45 Easy Family Dinners That'll Conquer Chaotic Weeknights

This amazing collection of easy family dinners will ensure your weeknights are hassle-free.

The entire family will love these easy dinners, such as slow-cooker enchiladas, chili cheese dog casserole, pizza grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, taco pizza, and more.

These easy family dinner ideas will conquer chaotic weeknights, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.

Table of Contents show

One-Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs on a white plate. — Photo Credit: Valerie’s Kitchen

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Making your own meatballs is time-consuming, so using frozen cooked meatballs is a wonderful idea. It’s ready in just 25 minutes and is a satisfying meal for busy nights.

Get the Recipe: One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Turkey and Ham Crescent Sandwiches

Crescent roll sandwiches in a casserole dish with serving utensil serving one sandwich. — Photo Credit: Noshing With The Nolands

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Making sandwiches in a casserole dish will save you so much time versus making individual sandwiches for everyone.

Get the Recipe: Turkey and Ham Crescent Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

A slow cooker with enchilada casserole on a wooden board. — Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Making enchiladas in the slow cooker is so much easier than traditional recipes, which require you to roll each enchilada individually.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

Shrimp Roll Recipe

Shrimp roll on a blue plate with chips. — Photo Credit: Noshing with the Nolands

While crab and lobster rolls may be more popular, this shrimp roll recipe is as good (if not better).

A buttery roll is filled with a creamy mixture of dill, green onion, mayo, shrimp, and other yummy ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Roll Recipe

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes on Texas toast topped with melted cheese. — Photo Credit: Sugar and Soul

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Using buttery Texas toast instead of a bun is a fun twist on this beloved family favorite.

The homemade sloppy joe mixture is way better than using a store-bought can or seasoning pack.

Get the Recipe: Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Lazy Enchiladas

Person serving enchiladas out of a casserole dish on a white background. — Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe uses frozen taquitos, a clever time-saving hack made popular on TikTok. This will become your kid’s new favorite meal.

Get the Recipe: Lazy Enchiladas

Tuscan Chicken Tortellini

A slow cooker with ingredients with beef, noodles, and mushrooms on a counter with a napkin. — Photo Credit: Cinnamon and Sage Co

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

This easy weeknight dinner is an explosion of Tuscan flavors that’ll win over everyone.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Chicken Tortellini

Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Honey pork chops and roasted vegetables in a sheet pan. — Photo Credit xoxoBella

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Made with simple ingredients, this delicious honey garlic pork chop and roasted vegetable meal couldn’t be easier to throw together.

Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Bruschetta Chicken Skillet

Bruschetta chicken in a white skillet topped with tomatoes and balsamic. — Photo Credit: Blue’s Best Life

Forget time-consuming cleanup, this delicious bruschetta chicken is cooked in just one pan.

Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Chicken Skillet

Copycat KFC Bowl

KFC Bowl Copycat with corn and chicken in white bowl. — Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Rising fast food prices make it pretty expensive to feed a family. Skip the drive-thru and make a cheaper and tastier copycat KFC bowl at home.

Get the Recipe: Copycat KFC Bowl

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff in a white dish next to a croissant. — Photo Credit: The Food Hussy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Simply throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and come home to a tasty meal that your family will think you put tons of effort into making.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Tater tot chicken casserole topped with sour cream on a white plate. — Photo Credit: Salt and Spoon

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Both kids and adults will give this casserole a 10 out of 10.

It’s made with tater tots, tender chicken, bacon, cheese, a mouthwatering creamy sauce, and yummy toppings.

Get the Recipe: Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Taco Stuffed Grilled Cheese

Taco inspired grilled cheese sandwich. — Photo Credit: Love Bakes Good Cakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Kids love tacos and grilled cheese, so combining the two is guaranteed to be a hit with your kids.

Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Grilled Cheese

Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos

Chicken tacos topped with cheese on a serving board. — Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

If your family loves Taco Tuesday, this is a must-make recipe.

Dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker, then assemble your tacos in the evening when you’re ready to eat.

Get the Recipe: Queso Chicken Tacos

Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Left image is chicken pot pie topped with biscuits in a skillet. Right image is chicken pot pie with a biscuit on a white plate. — Photo Credit: Salt and Spoon

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

This recipe swaps the flaky crust for biscuits, which is a creative spin on a traditional pot pie.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

A portion of crack chicken on a white plate on a table. — Photo Credit: Savvy Honey

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes

Even the pickiest eaters will love this tender crack chicken that’s filled with bacon, cheddar, and ranch flavors.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

Dorito Casserole

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

When a recipe has Doritos, you know it’ll be good.

This comforting casserole contains layers of taco meat, cheese, crunchy chips, and delicious taco toppings.

Get the Recipe: Dorito Casserole

BBQ Hawaiian Pizza

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“Such an easy recipe to throw together on a busy weeknight, and the whole family loved it.” —Yuri

Get the Recipe: BBQ Hawaiian Pizza

White Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas in a white sauce served on a white plate and in a white casserole dish. — Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

These chicken enchiladas are smothered in a creamy white sauce and made with rotisserie chicken, a time-saving shortcut,

Get the Recipe: White Chicken Enchiladas

Ham and Potato Soup

Bowls of ham potato soup on a table with a spoon. — Photo Credit: NeighborFood

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Perfect for fall and winter, this creamy soup is made with ham, potatoes, peas, carrots, and more.

Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Soup

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Your entire family will rave about this creamy spaghetti casserole. If you’re tired of basic spaghetti, you’ll want to add this dinner to your weekly rotation.

Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Thai Basil Beef Bowls

Ground beef Thai bowl with coconut rice in a black plate. — Photo Credit: Sugar and Soul

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Flavor-filled beef and bell peppers are served over creamy coconut rice.

It has the perfect amount of sweetness, and the spice level can be tailored to your family’s taste.

Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Beef Bowls

One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

Taco mac and cheese in a blue pot with ingredients and a blue and white towel next to the pot on a white marble background. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Mac and cheese combined with tasty taco flavors is an easy dinner your family will want you to make all the time.

Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

Chili Recipe

Chili in a white bowl with a spoon on a light background. — Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“This is such a quick and easy chili recipe! Love having a nice meal that doesn’t take forever to make.” —Terri

Get the Recipe: Chili Recipe

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

This easy dinner has only five ingredients. Plus, cleanup couldn’t be easier since it’s made using just one casserole dish.

Get the Recipe: Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

Chicken Penne Pasta

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Made with just five ingredients, this hearty dinner will leave everyone full and satisfied.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Penne Pasta

Taco Pizza

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

This dinner combines two family favorites: tacos and pizza. It’s loaded with refried beans, taco meat, cheese, and other tasty toppings.

Get the Recipe: Taco Pizza

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan and pasta on a white plate — Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“This recipe was great! Both of my girls really liked it; they can be finicky eaters. This recipe was super easy, which I loved.” —Alyssa

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan

John Wayne Casserole

Slice of cheesy casserole with peppers on white plate. — Photo Credit: Amanda’s Cookin’

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“I made this and my family absolutely loved it! My husband who can be picky sometime wants it weekly. This one’s a keeper.” —Carleen

Get the Recipe: John Wayne Casserole

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

A bowl of lasagna soup with a napkin on a marble counter. — Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 18 minutes

This soup has all the lasagna flavor without the prep time involved in making traditional lasagna.

Plus, it uses many pantry staples, making it an affordable family meal.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Once you try this homemade version of Hamburger Helper, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Teriyaki Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Left teriyaki chicken and rice in a bowl, right teriyaki chicken in a white crockpot with tongs stirring it. — Photo Credit: Dinner At The Zoo

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“I’ve made this a few times for my family and also when we’ve had company. We all love it!” —Emma

Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken

Baked Ravioli Casserole

Ravioli Ground Beef Bake in a white casserole dish. — Photo Credit: Noshing with the Nolands

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Want a hack to get a lasagna-like dish your family will enjoy without all the hard work?

Your answer is this shortcut casserole that is layers upon layers of store-bought ravioli, meat sauce, cheese, and other ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli Casserole

Chicken Alfredo Bake

Chicken Alfredo casserole in a turquoise caserole dish. — Photo Credit: Dinner at the Zoo

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“Literally obsessed with this recipe! Have been making it for months on end and is a go to meal for my family! Would 10/10 recommend! Super easy and yum!” —Jess

Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Bake

Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

Stuffed shells topped with sauce and cheese in a white casserole dish. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Best Recipe Review:

“Tried this recipe yesterday, and it was a hit with the family. So good!” —Maddie

Get the Recipe: Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

White Castle Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger crescent casserole on a white plate, | same picture on the right but a fork is going into casserole. — Photo Credit: Love Bakes Good Cakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

If you’re like me and don’t live in a state with White Castle, you can still enjoy all the White Castle yumminess by whipping up this casserole.

This family-friendly casserole has cheeseburger ingredients and condiments that’ll make everyone feel like they’re chowing down on a White Castle burger.

Get the Recipe: White Castle Cheeseburger Casserole

Garlic Chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This dinner has been shared over 90,000 times on social media and has glowing reviews. Here’s one of many great reviews:

“So good! I made this for the first time tonight, and the whole family loved it – including the kiddos!” -Marina

Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Pizza Casserole in a dish. — Photo Credit: Cook Clean Repeat

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This pizza tater tot casserole is not only yummy, but it’s super cheap to make, too.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken Noodle Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Once you make this recipe, you’ll never want canned soup again.

Best Recipe Review:

“This soup is the perfect comfort food. Our whole family loved it!” —B

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Korean Ground Beef

Korean beef over rice on a white plate. — Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Talk about a no-fuss dinner; this Korean beef skillet recipe only takes 15 minutes to whip up from start to finish.

Get the Recipe: Korean Ground Beef

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Lasagna on a white plate topped with cheese next to a side salad. — Photo Credit: Cooking with Curls

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

This shortcut lasagna recipe cooks beautifully in the slow cooker and is way less work than traditional recipes.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lasagna

Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled cheese sandwich on a dark background. — Photo Credit: Eating on a Dime

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Another creative grilled cheese recipe, your kiddos will want you to make these often.

This recipe uses store-bought Texas toast, a time-saving shortcut, and the perfect bread to go along with pizza ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Stuffed Pizza Chicken

Chicken with cheese and pepperoni in sauce. — Photo Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

This stuffed pepperoni pizza chicken will win over everyone, even the pickiest eaters. It only takes 15 minutes to prep and can also be prepped the night before.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pizza Chicken