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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Wholesome Dinner Ideas That Are Perfect for the Whole Family

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 7, 2025, updated December 17, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Finding dinner ideas that everyone in the family will enjoy can be a challenge. Here are 40 wholesome meals that are not only nutritious but also simple to prepare. From comforting skillet dinners to fresh seafood options, these recipes are sure to bring everyone together around the table.

    Skillet Ground Beef and Potatoes

    Skillet Ground Beef and Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

    This is a simple and budget-friendly meal that you can make all in one skillet. There's no need to worry about extra side dishes with this satisfying dinner that already has everything you need and want!

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    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

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

    Thin chicken breasts can be cooked in the air fryer for a quick and tasty dinner. In just 6 minutes, they’re packed with flavor from garlic and basil.

    Get the recipe

    Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    Beef and broccoli stir fry.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Beef and broccoli stir-fry is a tasty dish that's packed with good ingredients. It's a great option for busy weeknights and will keep everyone satisfied.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken Tortilla Soup.
    Photo Credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

    This soup is perfect for any time of the year. It's filling, good for you, and has a nice kick to it.

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    Garlic Sriracha Pork with Vegetables

    Garlic Sriracha Pork with Vegetables
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipes.

    Garlic sriracha pork is a flavorful dish that combines spicy and sweet elements. It can be prepared with a mix of your favorite vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These slow cooker shredded chicken tacos are super simple to prepare, needing just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time. Just throw everything in the crock pot, let it cook, shred the chicken later, and you’ll have a quick and easy dinner for the family.

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    30-Minute Chicken Taco Soup

    30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken taco soup combines shredded chicken, taco spices, black beans, and corn in a smooth broth. With a topping of sour cream and tortilla strips, it’s a warm and comforting meal.

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    Chinese Crispy Beef

    A bowl of Chinese crispy beef with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: Beyond Kimchee.

    Crispy beef is a popular dish you often see at Chinese restaurants. This version is easy to make at home and features a sweet and tangy glaze with fresh chili, perfect for a quick dinner in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This slow cooker White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde is a healthy and filling option that's great for meal prep. You can make a large batch and freeze any extras for a quick dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Indian Vegetable Curry

    Mixed vegetable curry on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: J's Cooking Odyssey.

    This veggie curry is a great option for a quick and healthy dinner. Just add your favorite vegetables and some Indian spices for a tasty meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Lobster Tacos

    Lobster tacos.
    Photo Credit: Blinky's Culinary Carnival.

    These buttery lobster tacos are a quick and fancy dinner option. Ready in under 20 minutes, they bring a touch of gourmet flair to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

    Rotisserie chicken tacos.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos are a fun twist on Taco Night with their unique flavors. They combine corn tortillas and shredded chicken with a tasty avocado spread, pickled red onions, and your favorite salsa and cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare and combines everything in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. It features colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, and you can easily customize it to your liking.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Lentil Soup

    Nourishing Chicken Lentil Soup.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This Chicken Lentil soup is full of protein, fiber, and veggies. It's a hearty and warming dish that's great for a healthy meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe lets you enjoy the flavors of Wendy’s chili right at home. Packed with beans, vegetables, and spices, it’s a great option for a healthy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice

    Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice with sunny side up egg.
    Photo Credit: Plates by Nat.

    Tuna kimchi fried rice is a simple meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It's flavorful with a bit of spice and is great topped with a sunny side egg.

    Get the recipe

    Herb Crusted Salmon

    Herb crusted salmon.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    Herb crusted salmon fillets are topped with a mix of parsley, arugula, lemon, and pistachios, then baked or roasted until just right. This is a healthy dinner option that's both flavorful and easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup

    A bowl of creamy vegan
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegan tomato soup is quick and easy, ready in just 25 minutes with only 10 ingredients. It's a simple and healthy option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Turkey White Chili

    Ground Turkey White Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Perks of Being Us.

    This dinner dish is easy to make in a slow cooker, perfect for busy evenings. With just a little prep in the morning, you can come home to a warm meal, topped with fresh lime, avocado, and cheese.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: One Pot Only.

    This creamy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a comforting dish that everyone enjoys. It's simple to prepare and works well any time of the year, whether you use fresh or frozen corn.

    Get the Recipe

    Green Chili Soup

    Green Chili Soup.
    Photo Credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    This vegan Green Chili Soup is quick to prepare with salsa verde, beans, and rice. It's full of flavor and can be ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a healthy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something healthy without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This stir-fry is packed with fresh vegetables and has a bright, citrusy taste that everyone will enjoy. It’s great on its own or served alongside some rice.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Cashew Chicken

    Thai Cashew Chicken with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Cashew Chicken is a tasty dish that brings a burst of flavor and crunch to your dinner. It's easy to prepare and a great way to liven up your weeknight meals.

    Get the recipe

    Meatloaf

    Meatloaf.
    Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This is a lighter version of meatloaf that skips the breadcrumbs. It’s easy to put together and bake, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner that everyone will like.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Creamy Vegetable Soup

    One pot creamy vegetable soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish is a great way to use up whatever vegetables you have on hand. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a healthy meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp

    Shrimp cooked in garlic butter sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Garlic butter shrimp is quick to prepare and takes only 10 minutes to cook. It’s a great option for a fast and tasty dinner, especially when served with veggies and pasta or alongside some bread as an appetizer.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Looking for a hearty, easy meal? Try this Slow Cooker Goulash recipe with tender chunks of beef wrapped in a rich tomato sauce. This Hungarian Beef Stew is perfect for busy weeknights—minimal prep, all the flavour, and no extra work in the evening!

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      18 Easy Summer Casseroles to Feed a Crowd
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      26 Easy Crockpot Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
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      20 Heavenly Desserts That Will Satisfy Your Cravings
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      30 Hearty Ground Beef Dishes We Crave Every Week

    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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