14 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes for the Whole Family

Dinner time brings families together. Busy schedules make cooking hard. This post shares 14 quick and easy dinner recipes. Each suits the whole family.

You get simple ingredients and clear steps. These meals save time and taste good. Kids and adults will enjoy them. Cooking becomes fun, not stressful. Pick a recipe and start tonight.

1. Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

About: This dish offers gooey cheese and tender chicken in a crispy tortilla. It cooks fast and pleases everyone. Families love the melty texture and mild flavors. Serve it with salsa for extra zing. It fits busy nights and hungry appetites.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 flour tortillas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup salsa (optional)

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Place one tortilla in the skillet.
3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over the tortilla.
4. Add 1/2 cup shredded chicken on top.
5. Place another tortilla over the chicken.
6. Cook for 2 minutes until the bottom tortilla turns golden.
7. Flip the quesadilla with a spatula.
8. Cook for 2 more minutes until the cheese melts.
9. Remove from skillet and cut into wedges.
10. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve with salsa if desired.

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2. Beef and Veggie Stir-Fry

About: This stir-fry mixes juicy beef with fresh veggies. It cooks in one pan for easy cleanup. The savory sauce coats every bite. Kids enjoy the bright colors, and adults love the flavor. It’s a fast way to feed the family.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound beef strips
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Steps:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add beef strips to the pan.
3. Cook beef for 3 minutes until browned.
4. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add broccoli and bell pepper to the pan.
6. Pour soy sauce over the mixture.
7. Stir everything for 5 minutes until veggies soften.
8. Remove from heat and serve hot.

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3. Creamy Tomato Pasta

About: This pasta blends rich tomato sauce with a creamy twist. It cooks fast and fills bellies. The smooth texture wins over picky eaters. Pair it with garlic bread for a cozy meal. It’s simple and satisfying for all ages.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Boil water in a large pot with salt.
2. Add spaghetti and cook for 10 minutes until soft.
3. Drain spaghetti in a colander.
4. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
5. Pour tomato sauce into the pan.
6. Stir in heavy cream until smooth.
7. Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce.
8. Toss everything for 2 minutes.
9. Serve hot.

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4. Baked Salmon with Potatoes

About: This dish pairs flaky salmon with crispy potatoes. It bakes in one tray for less mess. The lemon adds a fresh kick. Families enjoy the healthy taste. It’s quick enough for weeknights and feels special.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 4 medium potatoes, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt.
3. Spread potatoes on a baking sheet.
4. Bake potatoes for 15 minutes.
5. Rub salmon with remaining olive oil.
6. Place salmon and lemon slices on the sheet with potatoes.
7. Bake for 12 minutes until salmon flakes easily.
8. Serve warm.

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5. Turkey Meatball Subs

About: These subs stack juicy meatballs in soft rolls. The marinara sauce adds bold flavor. Kids love the handheld fun, and adults savor the hearty bite. It’s a speedy dinner that everyone craves.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 4 sub rolls

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, and egg in a bowl.
3. Form mixture into 12 meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet.
5. Bake meatballs for 20 minutes until cooked.
6. Heat marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat.
7. Add meatballs to the sauce and stir.
8. Spoon meatballs into sub rolls.
9. Serve hot.

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6. Veggie Fried Rice

About: This rice dish bursts with colorful veggies and soy flavor. It uses leftover rice for speed. The scrambled egg adds protein. Families enjoy the light, tasty meal. It’s a fun way to eat more vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Steps:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Pour eggs into the skillet.
3. Scramble eggs for 2 minutes until cooked.
4. Add mixed vegetables to the skillet.
5. Stir vegetables for 3 minutes.
6. Add cooked rice and soy sauce.
7. Stir everything for 5 minutes until heated.
8. Serve warm.

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7. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

About: These drumsticks deliver sticky, sweet BBQ flavor. They bake fast and taste juicy. Kids love the messy fun, and adults enjoy the bold taste. Pair with coleslaw for a full meal. It’s a family hit.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Rub drumsticks with olive oil and salt.
3. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet.
4. Bake drumsticks for 25 minutes.
5. Brush BBQ sauce over drumsticks.
6. Bake for 10 more minutes until sticky.
7. Serve hot.

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8. Tuna Melt Sandwiches

About: This sandwich layers creamy tuna with melted cheese. It cooks in minutes and fills you up. The toasty bread adds crunch. Families love the warm, comforting bite. It’s perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4 slices bread
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

1. Mix tuna and mayonnaise in a bowl.
2. Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
3. Place two slices, butter side down, in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Spoon tuna mix onto each slice.
5. Sprinkle cheese over tuna.
6. Top with remaining bread, butter side up.
7. Cook for 3 minutes until golden.
8. Flip sandwiches and cook for 3 more minutes.
9. Serve warm.

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9. Sausage and Pepper Skillet

About: This skillet combines smoky sausage with sweet peppers. It cooks fast in one pan. The bold flavors excite taste buds. Kids and adults dig into this hearty dish. It’s a simple weeknight winner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sausage, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add sausage slices to the skillet.
3. Cook sausage for 5 minutes until browned.
4. Stir in bell pepper and onion.
5. Sprinkle salt over the mixture.
6. Cook everything for 7 minutes until peppers soften.
7. Serve hot.

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10. Chicken Noodle Soup

About: This soup warms you up with tender chicken and soft noodles. It cooks fast and soothes everyone. The light broth tastes homemade. Families love it on chilly nights. It’s comfort in a bowl.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup egg noodles
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add carrot slices to the pot.
3. Cook carrots for 3 minutes.
4. Pour chicken broth into the pot.
5. Bring broth to a boil.
6. Add egg noodles and cook for 6 minutes.
7. Stir in shredded chicken.
8. Simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Serve hot.

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11. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

About: These pinwheels roll up ham and cheese in flaky dough. They bake fast and taste savory. Kids love the spiral shape, and adults enjoy the warm filling. It’s a fun, easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 can crescent roll dough
• 1 cup ham, chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Roll out crescent dough on a flat surface.
3. Sprinkle ham over the dough.
4. Add cheese on top of ham.
5. Roll dough into a log.
6. Cut log into 1-inch slices.
7. Place slices on a baking sheet.
8. Brush melted butter over slices.
9. Bake for 12 minutes until golden.
10. Serve warm.

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12. Lentil and Veggie Stew

About: This stew packs lentils and veggies in a hearty broth. It cooks quick and fills you up. The earthy flavors suit all ages. Families enjoy the healthy, warm bowl. It’s great for cozy nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add carrot and zucchini to the pot.
3. Cook veggies for 5 minutes.
4. Pour vegetable broth into the pot.
5. Add lentils and stir.
6. Bring mixture to a boil.
7. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils soften.
8. Serve hot.

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13. Pizza Pockets

About: These pockets stuff pizza flavors into soft dough. They bake fast and taste cheesy. Kids love the portable size, and adults enjoy the classic taste. It’s a fun dinner for everyone.

Ingredients:

• 1 can pizza dough
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Roll out pizza dough on a flat surface.
3. Cut dough into 4 squares.
4. Spoon pizza sauce onto each square.
5. Sprinkle cheese over sauce.
6. Add pepperoni on top.
7. Fold dough over filling to form pockets.
8. Place pockets on a baking sheet.
9. Bake for 15 minutes until golden.
10. Serve warm.

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14. Garlic Butter Shrimp

About: This dish tosses plump shrimp in garlicky butter. It cooks in minutes and tastes rich. The simple flavors please everyone. Pair it with rice for a full meal. It’s a quick family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic to the skillet.
3. Cook garlic for 1 minute.
4. Add shrimp and salt to the skillet.
5. Cook shrimp for 3 minutes until pink.
6. Stir in lemon juice.
7. Cook for 1 more minute.
8. Serve hot.