33+ Easy Family Dinner Ideas

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Choosing a dinner recipe can be one of the most difficult parts of your day. But, here we have done the hard part! Fresh, new recipe ideas gathered in one place, and all you have to do is scroll through and decide which ones look the most delicious.

Easy dinner ideas with four dishes: Cajun shrimp pasta, enchiladas, French dip sandwiches, and gumbo.

These are easy family dinners that are popular on our site because they are quick to make and everyone loves them! The last thing you want is to work all evening on a new recipe after a long day to have someone say “ew”. These dinners are tried and true favorites!

From meals ready in under 30 minutes, to dinners in the Crockpot, we’ve got you covered for endless nights of yum!

Quick Dinner Recipes (under 30 minutes)

Make healthy, quick meals that everyone will enjoy. With simple ingredients and minimal time spent (less than 30 minutes), you can be eating GOOD and saving money, too.. frequent trips to restaurants adds up! Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.

Two baked French Bread Pizzas on a sheet pan.
French Bread Pizza
5 from 32 votes
French bread pizza is one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners. I'll show you the best way to make it so you get flavorful, cheesy, crisp pizza every time.
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Three French Dip Sandwiches with toasted French bread, sliced roast beef and melted provolone cheese. Bowl of au jus and French fries on the side.
French Dip Sandwiches
5 from 23 votes
This is hands down the easiest recipe for delicious French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus! With two layers of melted cheese, flavorful roast beef, toasted bun, and savory Au Jus for dipping.
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Lemon spaghetti plated with fresh chopped basil and lemon wedges on the side.
Lemon Spaghetti
5 from 20 votes
Bright, fresh Lemon Spaghetti made with lemon juice, zest, basil, and Parmesan—no cream required. A silky, restaurant-worthy pasta ready in about 15 minutes.
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Horizontal image of walking tacos and sides
Walking Taco Recipe
5 from 14 votes
Our Walking Taco Recipe is the best thing ever for camping, reunions, and block parties. They are cheap, tasty, and clean up is a snap. No plate needed!
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Constructed Hawaiian Haystack topped with green onion, cheese, rice noodles, green peppers, almond slices, tomatoes, celery, black olives, coconut, pineapple and mandarin oranges.
Hawaiian Haystacks
5 from 13 votes
Hawaiian Haystacks were always a favorite dinner when we were growing up! We love how you can build your own dish just the way you like it!
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Creamy Ground Beef and Noodles in a skillet with a wooden spoon resting.
Creamy Beef and Noodles Skillet
4.98 from 67 votes
This 15 Minute Beef and Noodles Skillet recipe is perfect for those busy nights when you need dinner quickly. Ground beef and noodles with a creamy, cheesy sauce.
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Side view of Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta in a skillet.
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
4.95 from 19 votes
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta was inspired by a favorite New Orleans dish. The creamy sauce with the slightly spicy, buttery shrimp is to die for! 
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Easy Crock Pot Dinners (fast prep, slow cook)

I think we can all agree, the Crock Pot is a life saver. The idea of fixing and then quite literally forgetting is amazing. To put something in the Crock Pot in the morning and come back to it at dinner time and find that it is cooked to completion, wonderful. It saves time, headache, and creates a great dinner! Thank you Universe, thank you. These are some of our favorite Crock Pot meals. They are all warm and cozy.

A slice of crock pot lasagna on a white plate with a gold fork
Crockpot Lasagna
5 from 7 votes
Cooking a delicious, hearty Italian dinner just got easier with this Crockpot Lasagna! Put everything in the slow cooker – including uncooked noodles – and serve up a meal your whole family will love!
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Cashew Chicken in a bowl next to cashews and green onion
Crockpot Cashew Chicken
4.91 from 101 votes
This Crockpot Cashew Chicken is better than most Chinese takeout cashew chicken. Throw it all in the slow cooker and have a delicious, no fuss dinner!
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A ladle full of slow cooker chicken and rice soup
Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
4.99 from 115 votes
Chicken and Rice Soup is an easy chicken soup recipe. All of the raw ingredients go in the slow cooker and a delicious soup awaits for dinner.
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Crock pot of sweet and sour meatballs with a spoon.
Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
4.97 from 26 votes
These Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are such a GREAT weeknight meal when you don't have a lot of time but you want to make a meal the family is going to love.
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Crockpot Steak and Gravy over mashed potatoes and garnished with parsley. Baguette bread on the side.
Crockpot Steak and Gravy
4.94 from 122 votes
This Crockpot Steak and Gravy is so tender and flavorful. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.
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Instant Pot Dinner Ideas (30 minutes and under)

The Instant Pot is another life-saving kitchen appliance for those of us who love good food, but don’t have a lot of time. Pressure cooking usually takes about half the time as baking time in the oven or simmering time on the stove. Most recipes can be adapted to work in the Instant Pot, but figuring it out can be a little tricky, and not all ingredients cook the same. These meals are family-tested and approved for the Instant Pot, guaranteeing a dinner you’ll love.

Chicken Alfredo prepared in an Instant Pot with parsley garnish on top
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
4.80 from 5 votes
This Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is a low-maintenance, weeknight dinner that tastes incredible! You just throw everything in the pot and then walk away. 
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An Instant Pot filled with beef stroganoff
Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
4.86 from 7 votes
Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff is a comfort food staple that your whole family will love. Using your Instant Pot makes it easy to get fork-tender beef and a rich, savory sauce in a fraction of the time.
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Full platter of Instant Pot Apricot Chicken topped with green onions and served over rice.
Instant Pot Apricot Chicken
5 from 6 votes
This Instant Pot Apricot Chicken is an easy and flavorful dinner idea for any day of the week! You will love the savory sweet apricot flavor.
Six instant pot pulled pork sandwiches on a white plate.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
5 from 3 votes
This Instant Pot Pulled Pork is going to become your new favorite pulled pork recipe. It comes together so quickly and tastes amazing. 
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Wooden spoon holding up three instant pot meatballs.
Instant Pot Meatballs
4.99 from 131 votes
These Instant Pot Meatballs are the easiest way to make meatballs EVER. No browning or sautéing. Just throw them in the sauce uncooked and let the Instant Pot do the rest!
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Instant Pot gumbo with shrimp, sausage, chicken, peppers, and other ingredients served in a dish with a bed of rice on the side.
Instant Pot Gumbo
4.89 from 97 votes
Instant Pot Gumbo is so easy to make! Loaded with sausage, chicken, and shrimp, this gumbo is BURSTING with creole flavors! See gluten free substitutions in recipe notes.
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Air Fryer Dinners (half the time as baking)

Our fast and easy air fryer recipes make using an air fryer a no-brainer! Air frying is healthier than deep-frying because it uses way less oil, yet the food still comes out crispy and delicious. Somehow, things come out quickly and crisply without having to heat your whole oven or get the fryer out. Once your start using an air fryer, you won’t go back. You’ll start finding excuses to use it for every meal. And you can. Start with these recipes!

A large plate with asparagus, wild rice, and air fryer salmon topped with a lemon slice
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
5 from 3 votes
Get a delicious, simple, salmon dinner on the table in no time with our Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
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A bowl of white rice topped with chicken and vegetables
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
5 from 6 votes
Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki Bowls are the perfect quick, easy dinner for any busy night. Get a healthy and filling dinner on the table in no time.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
4.88 from 8 votes
These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are so crispy and crunchy, you won't believe they aren't fried! Made with a special batter and Panko bread crumbs, they come together in about 20 minutes.
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An air fryer hamburger on a plate with fries
Air Fryer Hamburger Patties
5 from 4 votes
Quickly whip up juicy, flavorful Air Fryer Hamburger Patties in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, these burgers are your ticket to a delicious, hassle-free meal!
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Air fryer steak bites on a wooden board with a small bowl of melted parsley butter on the side.
Air Fryer Steak Bites
5 from 4 votes
These air fryer steak bites are ready in 5 minutes and packed with flavor! It is the perfect way to spruce up your Sirloin.
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A top view of a pork chop made in the air fryer on a plate with vegetables
Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops
5 from 1 vote
It only takes 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make these juicy air fryer boneless pork chops! Plus clean up is a breeze!
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Dinner Casserole Ideas (prep then bake)

What comes to mind when you hear the word casserole? If you are thinking of some grungy tuna noodle thing in the very back of the fridge, think again! Casseroles can be flavorful and delightful, ready to feed a family with the pickiest of eaters. Casseroles have been around since the dawn of time (pretty much) and there’s a reason for this! They can be prepared beforehand and then baked when you are ready. As they bake, a salad can be prepared, homework can be done, TV can be watched. Prepare for a new dawn of delicious casseroles.

Top view of Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce.
Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
4.94 from 30 votes
Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce is a saucy, cheesy, spicy dish that takes center stage at any Mexican feast. You'll never reach for canned enchilada sauce again! 
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Breakfast Casserole
Easy Breakfast Casserole
4.99 from 66 votes
Easy breakfast casserole is the perfect morning meal, especially when feeding a crowd. You'll love this dish full of eggs, hash browns, meat and cheese! 
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Plate with a slice of Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole with layers of turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, corn and sausage stuffing.
Thanksgiving Casserole (made with leftovers)
5 from 66 votes
Thanksgiving Casserole turns holiday leftovers into a cozy, never-dry bake—turkey, potatoes, stuffing, gravy & cranberry layered into one easy dish. The best way to use up those leftovers!
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Spoon scooping out a serving of Tater Tot Casserole.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole
5 from 7 votes
Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food reminiscent of your childhood. Creamy beef topped with crisp tater tots and lots of cheese. It's a family dinner hit!
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Casserole dish with Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole.
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
4.92 from 109 votes
Make the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole! Creamy, cheesy, and easy to make, it's a family favorite for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
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Wooden spoon with Homemade Mac and cheese.
Homemade Mac and Cheese
5 from 19 votes
Homemade macaroni and cheese with ham and peas is a perfect, quick meal that is always creamy and NEVER grainy. Get creative with the add-ins and toppings!
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Frito Chili Pie on a plate with the serving tray to the side. Bag of Fritos with chips coming out on the side.
Chili Frito Casserole
5 from 21 votes
Chili Frito Casserole is the perfect comfort dinner. Delicious layers of crunchy Fritos, Southwestern chili, and lots of gooey cheese make for a winning weeknight meal!
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spaghetti casserole in a glass baking dish
Spaghetti Casserole
5 from 29 votes
Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Made with layers of saucy pasta, creamy cheese, and savory meat sauce.
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Dinner Ideas for Special Occasions

Having the in-laws over for dinner? Inviting friends over for the holidays? We have more ideas for those times you want to prepare something extra special. The majority of these recipes are still easy to prepare, but it will take a little more time and planning to add some fancy sides and even desserts.

  • Sunday Dinner Ideas – There is nothing better than gathering the family around the table for a delicious, traditional Sunday dinner, and these dinner ideas are perfect for warming hearts and filling hungry tummies.
  • Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas – A classic Thanksgiving meal is at your fingertips with these mouthwatering Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas. Choose from any of these simple recipes below for your complete holiday feast.
  • Christmas Dinner Ideas – Ah Christmas, the season of family, tradition, gifts and good food. Create a beautiful and memorable Christmas dinner for your loved ones with these delicious recipes.
  • Easter Dinner Ideas – These traditional Easter dinner ideas are sure to make your family Easter dinner a big success. You can’t go wrong with any of these tried-and-true recipes.
  • Halloween Dinner Ideas – Make your Halloween night extra spooky this year by trying out one of our fun Halloween Dinner Ideas.

To sum up, we hope you enjoy these dinner ideas that taste great AND save you time. For more meal planning fun, don’t miss our 33+ Easy Breakfast Ideas and 33+ Easy Lunch Ideas!

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Spanish Fork, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising. She has four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I filled out my monthly meal plan using a lot of recipes from this list! The beef and noodles skillet was a favorite.

    1. Thank you, Dana! I’m so glad this list of dinner ideas has been helpful to you! I also love the beef and noodles skillet – it’s delicious and fast. 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Such a great list of recipes. There is something for everyone here. Made the french dip sandwiches the other day. They were quick, easy, and delicious. Can’t wait to make more from this list!

  3. 5 stars
    Such a great list of recipes but I do really love these sheet pan fajitas. Great easy idea and one everyone will love!

  4. 5 stars
    With all my kids involved in extra curriculars it’s been sometimes difficult to get dinner on the table. Especially looking forward to trying your Quick Dinner Ideas and finding some new favorites that make it a nourishing and healthy meal that also allows us to get to the practice on time!

  5. 5 stars
    I am always looking to switch up our dinner menus with new recipes. All of these look so good. Trying to decide which to make first. Thanks for putting this list of recipes together.