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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Family Friendly Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 25, 2025, updated August 20, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy meals for busy weeknights can be a challenge, especially when trying to please the whole family. These 18 family-friendly recipes are perfect for those hectic evenings, offering simple ingredients and straightforward steps. From easy tacos to crispy favorites, these meals will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Chicken Club Sandwich

    Chicken BLT.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    The Chicken Club Sandwich is loaded with layers of chicken, ham, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes. It's a great option for a quick meal or a light snack. This sandwich is satisfying and easy to put together, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.

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    Beef Tacos

    Ground Beef Tacos.
    Photo credit: I Heart Naptime.

    These tacos are crispy and packed with tasty homemade ground beef and all your favorite toppings. They’re a quick and easy meal that the whole family will enjoy, and you can have them on the table in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, these tacos bring a lot of flavor without taking up too much of your time.

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    Pork Stir Fry

    Pork stir fry on a black skillet.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    This stir fry is a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. You can whip it up in 25 minutes or less, making it a great option for busy weeknights. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a tasty dish that doesn’t require much effort.

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    Skillet Chicken with Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Skillet Chicken with Cream of Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Skillet chicken with cream of mushroom soup turns plain chicken breast into a flavorful one-pan dinner. This dish is simple to prepare and makes weeknight meals a breeze. With just a few ingredients, you can create a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is packed with flavor and is sure to become a go-to in your weeknight routine.

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    Halloumi Sandwich with Roasted Red Peppers

    Halloumi Sandwich with Roasted Red Peppers
    Photo credit: Hey nutrition lady

    This Halloumi Sandwich is packed with flavor, featuring roasted red peppers, creamy avocado, fresh tomatoes, and crispy pan-fried halloumi. It's a satisfying meal that brings together great ingredients for a delightful bite. Perfect for a quick dinner, this sandwich is sure to brighten up your weeknight routine.

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    No-Boil Pasta Bake

    No-Boil Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian No-Boil Pasta Bake is simple to prepare and comes together in just a few minutes. It uses common ingredients you probably already have on hand, like store-bought spaghetti sauce, dried spices, and boxed noodles. With a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Beef & Beans Casserole

    Beef & bean casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Beef and beans come together in a tasty tomato sauce, topped off with a layer of melted Cheddar cheese. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. It's hearty and satisfying, making it a great choice when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This pasta is baked in the oven and topped with a tasty cashew "Parmesan" sauce. It's a simple dish that brings a comforting feel to your dinner table. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe offers a satisfying meal without a lot of work.

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    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This recipe gives a zesty spin to the traditional Alfredo sauce. Using just common powdered seasonings that you likely have in your pantry, it’s an affordable choice when you're trying to save some cash. It's a simple way to elevate your weeknight meals without spending a lot of time or money.

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    One Pot Ham and Potato Soup

    One pot ham and potato soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish is packed with soft potatoes, diced ham, and a variety of vegetables all simmered in a creamy broth with herbs. It's a comforting meal that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight schedule.

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    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Bake parmesan-crusted chicken in your oven for a quick, easy, and very tasty dinner. Your whole family will love this recipe - it's cheesy, crispy, and perfect for dipping. And all done in under 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This honey mustard chicken in the crockpot simplifies dinner time. With just a few ingredients like mustard, honey, and garlic, you can create a flavorful meal with very little effort. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Tuna Melts

    Tuna Melts.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Classic tuna melts are simple to whip up and incredibly satisfying. These open-faced sandwiches feature a delicious mix of tuna salad, gooey melted cheese, and fresh tomato, creating a perfect blend of warmth and flavor. They're a great option for a cozy dinner that doesn't take much time to prepare.

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    One Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Dried spaghetti cooks right in a mix of ground beef, jarred sauce, and water, making this dinner super simple with just one pot to clean up afterward. The starch from the pasta blends into the sauce, creating a rich and thick sauce that clings to every strand of spaghetti. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying.

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    Orange Chicken

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

    Orange chicken can be just as delicious as takeout, but healthier and more affordable. This dish features crispy air-fried chicken coated in a flavorful orange sauce. It’s quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes, and only requires a few easy steps.

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    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Confessions of a Fit Foodie.

    This one-pot Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole brings all the delicious flavors of enchiladas without the fuss of rolling tortillas or baking. It’s made with layers of tortillas, tender chicken, and plenty of cheese, making it a hit with the whole family. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is simple to prepare and satisfying to eat.

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    Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

    Easy 15-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    Air-fried chicken nuggets are quick to whip up and only take about 10 minutes to cook. With a special ingredient, they turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This is a great option for a simple weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Mexican casserole.
      22 Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Potato soup with ham.
      24 Simple Southern Recipes for a Cozy Weeknight Dinner
    • Tater tot shepherd's pie.
      18 Dump-and-Go Beef Dinners That Are Perfect for Busy Families
    • Spicy watermelon salad.
      15 Fun Ways to Enjoy All the Watermelon Before Fall Arrives for Real

    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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