16 Easy Family Dinners

Easy dinners that work for the whole family don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. These recipes are perfect for any day of the week.

From one-pan meals to slow cooker favorites, all of these easy family dinners are designed to keep things simple without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re planning ahead or starting dinner late, there’s something here that fits your schedule.

1. Salisbury Steak

Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans. — Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits

Ground beef, bread crumbs, and spices cook down in a rich mushroom gravy that tastes like a classic comfort meal. It pairs well with mashed potatoes or a green veggie and works great for a simple weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas on a sheet pan, topped with avocado, lime, and cilantro. — Photo Credit: The Soccer Mom Blog

Juicy chicken and veggies roast on one sheet pan for a quick dinner with bold Tex-Mex flavor. Cleanup stays easy, and you can relax while it all bakes in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

3. Baked Spaghetti

Baked spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese in a white baking dish. — Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday!

This baked spaghetti is perfect for feeding the entire crew. It also includes a few helpful shortcuts and can be prepared ahead of time when you need a low-stress meal.

Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti

4. Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and peas in a white bowl. — Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen

Beef stew simmers all day in the crockpot with tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich broth. This stew is sure to be a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef Stew

5. Chicken Casserole

Chicken casserole with a cornflake topping in a glass baking dish. — Photo Credit: On Moxie and Motherhood

Chicken bakes into a cozy casserole that’ll feed everyone easily. It’s simple to put together and has a flavor that keeps everyone coming back for another serving.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Casserole

6. Taco Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed bell pepper with taco filling, cheese, and sour cream on a plate. — Photo Credit: The Food Blog

Bell peppers are filled with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, and tomatoes with green chilies for a fun take on taco night. A layer of melted cheese pulls it all together for a simple, flavorful meal.

Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Peppers

7. Baked Penne with Sausage

Baked penne pasta with sausage, tomato sauce, and melted cheese in a dish. — Photo Credit: Simply Scratch Made

Penne and sausage bake together in a homemade sauce that uses simple pantry staples. It’s a reliable recipe for any night of the week.

Get the Recipe: Baked Penne with Sausage

8. Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Mississippi pot roast with pepperoncini peppers in a slow cooker. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table

Chuck roast cooks with ranch mix, au jus mix, butter, and pepperoncinis until it becomes tender. It’s a stress-free dinner that delivers strong flavor with only five ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

9. Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan pasta bake with breadcrumbs and parsley on a plate. — Photo Credit: Thriving In Parenting

This dump-and-bake chicken parmesan casserole layers pasta, chicken, herbs, cheese, and a crisp topping in one simple dish. This will be your new go-to busy night dinner.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan

10. Baked Pork Chops

Baked pork chop with mashed potatoes on a white plate with silverware. — Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

Thick pork chops cook in the oven and are made with pantry ingredients for a dish you’ll want to add to the weekly rotation. Letting them rest before and after baking helps keep them tender.

Get the Recipe: Baked Pork Chops

11. Taco Casserole

Taco casserole in a white dish, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and sour cream. — Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday!

This taco casserole will be a hit with both kids and adults. You can top it with tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, and crushed corn chips to add even more texture.

Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

12. Smoky Red Lentil Stew with Chickpeas

Lentil stew with spinach and chickpeas in a white pot with a wooden spoon. — Photo Credit: Vegan Huggs

This red lentil stew is a family meal that’ll stretch your budget. It’s hearty, simple, and a reliable choice for nights when you want something cozy without extra steps.

Get the Recipe: Smoky Red Lentil Stew with Chickpeas

13. Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli stir-fry in a black pan with green beans and red peppers. — Photo Credit: In the Kitch

Beef and broccoli roast with teriyaki sauce on a single pan for a quick dinner after a busy day. The ingredients are simple, and the whole meal comes together in a little over thirty minutes.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

14. Fried Chicken Breast

Crispy fried chicken breasts on a wire rack with dipping sauce. — Photo Credit: The Buttery Fairytale

These fried chicken breasts cook up with a crisp golden crust and stay juicy inside without needing a deep fryer. They’re quick to prepare and pair well with pasta, salad, or mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Breast

15. Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin

Sliced pork tenderloin being drizzled with mustard sauce on parchment paper. — Photo Credit: The Sassy Foodie

Maple and mustard turn into a simple glaze that coats the pork before it bakes. The tenderloin cooks evenly and stays forgiving, even if it spends a little too long in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin

16. Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Garlic butter steak bites with mashed potatoes and asparagus on a plate. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table

Steak bites sear quickly in garlic butter and are made with only a few ingredients. Serve them with mashed potatoes or rice and a side veggie for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites