10 Family Meals That Never Disappoint

When dinner needs to satisfy everyone at the table without causing you stress in the kitchen, having a handful of go-to recipes makes all the difference.

These meals deliver big flavor that works any night of the week. You’ll find something here for every craving, and your family is going to love these dinners.

1. Frito Pie

“Frito pie topped with melted cheese, chili, and corn chips in a bowl. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

Frito Pie is a classic Tex-Mex dish that layers seasoned ground beef with Rotel tomatoes, cheese, and Fritos. It’s a fast, nostalgic skillet dinner that always disappears first on busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Frito Pie

2. Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Lemon garlic chicken thighs garnished with herbs on a plate. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table

A mixture of olive oil, butter, fresh lemon, and herbs coats bone-in chicken thighs before they bake until the skin turns golden. The brightness from the citrus keeps things from feeling too heavy.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

3. Tuscan Tortellini Bake

Tuscan tortellini in a baking dish. — Photo Credit: Food Folks and Fun

Browned sausage combines with cheese tortellini and kale in a creamy mixture, all baked together in one dish. It’s substantial enough to satisfy hungry family members without needing much on the side.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Tortellini Bake

4. Szechuan Shrimp Stir Fry

Szechuan shrimp stir fry with vegetables in a bowl. — Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals

This shrimp stir-fry is ready in about 20 minutes, which is perfect when everyone’s hungry and you need dinner fast. The homemade Szechuan sauce is so yummy!

Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp Stir Fry

5. Balsamic Chicken

Balsamic chicken served with mashed potatoes on a plate. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella

This balsamic chicken couldn’t be easier to make. The tangy-sweet combination works well with simple sides like rice or mashed potatoes, and everything cooks together in one skillet.

Get the Recipe: Balsamic Chicken

6. Pork Chop Casserole

Pork chop casserole served on a plate. — Photo Credit: She’s Not Cookin’

Bone-in pork chops, rice, cream of mushroom soup, and ranch seasoning combine to make a family-friendly casserole even the pickiest eaters will love. Pulling the chops out partway through lets the rice finish cooking without drying out the meat, which keeps everything tender.

Get the Recipe: Pork Chop Casserole

7. Southern Black Eyed Peas

Southern-style black-eyed peas served in a bowl. — Photo Credit: Nourish and Fete

Bacon and smoked sausage simmer with black eyed peas, onion, celery, and Cajun seasonings until all the flavors come together. If you’re family is tired of the same old dinners, they’ll be thrilled when you serve this.

Get the Recipe: Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe

8. Chicken Divan

Chicken divan casserole with broccoli and cheese in a baking dish. — Photo Credit: Balancing Motherhood

Chicken divan is one of those classic dishes that always pleases everyone. The casserole gets topped with cheddar and buttery Ritz cracker crumbs before baking, and it’s the kind of dish kids actually eat without complaining about the vegetables.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

9. Salmon Bowls

Salmon served with rice and vegetables in a bowl. — Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime

Cubed salmon is coated in a soy-honey glaze and seared in a hot skillet until each piece develops a nice crust. You can build the bowls with whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand, making this easy to adapt to what your family actually likes to eat.

Get the Recipe: Salmon Bowls

10. Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Close-up of bacon cheeseburger pasta on a fork. — Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Easy family dinners don’t get much better than this one-pan bacon cheeseburger pasta. It’s perfect for weeknights when you want comfort food that still feels homemade.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta