59 Weekday Family Dinner Recipes

Hosting a family dinner isn't difficult at all. Pizza, pasta, pork chops, tacos, and more—with these quick and easy dishes, you'll easily bring the whole family together at the table!

Pizza frittata in a slow cooker

This pizza-frittata hybrid is incredibly easy to make, thanks to a slow cooker. Grated Parmesan and provolone work best in this recipe, as they hold together beautifully in the egg base and add a hint of umami flavor. We serve the frittata with a simple spinach salad—a unique dish the whole family will enjoy.

Pasta in oil with cauliflower and parmesan

This simple, vegetable-filled dish is ready in minutes and makes the whole family happy: kids who love pasta but aren't big on vegetables, and parents who want nothing more than to spend the afternoon cooking. Butter is seasoned with cauliflower and salted Parmesan cheese, then blended until smooth. Simply add as much as needed to the hot pasta, and a delicious dish is ready! Freeze any leftover butter for later use.

Taco Pizza in a Skillet

Have a pizza night—it's super easy to make at home. Save time by using store-bought dough and serving with your favorite taco toppings.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

This tender, comforting chicken pasta will be on the table in just half an hour. Even better, it's all made in one pot, so you don't even have to boil water first! This dish features tender chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onions, topped with a creamy tomato sauce.

Beef cutlets in onion gravy with mushrooms

This recipe is an elevated version of the classic Salisbury steak, a beef patty in brown gravy. For a more complex flavor, smoked paprika and ground mustard are added to the patty mixture. The gravy is made with lightly caramelized onions and dark cremini mushrooms. Mashed potatoes are a perfect accompaniment. This dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Enjoy your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a cozy casserole that's quick and easy to make.

Burgers with beef, beans, and pumpkin patties

These juicy burgers with a smoky flavor are a three-in-one combination: a classic patty, a vegetable patty, and a bean patty. It's an easy way to cut down on meat without sacrificing delicious flavor. After trying this version, make your own burger by using your favorite spice blend instead of the paprika, garlic, and onion powder in this recipe.

Stir-fry with shrimp

This recipe is quick and easy. The stir-fry takes about 5 minutes, so prep all the ingredients and cook the rice first.

Ohio-Style Turkey Chili

Cincinnati-Style Spaghetti Chili is an authentic Ohio dish.

Chicken breasts stuffed with spinach and mushrooms

These tender stuffed chicken rolls call for frozen spinach: unlike fresh, it doesn't shrink during cooking. Defrost the spinach in the microwave, then squeeze it dry with a clean kitchen towel and toss with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and fresh ricotta.

Chicken fingers in waffle breading

Combine chicken and waffles for a unique take on a classic dish.

General Tso's Chicken Tacos

Eddie says, "I love using rotisserie chicken. You can just buy it, and you don't have to worry about cooking it." He coats the chicken in a sweet sauce inspired by a favorite restaurant dish, then stuffs the meat into crispy taco shells.

Caesar salad with shrimp

Ree's simple yet elegant salad is a great meal when you're short on time. Ree makes a quick homemade dressing to coat the cut hearts of romaine lettuce. Beautifully arranged shrimp and baked garlic croutons provide a lovely finishing touch.

Chicken Parma with Artichokes

Shredded rotisserie chicken replaces whole chicken breasts in this quick skillet dinner. While the process is simplified, all the usual ingredients remain: San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Add some thawed artichoke hearts for an extra meaty texture.



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Closed chicken pie

For a simple, hearty pie, Sunny uses quick-cooking chicken breast, cutting it into small pieces.

Pizza with tortellini

Store-bought dough makes Trisha's tortellini pizza easy to make.

Lazy lasagna

True to its name, Valerie's lasagna requires very little effort. Bonus: everything is cooked in one bowl, which is essential when you don't want to wash a mountain of dishes after a long day at work.

Meatballs in sweet and sour sauce

Ree shares a family dinner hack: prepare meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Just take them out for dinner and cook them in a quick Asian-inspired sauce.

Quick Chicken Curry

Ree's curry is a true miracle: the dish is prepared in one pot and takes only 25 minutes.

Halibut tacos

Start a new taco night tradition: swap out meat and cheese fillings for fresh fish and colorful salsa verde.

Grain bowl with pork and pineapple

This dish has such a rich flavor—it's hard to believe it can be made in just 40 minutes.

Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash

These pasta shells are filled with a flavorful spinach and ricotta filling and cooked in an Alfredo sauce with roasted pumpkin. A delicious way to add vegetables to your menu!

Chicken Tamale Pie

Classic tamales are transformed into a shepherd's pie-style casserole with a corn topping.

Linguine with bacon and tomatoes

This weeknight pasta with cheese and bacon is a vibrant take on Carbonara. It's a little more flavorful with the addition of tomatoes and basil.

Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is full of Asian flavors. To control the heat, use less chili paste or sambal paste.

Tetrazzini with chicken

Need a free evening? This family-friendly pasta and chicken dish can be prepared a day in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Low-calorie taco filling

Ree's skillet tacos are delicious and easy, and thanks to the ground turkey, they're a leaner yet still filling meal that feeds the whole family.

Pasta e fagioli with chickpeas

This easy recipe makes hearty pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans) a weeknight meal: substitute chickpeas for white beans.

Eggs in Purgatory

For some, it's "eggs in purgatory," for others, it's shakshuka. But we think these are delicious eggs baked in tomato sauce, making them the perfect weeknight dinner!

Pizza-flavored pot pie

Giada De Laurentiis transforms the beloved cheese pizza into individual mini pies with chicken and broccoli.

Gnocchi casserole with ham and peas

Cooked gnocchi turn into a hearty dinner with the addition of peas, ham and a creamy cheese sauce.

Chicken fajita in foil

Make your favorite restaurant dish at home with this recipe for individual foil-wrapped fajitas. They're quick to make, require minimal cleanup, and the fillings can be customized to suit your tastes—even the pickiest eaters will love them.

Orecchiette Pasta with Mini Chicken Meatballs

Using ground chicken, make Giada's spicy meatballs and serve them over a hearty dish of orecchiette pasta and fresh mozzarella.

Pork and Vegetable Bowl

This is the perfect recipe for those craving egg rolls with crispy vegetables, pork, and a sweet and savory sauce, but without the extra carbs. It's a quick recipe, so have all the ingredients ready before you begin.

Ziti pasta with cheese and sauce

Rachael Ray's pasta is made on the stovetop, and just a couple of minutes in the oven at high heat is enough to crisp the cheese. Rachael serves the pasta with a quick salad of fresh spinach and artichoke hearts.

Beef and Cheddar Casserole

Try a new take on the casserole—a versatile one-pot meal. This recipe combines hearty ground beef with cheddar and egg noodles.

Pork cutlets with kale and walnut pesto

This recipe makes more pesto than you'll need, but it's well worth the extra effort. Add a spoonful to omelets, mix it with mayonnaise to spread on sandwiches, stir it into hot pasta and cooking water, or even add a little to your favorite broth.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Cook pork shoulder on low for several hours with brown sugar, spices, and apple cider vinegar for a smoky, tender roast without the need for a smoker.

Pasta with broccoli in garlic oil

Melissa's vegetable pasta will be on the table in less than 20 minutes.

Crispy pork with Brussels sprouts

This dinner for four is ready in just 40 minutes thanks to boneless pork chops. Transform ordinary baked Brussels sprouts with a quick Sriracha-honey dressing.

Shrimp tacos

Shrimp is perfect for a weekday because it cooks quickly. Take these tacos from Ree, for example: the entire recipe takes just 16 minutes.

Beef and Bean Slider Sandwiches

For a more approachable meal, Melissa De Arabian substitutes some of the beef for mashed black beans in these mini sandwiches.

Simple fusilli pasta in tomato sauce

For this simple dinner, simply combine everything in one pot—dried pasta, tomatoes, and so on—and let it simmer. The liquid from the broth will infuse the pasta, creating a rich, flavorful sauce.

Salmon with polenta

Salmon fillet is perfect for a family dinner. Serve with grilled polenta—a sweet and comforting carb alternative to potatoes, which take much longer to cook.

Low-calorie chicken parma

Not only is Ree's version of chicken parmigiana lower in calories, it also cooks in just 16 minutes.

Meatballs in Marsala sauce

Why should everything interesting be chicken-based? Dress your meatballs with Marsala wine sauce and prepare to be amazed (in just 40 minutes).

Pasta salad for kids

Ree's pasta salad is loaded with bacon and cheese, making it a go-to for kids.

Oven-roasted chicken

If you love traditional fried chicken, try this healthier option. Oven-roasted chicken produces the same delicious, crispy flavor, but without the added fat. And since you don't have to cook the chicken on the stove (which requires constant attention), you'll have more time for other dishes.

Mac and cheese with barbecue sauce

In her version of the classic, Damaris adds barbecue sauce and beer. For a creamy sauce, grate the cheese yourself: store-bought grated cheese often contains cellulose, which prevents caking, but it can make the sauce grainy.

Mexican Tortilla Pizza with Chorizo

This simple Mexican pizza recipe combines tender avocado and crumbled smoked chorizo ​​on a crispy baked tortilla. Refried beans replace the classic tomato sauce, and Oaxacan cheese is a great alternative to standard mozzarella.

Fish fingers with broccoli

These 35-minute fish sticks are a great way to introduce new flavors to your family menu. Serve with sweet Thai chili sauce instead of ketchup—it's slightly spicy without being overly hot.

Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs

Ellie proves that white meat isn't the only part of the chicken worth celebrating. She uses bone-in chicken thighs, removes the skin, and coats the meat with a savory glaze.

Rice bowl with bacon and broccoli

This Asian-inspired rice bowl is a great alternative to restaurant delivery. Arrange toppings—like cilantro, green onions, and pickled jalapeños—so everyone at the table can choose their favorites.

Chicken noodle soup

Thanks to quick-to-cook chicken breast, Ree's cozy noodle soup takes just 35 minutes to prepare.

Risotto with chicken and fontina cheese

A full cup of grated fontina cheese adds a touch of sophistication to this simple risotto recipe. Stir in shredded smoked chicken to complement the cheese's nutty flavor.

Baked Chicken with Lemon and Herbs

Bring the whole family together for a whole chicken dinner. Tyler's recipe is simple and classic: he stuffs the bird with lemon, garlic, and herbs and bakes it on new potatoes, which absorb the flavorful juices.

Spaghetti squash with meatballs

Introduce kids to nutritious spaghetti squash by serving it as pasta with juicy meatballs and a quick homemade marinara sauce.

Tortellini in Alfredo Sauce with Pumpkin

By adding canned pumpkin puree to our creamy Alfredo sauce, we add extra flavor and nutrients.







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