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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish » 30 Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Families

    30 Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Families

    Published: Oct 9, 2021 · Modified: Oct 9, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Pinterest pin: 30 easy dinner recipes, 4 photo collage.

    Here is a collection of quick dinner ideas that are perfect for when you are in a hurried season of life! With these easy recipes, you can provide a flavorful, healthy dinner for your family on busy weekday nights!

    One Pot Pasta is an easy dinner recipe topped with riccota cheese.
    Jump to:
    • 20-Minute or Less Meals
    • Meals That Reheat Well
    • On the Go Dinners
    • Time Saving Cooking Tips
    • More Easy Recipes

    If you've got kids, chances are they are in some kind of extracurricular activity...or multiple activities. And that means that your life is on the go. I've got one child in football and another in soccer, and practice starts at our normal dinner time and goes until bedtime. When are they going to eat?

    It's tempting to just drive thru a fast-food restaurant on the way to practice. But that's not your only option! This collection of meals is curated to help you solve the different challenges that arise when feeding your family during a busy season.

    • Short on time? Take a look at the meals that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less.
    • Have family going in and out all night, and needing to eat at different times? Pick one of the recipes that reheat well.
    • Need to eat dinner in the car or at the game? Check out the recipes perfect for enjoying on the go!

    20-Minute or Less Meals

    For the nights when you have just a little bit of time to cook, I have curated 10 easy dinner recipes that take less than 20 minutes to make from start to finish. These recipes are easy, but pack in lots of flavor, because short on time does not have to mean boring!

    Plate of garlic butter pasta with crispy prosciutto, with pasta twirled around fork.
    Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
    Garlic Butter Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is an easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to make! Your family will love this simple weeknight dinner!
    Get the recipe
    Close up of Thai Cashew Chicken
    Thai Cashew Chicken
    Better than takeout, this flavorful Thai Cashew Chicken is so fast to prepare! It is on the table in under 30 minutes!
    Get the recipe
    Pan of one pot pasta topped with ricotta, and a spoon.
    Pasta with Ricotta Recipe (One Pot)
    Rich and hearty pasta is cooked all in one pot. So easy! And then topped with heavenly clouds of creamy ricotta. Simple gourmet!
    Get the recipe
    Pan of chicken burrito skillet, with a bowl of chips and salsa.
    Chicken Burrito Skillet Dinner
    This chicken burrito skillet dinner comes together in one pan to make a quick, easy, and healthy dinner the whole family will love! This simple recipe has everything you love in a burrito but is made in a skillet!
    Get the recipe
    Shrimp scampi in a white bowl topped with lemon twist and parsley.
    Shrimp Scampi
    Buttery garlic shrimp scampi is a flavor-packed classic recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes! Served over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes or with crusty bread for a delicious easy dinner recipe anytime!
    Get the recipe
    Bowl of beef bulgogi.
    Beef Bulgogi
    This beef bulgogi is made with thinly sliced beef chuck and cooked to tender juicy perfection. It's pan-cooked in red wine and soy sauce to bring out its naturally delicious flavor.
    Get the recipe
    Chicken cutlets in pan with tomatoes and basil.
    Pan Seared Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes
    These pan seared chicken breasts are so tasty you'd never guess they're so easy to make. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's the perfect meal for a busy day.
    Get the recipe
    Salmon on black plate with asparagus.
    Air Fryer Salmon
    Salmon comes out tender and juicy with a perfect brown crust when cooked in the air fryer. And it's ready in 10 minutes!
    Get the recipe
    Dish of cooked chicken cubes with a grey linen.
    Garlic Butter Chicken
    This juicy chicken in a garlic butter sauce is delicious on its own or served on pasta or potatoes. It is also delicious in a wrap if you need to eat on the go.
    Get the recipe
    Steak and asparagus in a pan with mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes.
    Steak and Asparagus Stir Fry
    Steak and asparagus, stir fried along with mushrooms and peppers makes a healthy and delicious dinner in just 20 minutes.
    Get the recipe

    Meals That Reheat Well

    It can be challenging to serve great food when you have people needing to eat at different times. These next 10 recipes reheat well, so each person can eat when they are ready and still get a hot meal that tastes great!

    9x13 pan of taco hotdish.
    Taco Hotdish Recipe
    A classic Minnesota recipe with a Texas twist. This taco hotdish is a spicy crowd-pleaser!
    Get the recipe
    Loose Meat Sandwich in a basket, with 3 pickles and chips
    Loose Meat Sandwich
    In Iowa, they call this a Maid-Rite sandwich! Flavorful ground beef, cooked loose instead of packed like a hamburger. Our recipe has a couple of secret ingredients that make it sweet and tangy!
    Get the recipe
    Enchilada casserole in a 9x13 dish.
    Turkey Enchilada Casserole
    This delicious enchilada casserole makes a perfect meal for a family. It’s tasty with a bit of Mexican flair – and the calorie count is just right!
    Get the recipe
    Lazy Lasagna
    This Lazy Lasagna Casserole is a no-fuss way to satisfy your craving for lasagna. Bake it after assembling or freeze it for an easy meal on a busy day.
    Get the recipe
    A teal blue bowl with rice, topped with butter chicken.
    Butter Chicken with Vegetables
    This Butter Chicken is sweet with savory spices, but is not spicy, so it is something the whole family can enjoy! Cook in advance and put portions on rice ready for reheating.
    Get the recipe
    Taco Rigatoni and Cheese
    Taco Rigatoni and Cheese is a creamy, dreamy and tasty pasta. This will save your time and money all while feeding a crowd. A special topping of Dorito Nacho Cheese chips is the special ingredient. This dish has all of the flavor and texture you want in a perfect pasta dinner.
    Get the recipe
    Dutch Oven Beef Stew
    This Dutch Oven Beef Stew recipe is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter’s night! Made with tender stew beef, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms it is a hearty dinner that the entire family will love
    Get the recipe
    Taco Salad
    No need to reheat this easy Taco Salad! Prep it ahead and it is ready to be enjoyed whenever your hungry family member arrives at home.
    Get the recipe
    A plate of chicken broccoli rice casserole with a garnish or parsley on the top and the casserole dish peaking out of the top right corner.
    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
    This amazing chicken broccoli rice casserole is made simply from scratch. There's juicy and tender chicken, broccoli, rice, flavorful homemade mushroom sauce, all covered with sharp cheddar cheese and crunchy breadcrumb parmesan topping.
    Get the recipe
    Sweet and Spicy Noodles
    These Sweet and Spicy Noodles are an Asian-inspired, fast, easy weeknight dinner that can be ready and on the table in just 20 minutes!
    Get the recipe

    On the Go Dinners

    Let's be real, some nights dinner just cannot be enjoyed around the table. These recipes are easy to pack up and take with you, whether you are eating in the car or at the game.

    A whole fluffernutter sandwich with a bite out of the corner.
    Fluffernutter Sandwich
    This New England favorite, combining creamy peanut butter with gooey marshmallow fluff, is so simple to make! It will bring out your inner child as you enjoy this tasty treat.
    Get the recipe
    Side shot of cicken bacon wraps stacked on top of each other.
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
    Filling, flavorful, and easy to make, these chicken wraps can be packed in a cooler and enjoyed wherever you are!
    Get the recipe
    Side view of chicken gyros.
    20 Minute Chicken Gyros Recipe
    Simple ingredients and easy to customize to the taste of kids or adults, these 20 minute chicken gyros are filling and delicious!
    Get the recipe
    Paneer kathi rolls wtih jar of mango chutney.
    Paneer Kathi Rolls
    Dinner on the go doesn't have to be boring! These Paneer Kathi Rolls have paneer masala filling, fresh vegetables, and a mango chutney. Tons of flavor packed into one tasty wrap.
    Get the recipe
    Side view of Hawaiian roll filled with crema cheese, ham, and salami.
    Cream Cheese Slider Sandwiches
    Herbed cream cheese is layered with salami and ham on a Hawaiian roll. Easy to enjoy in the car or while watching your favorite sports game.
    Get the recipe
    Close up of Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with olives and red peppers.
    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
    The perfect on-the-go dish! It's fresh, satisfying and takes less than 30 minutes to make.
    Get the recipe
    Bowl of pasta salad with tomatoes, cucumber, olivers, and peppers.
    Italian Pasta Salad
    A classic Italian pasta salad that's gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad you love, with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing! A super easy and quick meat-free vegetarian and dairy-free recipe that's perfect for a cold on-the-go dinner!
    Get the recipe
    Easy Zucchini Slice
    These delicious zucchini slice is the perfect portable dinner! Filled with veggies and freezer friendly, it’s great for prepping in advance for busy nights!
    Get the recipe
    Winter Squash Soup
    Grab your thermos and take this panera copy cat recipe for winter squash soup on the go the next time you have to eat dinner on the run!
    Get the recipe
    Buffalo Chicken Salad
    Salad may not be your typical game-day food, but this buffalo chicken gives you the flavors you crave while watching the game, with crisp vegetables to nourish your body.
    Get the recipe

    Time Saving Cooking Tips

    • Chop your vegetables in bulk. If you are preparing a recipe that calls for onions, for example, go ahead and chop all of the onions that you need for the next few days.
    • If you have time earlier in the day, go ahead and measure out your ingredients. I love these prep bowls and it makes assembling the meal so fast!
    • When boiling water, get your tap water hot before adding it to the pan. Then cover the pot with a lid to trap in the heat and allow the water to boil faster.
    • Keep your knives sharp. It is a lot faster and easier to chop vegetables with a sharp knife.
    • When making pasta, look at the label on the package before purchasing, and choose the brand that has the shortest cooking time. De Cecco Angel Hair Pasta cooks in just 2 minutes, where Barilla Angel Hair takes 5 minutes.

    More Easy Recipes

    Looking for more easy dinner recipes to add to your menu? Try out some of my family's favorites.

    • Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables
    • Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Wings
    • Peanut Thai Curry
    • Street Tacos with Fresh Pico De Gallo
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    Photo of Erin Gierhart

    Welcome! I'm Erin, wife, mom, and lover of great food. I've been cooking and baking for over half my life, including 7 years teaching cooking demonstrations. I have even sold baked goods, from homemade bread to wedding cakes! Somewhere between my kitchen disasters and extraordinary creations I learned a few things about what it takes to make a great dish. And I am excited to share those learnings and mouthwatering recipes with you!

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