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

    24 Easy Dinners That Grandma Would Love to Share

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 6, 2025, updated March 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking dinner can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be. Here are 24 easy dinner ideas that are not only simple to prepare but also remind us of the comforting meals our grandmothers used to make. These recipes are perfect for busy nights and will bring a sense of warmth and nostalgia to your table.

    Ham Bone Soup

    Ham Bone Soup.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Leftover ham and ham bones can be transformed into a warm and filling soup that's great for a cozy night in. This soup is a satisfying meal that uses up what you already have.

    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

    Creamy Steak and Potato Soup

    Creamy Steak and Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Delicious Little Bites.

    This dish features tender beef and potatoes in a creamy, cheesy broth, creating a filling meal. It's perfect for keeping you warm and satisfied on chilly days.

    Get the Recipe

    Spicy Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Spicy Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This spicy chicken and broccoli cheddar soup is perfect for a chilly evening. It's a comforting dish that combines chicken and broccoli in a creamy cheddar base, making it a great choice for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Southwestern Turkey and Rice Casserole

    Southwestern Turkey and Rice Casserole
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipes.

    This turkey and rice casserole is packed with cheesy, spicy, and creamy flavors, all topped with a crunchy corn tortilla layer. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for a family dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a warm and tasty dish that's super easy to prepare. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

    Get the Recipe

    Ham and Potato Soup

    Ham and Potato Soup.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Ham and Potato Soup is a great way to use up leftover ham. With soft potatoes, fresh veggies, and a creamy, flavorful broth, this soup is all about comfort.

    Get the recipe

    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a quick dinner. It's simple to prepare and rich in cream, making it a comforting choice for any night.

    Get the recipe

    Italian Meatballs

    Italian Meatballs served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked Italian meatballs are quick to prepare, taking only 30 minutes from start to finish. They are full of great flavors from herbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.

    Get the recipe

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are simple to prepare and can be ready in under an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, resulting in juicy and flavorful meatballs.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken, Broccoli, and Potato Casserole

    Chicken, Broccoli, and Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Tender diced chicken, quartered potatoes, and broccoli come together in a creamy sauce topped with melted cheese. This comforting dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and family gatherings.

    Get the Recipe

    Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce is a fantastic dish that combines the rich flavor of duck with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This is a great dinner option that’s simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake

    Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Honour System.

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta is packed with fresh veggies like spinach and tomatoes, all mixed in a delicious sauce and baked just right. It's a lighter take on the classic, using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Stuffed Shells

    STUFFED SHELLS WITH GROUND BEEF.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin Mamas.

    This dinner is all about comfort and flavor. Stuffed pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef, smothered in rich sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese, create a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy, and it only takes 35 minutes to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

    Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
    Photo Credit: Super Golden Bakes.

    This Chicken and Mushroom Casserole is full of rich flavors from wild mushrooms and chestnuts. It's a comforting meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick to prepare and full of flavor, perfect for a satisfying dinner. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine, resulting in incredibly juicy chops.

    Get the recipe

    Hamburger Soup

    Hamburger Soup
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    Hamburger soup is filled with ground beef, vegetables, and potatoes in a tasty tomato broth. It's a quick dinner that you'll want to make again and again!

    Get the recipe

    Easy Apple and Bean Stew

    Easy Apple and Bean Stew
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This stew mixes apples, beans, and spicy harissa, finished off with crispy apple slices for a tasty take on a savory dish. It's a great way to enjoy the flavors of apple season in a filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This casserole features shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese and cream of chicken soup, all topped with a buttery Ritz cracker layer. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for family dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    This chicken broccoli stuffing casserole combines chicken breast, frozen broccoli, and stuffing mix for a simple dinner. It's a comforting meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe effortlessly combines tender chicken, savory bacon, and herbs for a deliciously convenient twist on this classic French dish.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Tomato Soup

    Creamy Chicken Tomato Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This creamy chicken tomato soup is delicious and simple to make. Packed with carrots, potatoes, and beans, it’s a filling meal that works well for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Spinach

    Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Spinach.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Ricotta stuffed shells are a great option for a weeknight dinner and can be ready in just 15 minutes. The best part is you can stuff the pasta without boiling it first, making it super easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Basil-Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Stewed Tomatoes and Rice

    Basil-Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Stewed Tomatoes and Rice
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This dish is packed with flavor and is simple to prepare. It's a great option for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Spinach chicken artichoke casserole.
      23 Easy Dump-and-Go Dinners That Will Have Everyone Asking for Seconds
    • Chicken corn chowder.
      23 Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
    • Lemon blueberry tart.
      27 Desserts That Celebrate Summer's Freshest Flavors
    • Chicken piccata.
      18 Cheap Crockpot Dinners We Love Right Now

    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

    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      21 Ground Beef Meals That Will Save You Time and Effort
    • Walking taco casserole.
      20 Hearty Ground Beef Casseroles for Cozy Nights
    • Ritz chicken.
      No Fuss, All Flavor: 22 Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Set and Forget
    • A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.
      21 Easy Dump-and-Go Pasta Dishes for When You Just Can't

    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