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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    31 Family-Friendly Dinners That Even Picky Eaters Will Love

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 22, 2025, updated February 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding meals that everyone in the family will enjoy can be a challenge, especially with picky eaters at the table. These 31 family-friendly dinners are simple, delicious, and sure to please even the fussiest of eaters. From classic comfort foods to fun twists on favorites, there's something here for every palate.

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a meal you'll want to make again and again.

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    Beef Burritos

    Beef Burrito.
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    This beef burrito is a simple and satisfying meal that combines ground beef, refried beans, and rice all wrapped in a tortilla and topped with sauce and cheese. It's a great option for busy nights, and you can even freeze them for later, ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the Recipe

    Blackened Chicken Tenders

    Blackened chicken.
    Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Blackened chicken tenders are quick and simple to prepare at home. You can either mix your own spices or grab a bottle of blackening spice from the store for an even faster meal.

    Get the recipe

    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole

    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    The Cowboy Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole brings together the flavors of the Wild West in a single dish. This hearty meal features seasoned meatloaf topped with creamy mashed potatoes, cheese, and bacon, all baked to a delicious golden brown.

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    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This tortellini dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It's tossed in a skillet with lemon, garlic, basil, and olive oil for a delicious dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

    Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole features tender chicken combined with hash browns, cream cheese, chives, jalapeños, melted sharp cheddar, and bacon. This is a great option for a simple dinner that packs a lot of flavor.

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    Shepherd's Pie Loaded French Fries

    Shepherd's pie fries.
    Photo credit: Cupcakes & Kale Chips.

    Shepherd's Pie gets a fun makeover with these loaded fries, combining comfort food with a crispy touch. In just 30 minutes and with a few easy ingredients, you can whip up a filling meal that's great for a laid-back dinner with friends or a cozy night at home.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

    Smoked drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Smoked Chicken Drumsticks are a straightforward dish that anyone can make. This recipe is quick and can be ready in about 70 minutes.

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    Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Sliced panko crusted chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken comes together with just a few simple ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes. It's a quick and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Chicken with Honey Sauce

    Garlic chicken with honey and chopped green onions.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Garlic chicken with honey sauce is quick and easy, ready in just 20 minutes using only one pan. With just a few simple ingredients, this dish is packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Curry Trail.

    Lemon garlic shrimp is quick and easy to prepare. This is a great dinner option for busy nights and can be ready in just 15 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Bolognese Sauce

    Bolognese Sauce.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    This bolognese sauce is packed with fresh herbs and garlic, making it a family favorite. It's easy to prepare and always tastes great with pasta.

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    Tortellini with Ham and Peas

    Tortellini with ham and peas on a plate.
    Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

    This pasta dish is a favorite in Italy and is simple to prepare. It's a hit with both kids and adults, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

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    Cucumber Pasta Salad

    Cucumber Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad is a breeze to make, featuring a creamy vegan dressing that blends flavors of Ranch and tzatziki. With fresh cucumbers, red onions, and lots of chopped dill, it’s a great addition to any backyard barbecue.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Shredded Chicken

    Pulled chicken.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This shredded chicken has a tasty Mexican twist and is perfect for burritos, tacos, or as a main dish. Marinated in a smoky spice mix and seared to get crispy bits, it’s then easily shredded for your meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

    Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: Nourished By Nic.

    This dish offers a healthier take on traditional pasta with a mushroom spaghetti sauce featuring ground beef. It's a great way to add more vegetables to your meal, even if you're not a big fan of mushrooms.

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    Balsamic Chicken

    Balsamic chicken on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Balsamic chicken is a quick and flavorful choice for dinner. It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Anelletti

    Baked Anelletti.
    Photo Credit: Like Mother Like Daughter.

    Baked anelletti is a filling and cozy pasta dish that's great for dinner. It's layered with a savory meat and tomato sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and cheese, then baked until golden.

    Get the Recipe

    Air Fryer Tuna Patties

    AIR FRYER TUNA PATTIES.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin Mamas.

    Air Fryer Tuna Patties are quick and easy to prepare, taking only about 20 minutes from start to finish. Combine canned tuna with onion, red bell pepper, and garlic, mix in panko crumbs and eggs, then air fry for 8 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This Italian white bean soup is perfect for a cozy night in. With a creamy coconut milk and sun-dried tomato base, plus pasta, cannellini beans, and fresh spinach, it’s a healthy and filling meal that’s easy to make in the crockpot.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a quick and easy meal that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    Make this flavor-packed Marry Me Chicken Pasta in just 20 minutes - and don't be surprised if everyone asks for seconds (or your hand in marriage!). It's a super creamy sauce with a delicious flavor combo of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika & oregano. All achieved with pantry staple dried herbs & minimal prep.

    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 delicious without a lot of work.

    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 flavor, made with plenty of cream and no flour.

    Get the recipe

    Asian Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

    Asian chciken drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Mom Foodie.

    This recipe offers a tasty way to enjoy affordable chicken drumsticks during grilling season. The Asian marinade brings a nice balance of sweetness and saltiness, keeping the chicken juicy and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Stir Fry

    Ground Beef Stir Fry.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    This ground beef stir fry stands out with its colorful mix of vegetables, including red bell peppers and green onions. The variety of veggies adds a nice crunch and different flavors, while the homemade teriyaki sauce ties everything together with a sweet and tangy kick.

    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, ready in just 25 minutes. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine for incredibly juicy chops.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a tasty meal that you can whip up in under 45 minutes. With a flavorful tomato sauce made from fresh ingredients, this is a great option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Chicken

    Garlic butter chicken.
    Photo credit: Served From Scratch.

    This garlic butter chicken is quick to prepare in just 15 minutes and is loaded with rich flavors. It's a great protein option to complement any meal.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta paired with a cheesy casserole. It's a cozy and elegant dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes, all in one pan to keep cleanup easy.

    Get the recipe

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    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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