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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Fast Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated April 15, 2026 · Published April 27, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and satisfying meals for the family can be a challenge, especially on busy nights. These 20 speedy recipes are not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavors that everyone will enjoy. From simple pastas to hearty stews, these dishes will help you get dinner on the table in no time.

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

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

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are quick and easy to make, taking only 6-8 minutes with fresh salmon. With flavorful powdered seasonings, there's no chopping required, making dinner a breeze.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    A sheet pan with gnocchi and sausage.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and veggies is a quick and delicious dinner option for your family. It comes together in just 25 minutes and only requires one pan for easy cleanup.

    Get the recipe

    Rasta Pasta with Jerk Shrimp

    Rasta Pasta with Jerk Shrimp.
    Photo credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    Rasta Pasta with Jerk Shrimp is a flavorful Caribbean dish that combines spice, cheese, and shrimp. It's quick to make, taking only 30 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for a family meal.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos with salsa.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    Ground beef tacos are a quick and easy meal that everyone will enjoy. With seasoned meat in crunchy taco shells and your choice of toppings, you can have dinner on the table in less than half an hour.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This quick dinner comes together with just 7 ingredients in 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights. It's vegetarian but can be made vegan, or you can add chicken for a more filling option.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Pasta

    Taco pasta topped with shredded cheese and cilantro on a grey plate.

    This Taco Pasta is perfect to make for dinner on the busiest of weeknights. With ground beef and store bought taco sauce and garlic herb cream cheese this dish comes together in just 15 minutes. All the flavors of tacos but in pasta form - less mess, and less stress.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

    Air fried chicken cutlets.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These air fryer chicken cutlets make for a quick and delicious dinner that fits perfectly into any weeknight. With their crispy outside and juicy inside, they're sure to become a family favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Taco stuffed sweet potatoes.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes offer a fun and quick take on taco night. Just fill sweet potatoes with your favorite taco toppings, and you'll have a tasty meal in under 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe.

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.

    Making Mac and Cheese has never been this easy! With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven you can make the best baked Mac and Cheese - in one pan, without boiling, no flour and no roux. With both Cheddar and Gruyere this is as cheesy & flavor packed as it gets!

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stew

    A bowl of salmon stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon stew comes together in under 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients and an easy cooking method. It's perfect for those busy Friday nights when you want something delicious for the family.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Skirt Steak

    Sliced air fryer skirt steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A juicy Air Fryer Skirt Steak can be ready in just 6-10 minutes with a flavorful marinade that adds extra flavor and tenderness. This quick meal is ideal for busy  nights when you want to enjoy a delicious dinner with your family.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Coconut Lentil Soup

    A bowl of coconut lentil soup topped with chili flakes and cilantro.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple soup is creamy, warming, and ready in under 30 minutes - whether made on the stove top or in your instant pot. Despite being so simple to make, it has amazing flavor from coconut milk, ginger and garlic, and is perfect for quick and cozy weeknight dinners.

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    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.

    A classic Italian pasta dish that's surprisingly easy to make - and requires so few ingredients.

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    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These chicken enchiladas with green sauce are quick to prepare, taking only 10 minutes to get ready. With seasoned chicken wrapped in soft tortillas, covered in melted cheese, and topped with a zesty green chile sauce, they make for a satisfying meal on a hectic weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.

    Spicy sausage, pasta and Parmesan cheese combine to create this super tasty dinner.

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    Orange Chicken

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

    This dish brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your kitchen, but in a healthier and budget-friendly way. This dish features tender chicken in a zesty orange sauce, and you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes with very little hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon tacos are a quick and easy meal that everyone will enjoy. With just a bit of seasoning and a quick fry, you can have a delicious dinner ready in no time, especially when paired with a fresh ginger avocado salsa.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce gets a fun twist that adds some extra flavor. It's a quick and easy way to make a classic dish even more enjoyable for everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake

    Ricotta spinach casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Make this delicious tortellini bake in under 30 minutes, with a few simple steps. It's loaded with two types of cheese and lots of spinach for an indulgent dinner that's still full of nutrients. Perfect for weeknight dinners, or any time you need a quick meal!

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Milk Pasta

    Coconut milk pasta in a skillet.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    Coconut milk makes a simple tomato-based pasta sauce into something truly rich and delicious. You will not miss heavy cream after trying this easy recipe!

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is ideal for hectic nights when you want something quick and delicious. It's a favorite that you'll find yourself making over and over.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.

    Experience the perfect blend of crispy skin and tender meat with this foolproof recipe.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.

    This 15-minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is an irresistible combination of tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and flavorful garlic butter sauce. Follow this simple recipe to create an effortless meal that blends the best of seafood and pasta into a delicious dish the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls with Buffalo Ranch

    Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls with Buffalo Ranch
    Photo Credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This quick and easy dish is perfect for a family dinner or tasty snack. It's sure to please everyone at the table!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Tuscan chicken.
      26 Fresh Spring Crockpot Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
    • Steak pasta casserole.
      27 Easy Dinner Bakes That Make Weeknights Manageable
    • Tahini pasta.
      20 Simple Spring Pasta Recipes That Fit Tight Schedules
    • Baked gnocchi with veggies.
      17 Dump-and-Go Dinenrs Packed With Veggies

    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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