 minutes, this one-pan chicken dish features a rich sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s straightforward and ideal for beginners in the kitchen. Adding rice or pasta makes it a fuller meal, perfect for a hassle-free family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

This 25-minute one-pan meal combines cabbage, bacon, and onion for a simple dinner. It’s great for those just starting to cook and doesn’t need any extra side dishes, making it a quick option for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Canned Chicken Patties

Use canned chicken for these easy 20-minute patties. They’re versatile and can be served alone or in sandwiches. With few ingredients and simple steps, it’s a perfect quick dinner for families on the go.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken Corn Soup

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

This one-pot soup, ready in under an hour, blends tender chicken with hearty vegetables in a flavorful broth. It’s simple to make and stands alone as a complete meal, making it a great choice for a time-saving family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Big Mac Salad

Enjoy the flavors of a popular fast-food burger in this easy salad. It combines lettuce, ground beef, and a special sauce for a full meal that’s simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Shawarma Kebabs

In about 30 minutes, prepare these flavorful skewers. Whether grilled or broiled, they’re easy to make. Serve with rice or salad for a complete meal. It’s a quick and practical dish for families with a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

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