40 Easy Dinner Recipes The Whole Family Will Love
When life gets extra chaotic, it's essential to have a list of easy dinner recipesĀ 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.
Easy Boarding House Meatloaf
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.Ā
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Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner
Recipe: Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet DinnerĀ
UseĀ haricots verts in this one-pan recipe. Traditional green beans may not get tender enough due to the shortened cook time.Ā
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Pizza Casserole
Recipe: Pizza Casserole
Packed with toppings galore, this casserole rivals a slice of traditional pizza any day of the week.Ā
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Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes
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
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.Ā
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Smoky Grilled BLTs
Recipe: Smoky Grilled BLTs
Make this classic even better by grilling the bacon and tomatoes outside for an added smoky flavor.Ā
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Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Drumsticks with Squash
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.Ā
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Quick Chicken and Barley Stew
Recipe: Quick Chicken and Barley Stew
Light on calories and hands-on time, this recipe is a shoe-in for weeknight success.Ā
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Chicken Tortilla Casserole
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.Ā
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Black-Eyed Peas Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw
Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw
This Southern spin on falafel uses Dijon mustard-yogurt sauce for a tangy finish.Ā
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Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Recipe: Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Tuck small flour tortillas into muffin pans to make the crispy shells for these bite-sized enchiladas.Ā
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Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs
Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy BreadcrumbsĀ
The skillet is the secret to the slightly crispy sides of this mac and cheese.Ā
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Quick Beef Chili
Recipe: Quick Beef ChiliĀ
Your family will be delighted that this hearty meal is ready in just under an hour.Ā
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One-Pot Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce
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.Ā
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Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens
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.Ā
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Buttermilk Chicken Tenders and Roasted Potatoes with Green Beans
Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Roasted Potatoes and Green BeansĀ
Say goodbye to take-out fried chicken once you've tasted these chicken tenders.Ā
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Quesadillas Al Pastor
Recipe: Quesadillas Al Pastor
Give simple cheese quesadillas a run for their money with this recipe that packs in pineapple, cilantro, red onion, shredded smoked pork, and Monterey Jack cheese.
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Turkey Tetrazzini
Recipe: Turkey TetrazziniĀ
Leftover turkey is the hero of this casserole. With the addition of canned soup, jarred Alfredo sauce, and frozen peas, it is ready to go in just over an hour.Ā
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Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Recipe: Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Throw boneless pork shoulder roast, sweet onions, and Southern seasoning into your slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a ready-to-go meal.Ā
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Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice
Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice
If you need a break from the same old chicken or pork recipes, try this flavorful shrimp sheet pan dinner to mix things up.Ā Ā
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Easy Huevos Rancheros Bake
Recipe: Easy Huevos Rancheros Bake
Breakfast for dinner is always a hit, especially when it includes this cheesy and spicy layered casserole.Ā
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Ranch Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Ranch Turkey Burgers
Ranch brings these low-calorie burgers to the next level any day of the week.Ā
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Easy Shrimp Scampi with Basil
Recipe: Easy Shrimp Scampi with Basil
Shrimp, butter, and basil come together to make a dish so good and so easy.Ā
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Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemony Greens and Grains
Recipe: Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemony Greens and Grains
This simple salmon recipe is equally healthy and flavorful, offering a quick and balanced fix for a weeknight meal.Ā