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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Easy Dinner Recipes for Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 18, 2025, updated February 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding easy dinner recipes that the whole family will enjoy can be a challenge. Here are 26 simple and delicious ideas that will make mealtime a breeze. From quick pastas to hearty casseroles, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights and will keep everyone satisfied.

    Creamy Beef and Shells

    Creamy Beef and Shells.
    Photo Credit: Sweet & Savory Meals.

    Creamy Beef and Shells is a tasty pasta dish that's even better than hamburger helper, with a rich and cheesy flavor. It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for a quick family dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken Fajita Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    This dish features juicy chicken, onions, peppers, and plenty of gooey cheese. It's a straightforward casserole that captures all the flavors of fajitas and can be prepped ahead of time for an easy and tasty dinner.

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    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi without wine is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

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    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado features tender beef cooked in a flavorful red chile sauce, paired with warm tortillas. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for any night.

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    Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake

    Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Slow the Cook Down.

    This beef and tomato pasta bake is a filling and cozy meal. It's a simple dish with pasta baked in a tasty tomato sauce and topped with cheese, perfect for a family dinner.

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    Vegan White Bean Chili

    Vegan White Bean Chili.
    Photo Credit: Ooh Lal La It's Vegan.

    This black garlic chili is packed with rich flavors from healthy cannellini beans, fresh veggies, and a mix of spices. It's topped with a creamy vegan sour cream, making it a satisfying meal for any night.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    These baked cod packs are easy to prepare and only take 5 minutes to get ready. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete dinner all in one.

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    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup.
    Photo Credit: Maple + Mango.

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is packed with flavor and super easy to prepare. It's a light and healthy option that's perfect for a cozy meal.

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    Ground Beef Flautas

    Ground beef flautas.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These crispy flautas are filled with ground beef and melted cheese, perfect for a quick meal. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy them with a refreshing avocado cilantro sauce.

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    Southwest Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Clean Eating Couple.

    This Southwest Chicken Casserole is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It's a great option for a simple one-pan dinner.

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    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad is quick to prepare and can change anyone's mind about salads. Packed with spinach, sweetheart cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, it's topped with Parmesan cheese for a healthy and satisfying meal.

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    One Pot Spaghetti

    One Pot Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Dance Around the Kitchen.

    One Pot Spaghetti is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic dish with minimal cleanup. This simple dinner is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creaminess, tanginess, and crunch for a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. It's a solid choice for anyone wanting a delicious plant-based meal.

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    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 a quick and satisfying meal.

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    One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta

    One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish features a rich, creamy sauce that clings to the pasta, combined with tender kale and flavorful Italian sausage. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A super quick pasta dish loaded with smoked salmon & lemon flavor you'll be coming back to over and over again.

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    Ramen Scrambled Egg

    A bowl of ramen scrambled egg.
    Photo Credit: Spoons of Flavor.

    Ramen scrambled eggs are easy to whip up and super delicious. This is a great option for anyone who loves instant ramen.

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    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pan-fried gnocchi is a tasty alternative to the usual boiled version. When you add bacon and mushrooms, it really boosts the flavor.

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    Minced Beef with Tofu, Peas, and Oyster Sauce

    Minced Beef with Tofu, Peas, and Oyster Sauce.
    Photo Credit: Nut Work.

    Minced Beef with Tofu, Peas, and Oyster Sauce is a tasty dish that pairs perfectly with a warm bowl of rice, making it a comforting choice for chilly nights. This simple recipe is a milder take on mapo tofu, and kids usually love its smooth texture and flavorful sauce.

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    Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ricotta

    Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ricotta .
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Momma C.

    This Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ricotta is a family favorite packed with four types of cheese and a delicious meat filling. Topped with marinara or Italian meat sauce, it's a comforting dish perfect for any dinner.

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    Chickpea Salad Sandwich

    Chickpea salad sandwich.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This sandwich is perfect for a packed lunch. It's easy to make and great to take with you wherever you go.

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    Simple Oven Baked Salmon

    Oven baked salmon.
    Photo credit: Low Carb Africa.

    Oven baked salmon is quick and easy to prepare, using pre-made fish seasoning for added flavor. This is a great option for a simple dinner.

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    Halloumi Portobello Burgers

    A portobello halloumi burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi Burgers are loaded with flavor, featuring mashed avocado, a juicy portobello mushroom, crumbled chèvre cheese, peppery arugula, and sweet caramelized onions. They’re simple to prepare and always a hit with everyone.

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    One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

    A bowl of One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade hamburger helper is a warm and comforting dish that combines tender macaroni noodles with crumbled ground beef in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Enchilada Pasta

    Beef Enchilada Pasta
    Photo Credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

    This one-pan pasta combines the flavors of Tex-Mex and Italian cuisine. It's quick to prepare, easy to customize, and works well for both meat lovers and vegetarians, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    German Spaghetti

    German Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Seanna's Kitchen.

    This German-style spaghetti features ground beef, onions, and celery cooked in butter and simmered with fresh tomatoes. It's a satisfying dish that's sure to please everyone at the table.

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    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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