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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Quick and Easy Dinners for Stressed Out Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 23, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding time to cook during busy weeks can be a challenge for families. These 24 quick and easy dinner ideas are perfect for those hectic nights when you need something simple yet satisfying. With a variety of options, you can keep mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for everyone.

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon Tacos come together in no time, offering a quick and healthy meal option. The salmon is seasoned and pan-fried, then paired with a fresh Ginger Avocado Salsa for a satisfying dinner.

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    Vegetarian Ceasar Salad

    Vegetarian Ceasar salad.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Enjoy a delicious vegetarian take on a classic lunch option. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and satisfying dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. With tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce, this meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This simple sheet pan meal features juicy lamb chops cooked with tasty veggies for a satisfying dinner. It's an easy way to enjoy a flavorful and tender dish without a lot of work.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly tasty. It's the perfect comfort food that everyone will enjoy!

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    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 super easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some store-bought help, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    chicken pesto pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Barley & Sage.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is a quick and tasty option for a simple dinner or lunch. With creamy pesto, grilled chicken, spinach, and tomatoes, it offers a light and fresh meal that you can whip up in under 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    Baking cod with tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon in foil creates a simple and flavorful meal. This all-in-one dinner is easy to prepare and keeps the fish nice and tender.

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    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Paella is a flavorful dish that brings together shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, all infused with saffron and white wine. It's a great option for feeding a crowd without much effort.

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    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This tasty cabbage salad can be ready in just 15 minutes and is sure to please even those who aren't big fans of salads. With spinach, cabbage, chickpeas, and Parmesan cheese, it’s a simple and satisfying meal.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a great addition to your weekly meals. It combines a classic mix with a nice crunch from peanuts.

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    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and tasty chicken stir-fry can be ready in under half an hour, packed with all your favorite veggies and flavors. You can easily customize it with your choice of Teriyaki sauce and either fresh or frozen vegetables for a simple dinner.

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    Red Pesto Pasta with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta comes together in under 30 minutes, with just 15 minutes needed for prep and cooking. Packed with veggies and flavor, it can be served hot or cold, and you can use either homemade or store-bought pesto.

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    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of flavor, combining a spicy kick with a creamy texture. It's a satisfying dish that's perfect for a quick and easy dinner.

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    Red Curry Tofu Stir Fry

    Red curry tofu stir-fry in a pan.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Enjoy a flavorful curry right in your kitchen instead of getting takeout. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Roast Salmon with Spring Greens

    A plate with salmon and spring greens.
    Photo credit: Australian Gluten-Free Life.

    Roast Salmon with Greens is a simple yet impressive fish dinner. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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    Tuna Rice Bowls 4 Ways

    CANNED TUNA OVER RICE.
    Photo credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    This canned tuna and rice dish is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With just a few simple ingredients and four tasty variations, it’s a great option for busy nights.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This easy meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit.

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    Crispy Oven BBQ Chicken

    Oven baked BBQ chicken.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This oven recipe features just two main ingredients: barbecue sauce and chicken, along with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. It results in chicken that is crispy, sweet, sticky, and juicy, perfect for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish combines all your favorite taco ingredients into one easy meal. With ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese, it's great for a laid-back dinner or a potluck.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Niçoise Salad

    Tuna Niçoise Salad.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tuna Niçoise Salad combines a variety of flavors, including zesty vinaigrette, crisp green beans, tender potatoes, salty olives, and hearty tuna. This simple French salad is a great choice for a lighter dinner.

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    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Firecracker Salmon dish comes together in just 15 minutes and features a spicy, zesty sauce that pairs perfectly with tender salmon. It's a quick and tasty option that will impress everyone at the dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy delight featuring crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's simple to prepare with just a few common herbs and hardly any prep time.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Pesto Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes and is packed with flavor. Baked with Greek yogurt and pesto, it's a quick and easy choice for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • A cheesy pizza pasta bake.
      22 Deliciously Easy Casseroles for a Cozy Family Dinner
    • Antipasti pasta salad.
      21 Vibrant Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Dinner
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master

    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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