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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Satisfying Family Dinners That Are Grandma Approved

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 31, 2025, updated March 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Gathering around the dinner table with family is a cherished tradition, and nothing brings everyone together like a hearty meal. These 25 family dinners are not only easy to prepare but also have that comforting, home-cooked feel that grandmas know best. From classic casseroles to warm soups, these recipes are sure to please everyone and create lasting memories.

    Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Dominican Cooking.

    Pastelón de arroz is a cheesy beef and rice casserole that turns leftover rice into a delicious meal. This easy-to-make dish is packed with flavor and vegetables, making it a great option for potlucks.

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    Turkey Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

    One-Pan Italian Turkey Meatballs with Marinara
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    These meatballs are packed with flavor from a mix of dried herbs, panko breadcrumbs, and finely chopped onions, which keep them nice and tender. After shaping the meatballs, the whole dish comes together quickly.

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    Classic Tater Tot Casserole

    Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bitz & Giggles.

    This classic casserole is a hit with the whole family. It comes together quickly using just a few basic ingredients.

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    Parmesan Meatloaf

    Parmesan Meatloaf.
    Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

    This cheesy meatloaf is a simple and satisfying dish that everyone will love. It's perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

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    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.

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    Chicken Rotel Spaghetti

    Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel.
    Photo Credit Mandi of the Mountains.

    Baked chicken spaghetti with Rotel is a simple and cozy meal that your family will enjoy. It's also great to share with friends or family, and it only requires a few ingredients.

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    Easy Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy casserole in a white oven dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Cowboy casserole is a hearty dish that you can whip up in about an hour, with most of that time spent baking. It uses basic ingredients that you likely already have at home.

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    Olive Garden Copycat Minestrone Soup

    Minestrone Soup (Copycat Olive Garden).
    Photo Credit: Belly Rules the Mind.

    This minestrone soup is just like the one from Olive Garden, but you can make it at home. It's warm, hearty, and packed with vegetables, and you only need an Instant Pot or a big pot to prepare it.

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    One Pot Chicken Corn Chowder

    A bowl of chicken corn chowder.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish brings warmth and comfort right to your table. It features tender rotisserie chicken, sweet corn, hearty potatoes, and crispy bacon in a rich and creamy broth.

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    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.

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    Chicken Stuffing Casserole

    Chicken Stuffing Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This chicken stuffing casserole bake is a great choice for a weeknight meal. It features tasty stove-top stuffing and shredded chicken mixed with a creamy mushroom sauce that everyone will love.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This hearty Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. It's filled with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and nutritious barley.

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    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
    Photo Credit: The Anthony Kitchen.

    This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is loaded with gooey Colby Jack cheese and topped with a crispy Cornflake layer. It's a great choice for a cozy dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Lemon Chicken & Rice Casserole

    A rice and chicken casseroele.
    Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

    Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole is a simple one-pot meal that combines juicy chicken thighs with creamy rice and a hint of citrus. It's a comforting dish that's sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup

    Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup.
    Photo Credit: Curry Trail.

    Creamy chicken tortellini soup is a comforting dish that's simple to prepare and great for chilly winter evenings. Packed with vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and cheesy tortellini in a rich broth, it comes together in just 35 minutes.

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    Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    Photo Credit: Easy Chicken Recipes.

    This one-pan casserole combines chicken breast, rice, broccoli, cauliflower, and Velveeta for a creamy and cheesy meal. It's simple to make and sure to please everyone at the table, including the kids!

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    Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Cabbage Roll Casserole
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum.

    This cabbage roll casserole combines the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls with less work. It's a simple and healthy option for dinner.

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    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    This Meatball Pasta Bake is simple to prepare and everything cooks together in the oven, even the pasta. It features frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your go-to marinara sauce.

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    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.

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    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    This rigatoni al forno with veggies is a simple and tasty pasta dish that's perfect for dinner. It's a comforting mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy, and it doesn't take much time to prepare while being packed with nutrients.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy, savory, luxurious dinner inspired by delicious Eastern European cuisine, and all ready to eat in just half an hour! You simply can't beat this easy stroganoff recipe when you're looking for a satisfying, comforting meal that doesn't involve slaving in the kitchen all afternoon.

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    Creamy Mushroom Soup

    Creamy Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This cozy soup comes together in under 30 minutes with basic ingredients that really bring out the flavor. It's a great option for a quick dinner on chilly fall and winter nights.

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    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.

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    Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf

    Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: Meatloaf and Melodrama.

    Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf is an easy dish that swaps out bread crumbs for Stove Top Stuffing. This is a dinner everyone in the family will love, especially when you're short on time.

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    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cooking Duo.

    This dinner is all about comfort and flavor, using simple store-bought ingredients. It's a great addition to your weekly meals, and even picky eaters will enjoy this casserole.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      23 Simply Satisfying Dump-and-Go Meals That Will Make Cooking Fun Again
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      20 Vegetarian Crockpot Meals You’ll Want to Make Every Week
    • Vietnamese seafood salad.
      24 Colorful Summer Salads That Will Brighten Your Day
    • Hobo casserole.
      20 Make-Ahead Freezer Casseroles Your Family Will Love

    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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