Food and Recipes Dinner Our Most Popular Family-Friendly Dinners To Try In 2023 By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 20, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer It can be hard to put a meal on the table that's kid-friendly, hearty, and easy. Luckily, a year of recipes in Southern Living is a year of family-friendly dinners that combine the best of classic Southern food with modern and quick and easy recipes. From timeless Southern dishes like chicken pot pie to fresh teriyaki salmon bowls, these are our favorite family recipes. The kids won't complain when you serve up homemade calzones or sheet-pan nachos, and you'll love how easy these recipes actually are to whip up. With all-time favorite slow-cooker family dinners like chili and pot roast, your family will be full and happy at dinnertime– any day of the week. This year, we're resolving to cook more at home and eat out less, and these family-friendly dinners are the perfect place to start. Best of all, these easy family dinners are kid-and Mama-approved. 01 of 68 French Onion Soup Casserole Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Georgia-grown Vidalia onions are ideal for French onion soup, and this casserole version will be an ultimate family favorite. 02 of 68 Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Chicken and dumplings is one of the most famous and comforting dishes to ever come out of the South. 03 of 68 White Cheese Calzones with Marinara Sauce Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox This easy, homemade calzone recipe will be a weekly request at your house after your kids get a taste. 04 of 68 Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Don't pull those frozen chicken nuggets out tonight. This easy dinner is one the kids will love just as much. 05 of 68 Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Louisville's classic Hot Brown Sandwich gets big-batch treatment with this hearty casserole recipe. 06 of 68 Skillet Enchiladas Suizas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox If the kids are craving Mexican, don't spend money eating out. Make a delicious enchilada dish right in your skillet. 07 of 68 Greek Baked Ziti Greg Dupree This easy, cheesy pasta dish is easy to prepare on busy weeknights and if you double the recipe, it's the perfect pull-out-of-the-freezer dinner for later. 08 of 68 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Chicken pot pie is a Southern classic that will never get old, and this one-dish recipe makes it easier than ever. 09 of 68 Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley The dijon-buttermilk sauce is truly the star of this easy and company-worthy dinner. 10 of 68 Beef Stew Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox A cozy bowl of classic beef stew is the best way to warm up on chilly nights, and it's always smart to have a batch in the freezer for the busiest weeks. 11 of 68 Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Is there anything better than a 30-minute dinner that's made in your sheet pan? No, there's really not. 12 of 68 Turkey with Shallot-Mustard Sauce and Roasted Potatoes Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke The turkey cooks in the slow cooker for ultimate hands-off ease for this dinner that would impress company, too. 13 of 68 Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Karen Rankin Get a healthy meal on the table for the family in no time with this quick, easy dinner. 14 of 68 Slow-Cooker Pot Roast Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton Pot roast is a classic dinner that every family member will agree on, and the slow cooker makes for the easiest prep. 15 of 68 Shepherd's Pie Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Although Shepherd's Pie is a traditional recipe from over the pond, it has all the comfort of a classic Southern casserole. 16 of 68 Sheet Pan Nachos with Chorizo and Refried Beans Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox It doesn't get more kid-friendly than nachos, and you'll only have to clean up one pan after this fun dinner. 17 of 68 Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe Greg DuPree We put everyone's favorite pasta dish in a casserole for a kid-approved meal. 18 of 68 Classic Cast Iron Pizza Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton Pizza night got better with this homemade sauce, but don't worry—the kids will love it as much as delivery. 19 of 68 Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Hector M. Sanchez This slow-cooker chili is an easy, comforting dinner that will fill your family up. 20 of 68 Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Forget takeout—these teriyaki bowls are an Asian-inspired (and healthy!) meal that the kids will love. 21 of 68 Chicken Fried Chicken Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox This twist on chicken fried steak is a fan favorite among kids and adults alike. Serve it with easy steamed veggies and your favorite version of potatoes. 22 of 68 Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton During the summer months, there's nothing better than firing up the grill, and no one can resist a delicious kebab. 23 of 68 Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Serve this traditional meat sauce over whatever pasta variety you have on hand. This recipe serves a crowd, so you might have leftovers for the freezer. 24 of 68 Country Captain Chicken Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox This Lowcountry favorite is packed with flavor from various spices like curry powder, paprika, and nutmeg. 25 of 68 Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox This gnocchi spin on a traditional gratin is extra cheesy and oh-so-comforting. 26 of 68 Spring Onion Grilled Pizza Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Grilling out is a fun way to enjoy family pizza night in the summer, and you can top these pizzas with whichever protein and veggies are in your refrigerator at the time! 27 of 68 Oven-Fried Pork Chops Recipe with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos There's nothing better than a meal that cooks in one pan, especially when budget-friendly, kid-approved pork chops are the star. This hearty sheet pan supper is pretty enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. 28 of 68 Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox This hearty stew is made in your skillet for easy one-dish cleanup. 29 of 68 Baked Rigatoni with Zucchini and Mozzarella Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox This baked dish is a fun way to do pasta night that's much easier than the presentation lets on. 30 of 68 Burgoo Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox This Kentucky-born stew is perfect for feeding a crowd and freezing leftovers for later. 31 of 68 Martina McBride's Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Courtesy Oxmoor House Readers could not stop raving about this easy Tex-Mex soup from Martina McBride's cookbook, and your family is going to fall in love. 32 of 68 Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole Southern Living Without a doubt, this reader-favorite casserole recipe became an instant classic this year, and there's never been a ground beef recipe our families haven't loved. 33 of 68 Heirloom Tomato Pie Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer This is hands-down our most popular tomato pie recipe of all time, not to mention how beautiful a variety of heirloom tomatoes looks on your table. 34 of 68 Chicken-Mushroom Skillet Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero This pretty dinner recipe is healthy but filling, and you have to make it if you're a mushroom lover. 35 of 68 Baked Ziti with Sausage Southern Living Easy, cheesy, and impossible to mess up, this baked pasta is a shoo-in for your weeknight repertoire. 36 of 68 Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall We love using fresh summer corn when it's abundant, and this hearty soup is a way to get it on the table with minimal work on your part. 37 of 68 Old-Fashioned Meatloaf Southern Living Since meatloaf has been a prized recipe in every Southern cook's recipe box for decades, it came as no surprise that this old-school iteration became popular with readers. 38 of 68 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Hector Sanchez This chicken spaghetti is literally the definition of a crowd-pleasing dinner recipe. 39 of 68 Smothered Enchiladas Southern Living Mix up your casserole routine with cheesy, melty enchiladas. The kids will ask for seconds, and you can enjoy a margarita on the side. 40 of 68 Shrimp and Grits Casserole Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Readers loved this dish for its versatility and how easy it is to serve. Rather than have two separate dishes for shrimp and grits, we combined them into one easy casserole that you can serve at brunch, lunch, or dinner. 41 of 68 Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos When in doubt, creamy tomato soup is always going to hit the spot. Serve this easy dinner with a classic grilled cheese, and even the pickiest eaters at the table will be happy. 42 of 68 King Ranch Chicken Casserole Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley A trusty standby for dinnertime, this Tex-Mex casserole has never met an opposer. 43 of 68 Smothered Pork Chops With Rice Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Food Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl This Louisiana-inspired pork chop recipe takes a Creole spin on the classic homestyle dish. Packed with flavors, this dish is all about the sauce. 44 of 68 Easy Taco Casserole Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero Cleanup following Taco Tuesday has never been easier than now thanks to this hearty casserole. 45 of 68 Macaroni Pie Antonis Achilleos Sliceable yet creamy macaroni and cheese? We made it possible. 46 of 68 Julie Yoste's Mississippi Roast Alison Miksch The Mississippi Roast is one of the most popular recipes on Pinterest, so if you haven't tried it, this is the year. 47 of 68 Rosemary Chicken Thighs and Vegetables Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox This healthy skillet dinner is pretty enough for guests but quick enough for weeknights, and that's what we call a winner. 48 of 68 Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Torie Cox This rich, creamy soup comes together in your Dutch oven from start to finish, so you have less to clean up after dinnertime. 49 of 68 Pizza Casserole Greg DuPree From the name alone, you know your kids are going to be huge fans of this recipe. This hearty supper tops delivery every time. 50 of 68 Chicken Tamale Pie Antonis Achilleos A corn muffin crust and your trusty skillet will make this your new favorite weeknight dinner. 51 of 68 Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton Although this pasta is paired with a dreamy cream sauce, it remains a light and airy feel. 52 of 68 One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This one-dish chicken and rice dinner packs more flavor than your family will believe. 53 of 68 Healthy Turkey Lasagna Hector M Sanchez The kids will have no idea that you took your old-school beefy lasagna and lightened it up a bit. 54 of 68 Ground Beef Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero If one kid is craving the comfort of a warm bowl of soup and the other pasta, this hearty soup will be on the table in 30 minutes to satisfy everyone. 55 of 68 Cowboy Casserole Micah A. Leal We know this dinner isn't necessarily diet-proof, but with a tater-tot crust, it's definitely kid-proof, which is enough to hope for one some nights. 56 of 68 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer You might not have the time or patience to make old-school chicken pot pie with homemade crust, but this skillet recipe brings you all the flavor you love in half the time. 57 of 68 Beefy Baked Ravioli with Spinach and Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox We love any recipe that's done in less than an hour and uses our favorite skillet (and that has pasta and cheese, of course). 58 of 68 Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos This herby, healthy sheet pan dinner has so much depth of flavor. 59 of 68 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole Hector Sanchez This one-pot meal flavored with country ham and mushrooms takes the classic chicken-and-rice number to the next level. This easy dish is weeknight friendly and company worth. 60 of 68 Sloppy Joe Casserole Southern Living Do Sloppy Joes take you back to your childhood days? Well, we gave the camp-favorite a sophisticated spin that is ready for the dinner table. 61 of 68 Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Hannah Zimmerman With only 20 minutes of hands-on time, this roast is ridiculously easy and even more delicious. 62 of 68 One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards Greg DuPree Put dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes with this hearty and healthy dish that only requires one pan to keep the mess at bay. 63 of 68 Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero This stir fry is the ideal weeknight throw together in a hurry dinner and is packed with nutrient dense broccoli and peppers. 64 of 68 Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust Greg Dupree Lighten up the traditional Shepard's Pie by topping it with a medley of thinly sliced sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes in lieu of mashed potatoes. 65 of 68 Soulful Chicken Soup Iain Bagwell We can't talk about family favorite dinners without including this crowd pleaser. This slow-cooker dish is made for more than just sick days, but is a dish you should always keep extra of tucked in the freezer. 66 of 68 One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Satisfy your Tex-Mex craving with cast-iron skillet dish full of just the right amount of smokey flavors from chili powder and cumin. 67 of 68 Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner Winner winner chicken dinner when you're serving this citrusy, fragrant, and flavorful dish. 68 of 68 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Get your seafood fix with minimal effort when it comes to this 30 minute dinner. It's nothing shy of a five-star rating. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit