50 Easy Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Families
We’ve rounded up our favorite budget-friendly easy family dinner ideas that are quick and easy to. make and big on flavor! Whether you fancy rotisserie chicken recipes, ground beef casseroles or one-pot meals, this collection promises to satisfy your taste buds and make dinnertime stress-free!
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
We love how how the flavors of the chicken, broccoli with pasta and seasonings all compliment each other. Combined with the creamy sauce this delivers a delicious plate of comfort food that the whole family will love! Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Cheeseburger Macaroni
This hearty and delicious easy one-pot cheeseburger macaroni recipe, combines two of the most loved recipes. In just 30 minutes, you’ll be enjoying the delightful creaminess of melted cheese with seasoned beef and macaroni noodles. Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Macaroni
Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with the popular robust flavors of this Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta. With irresistible juicy sautéed chicken bathed in a delectable cheesy cream sauce for a perfect easy pasta indulgence. Get the Recipe: Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Creamy Beef & Shells
Creamy beef and shells is a comforting blend of seasoned beef, pasta, in a rich tomato cream sauce, elevated with herbs, garlic, and cheddar cheese for an easy, satisfying dinner after a long day. Get the Recipe: Creamy Beef and Shells
Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
For a quick dinner recipe, whip up this savory sausage and potatoes one-pot skillet recipe. The creamy fried potatoes complement the savory sausage, creating a balanced, comforting dish that’s both delicious and satisfying. Get the Recipe: Sausage and Potatoes
BBQ Chicken Sliders
This easy Barbecue Chicken Sliders Recipe features a sweet, tangy BBQ sauce that perfectly complements the chicken and Hawaiian rolls. With melted cheese, red onions, and a delicious garlic butter topping, these sliders are bursting with flavor. Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders
Mongolian Beef
Indulge in the rich flavors of this effortless Mongolian Beef recipe, featuring a sweet and savory sauce infused with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Whip up this delicious ultimate hassle-free dinner in just 20 minutes!. Get the Recipe: Mongolian Beef
Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Indulge in the ideal fusion of sweet and savory flavors with this Honey Garlic Chicken Bites recipe. A much loved recipe known for its tastiness that you can whip up in just 25 minutes for an easy dinner served with rice or noodles. Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Stovetop Mac & Cheese
Enjoy the delightful, popular flavors of this easy stovetop Mac and Cheese, ready in only 25 minutes. Its velvety, creamy cheese sauce delivers that comforting, gooey satisfaction, making it a dinner table favorite. Get the Recipe: Stovetop Mac & Cheese
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This 30 minute Creamy Mushroom Pasta is a timeless delight and beloved Italian dish featuring tender pasta enveloped in a luxurious mushroom cream sauce. This classic recipe combines simplicity with rich flavors, offering a comforting option for pasta-lovers. Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Cheeseburger Sliders
These cheeseburger sliders, have the classic deliciousness of juicy beef seasoned to perfection, layered with creamy American cheese, all in bite-sized perfection. Parties, potlucks and easy dinners – these are the best! Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders
One Pot Kielbasa Pasta
This simple One Pot Kielbasa Pasta includes a creamy, cheesy pasta with the savory richness of smoked kielbasa sausage. Kielbasa compliments pasta, peppers, and onions perfectly, offering a versatile and satisfying dinner option ready in just 35 minutes. Get the Recipe: One Pot Kielbasa Pasta
Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Tender, juicy homemade meatballs cozy up in this cheesy Baked Ziti with Meatballs recipe. An easy dinner to get on the table quickly on hectic days. You can also make it ahead and freeze it for later. Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Spicy Vodka Pasta
Get ready to delight your taste buds with a dish that packs a punch – Spicy Vodka Pasta! This fiery and flavorful pasta dish is a tantalizing twist on the classic Italian favorite, combining the heat of chili peppers with the smoothness of vodka-infused cream sauce. Get the Recipe: Spicy Vodka Pasta
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Savor the summer with these irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, featuring tender, seasoned chicken paired with a spicy bang bang sauce! Ready in under 25 minutes, this easy recipe has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Crockpot Mississippi Chicken
This simple Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken recipe, features the beloved flavors of Mississippi pot roast, now with tender, flavorful chicken in a rich gravy! With just 15 minutes of prep time, let your slow cooker work its magic, creating juicy perfection that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta and your favorite sides. Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken
Chicken Noodle Casserole (No Cream Soup)
For a delightful family dinner, try out this Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe (without canned soup). Featuring cubed chicken with vegetables in a creamy sauce and a buttery Ritz crackers topping, this dish is a quick and easy weeknight favorite you’ll want to make again and again. Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole
Chicken & Stuffing Caserole
Prepare to impress your hungry family with this Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, requiring just 15 minutes of prep before baking for 30 minutes. With six generous servings, it’s a guaranteed hit for any gathering. Get the Recipe: Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
Baked Beef Cannelloni with Spinach
This beef and spinach cannelloni consists of a savory filling stuffed into pasta shells, generously covered with marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, creating the ultimate Italian comfort food. Get the recipe: Baked Beef Cannelloni
Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole
Delight your taste buds with our flavorful Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole, also known as Fiesta Chicken Casserole—a cherished family favorite boasting tender chicken, fluffy rice, black beans, corn, and zesty salsa. With just 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of baking, it’s the perfect Tex-Mex dish for those busy nights!. Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Get ready for a flavor-packed delight with our Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe—a quick and easy take on classic enchiladas. Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Baked Chicken Tacos
Elevate your Taco Tuesday with these Easy Baked Chicken Tacos using Corn Tortillas. Packed with a creamy, slightly spicy mix of rotisserie chicken, cheese, green chiles, sour cream, and homemade taco seasoning, these crispy delights are both simple and mouthwatering. Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Tacos
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe with Rotel is a hearty dish that’s ideal for busy weeknights and requires only 10 minutes of prep time! Tex-Mex flavors with chicken come together in a creamy sauce between layers of tortillas and cheddar cheese. Try this family favorite for your next meal! Get the Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Mexican Chicken Casserole
Prepare for a Mexican fiesta on your plate! Our easy Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe promises effortless family meals packed with flavor. Juicy shredded chicken, savory black beans, corn, and tomatoes nestle beneath a blanket of gooey cheese—it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser that we’re excited to share with you! Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Introducing your new weeknight hero: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole! Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and veggies, all crowned with crispy tater tots—this dish is pure comfort in every bite. Family-approved and perfect for those busy evenings when you need a satisfying meal on the table fast. Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Cheesy Taco Pasta
This Creamy Taco Pasta Bake features a simple sauce made with ground beef, taco seasoning, and a few extras is mixed with your preferred small pasta shape, along with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, creating a delicious meal in no time. Get the Recipe: Taco Pasta
Boursin Cheese Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
This Boursin Cheese Pasta is made by roasting cherry tomatoes and garlic in a baking dish with Boursin cream cheese, then stirring the mixture into your favorite pasta shape. This easy dinner is a must-try that you’ll want to have on repeat! Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
White Chicken Enchiladas
White Chicken Enchiladas: soft tortillas embrace tender, cheesy chicken, enveloped in a velvety enchilada sauce. With an extra layer of cheese for added richness and flavor, this comforting favorite promises to be a dinner hit that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds! Get the Recipe: White Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Cobbler with Cheddar Bay Biscuits
This mouthwatering Chicken Cobbler casserole, topped with everyone’s favorite Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits, creates a golden topping that’s simply irresistible. With its viral fame on TikTok, this homemade chicken recipe is a must-try for busy weeknights! Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobbler
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe is an absolute game-changer for those hectic weeknights. Tender chicken bathed in a luscious creamy sauce, crowned with crunchy, buttery Ritz crackers—this dish redefines comfort food and is destined to become a cherished family favorite! Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ritz Cracker Chicken
In our Ritz Cracker Chicken recipe, succulent chicken breasts are transformed into a delightful dinner with a crispy, buttery Ritz cracker coating. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a mere 15 minutes of prep time, this savory chicken dish promises to be a family favorite that’s both quick and delicious. Get the Recipe: Ritz Cracker Chicken
Taco Casserole with Fritos
This Taco Casserole with Fritos is sure to please the whole family! With layers of seasoned beef, melted cheddar, and signature Fritos, it’s a fun and delicious meal that’s perfect for quick dinners. Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole with Fritos
Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
With just 15 minutes of prep, this Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole will delight your hungry family after baking for 30 minutes. Get the Recipe: Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole
This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole, also known as Fiesta Chicken Casserole, is a family favorite. It features tender chicken, fluffy rice, black beans, corn, and zesty salsa. With only 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of baking, it’s a Tex-Mex delight that’s perfect for busy nights! Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
. Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta is one of our go-to cheesy casseroles, perfect for hectic weeknights. Shredded chicken in a creamy buffalo sauce is mixed with cooked pasta, topped with cheese, and baked to cheesy perfection. Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta
French Onion Chicken
This French Onion Chicken Skillet is an easy weeknight dinner, perfect for busy families. Ready in 40 minutes, its caramelized onion gravy will win you over at the first bite! Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken
Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich
This Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe is made with tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, and crisp celery, all combined in a creamy dressing. Delicious on any type of bread, roll or tortilla wrap. An easy dinner when it’s too hot to cook! Get the Recipe : Cranberry Chicken Salad
Easy One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore
This Easy One Pot Chicken Cacciatore features tender chicken simmered in a creamy red sauce with fresh vegetables, ready in under 40 minutes. Simple to make, this classic dish pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta or rice for a delightful dinner! Get the Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore
Poppyseed Chicken Casserole
This easy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole is perfect for busy families, with just 10 minutes of prep time. It features tender chicken chunks in a creamy sauce with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Get the Recipe: Poppyseed Chicken Casserole
Sloppy Joe Casserole
This Easy Sloppy Joe Casserole with Noodles features a delicious homemade Sloppy Joe sauce, perfectly seasoned, with melty cheese layers in the middle and on top. It’s the perfect easy weeknight meal. Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole
Taco Salad
This quick taco salad features seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, crunchy tortilla strips, and a creamy dressing, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s satisfying for dinner and a hit at potlucks and parties. Get the Recipe: Taco Salad
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Indulge in the mouth-watering flavors of our Cowboy Cornbread Casserole! Savory beef, zesty tomatoes, and cheesy cornbread combine for a Tex-Mex fiesta that’s perfect for any day of the week. Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Chopped Italian Sandwich
Photo Credit: She’s Not Cookin’
Sink your teeth into this viral TikTok Chopped Italian Grinder Sandwich. It’s packed with the savory goodness of Italian meats, cheese, grinder salad, and a mouthwatering seasoned dressing, all nestled between slices of crusty bread. Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich
Chicken Burrito Bowl
Whip up these hearty Chicken Burrito Bowls—a breeze to make and ideal for meal prep! Packed with seasoned chicken, rice, black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, onion, and more, they’re a flavor-packed delight. Simply drizzle with our creamy chicken burrito bowl sauce and savor every bite! Get the Recipe: Chicken Burrito Bowl
Mexican Lasagna
This easy Mexican Lasagna is a twist on a traditional lasagna that is perfect for a quick family dinner. This tasty pasta bake is stuffed full of taco-seasoned ground beef, beans, two kinds of cheese all baked in an enchilada sauce. Get the Recipe: Mexican Lasagna
Pepperoni & Cheese Pizza Pasta Casserole
This family-friendly Pepperoni & Cheese Pizza Pasta is made with rigatoni pasta, smothered in a tasty meat sauce with shredded cheese stirred in for that extra cheese-factor, then topped with another generous serving of cheese and pepperoni. Get the Recipe: Pepperoni & Cheese Pizza Pasta
Four Cheese Pasta
Calling all cheese-lovers! This Cheescake Factory Copycat Four Cheese Pasta is easy to make from the comfort of your own kitchen. Serve it with a fresh salad and garlic bread for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Pasta
Easy Taco Soup with Ground Beef
Try this Easy Taco Soup with Ground Beef for all the delicious flavors of chili in a quick and simple soup. It’s a one-pot meal that’s always a hit with crowds and a favorite comfort food for families. Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Soup with Ground Beef
Taco Spaghetti
Spice up your Taco Tuesdays with this fantastic recipe for Taco Spaghetti! It’s a crowd-pleasing dinner that everyone will enjoy. Enjoy the fun twist of taco flavors combined with ground beef and spaghetti—a quick and easy meal. Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti
Pork Carnitas Tacos
The Best Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos start with tender, seasoned pork that’s slow-cooked to perfection, then shredded and pan-fried until crispy. They’re juicy, crispy, and super easy to make! Get the Recipe: Pork Carnitas Tacos