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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Simple Family Dinners You Can Just Dump and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 10, 2025, updated August 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make family dinners feel like a chore, but with these 17 simple recipes, you can just dump the ingredients in and let them cook. These meals are perfect for those days when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. From comforting casseroles to flavorful slow-cooked dishes, these options will keep everyone happy and fed with minimal effort.

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and tasty choice for your next family dinner. With minimal effort, you can whip up a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. These recipes are perfect for busy evenings when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Jalapeno Popper Hash Brown Casserole

    Jalapeno Popper Hash Brown Casserole.
    Photo credit: Erica's Recipes.

    This breakfast casserole is rich and cheesy, and it's really simple to prepare. It's a favorite among family and friends, making it a great choice for any meal.

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    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is a fantastic option for dinner, offering a tender and juicy meal that’s also healthy. This dish is easy to prepare and looks great on the table, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests. With just a few ingredients, you can create a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy chicken and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is a comforting meal that the whole family will appreciate. It's an easy dinner that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings. With its creamy sauce and flavorful ingredients, this dish is sure to become a favorite at your table.

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    Gruyere Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This one-pan Mac and Cheese is a simple and tasty dish that you can whip up without boiling any pasta. It's packed with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese, giving it a rich and creamy flavor. You can have this comforting meal ready in under an hour, making it perfect for a quick family dinner.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is ideal for busy weeknights. It requires very little prep and brings together chicken, vegetables, and sauce all in one pan, making it an easy and tasty meal.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly cheesy and doesn't need any pre-cooking. Just toss everything into one dish, bake it, and you’ll have a comforting meal ready to enjoy. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s a simple yet satisfying dish perfect for any time.

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is a simple dinner that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It features a flavorful mix of Greek yogurt and pesto that adds a nice touch to the salmon. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and tasty without a lot of work.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked chicken and broccoli pasta is a great choice for a filling dinner that everyone will enjoy. It's easy to prepare and will leave you with some tasty leftovers for the next day. This dish combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and pasta in a creamy sauce, making it a comforting meal that the whole family will love.

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    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    Easy pizza baked beans are a great option for a quick and tasty dinner on busy nights. Simply combine canned beans with pizza sauce, toss in your favorite toppings, and bake. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a warm and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This sheet pan meal simplifies dinner with very little effort. You can personalize it by choosing your favorite sausage and vegetables, creating a straightforward and tasty dish.

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    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This vegan pasta bake is creamy and loaded with vegetables. It's a versatile dish that you can enjoy either hot or cold, making it perfect for any meal. Whether you're serving it for dinner or as a quick lunch, it's sure to please everyone.

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    Potato Soup

    A bowl of potato soup.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This potato soup is really simple to prepare, taking just about 10 minutes to get everything ready. It’s full of flavor, and the slow cooker handles most of the cooking for you. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want something warm and comforting on a Sunday, this soup is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A delicious family meal can be as simple as wrapping salmon filets in bacon and filling them with garlic butter. This dish combines rich flavors and is easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights. With just a few ingredients, you can create a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and tasty option for family dinners. It features a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center that everyone will love. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying meal.

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    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish is incredibly creamy and rich, offering a simple one-pot dinner that cooks with minimal effort. It's a great option for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together, and let it do its thing.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is packed with cheese and is simple to prepare in just one pan. You don’t have to be an expert cook to put together this tasty meal, and it can be on the table in less than an hour. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      Simplify Your Summer Nights with These 20 Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners
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      24 Easy Crockpot Recipes You’ll Want to Make All the Time
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      23 Must-Have Southern Potluck Dishes for Every Occasion
    • A spoonful of cheesy tortellini casserole.
      24 Casseroles So Good, You'll Forget They're Easy to Make

    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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