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Finding meals the whole family will actually enjoy can feel like such a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. That’s why I put together this roundup of easy family dinner recipes that are simple to make, full of flavor, and truly family-friendly.
These quick family dinner recipes are kid-approved, stress-free, and perfect for everything from hectic evenings to casual family gatherings. With so many options to choose from, there’s something here even the pickiest eaters will love.
Be sure to also check out my healthy snack ideas that are all kid friendly. My cheap crockpot meals are also not only affordable but family-approved!
Why you’ll love these family dinner recipes!
Finding a dinner that everyone agrees on is almost like a full-time job. With three kids of my own, I know firsthand how tricky it can be. It is a real daily struggle, especially if you have picky eaters!
I just want one simple meal that everyone will actually eat without complaints, which is why I rely on my favorite quick family dinner ideas that are simple, familiar, and completely kid-approved.
These easy weeknight dinner recipes for family nights around the table come together quickly, use everyday ingredients, and even manage to sneak in a few vegetables without anyone noticing. When I make these dinners, even my pickiest eater comes back for seconds, and that’s always a big win in my book.
Why these are the best family dinner recipes:
- Tested and approved by my own three kids
- Perfect easy weeknight dinners for family nights
- Simple recipes with minimal prep and stress
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love these family dinner recipes!
- Easy Family Dinner Ideas
- 1. Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
- 2. Chicken Alfredo Bake Casserole
- 3. Marry Me Chicken
- 4. Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
- 5. Burrito Casserole
- 6. Easy Vegetable Lasagna Recipe with White Sauce
- 7. Pan-Fried Salmon Bites
- 8. Creamy Tomato Pasta
- 9. Chicken Pot Pie With Crescent Rolls
- Kid Approved Family Favorite Dinner Recipes
- 10. Crockpot Pizza Casserole
- 11. Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
- 12. Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- 13. Taco Stuffed Shells
- 14. Spaghetti Pie Recipe
- 15. Shrimp Tacos
- 16. Cheeseburger Casserole
- 17. Chili Cornbread Casserole
- 18. Chicken Spaghetti
- 19. School Pizza
- 20. Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
- 21. Steak Bites
- FAQs
- More Quick Family Dinner Recipes
Easy Family Dinner Ideas
From slow cooker recipes for the family to quick and easy casseroles, these recipes will give you a huge variety of dinner ideas to choose from. You are sure to find a new family favorite meal on this list!
1. Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Finding a meal the whole family likes isn’t challenging when this crock pot BBQ chicken is on the menu. The crockpot does all of the work, developing a tasty dish, so all you have to do is decide how to serve it. The chicken can be cut up, shredded, or served whole in sandwiches, tacos, sliders, and more.
2. Chicken Alfredo Bake Casserole
Nothing is better than a dinner that comes together all in one pan, just like this chicken alfredo bake casserole. The dish is creamy, packed with protein, and enjoyable for even the pickiest of eaters. I like to double the recipe when I make the casserole to keep an extra one in the freezer for an easy weeknight meal.
3. Marry Me Chicken
Don’t be surprised when this Marry Me Chicken ends up having a permanent spot on your weekly dinner menu. The creamy sauce paired with the tender and juicy chicken shows why this chicken got its name. After one bite, you’ll want to marry it!
4. Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
This copycat Cracker Barrel mac and cheese recipe brings restaurant-worthy meals into your kitchen. This mac and cheese puts all other versions of mac and cheese to shame, thanks to the rich and luscious cheese sauce.
5. Burrito Casserole
Making burritos with the whole family can get pretty chaotic fast. Skip the mess and make this burrito casserole instead. The casserole puts all the best burrito fixings in a 13×9 baking dish, allowing the family to get everything in one bite. Top the casserole with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa!
6. Easy Vegetable Lasagna Recipe with White Sauce
Your kids won’t even realize they are eating a vegetable-forward dish — that’s how good this vegetable lasagna is! The dish layers lasagna noodles with veggies and a creamy cheese sauce. While this recipe calls for broccoli, peppers, and spinach, you can customize it with the vegetables of your choice.
7. Pan-Fried Salmon Bites
Move over chicken nuggets! There’s a new fan favorite on the block with these pan-fried salmon bites. These bite-sized nuggets are great for kids to eat on their own and for adults to add more protein to salads or rice bowls.
8. Creamy Tomato Pasta
Sometimes, simple is the best way to go with your family-friendly dinner. This creamy tomato pasta does just that. It’s a quick weeknight meal that everyone will enjoy.
9. Chicken Pot Pie With Crescent Rolls
Skip making individual chicken pot pies for the whole family and make this chicken pot pie with crescent roll casserole instead. All of the main fixings for the pot pie go inside the baking dish and then get topped with a flaky crescent roll. It’s an easy dinner to make that the whole family will eat up.
Kid Approved Family Favorite Dinner Recipes
10. Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Put down the delivery app for pizza and try your hand at this crockpot pizza casserole instead. Kids will love this family favorite dinner recipe because it’s basically a deconstructed pizza, while adults will love the hearty and filling meal.
11. Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Say goodbye to dull and dry meatloaf and hello to flavorful and moist meatloaf with this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe. The simple and easy recipe lets you turn your home kitchen into a restaurant for one night. Don’t be surprised when there are no leftovers!
12. Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are a staple when it comes to family-favorite dinners. No matter how old you are, everyone loves chicken nuggets. These air fryer chicken nuggets are super easy to prepare and can easily be added to a salad, rice bowls, and more main dishes to make the meal complete.
13. Taco Stuffed Shells
Have one kid who wants stuffed shells and another who wants tacos? Keep them both happy and mash up the meals with these taco stuffed shells. The dish takes everything you love about stuffed shells and swaps the crispy shell for the baked pasta. It’s the mashup you never knew you needed.
14. Spaghetti Pie Recipe
Keep this spaghetti pie recipe in your back pocket for when you have an especially busy week. The dish is a fun way to serve the classic version of spaghetti with red sauce and cheese.
15. Shrimp Tacos
Getting kids to eat seafood can sometimes be a battle. However, when these shrimp tacos are on the menu, there are no fights when it comes to dinner. The kids gobble the tacos up and love sprinkling the cotija cheese on top of the shrimp.
16. Cheeseburger Casserole
When your kids request cheeseburgers but you can’t get to the grill, make this cheeseburger casserole instead. The casserole combines the classic cheeseburger ingredients with elbow noodles to make a casserole dish that is a perfect swap for a classic burger.
17. Chili Cornbread Casserole
Making a dinner that will keep everyone in the family full all night long isn’t hard to do when this chili cornbread casserole is on the table. The dish is hearty, full of protein, and super filling. The sweet cornbread topping offsets the spice in the chili, making the perfect combination.
18. Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken plus spaghetti? What kid could resist this delicious dish?! I love the combination of pasta and chicken, and this easy family dinner recipe makes it simple to make such a kid-friendly meal.
19. School Pizza
This school pizza recipe always takes me back and makes me feel nostalgic. My kids adore this easy pizza, and it is one of my favorite fun Saturday night family dinner ideas. Of course, it is also good on any other day of the week!
20. Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
Quick, easy, and completely kid-approved, you can’t go wrong with this air fryer popcorn chicken. I love how easy it is to pop a piece in your mouth, no cutting required! Family dinner has never been so easy!
21. Steak Bites
I love the nice small size of these steak bites, which makes them easier for kids to eat. But the big, buttery flavor is also ideal for adults who love a good piece of steak. Delicious family dinner recipes like this are always on my list!
FAQs
Kids usually love family dinner recipes with familiar flavors like casseroles, pasta dishes, baked chicken, and simple one-pan meals that aren’t overly spicy or complicated.
Recipes made with pantry staples like pasta, rice, chicken, ground beef, frozen vegetables, and basic sauces are affordable and easy to pull together.
One-pan meals, sheet-pan dinners, slow cooker recipes, and simple casseroles are great options because they cook fast and keep dishes to a minimum.
More Quick Family Dinner Recipes
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