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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Family Friendly Dinners That Are Perfect for Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 28, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinners that the whole family will enjoy can be a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. Here are 19 family-friendly dinner ideas that are simple to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table. From comforting casseroles to the best sloppy joes, these meals will help you make the most of your evenings together.

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Homemade sloppy joes with a golden bun.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade sloppy joes are packed with flavor and can be ready in about 30 minutes using just one pan. This dish is simple to scale up, making it easy to serve a larger group. They also work well as a make-ahead meal, perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a simple and impressive meal that can be ready in just 30 minutes. This dish not only looks appealing but also delivers great flavor, all while using just a few ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta

    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Chicken Fajita Pasta is a great option for busy nights. In just 20 minutes, you can prepare a tasty one-pan meal that brings together the flavors of fajitas and pasta. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want something quick and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

    Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki.
    Photo credit: Frugal Family Times.

    This recipe is a real time-saver because you can cook the chicken breasts straight from the freezer. There's no need to plan ahead; just grab the frozen chicken, add a few simple ingredients, and in about 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal ready to go. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and satisfying.

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    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This slow cooker casserole puts a fun spin on the classic tater tot casserole that many people remember from their childhood. The mix of chicken, bacon, ranch, and tater tots creates a comforting dish that's perfect for chilly evenings. It's an easy meal that brings together familiar flavors, making it a great choice for a cozy dinner.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick and easy to prepare, taking only 25 minutes to cook. They are packed with flavor from garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, and are seared before being simmered in red wine, resulting in incredibly juicy chops. This dish is perfect for a satisfying dinner that won't take up your whole evening.

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    Oven Baked Panko Chicken

    One-Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup with lime wedges.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish is perfect for busy weeknights. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a quick option when time is tight. The chicken is coated with a mix of mayo and mustard, which keeps it juicy and gives it a nice crispy texture.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    A tater tot casserole with chicken and bacon cooked in the slow cooker is a simple and satisfying meal. It only takes about 5 hours to prepare, resulting in a delicious dish that everyone will enjoy. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    California Roll Bowl

    A serving of California roll bowl.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    This California Roll Bowl brings all the great flavors of classic California Roll sushi into a simple dish. It features fresh avocado, crunchy cucumbers, and tasty imitation crab, all topped with a zesty sriracha drizzle. It's a fun and easy way to enjoy your favorite sushi ingredients without the need for rolling.

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    Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs

    Chicken meatballs on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Honey garlic chicken meatballs are simple to prepare and full of great flavors from green onion, garlic, and ginger. They work well for a quick dinner during the week or as a tasty snack when you have friends over.

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    Meatloaf

    Meatloaf.
    Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This lighter version of meatloaf skips the breadcrumbs, making it a simple and healthy option. It comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients, perfect for a weeknight meal. Everyone in the family will appreciate this classic dish that’s easy to prepare and bake.

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    Instant Pot Cheese Tortellini

    Instant pot tortellini.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Creamy, cheesy tortellini is a comforting dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's a simple dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your weeknight meals. This recipe is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to make and packed with flavor, all cooked in one pot in just 30 minutes. Cleanup is quick and easy, so you can enjoy your meal without a lot of work afterward. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something tasty and satisfying.

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    Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli

    Vegetarian pasta soup.
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Treaty.

    Rosemary, garlic, and smoked paprika lend depth of flavor to this thick, creamy, dreamy pasta-and-bean soup. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with a hunk of bread and you've got just about the coziest dinner ever!

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    Air Fryer Chili Nachos

    Air Fryer Chili Nachos.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This cheesy dish is quick to prepare, taking only about 5 minutes to cook. It's perfect for dinner or a snack, and everyone in the family is sure to enjoy it.

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    Chinese Crispy Beef

    A bowl of Chinese crispy beef with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: Beyond Kimchee.

    Crispy beef is a popular choice at Chinese restaurants, but you can easily whip it up at home. This version features tender beef coated in a sweet and tangy glaze, with a kick from fresh chili. It’s a quick and simple dish that can have your Asian dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.

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    Cheesy Gordita Crunch

    Crunchy tacos.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A cheesy gordita crunch brings a fun twist to taco night. It’s a simple way to elevate your meal by combining a crispy taco with a soft quesadilla. Using fresh ingredients, these homemade tacos capture the same flavors you love from Taco Bell, but with a personal touch that makes them even better.

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    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    Creamy pesto gnocchi.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This creamy dish is sure to become a favorite at your dinner table. It's rich and satisfying, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, this meal will quickly become a go-to option for your family.

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    Grilled Chicken Thighs

    Grilled Chicken Thighs with fresh herbs.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This recipe is simple and packed with flavor. You can whip up the marinade in just a few minutes using common spices you probably already have. After a quick turn on the grill, dinner is ready to enjoy!

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken and rice casserole.
      18 Best Dump-and-Bake Dinners for Busy People
    • Meatball casserole.
      22 Dump-And-Go Pasta Dinners So Easy Anyone Can Make Them
    • Nacho soup.
      21 Crockpot Ground Beef Dinners You Can Just Dump and Forget
    • Chicken soup.
      21 Easy Dinners for Busy Schedules

    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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