This roundup of 50 easy and quick dinner ideas is filled with simple meals your family will happily eat, from chicken and ground beef favorites to light vegetarian dishes and cozy fall and winter soups. You’ll find healthy options, cheap meals, lazy dinner recipes with just 5 ingredients, fun Mexican favorites, shrimp skillets, Friday night ideas, and even Instant Pot options for busy moms. Everything is designed to be kid-friendly, budget-smart, and stress-free so you can get dinner on the table fast. Pin this list now so you’ll always have a stash of quick dinner ideas for family meals all year long.
Quick Chicken Dinner Ideas
This chicken tetrazzini casserole is creamy, quick, and made with simple ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, pasta, and chicken. It’s a healthy, classic bake that’s ready in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for easy weeknight dinners and last-minute meals.
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of balsamic mushroom chicken – a mouthwatering dish featuring tender juicy chicken and caramelized mushrooms smothered in light balsamic sauce. It’s the perfect gluten-free, low-carb, one-pot meal for a quick weeknight dinner!
An easy and healthy recipe for peanut sauce! With 5 simple ingredients, you can use this sauce for Asian stir fry meals, for spring rolls, or lettuce wraps. Similar to spicy Thai satay or Vietnamese sauces, this simple stir-fry sauce is low carb, keto, and gluten free.
This easy Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe is a quick, simple, and healthy dinner idea that’s on the table in less than 30 minutes. Serve it over noodles or rice with fresh stir fried vegetables.
This Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a simple, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that even kids love! Made in the pressure cooker with brown rice, chicken breast, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheddar, this is a complete one-pot meal that cooks in less than 30 minutes.
Mongolian chicken is a quick and easy Instant Pot recipe with a sweet and savory sauce that is best served over rice or cauliflower rice. The finished dish can be as spicy or as mild as you like, and it is suitable for paleo, keto, gluten-free, and low carb diets.
This creamy chicken curry is made in the Instant Pot, so it’s a quick and easy meal for weeknights or weekends. You can use any curry powder that you have on hand, so the finished dish can be as spicy or as mild as you like, and it is suitable for paleo, keto, gluten-free, and low carb diets.
This quick and easy copycat General Tso’s Chicken recipe is super healthy, low carb, and keto and is smothered with a sweet and spicy sauce. Healthier and better tasting than takeout!
This buffalo chicken pasta bake is a creamy, cheesy casserole packed with spicy buffalo chicken, ranch, and tender macaroni. Perfect for easy pasta dinners, meal prep, or a freezer meal, it’s a fast and comforting dish your family will love!
This one pot chicken parmesan pasta recipe is loaded with tender chicken, marinara sauce, and gooey cheese. It all comes together in one pan for a quick, comforting meal the whole family will enjoy.
This creamy chicken asparagus pasta recipe is a cheesy, easy skillet meal made with jar sauce and penne pasta for a quick dinner. It’s a healthy twist on chicken alfredo pasta, packed with veggies and family-friendly flavors.
These Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas with Cream of Chicken Soup are baked, cheesy, and packed with flavor in every bite. Made with rotisserie or shredded chicken and a quick white sauce, they come together in 30 minutes with just 4 ingredients.
Warm up with this creamy and spicy gluten-free white chicken chili, made in the CrockPot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop. Made with shredded chicken, (can be canned chicken or rotisserie chicken), it’s an easy and healthy meal that’s perfect for cold weather, game night, or football parties. It’s keto-friendly, low-carb, and packed with flavor.
Cozy up with a bowl of flavorful chicken green chili soup, made with hearty ingredients and lots of salsa verde. This easy, healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free recipe is made in the CrockPot or on the stovetop and is perfect for cold weather meals, game nights, or football food spreads. Packed with bold Mexican flavors, it’s the best green chili chicken soup for a keto-friendly, low carb meal.
If you love buffalo chicken dip, you need to try these oven baked buffalo chicken tacos! Made with shredded rotisserie chicken, creamy buffalo sauce, and melted cheese inside crispy flour tortillas, they’re the best ever baked tacos for an easy dinner in just 30 minutes. These street tacos are packed with bold flavor and are a must for any meals with buffalo chicken fan.
This recipe is stuffed with shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, rice, Mexican blend cheese, feta, Greek yogurt or sour cream, and salsa. These are so delicious and make the best lunch and dinners! Can use a low carb or gluten-free tortilla.
Mini chicken and corn pot pies are the ultimate comfort food. They’re made from biscuits stuffed full of corn, chicken, onions, cheddar, and cream cheese baked in a muffin tin. So good!
How to make the best BBQ sliders with shredded chicken or pulled pork – This simple and easy recipe makes a quick supper with Hawaiian rolls. Includes a recipe for homemade BBQ sauce.
This low carb pizza crust makes a gluten-free, keto pizza with a chicken crust. It’s a simple and easy recipe to prepare with ground chicken, spicy pizza sauce, and pepperoni or whatever toppings you prefer. Makes a delicious and simple weeknight dinner.
This is the best chicken salad recipe EVER! This classic rotisserie chicken and egg salad recipe combines simple seasonings, mayo, Miracle Whip, and mustard with pecans and shredded cheese for a quick, easy no-cook meal that takes less than 10 minutes. Easy meal prep for lunch or dinner. Serve on bread or croissants for easy chicken salad sandwiches, fill a lettuce wrap, or just serve it as a dip for crackers. Chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken is the easy, healthy meal your family will crave!
This canned chicken salad recipe is creamy, flavorful, and ready in just 10 minutes. Made with sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, creamy Miracle Whip, tangy mustard, hard-boiled egg, and crunchy pecans, it’s a fresh take on classic chicken salad with canned chicken.
Quick Beef Dinner Ideas
Quick and flavorful Ground Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry is easily made in under 30 minutes all in one pan! Lean ground beef with crisp green beans all tossed together in the most delicious Asian-inspired sauce that’s better than take-out. Serve over rice for a quick weeknight meal packed with flavor!
This Instant Pot sloppy joes recipe is sweet and spicy as well as quick and easy to prepare. Perfect for weeknight meals, the recipe includes a tasty and sugar-free homemade BBQ sauce. Includes CrockPot sloppy joes instructions.
These BBQ meatloaf muffins are a fun twist on a classic dinner, perfect for family weeknights or meal prep. Easy to make, these healthy miniature meatloaves pair perfectly with mashed potatoes and even work as the best freezer meals!
These garlic Parmesan meatballs in the oven are juicy, cheesy, and full of classic Italian flavor. These simple ground beef meatballs are made with gluten-free or regular breadcrumbs and Parmesan, and they bake up golden and delicious with no frying needed.
Kung Pao Beef is a classic Chinese recipe with tender beef, roasted peanuts, and crisp vegetables in a flavorful spicy Kung Pao sauce. This homemade steak recipe is simple, quick, & easy. It’s a healthy, delicious dinner that’s ready in less than 20 minutes.
Copycat PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef in the Instant Pot – This is the best quick and easy recipe for simple, healthy, and spicy Mongolian beef. Low carb, Keto Chinese food. How to make paleo gluten free takeout in the Instapot.
These juicy air fryer burgers are made with ground beef, taco seasoning, and salsa for a fun twist on weeknight dinner. Each patty is full of fresh flavor and cooks up perfectly in 15 minutes. This is an easy summer dinner recipes for the family that is quick, healthy, and full of bold taste.
These old-school pizza burgers are a nostalgic mix of savory beef, melted cheese, and rich pizza sauce layered on toasted buns. They’re baked until golden and bubbly for that classic cafeteria-style flavor everyone remembers. You’ll love how quick and easy they are to make for busy nights or casual get-togethers.
How to make BBQ beef biscuit cups. A sweet and savory BBQ beef mixture is tucked inside flaky biscuits. This simple and easy ground beef recipe for lunch or dinner is healthy and quick with just a few fast ingredients. Cheap and great for the budget and can be made with or without cheese.
The best French dip sliders feature tender roast beef, melted cheese, and flavorful au jus gravy on soft King’s Hawaiian rolls. Oven-baked sliders with onion soup mix and buttery seasoning are the ultimate hot sandwiches. These easy party finger foods are ideal for Super Bowl party food ideas or any gathering.
Homemade Steak Tostadas are so quick and simple to make. This easy dinner recipe is loaded with seasoned steak, fresh veggies, and a delicious avocado lime dressing are the perfect taco Tuesday alternative! 15 minute meal.
How to make the best homemade copycat Taco Bell Mexican pizza recipe – This quick and easy recipe is a healthy DIY version of the double decker tortilla pie you love. Baked in the oven with ground beef and tortillas, but can be made with chicken or vegetarian with simple modifications.
Quick Pork Dinner Ideas
This bbq pulled pork pizza recipe is a fun, savory way to turn leftover pulled pork into a new family-friendly meal. It’s loaded with barbecue pork, melty cheese, and sweet red onions for the ultimate homemade pizza recipe.
The best Italian sausage sandwiches – Smothered in tomato sauce, onions, and mushrooms, these sweet or spicy sausages are perfect for family dinners or lunches, parties, Super Bowl, or any time you want an awesome sandwich. This quick and easy meal is simple prepare.
These simple 10 minute BBQ ham sandwiches are a great way to use up leftover ham in a healthy, quick and easy recipe. Or use deli meat for an easy weeknight meal any time!
Ham and cheese puff pastry sandwiches are a quick and delicious option for any meal. These baked puff pastry recipes create flaky, golden ham and cheese pockets that are great for breakfast or dinner. Learn how to make a sheet pan dinner that’s cheap, satisfying, and a family favorite.
This turkey bacon wrap comes together in just 10 minutes using deli turkey, cheese, and crispy bacon in a soft tortilla wrap. It’s a simple, healthy twist on a California turkey club wrap that’s perfect for lunch or light dinners.
Quick Seafood Dinner Ideas
This rich buttered shrimp recipe uses Old Bay, butter, and lemon juice to prepare the very best shrimp you’ll ever eat! Once you’ve had buttered lemon shrimp with Old Bay, you’ll never prepare shrimp another way.
This simple and easy one pan spicy marinated shrimp is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite seafood! It’s spicy and delicious and works great over pasta or rice.
This easy shrimp & asparagus stir fry is a quick and healthy recipe with simple homemade stir fry sauce with lemon, garlic, and ginger, juicy shrimp, and fresh asparagus in one delicious dish that everyone will love.
This recipe for Maryland crab cakes uses no filler, so all you get is the creamy flavor of the crab meat with a hint of Old Bay seasoning. I like to use lump crab meat, but you could just as easily use smaller pieces with some lump mixed in for a less expensive alternative that will actually stick together a little bit better than just the lump crab on its own.
This scallops and pasta recipe features sea scallops or bay scallops, garlic butter, and white wine in a light, flavorful sauce. Add asparagus for a simple meal that’s done in just 30 minutes.
These Air Fryer Garlic Honey Dijon Salmon Bites are healthy, easy, and packed with flavor from plain or hot honey and Dijon mustard. This recipe makes the best air-fried salmon bites that are low-carb, keto-friendly, and ready in minutes.
Quick Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
This easy one-pan Mexican rice and beans recipe brings authentic flavor to your table in just 30 minutes. Made with pinto beans, white rice, and simple pantry ingredients, it’s a healthy and satisfying vegan or vegetarian meal your family will love.
How to make the best cheese and onion quesadillas in a skillet or pan on the stove – This simple and easy recipe is healthy because it’s packed with veggies. Great for a vegetarian dinner or lunch. Serve with a little salsa for the perfect snack, too.
This quick cauliflower mac and cheese recipe is creamy, cheesy, and made with simple ingredients. It’s a healthy option that can be served as a side dish or as an easy meatless meal, oven-baked with roasted cauliflower for added flavor.
This smoky baked mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest, laden with cheddar cheese and heavy cream and topped with crispy bread crumbs and more cheese. This macaroni and cheese with tomatoes recipe is baked in the oven in under 30 minutes.
Ravioli with Alfredo Sauce is so quick to make with a few healthy ingredients including fresh mushrooms and asparagus. Serve this easy 30-minute dinner recipe with fresh bread and dinner is done! This family favorite is picky eater approved!
This easy pasta primavera recipe is loaded with crisp veggies, tender penne, and a delightful pesto that brings restaurant-style flavor to your own kitchen. It’s a healthy garden pasta that’s dairy free, vegan-friendly, and full of fresh vegetable goodness.
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