• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Family Friendly Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Think

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 24, 2025, updated August 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When the day has drained your energy and dinner feels like a chore, having a list of easy family-friendly meals can be a lifesaver. These 21 simple recipes are perfect for busy nights, requiring minimal effort while still satisfying everyone at the table. From quick pastas to slow cooker dishes, these ideas will help you put a wholesome meal on the table without the stress.

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

    This sheet pan dinner brings together a tasty mix of ingredients inspired by fresh Mediterranean flavors. It's a simple meal that fits perfectly into a busy schedule. Each bite is satisfying and full of flavor, making it a great choice for a quick dinner.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish features tender chicken along with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all simmered in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple option that fits well into a busy weeknight schedule. With everything coming together in one pot, it's a convenient choice for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 25 minutes, including prep time. It's a healthy choice that's full of flavor and can be made all in one pan. A splash of lemon adds a nice touch, making this dish not just good, but really enjoyable for a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple and quick with just a few ingredients and minimal cleanup. This dish comes together in only 12 minutes using just 5 ingredients and one pot. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs are a great choice for anyone who enjoys flavorful chicken. Cooked slowly in BBQ sauce, they develop a nice blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors. After cooking, a quick broil gives them a crispy finish and caramelizes the sauce perfectly. With just a few ingredients and only 10 minutes of prep time, this dish is perfect for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and soft buttermilk biscuit dumplings cooked in a creamy broth. It's a comforting meal that's easy to prepare, ideal for busy nights when you need something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy the cozy flavors and warmth of this simple crockpot meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Satay Chicken

    Slow Cooker Satay Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Slow Cooker Satay Chicken is a great way to add some excitement to your dinner plans with minimal effort. Just throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. After a few hours, you'll have a creamy and flavorful dish that feels like it took a lot of time to prepare. Plus, you can easily make extra to freeze for later.

    Get the Recipe

    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick stir-fry is packed with fresh vegetables and has a bright, citrusy flavor that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something easy to prepare. You can serve it on its own or pair it with rice for a more filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great option for a quick meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying dish. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata cheese on top takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take about 5 minutes to get ready. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete meal all in one package. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays perfectly cooked, making this a great option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a tasty and filling meal. It features smoked sausage, Cajun spices, and a creamy cheese sauce that everyone will enjoy. This dish is ideal for busy nights when you want something comforting and easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (Slow Cooker).
    Photo Credit: My Life Cookbook.

    This keto chicken bacon ranch casserole is a simple and tasty dinner option that fits well into a busy schedule. With just six ingredients, you can whip up a creamy chicken dish packed with the flavors of ranch, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Each serving has only 4.3g of net carbs, making it a great choice for those watching their carb intake.

    Get the Recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, including prep time, you can whip up a tasty vegetarian halloumi pasta packed with fresh vegetables. This dish is light and perfect for summer, offering a refreshing dinner option that highlights the flavors of the veggies without any heavy cream. It's a simple and satisfying meal that fits well into a busy schedule.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is simple to prepare and uses rotisserie chicken for convenience. It's filled with fresh lemon and rosemary flavors that brighten up the dish. Perfect for busy nights, this meal comes together quickly and is satisfying for the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken offers tender, juicy chicken packed with rich, smoky flavors. Cooked slowly in a well-seasoned tomato sauce, this dish results in chicken that falls apart easily and is full of taste. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious and easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Easy, cheesy and totally delicious - this is comfort food at its best!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Caprese

    Slow Cooker Chicken Caprese.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This crockpot tomato and basil Caprese chicken is a great meal for any time of day. The chicken cooks slowly with chopped tomatoes and Italian herbs, making it tender and flavorful. It's finished off with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella slices, and basil, giving it a fresh touch similar to a classic salad.

    Get the Recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is simple to put together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and freezer. It's delicious enough that your family will want it again and again. You won't even need to use your oven for this one; just let your slow cooker do the work.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and satisfying. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time. It's a great option for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This meal is all about comfort and simplicity. With just 5 minutes of prep time, it's ideal for busy days when you want something filling without spending hours cooking. It's a hearty dish that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans

    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Crockpot chicken with potatoes and green beans is a simple dinner option that you can prepare with minimal effort. Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Corn chowder.
      18 Slow Cooker Comfort Foods That Will Make You Love Fall
    • Arayes.
      21 Touchdown-Worthy Appetizers for Your Football Sunday Party
    • Goulash.
      22 Easy One-Dish Meals You Can Make in Your Crockpot
    • Lemon kale soup.
      20 Meal Prep Dinner Ideas So Easy Anyone Can Make Them

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • 21 Easy Family Friendly Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Think
    • Dipping chicken in ketchup.
      29 Simple Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
    • Baked chicken pasta.
      22 Casseroles Your Family Will Beg For This Fall
    • Turkey breast.
      28 Super Simple Meal Prep Dinners You Can Just Toss in the Oven

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB