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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Simple Dinner Ideas for Busy Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 20, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can be a challenge for busy families. With hectic schedules and little time to cook, it's important to have a list of simple meals that everyone will enjoy. Here are 22 dinner ideas that are not only easy to prepare but also satisfying for the whole family.

    Smash Burgers

    Easy Smash Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Smash burgers can be made any time of year right on your stovetop, no grill needed. These thin, crispy burgers cook quickly in a hot skillet with butter, giving you a tasty meal in just 15 minutes.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

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

    Air fryer chicken cutlets are a quick and easy dinner choice that works well for busy weeknights. You'll love the crispy, juicy chicken that keeps you wanting to make it again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air frying thin chicken breasts is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. With garlic and basil for flavor, this dish is ready in just 6 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner features spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese for a tasty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    This sandwich is perfect for when you're short on time. The Croque Madame takes a simple ham and cheese sandwich up a notch with a rich bechamel sauce and a fried egg on top.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon Bites

    Salmon bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Salmon Bites are a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 5 minutes. These tasty bites are well-seasoned and perfect for satisfying everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    T-bone steaks cooked in the air fryer are a quick and easy meal. Serve them with garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters are quick to prepare in just 15 minutes, offering crispy skin and juicy meat. The marinade with lime juice adds a nice kick and helps keep the chicken tender.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Burgers

    Quick and Easy Salmon Burger Recipe
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A quick salmon burger can be ready in just 20 minutes with roasted salmon, fresh herbs, and a hint of lemon zest. This is a tasty twist on a classic favorite that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

    Get the recipe

    Chili Rubbed Chicken Thighs

    Chili rubbed chicken.
    Photo credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Broiled chili-rubbed chicken thighs are a simple and flavorful dish that you can whip up with just a few common ingredients. This is a tasty and juicy meal that's perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. With tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it’s a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pan Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Cajun chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken pasta is easy to make and has a nice mix of spicy and creamy flavors. It's a great dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp and Orzo

    15-Minute Shrimp and Orzo
    Photo credit: Tried and True

    This shrimp and orzo dish is quick to prepare, ready in just 15 minutes. It's a tasty option for a busy evening.

    Get the recipe

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick dinner that you can have ready in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce combines crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and dried herbs for a flavorful meal.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

    A plate of shrimp boil.
    Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

    Enjoy a quick and easy meal with a blend of seafood, meat, and veggies cooked in your instant pot. This is a great option for busy days when you need something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Blackened Chicken Thighs

    Blackened chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Blackened chicken thighs are easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making them a great addition to any meal. They work well in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and bowls, providing a delicious source of protein.

    Get the recipe

    Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey

    Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    Turkey Brie Grilled Cheese is a delicious twist on the classic sandwich. It's loaded with turkey, fresh greens, creamy Brie, and a hint of mustard.

    Get the recipe

    Chinese Scrambled Eggs & Shrimp

    chinese scrambled eggs with shrimp.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    This Cantonese dish features fluffy scrambled eggs and shrimp, ready in just 15 minutes. It's a simple and delicious meal perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Company Casserole

    Company Casserole (Ground Beef Pasta Casserole)
    Photo Credit: Neighbor Food Blog.

    This casserole combines ground beef, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce with cheese. It's simple to prepare in advance and is a hit with both kids and adults, perfect for busy evenings or get-togethers.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    One pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With zesty chicken and nicely roasted potatoes, you can have a warm and satisfying meal ready in no time, especially if you whip up a simple salad on the side.

    Get the Recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Chicken Pasta

    Lemon chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Lemon chicken pasta is a quick dinner option that you can have on the table in just 20 minutes. With al dente spaghetti tossed in a creamy lemon garlic Parmesan sauce and sautéed chicken, this dish is great for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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