Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes: 35+ Delicious Meal Ideas for Busy Families
Are you constantly faced with the dinner dilemma? The endless cycle of deciding what to make can be exhausting, especially when you’re short on time and energy. Finding recipes that are both easy and satisfying for the whole family can feel like an impossible task. You need a reliable source of delicious, simple recipes that use everyday ingredients and don’t require spending hours in the kitchen.
This recipe collection is designed to be your ultimate resource for those hectic weeknights. Whether you’re looking for a quick one-pot pasta, a flavorful sheet pan meal, or a comforting casserole, you’ll find a variety of options here. These recipes are family-friendly, budget-conscious, and, most importantly, easy to prepare.
Dive into this compilation of go-to dinner recipes and banish the “What’s for dinner?” stress once and for all. Start exploring the list below and discover your new favorite family meals.
For those who prefer a visual guide, check out my “What’s for Dinner?” video on my YouTube channel. Watching the recipes come together can be a great way to learn new techniques and get inspired!
Easy Dinner Recipes: Your Guide to Stress-Free Meals
Below is a curated list of easy dinner recipes, each designed to simplify your meal planning and cooking process. From pasta dishes to casseroles and sheet pan meals, there’s something for everyone in this collection. Click on the links to access the full recipes and detailed instructions.
One Pot Sausage Pasta
One Pot Sausage Pasta
Difficulty: Easy20 votes 4.6 Cuisine: Italian
Doritos Taco Pasta Salad
Doritos Taco Pasta Salad
Difficulty: EasyTaco-seasoned ground beef, crisp fresh veggies, pasta, and cheesy, spicy Doritos combine to create this flavorful and delicious salad.
30 votes 4.1 Cuisine: Mexican
One Pot Chicken Curry with Rice
One Pot Chicken Curry with Rice
12 votes 4.4
Pesto Orzo Casserole
Pesto Orzo Casserole
Difficulty: EasyCuisine: American
Simple Sloppy Joe’s
Simple Sloppy Joe’s
Difficulty: Easy6 votes 4.7 Cuisine: American
Sheet Pan Loaded Quesadillas
Giant Sheet Pan Loaded Quesadilla
Difficulty: EasyA sheet pan-sized quesadilla to cut into pieces and share. This is perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
72 votes 4.4 Cuisine: American, Mexican
Chicken and Yellow Rice Casserole
Chicken and Yellow Rice Casserole
Difficulty: Easy8 votes 4.3 Cuisine: American
Italian Chicken Sandwiches
Italian Chicken Sandwiches
Difficulty: EasyTender chicken smothered in a flavorful tomato sauce, topped with melty cheese, and served on toasted buns. A simple and tasty weeknight meal!
48 votes 4.4 Cuisine: Italian
Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Difficulty: Easy6 votes 4.7 Cuisine: Chinese
Skillet Tortellini with Spinach and Parmesan
Skillet Tortellini with Spinach and Parmesan
Difficulty: EasyEasy, creamy, and perfect for a busy weeknight. This tortellini dish is a crowd-pleaser.
5 votes 5.0 Cuisine: Italian
Tomato Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Spinach – 10 Minute Dinner
Tomato Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Spinach – 10 Minute Dinner
Difficulty: Easy17 votes 4.4 Cuisine: American
Taco Stuffed Peppers
Taco Stuffed Peppers
Difficulty: Easy
Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
Difficulty: EasyJuicy and fall-off-the-bone tender ribs made easy in the slow cooker. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
11 votes 4.0 Cuisine: American
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Difficulty: EasyAll the flavors of Chicken Cordon Bleu without the fuss. This layered casserole is a simple and satisfying meal.
28 votes 4.6 Cuisine: American
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Difficulty: EasyCuisine: Italian
Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
Difficulty: EasyCrunchy chicken taquitos filled with a savory mixture of cheese, creams, and salsa. A flavorful and fun dinner option.
3 votes 5.0 Cuisine: Mexican
Low Carb Mozzarella Stuffed Sausage
Low Carb Mozzarella Stuffed Sausage
Difficulty: Easy5 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf
Difficulty: EasyA fun and delicious twist on a classic weeknight dinner. This Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf is decadent and satisfying.
13 votes 4.8 Cuisine: American
French Onion Chicken Casserole
French Onion Chicken Casserole
Difficulty: EasyClassic French flavors, tender chicken, and lots of cheese make this casserole a comforting and delicious meal.
30 votes 4.2 Cuisine: American, French
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Thighs and Potatoes
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Thighs and Potatoes
Difficulty: EasyLemon, garlic, and herbs infuse these chicken thighs and potatoes with delicious Greek flavors. A new go-to meal for your family!
8 votes 4.4 Cuisine: Greek
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Difficulty: Easy3 votes 4.7 Cuisine: American
Dorito Chicken Casserole
Dorito Chicken Casserole
Difficulty: Easy80 votes 4.3 Cuisine: Mexican
Tuscan Pork Chops
Tuscan Pork Chops
Difficulty: Easy6 votes 4.2
Tater Tot Casserole
Tater Tot Casserole
Difficulty: Easy4 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American
Creamy Chicken and Pasta Soup
Creamy Chicken and Pasta Soup
Difficulty: Easy9 votes 4.3
Sausage Casserole with Cauliflower Rice
Sausage Casserole with Cauliflower Rice
Difficulty: EasyItalian sausage and veggies baked together with lots of cheese for a creamy and comforting casserole dish. A great low-carb option!
2 votes 4.0 Cuisine: American
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Difficulty: EasyCheesy, a little spicy, and super flavorful, these Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas are a great weeknight meal that’s sure to impress.
28 votes 4.1 Cuisine: Mexican
Italian Chicken and Rice
Italian Chicken and Rice
Difficulty: EasyThis Italian Chicken and Rice dish feels more dressed up than your average chicken and rice dish but doesn’t require much effort at all.
23 votes 4.3 Cuisine: Italian