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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Family-Friendly Dinners That Taste Kinda Fancy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 5, 2025, updated May 5, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding meals that are both family-friendly and feel a bit special can be a challenge. These 17 dinner ideas are perfect for busy weeknights but still bring a touch of elegance to the table. From comforting classics to creative twists, these dishes will please everyone and make dinner time feel a little more exciting.

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    You can prepare a tasty sausage rigatoni pasta in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. This dish is perfect for a quick family dinner.

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    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Pesto Salmon dish is ready in just 15 minutes and is great for busy evenings. With a creamy mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, it’s a hit with the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Tropical Steak Tacos

    Tropical Steak Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Savory Experiments.

    Tacos are a fun meal that can be enjoyed any day of the week. Tropical Steak Tacos offer a tasty twist on the usual beef and cheese, featuring a delicious blend of flavors with mango salsa.

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    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties are a tasty and easy dinner choice that everyone in the family will like. With fresh salmon and tasty seasonings, they cook in just 6-8 minutes and don’t need any chopping.

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    Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

    Crockpot Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is a tender and flavorful dish that's perfect for a busy weeknight. It's easy to prepare and tasty enough to impress your guests.

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    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    When you're short on time but want a special dinner, this quick salmon dish is a great option. With either store-bought teriyaki sauce or a homemade version, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Lamb Burgers with Tahini Sauce

    A plate with salad, a lamb burger, and dressing.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This lamb burger is packed with Mediterranean flavors from herbs and spices like oregano, mint, and feta. A drizzle of Tahini sauce adds a tasty touch to complete the dish.

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    Steak Fajita Pasta

    Steak Fajita Pasta.
    Photo credit: Out Grilling.

    Steak Fajita Pasta combines grilled steak, creamy pasta, and fresh veggies for a family-friendly dinner. It's a simple and delicious meal that's perfect for feeding everyone without much effort.

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    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy shrimp and asparagus risotto is full of flavor from lemon, basil, and parmesan. It's a quick and easy dinner that can be ready in just 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Antipasti Pasta Salad

    Antipasti Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: An Affair From the Heart.

    This pasta salad is a favorite for everyone and can be whipped up in under 30 minutes. It features delicious ingredients like salami, pepperoni, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Orange Chicken

    Air fryer orange chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This homemade orange chicken is a delicious alternative to takeout, offering a healthier option that won't break the bank. You can enjoy crispy air-fried chicken coated in a tangy orange sauce in under thirty minutes.

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    Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

    A plate of shrimp boil.
    Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

    In just 40 minutes, you can prepare a delicious meal featuring seafood, meat, and veggies with your instant pot. This dinner is sure to please everyone in the family!

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    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese

    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese is a tasty and easy meal that uses fresh ingredients. This fun take on a classic dish is perfect for the whole family and can be ready in just 20 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    You can prepare a tasty salmon meal in around 20 minutes with just 3 easy ingredients. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Coconut Lime Chicken & Pasta is a tasty and easy meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. With its unique coconut lime sauce, this dish is ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Steak Pasta

    Creamy Steak Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar.

    This Creamy Steak Pasta is sure to become a favorite, perfect for anyone who loves steak. It's a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Pork Dumplings

    Pork Dumplings
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These tasty dumplings come together in about 30 minutes and are full of flavor that the whole family will appreciate. It's a gourmet dinner that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      Beyond the Pie: 12 Creative Rhubarb Dishes You Need to Try
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      26 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes Even Picky Eaters Will Love
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      20 Crockpot Summer Dinners Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen
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      20 Easy Set-and-Forget Dinners That Cook While You Relax

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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