40 Easy Dinner Recipes The Whole Family Will Love

By Jorie Nicole McDonald
Updated January 22, 2021
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

When life gets extra chaotic, it’s essential to have a list of easy dinner recipes for the family, and we have you covered. Whether you’re in the mood for a Tex-Mex dish, a Cajun creation, or something with Asian flair, this easy dinner round-up is sure to have something for every member of the family. Cheddar biscuits and cast-iron skillet steak make this group of cuisine ultra-Southern–just the way we like it. So, between Junior League meetings, work obligations, soccer practices, and dance recitals, these recipes are going to quickly become your weeknight secret weapons. Since the portions are suited for a crowd, that means plenty of leftovers to snack on throughout the week; it’s a win-win for the whole family. Even though you may have your tried-and-true cuisine, don’t be afraid to give a few new recipes a try. They may just surprise you.

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Easy Boarding House Meatloaf

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Easy Boarding House Meatloaf

This Boarding House Meatloaf recipe is fresh, filling, and oh-so easy to make.

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Extra-Easy Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

Recipe: Extra-Easy Lasagna

Pre-cooking the noodles isn’t necessary for this classic dinner recipe; it’s that easy. Plus, lasagna is a surefire favorite for even the pickiest family member.

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Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice

Give your local Chinese restaurant a break, and make fried rice at home.

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Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken

Every Southerner knows the magic of a cast-iron skillet. Give pan-fried chicken a try in our favorite kitchen tool.

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Pan-Seared Trout with Italian-Style Salsa

Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Pan-Seared Trout with Italian-Style Salsa

This recipe is healthy, delicious, and it only takes 20 minutes. What’s not to love?

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Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream

Credit: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream

Store-bought ravioli is embellished with flavorful cream sauce and fresh tomatoes with basil in this easy-as-pie recipe.

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Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup

This hearty soup is sure to set you up with a few days of leftovers, and the recipe is incredibly simple because it’s made with frozen vegetables.

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Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Steak is always a good idea, and this version is both easy to prepare and delicious to taste.

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Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches

Simplicity is key with this recipe. It’s the ultimate week-night dish: grilled cheese. But, this chicken version is a bit more filling.

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Potato-Crusted Pizza

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Potato-Crusted Pizza
It's hard to say no to a 5-ingredient dish, and this one is pizza no less! Your kids are sure to love this tasty recipe.

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Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

Southerners know chicken and dumplings will always have a special place on the table below the Mason-Dixon, and this recipe has another beloved dish: cornbread.

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New Tuna Casserole

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: New Tuna Casserole

Nutritious and tasty, this recipe is a win-win for the whole family. Plus, Mama always taught us that a casserole is the way to go for an easy dinner recipe.

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Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

We can’t resist a chicken pot pie, especially one complete with a cheesy biscuit topping. Yes, please!

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Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

This go-to recipe is perfect for feeding your entire family. It has all the Cajun flavor without hardly any effort.

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King Ranch Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken

This Tex-Mex dish is a Southern staple; don’t attempt a family dinner without it.

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Sheet Pan Nachos with Chorizo and Refried Beans

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos with Chorizo and Refried Beans

These nachos come fully-loaded, so have a napkin on standby once you dig in.

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Cowboy Casserole

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

The layer of crunchy tater tots that line the top of this casserole is its claim to fame. Don't forget to drizzle some shredded cheese on top during the last 20 minutes in the oven. 

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Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner

Credit: Justin Walker

Recipe: Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner 

Use haricots verts in this one-pan recipe. Traditional green beans may not get tender enough due to the shortened cook time. 

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Pizza Casserole

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Pizza Casserole

Packed with toppings galore, this casserole rivals a slice of traditional pizza any day of the week. 

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Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

Credit: Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

Cleaning up is easy with this one-sheet meal, packed with hearty potatoes and light vegetables.

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One-Pan Jambalaya

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: One-Pan Jambalaya

This dish is loaded with flavor already, but add a squeeze of lemon or some hot sauce over your bowl before serving for even more. 

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Smoky Grilled BLTs

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Smoky Grilled BLTs

Make this classic even better by grilling the bacon and tomatoes outside for an added smoky flavor. 

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Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Drumsticks with Squash

Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Drumsticks with Squash

With one sheet, you can do it all. Place the chicken on a wire rack with the squash on the pan underneath to absorb all that extra flavor. 

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Quick Chicken and Barley Stew

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Quick Chicken and Barley Stew

Light on calories and hands-on time, this recipe is a shoe-in for weeknight success. 

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Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Credit: Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Casserole

We've turned a cold-weather favorite soup into a casserole that's the perfect combination of warmth, heartiness, and spice. 

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Black-Eyed Peas Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

This Southern spin on falafel uses Dijon mustard-yogurt sauce for a tangy finish. 

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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Credit: Stephen DeVries

Recipe: Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Tuck small flour tortillas into muffin pans to make the crispy shells for these bite-sized enchiladas. 

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Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs 

The skillet is the secret to the slightly crispy sides of this mac and cheese. 

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Quick Beef Chili

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Quick Beef Chili 

Your family will be delighted that this hearty meal is ready in just under an hour. 

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One-Pot Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: One-Pot Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce

A dish as easy as this may just end up on your weekly dinner rotation. Bursting with flavor from the tomato-basil sauce, this recipe just takes 20 minutes hands-on. 

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Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens

This recipe is as easy as it gets. All ingredients get dumped in one pot throughout the cooking process to create a meal that you can even portion off and freeze for your next weeknight pinch. 

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