9 Weeknight Meals Your Family Will Love

Weeknight dinners don’t have to be stressful! When you’re looking for family-friendly meals that actually get everyone excited about dinner, these tried-and-true recipes deliver big flavors without the fuss.

You’ll find everything from casseroles and crowd-pleasing tacos and pasta dishes. They’re perfect for those busy nights when you need some easy dinners that the whole family will love.

1. Ground Beef and Bean Tacos

Ground beef and bean tacos on a plate. — Photo Credit: Nourish and Fete

This taco filling stretches a pound of ground beef with black beans and gets serious flavor from everyday spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika. They’re perfect for family taco night.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Bean Tacos

2. Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken tater tot casserole on a white plate. — Photo Credit: Salt and Spoon

This casserole layers shredded chicken in a creamy sauce with frozen mixed vegetables and bacon, all topped with golden tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. The best part is that using rotisserie chicken makes prep a breeze, and everything bakes together in one dish.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

3. Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Teriyaki turkey meatballs in a bowl. — Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals

These ground turkey meatballs get glazed with a homemade teriyaki sauce that’s sweet, savory, and infinitely better than anything from a bottle. They’re perfect for meal prep, plus you can make them ahead and reheat them throughout the week.

Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

4. Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders

Chicken cordon bleu sliders on a plate. — Photo Credit: Troprockin

These handheld versions of the classic dish require minimal preparation and are ready in just 35 minutes. Perfect for feeding a crowd or satisfying picky eaters, they deliver all that familiar comfort food flavor.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders

5. Baked Feta Cheese Gnocchi

Baked feta cheese gnocchi in a white baking dish. — Photo Credit: Blue’s Best Life

This Mediterranean-inspired meal is made with tomatoes, potato gnocchi, and a whole block of feta that turns warm and creamy in the oven. Your family will love this meatless dish that’s hearty and satisfying.

Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Cheese Gnocchi

6. Crockpot Baked Ziti

Crockpot baked ziti on a plate. — Photo Credit: Balancing Motherhood

This hands-off version lets you skip the pre-boiling step and cook dry pasta right in the slow cooker with Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella. Your family will want you to make this every week!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Baked Ziti

7. Sloppy Joe Bubble Up Casserole

Sloppy Joe bubble up casserole in a rectangular baking dish. — Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks

Ground beef is mixed with a homemade sloppy joe sauce, then combined with Pillsbury biscuits and topped with cheddar cheese. This family-friendly casserole bakes until the biscuits are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly, creating a mess-free way to enjoy classic sloppy joe flavors.

Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole

8. Creamy Dijon Pork Chops

Creamy Dijon pork chops in a cooking pot. — Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook

These restaurant-quality pork chops are ready in just 25 minutes, yet they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, thanks to a rich pan sauce made with white wine, Dijon mustard, and fresh spinach. Serve them over rice or mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Pork Chops

9. Chicken Alfredo

Close-up of chicken Alfredo on a plate. — Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

This homemade Alfredo sauce delivers a rich, velvety texture thanks to butter, cream, and freshly grated Parmesan. Pan-fried chicken seasoned with Italian herbs tops perfectly cooked fettuccine, creating a meal your family will want you to make again.

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe