31 Quick and Easy Family Dinner Recipes (Weeknight Dinners)
Are you wondering what easy dinner recipe you can cook for your family tonight? Well, look no further as I have the best collections of the best quick and easy family dinner recipes for you! These recipes are grown-up and kids-friendly, I am sure you will find something you and your family would love.
With these back-to-school recipes, you can now take the guess on what dinner to make for your family tonight whether you are cooking for 4 or a family of 6. Many of these recipes come together in 30 minutes and are mostly made with staple pantry ingredients.
Quick and easy doesn’t mean bland, and these recipes surely deliver on taste and would leave your family full and happy. Pick out a few to try for the next few nights and you will not be disappointed.
What can I cook for dinner
This is often the question I still get to ask myself despite having over 200 dinner recipes to choose from on the blog. I am sure it is no different for you as well. Sometimes, we just want to be able to have everything in one place without having to scout the internet for answers.
These easy weeknight dinners for family recipes are perfect for a busy night or an easy one, they are kid-friendly and delicious. My family and I often find we are going back to these recipes every weeknight. You are in for a delicious treat as you would never run out of dinner ideas, well at least for the next 30 days.
You can plan weeknight dinner well in advance with ease
What makes a good dinner
These are what to expect from these dinner recipes
- Nutritious
- Quick and easy
- Delicious
- cheap easy meals on a budget
- Affordable, these recipes are budget-friendly and would conveniently feed a family of 4-6 with some leftovers.
Quick pasta recipes for dinner
Honestly, who doesn’t like a good pasta dinner? It is always a winner, cheap, budget friendly, but yet doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Quick spaghetti bolognese
Quick Spaghetti Bolognese
Looking for an easy pasta dish recipe? This simple and quick spaghetti Bolognese is your answer. The 30 minutes Bolognese sauce is delicious, rich and flavour packed. This deliciously easy spaghetti Bolognese recipe is so simple that you can’t hate on it.
get this recipe
- Creamy Cajun pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
This creamy cajun chicken pasta recipe is about to be on rotation at your house every week. Penne pasta and tender bites of cajun chicken tossed in a rich creamy cheese sauce. This is an irresistible dinner you and your family will love.
get this recipe
- Canned Tuna pasta
Canned Tuna Pasta Recipe
Canned tuna pasta! This is one of the cheapest yet delicious pasta recipe you can have on your table within minutes on a busy weeknight. It is quick, simple, packed full of flavour, more importantly, it uses a handful of ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
Let me show you how to make this super easy recipe in four steps
get this recipe
- Creamy mushroom pasta
Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe
This creamy mushroom pasta recipe is about to be on rotation for weeknight dinner in your home. The pasta was smothered in creamy garlic sauce and sautéed mushroom. This recipe ticks all boxes for what you would call DELICIOUS! Homemade creamy pasta recipe with restaurants quality. Serve with some homemade garlic bread.
get this recipe
- Broccoli pasta with shrimp
Quick Broccoli Pasta Recipe
A quick delicious broccoli pasta recipe, ready under 20 minutes. A simple, easy and healthy pasta with broccoli recipe the whole family would love. It may not be summer anymore, but a bowl of this pasta is sure cosy and comforting.
get this recipe
- Instant pot chicken pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Pasta (Penne Pasta)
Instant pot chicken pasta made with penne pasta! This easy instant pot chicken pasta recipe is so simple to make and a great dish to feed the family with. It is delicious and flavourful, very comforting food that is perfect for weeknight dinners.
get this recipe
- Best jerk shrimp Rasta pasta
Best Rasta pasta Recipe – Jerk Shrimp Pasta
This Rasta pasta with shrimp recipe is life changing. Simple pasta dish inspired by the Caribbean and Italian flavour. Penne pasta tossed in creamy, cheesy and jerk seasoning. It is absolutely delicious, weeknight dinner just got better!
get this recipe
- Creamy red pepper pasta: make this under 30 minutes using store-bought roasted bell pepper
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Roasted red pepper pasta is a creamy, delicious, sweet and velvety pasta made with homemade roasted peppers and spaghetti. Pure comfort food made under 30 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight, I like to serve it with some homemade garlic bread or dough balls.
get this recipe
- Creamy beef pasta recipe
Creamy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe
This creamy ground beef pasta recipe is a quick pasta dinner you would find yourself making over and over again. It is rich, creamy, flavourful, and super comforting. This quick beef pasta comes together under 30 minutes, it is delicious and about to be your family’s favorite.
get this recipe
Healthy Gnocchi dinner recipes
Gnocchi recipes are easy to whip up, you can make the best comforting meal in no time at all. These would leave your families happy and full-bellied.
- Pan fried gnocchi with spinach
Pan Fried Gnocchi with Spinach
This pan-fried gnocchi with spinach is so good simple, quick and uses a handful of ingredients. The gnocchi is crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside with every mouthful, flavoured with sundried tomatoes, garlic and spinach.
get this recipe
- Gnocchi with Bolognese
Gnocchi Bolognese
This quick one pot gnocchi or should I say gnocchi Bolognese would knock off your socks. Soft, pillowy gnocchi loaded with tomato sauce, melt in the mouth beef and other fresh ingredients. It is simple, easy and comes together in about 30 minutes.
get this recipe
- Gnocchi with tomato sauce (gnocchi al pomodoro)
Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
Gnocchi with tomato sauce Aka gnocchi al Pomodoro is quick, easy and delicious. Pillowy potato gnocchi cooked in rich flavourful tomato sauce.
get this recipe
Fish for dinner
Cheap healthy meals for family on a budget
- parmesan crusted salmon
Parmesan Crusted Salmon Recipe
This easy-baked parmesan-crusted salmon is a quick 20-minute fish recipe that is perfect for dinner and also great for entertaining. Crispy topping made from panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and other pantry staple ingredients.
get this recipe
- Baked cod with tomatoes
Baked Cod with Tomatoes
This baked cod with tomatoes is easy and fool proof and it's all done in a baking sheet in 30 minutes. Cod loin seasoned with homemade fish seasoning, then baked on a bed of fresh tomatoes, garlic and shallots, then baked until perfectly tender and juicy.
get this recipe
- Salmon coconut milk curry
Salmon Coconut Milk Curry
This Thai salmon coconut milk curry is packed full of flavour, a hearty 20 minute dinner that does not compromise on flavour. Seve with boiled rice and veggies.
get this recipe
- Crispy fish burger
Crispy Fish Burger Recipe
You will no longer order this fish burger as a takeout once you know how to make it at home. The crispy panko-breaded codfish is packed with flavours, light, flaky and seriously delicious. It is quick, easy, and better than McDonald’s filet-O-fish.
get this recipe
- Creamy Tuscan salmon
Creamy Tuscan Salmon Recipe
This delicious creamy Tuscan salmon is easy, quick and packed full of flavour. Perfectly pan-seared salmon cooked in a creamy sauce full of flavour from garlic and sundried tomatoes.
get this recipe
- Baked salmon in foil
Baked Salmon in A Foil Recipe
If you asked me what the best-baked salmon in the world is then it would have to be this baked salmon in foil recipe. This recipe will take the guess out of what to make for dinner as it is easy, fast, and delicious. The fish It is bursting with flavour from fresh garlic, butter, lemon and herbs!
get this recipe
- Honey garlic salmon
Honey Garlic Salmon
Honey garlic salmon! An easy salmon recipe that comes together in 20 minutes. Not only is this honey garlic salmon quick to make, it is simple and only requires everyday ingredients. A perfect fish recipe for dinner!
get this recipe
Delicious meat dinner ideas
If you love ground beef or pork then these recipes are for you. The following recipes can be served with a simple plain boiled white rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, and simple everyday salad.
- ground beef stir fry
Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Ground beef stir fry is amazingly easy to make especially on a busy weeknight. This stir fry is loaded with juicy melt in the mouth ground beef, veggies, my homemade all purpose stir fry sauce.
get this recipe
- instant pot korean ground beef
Instant Pot Korean Ground Beef Bowl
Instant pot Korean beef bowl from your pressure cooker to your table in 15 minutes. It is simple, quick, sweet and delicious. This recipe requires little to no prep time and you are guaranteed a flavourful ground beef that melts in your mouth with every bite.
This pressure cooker Korean beef recipe is not only good with boiled rice alone, you can serve it in wraps, lettuce cups and veggies as a salad.
get this recipe
- simple meatballs and gravy
Meatballs and Gravy
Meatballs and gravy! Tender meatballs cooked in flavourful and rich brown gravy. This is complete comfort food that is great for weeknight dinner.
get this recipe
- instant pot taco meat
Instant Pot Taco Meat
Instant pot taco meat using homemade taco seasoning. The taco meat was flavourful and utterly delicious. Serve this ground beef with tacos, burritos, salad bowl and more. Let me show you how to make taco meat in your instant pot electric pressure cooker with this step by step guide.
get this recipe
- instant pot beef tips and gravy
Instant Pot Beef Tips And Gravy
This instant pot beef tips and gravy is a quick and hearty easy weeknight or Sunday dinner to put together. The beef is tender and melts in your mouth. Serve it with some boiled basmati rice or creamy garlic mashed potatoes and steamed carrots
get this recipe
- Easy oven baked pork chops recipe
Easy Oven Baked Pork Chops Recipe
Learn how to cook pork chops in the oven perfectly at all time with this easy oven baked pork chops recipe. I used bone-in pork chops to make this amazingly juicy and flavourful recipe but you can also use boneless cut if that is what you have. This recipe uses the most basic pantry ingredients, very affordable and ready in no time.
get this recipe
- air fryer steak bites
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Air fryer steak bites! How to cook steak bites in the air fryer perfectly at all times. Juicy steak cut into bite sizes then seasoned with the best steak marinade.
get this recipe
- sausage and baked beans casserole this is one of the family favourites, we love to serve it over air fryer baked potatoes.
Sausage and Baked Bean Casserole
Are you looking for an easy recipe for baked beans, then you will love this quick and easy sausage and baked beans casserole made on the stovetop. This is a good way to doctor store-bought canned baked beans and make it tastes like a million dollar.
get this recipe
- Baked pork steak
Baked Pork Steak Recipe
These easy oven-baked pork steaks are tender, juicy, and super easy to make. Ever wondered how to always cook boneless pork steak in the oven perfectly? You are in luckas this recipe Is what you need. The result is amazing, juicy, and delicious pork meat you will love.
get this recipe
Yummy chicken dinner
- bang bang chicken with sauce
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
This bang bang chicken is a simple pan fried crispy panko breaded chicken pieces tossed in homemade bang bang sauce. it packed full of flavour, easy and quick to make and seriously delicious. Serve it as an appetizer or part of a main meal.
get this recipe
- air fryer frozen chicken breast
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
This air fryer frozen chicken breast is made with 6 pantry staple ingredients. It is quick, easy and delicious. The chicken breast comes out tender and juicy at all times and it is ready in no time too.
get this recipe
- garlic butter chicken bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
A quick and easy chicken dinner recipe! These garlic butter chicken bites come together in 20 minutes. it is flavor packed, tender, juicy, and every bite is filled with a yummy experience. These delicious chicken bites double as dinner as well as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
get this recipe
- healthy crustless chicken pot pie
Healthy Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
This healthy crustless chicken pot pie is the ultimate answer to what’s for dinner. A light dinner packed with veggies! it is flavourful, delicious and ready under 30 minutes.
get this recipe
- one pot chicken and rice
One Pot Chicken and Rice
This one pot chicken and rice is about to be your family’s favourite. The skinless chicken thighs are tender and juicy and the rice is perfectly fluffy. This is sure a winner weeknight dinner you and your family will enjoy. It is simple, comforting and delicious.
get this recipe
- spinach stuffed chicken breast
Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast With Cream Cheese
Spinach stuffed chicken recipe is about to become your family’s favourite chicken dinner. The chicken breast is stuffed with cream cheese, spinach and simple everyday spices.
get this recipe
- Bacon-wrapped chicken breast
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Bacon wrapped chicken breast recipe! Boneless skinless chicken breast wrapped in bacon with everyday spices, then baked until juicy and tender and caramelized on the outside. This recipe is simple, easy, and quick. A versatile chicken dish that you can serve with everything, anything.
get this recipe
- easy coconut chicken curry
Easy Coconut Chicken Curry Recipe
This easy coconut chicken curry is not only simple and easy to make, it would also be ready under 30 minutes. This easy homemade chicken curry is a game-changer, perfect for a weeknight dinner or date night.
Serve it with some freshly cooked basmati rice or brown rice.
get this recipe
- chicken fajitas
Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe
his easy chicken fajitas recipe is a simple and quick chicken dinner you can put together on a regular or a busy weeknight. It is so quick, you would think Jamie Oliver made it. This classic Mexican recipe is made with homemade fajita mix, it is healthy, flavourful, the chicken breasts pieces are tender and juicy, all thanks to the marinade. You will love this!
get this recipe
Here you go, 31+ quick and easy family weeknight dinners your family would love,
More roundup recipes
21 easy and quick boneless skinless chicken thighs
Boneless chicken breast for dinner
10 vegetarian instant pot recipes
did you make any of these 31 easy family dinner recipes don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes to your inbox
31+ Easy Family Dinner Recipes
There are over 31 easy dinner recipes to choose from tonight. These recipes are simple to make, kids friendly and utterly delicious. All these easy dinner recipes are cheap, budget friendly, yet packed full of flavor and they are sure to leave you full and satisfied.Why not have a go with this easy and quick one pot chicken and rice recipe. The review speaks for itself, you will love it.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups uncooked basmati rice
- 6 chicken thighs
- 1 ½ tsp mixed herbs
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 cup onion chopped any types of onion would work for this recipe.
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cups low sodium chicken stock.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup green onions to garnish sub with chives, parsley or coriander
Instructions
- To a small mixing bowl, add smoked paprika, mixed herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper and mix to combine. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and set aside.
- Add the chicken thighs to a bigger bowl and add the seasoning reserving about a teaspoon for later. Mix until the chicken is well coated.
- Heat up olive oil on medium high heat, carefully add the chicken, skin side down and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and place on a plate and set aside. (You can blot the oil with kitchen towel if it looks too much at this point as the chicken releases its own oil too)
- Sauté the chopped onions in the hot oil until soft and transluscent, stir in the rinsed rice and toast for about a minute or two making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Pour the chicken stock over the rice, the reserved seasoning and stir to combine. Deglaze the bottom of the pan while stirring by scraping the bottom of the pan. This way the rice doesn’t burn when cooking.Taste and adjust seasoning to taste at this point
- Arrange the chicken thighs over the rice then cover the pot with its lid and cook on low-medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the type of rice you are using. When the rice is done, it would be tender, fluffy and the water would be absorbed too.
- Garnish the rice with chopped green onions, cover and let it stand for another 3 minutes. fluff the rice with a fork, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Note:
- The top of the chicken might look dry when the dish is ready, this is totally fine and nothing to worry about. simply stir the chicken into the rice without tearing it and voila, you will be left with shiny and presentable looking pieces of chicken.
- If you are using a different type of rice then adjust the liquid ratio and cooking time to suit.
Nutrition
Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 23gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 442mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 561IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
Tried this recipe?Mention @thedinnerbite or tag #thedinnerbite!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
