Though I love a fancy home-cooked meal for special occasions, most weeknights are all about speed and simplicity. When life gets busy, I need quick, easy, and budget-friendly meals that don’t require a ton of effort. That’s where these 80 family dinners come in—they’re fast, delicious, and guaranteed to make weeknight cooking a breeze.
One of the best ways to save time and money is to stick with simple proteins like chicken, ground beef, or turkey, or go meatless with tofu, beans, or hearty veggies. Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver—use it for everything from soups and tacos to pasta and casseroles. If you’re craving seafood or steak but want to keep it affordable, try mixing them into pasta, rice dishes, or skillet meals like garlic butter shrimp linguine or creamy steak stroganoff to make smaller portions go further.
If you’ve been thinking about investing in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or air fryer, consider this your sign! These kitchen gadgets make dinner so much easier. I’ve rounded up some of the best one-pot, sheet pan, and casserole recipes for those nights when you need zero fuss and minimal cleanup—think one-pan honey garlic salmon, baked ziti, or sheet-pan chicken fajitas.
And if you’re looking to go meatless (beyond just Mondays!), there are so many hearty, budget-friendly options. Skip the expensive meat substitutes and opt for wholesome, plant-based meals like creamy white bean pasta, sweet potato tacos, or spicy chickpea curry. These dishes are packed with flavor, protein, and nutrients—without breaking the bank.
For even more easy weeknight inspiration, check out my lists of 5-ingredient meals, 30-minute dinners, and the best one-pan recipes. Because dinner should be stress-free, delicious, and simple enough to fit into your busiest days!
80 Quick & Easy Family Dinners That’ll Save Your Week!
- One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies
- Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Asparagus
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- 20-Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
- One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Honey Garlic Shrimp with Rice
- Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
- Baked Ziti with Sausage
- Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki
- Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Mashed Potatoes
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken
- Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice
- Sloppy Joe Sliders
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
- Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia
- Shrimp Scampi with Linguine
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
- Classic Meatloaf with Roasted Veggies
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
- Cheeseburger Casserole
- Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Cajun Chicken Pasta
- BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza
- Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Loaded Baked Potatoes with Chili
- Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
- Korean Beef Bowls with Jasmine Rice
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Taco-Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Sauce
- Classic Chicken Fajitas
- 15-Minute Egg Fried Rice
- Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Pork Chops
- Honey Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs
- Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with Fries
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Cajun Shrimp and Grits
- Easy Beef Stroganoff
- Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos
- Grilled BBQ Chicken with Corn on the Cob
- Garlic Butter Shrimp with Quinoa
- Pesto Chicken and Tomato Pasta
- Margherita Flatbread Pizza
- Creamy Mushroom Risotto
- Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Tofu and Veggies
- One-Pot Chicken and Orzo
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Ground Beef and Potato Hash
- Classic BLT Sandwiches with Chips
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
- Thai Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry
- Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
- Classic Shepherd’s Pie
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken
- BBQ Meatball Subs
- Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp
- Turkey and Cheese Quesadillas
- Instant Pot Beef and Rice Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake
- Ranch Chicken Tenders
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
- Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
- Classic Philly Cheesesteaks
- Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
- Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Carrots
- Chicken Caesar Wraps
- Honey Garlic Meatballs with Rice
- BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
- Classic Gnocchi with Marinara Sauce
- Pepperoni and Cheese Stromboli
This Post Is All About 80 Quick & Easy Family Dinners That’ll Save Your Week!