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The Passport Kitchen

What’s for Dinner Tonight? 57 Easy Dinner Recipes for a Family

September 15, 2024 by Amanda Tyler Leave a Comment

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Hey! What’s for dinner tonight?

Every single night, dinner has to be made. Every single day, that question comes up, and more often than not, the answer is “I DON’T KNOW!”. If that sounds like you, then these recipes are for you!

Vegan One-Pot Pasta With Marinara Sauce

Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce.
Image Credit: Marley’s Menu.

This incredibly simple, outrageously delicious, and fast-as-lightning One-Pot Vegan Pasta will be your new go-to meal to feed the family.

Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce

One-Pot Hummus Pasta With Basil (Vegan)

One-Pot Hummus Pasta with Basil (Vegan).
Image Credit: Marley’s Menu.

This One-Pot Hummus Pasta uses creamy hummus, fresh-squeezed lemon, and herbaceous basil for a flavorful dish with minimal ingredients in 30 minutes!

One-Pot Hummus Pasta with Basil (Vegan) 

One-Pot Hearty Mushroom Stew With Potatoes

One-Pot Hearty Mushroom Stew with Potatoes.
Image Credit: Marley’s Menu.

Who says hearty has to mean heavy? This Mushroom Stew is hearty and filling but not too heavy. It’s meatless, earthy, and absolutely bursting with flavor!

One-Pot Hearty Mushroom Stew with Potatoes

Easy Lentil Bolognese

Easy Lentil Bolognese (Vegan).
Image Credit: By the Forkful.

This vegan red lentil bolognese is a firm favorite for a healthy weeknight meal for a family!

Easy Lentil Bolognese (Vegan)

Mushroom Carbonara With Pancetta

Mushroom Carbonara With Pancetta .
Image Credit: The Six Figure Dish.

Have a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour with this homemade mushroom carbonara with pancetta. This quick pasta recipe will surely become a family favorite.

Mushroom Carbonara With Pancetta 

Paleo Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Paleo Turkey Meatballs Recipe (Easy and Gluten Free!).
Image Credit: Kim And Kalee.

These gluten-free paleo turkey meatballs are moist, tender, and delicious! Plus, they’re easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes! Making them a great low-carb snack or dinner recipe!

Paleo Turkey Meatballs Recipe 

Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs

Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs.
Image Credit: Christian Guzman.

Authentic albondigas are made with raw meatballs from scratch, but if you’re in a hurry, you can quickly use frozen meatballs instead. It’s a quick budget- and a kid-friendly recipe for meatball soup.

Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs

Tastiest Ever One Pot Beef Stroganoff

Tastiest Ever One Pot Beef Stroganoff.
Image Credit: Kidgredients.

Quick and easy to make, this delicious beef stroganoff is a family favorite! Full of veggies and flavor!

Tastiest Ever One Pot Beef Stroganoff 

Chicken Taco Rice

Chicken Taco Rice.
Image Credit: Kidgredients.

One pot and deliciously simple, this chicken taco rice makes taco night fun, yummy and healthier! The perfect weeknight family meal.

Chicken Taco Rice

Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese

Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free).
Image Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

This super-easy homemade Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese is a gluten-free and allergy-free recipe that will blow your mind! This healthy and dairy-free version of the classic is still ultra-creamy but secretly veggie-packed, kid-friendly, and contains no nuts or soy! Comfort food that’s quick enough for any weeknight dinner!

Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole

Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free).
Image Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

A super easy dump-and-bake meatless meal for the family! This Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole is a healthy, hearty, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-free dinner idea! Dairy-free, creamy, and zesty, You can make this casserole recipe ahead of time, is freezer-friendly, and is a comforting weeknight meal everyone will love!

Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

Vegan Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas)

Vegan Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas).
Image Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

This easy recipe for Vegan Butter Chicken is a plant-based version of the classic Indian dish that’s completely dairy-free and made with chickpeas! These healthy Indian butter chickpeas are gluten-free, allergy-free, marinated in creamy yogurt and fragrant spices, finished in a single skillet with a tomato-based sauce in just 10 minutes!

Vegan Butter Chicken (Indian Butter Chickpeas)

Quinoa “Mac” & Cheese

Quinoa “Mac” & Cheese.
Image Credit: Hungry Hobby.

Don’t be fooled; just because quinoa is swapped for traditional pasta, this is the creamy, incredibly cheesy mac and cheese of your childhood dreams. It is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Quinoa “Mac” & Cheese 

Skillet Butter Bean Recipe With Pizza Cheese & Spinach

Skillet Butter Bean Recipe with Pizza Cheese & Spinach.
Image Credit: Kitchen Skip.

An easy, fast dinner made from canned butter beans, pizza cheese, baby spinach, and a garlicky tomato sauce.

Skillet Butter Bean Recipe with Pizza Cheese & Spinach 

Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe From Viking Cruises

Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe from Viking Cruises.
Image Credit: Food, Fun & Faraway Places.

Simple beef stroganoff is one of the best family dinners. Made with fresh ingredients, this meal is filling and delicious.

Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe from Viking Cruises

Mushroom Aglio Olio

Mushroom Aglio Olio.
Image Credit: Aussie Home Cook.

This mushroom aglio olio is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly dinner with just six ingredients. It’s on the table in twenty minutes.

Mushroom Aglio Olio 

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe.
Image Credit: Fun Money Mom.

This Sheet Pan Chicken And Veggies recipe make the perfect weeknight dinner for busy moms! It’s an easy-to-make meal that’s so full of flavor; it’ll have your whole family begging for seconds!

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe

Coca-Cola (Or Pepsi) Chicken Thighs Recipes

Coca-Cola (or Pepsi) Chicken Thighs Recipes.
Image Credit: Fluxing Well.

With just 4 ingredients, this simple cola chicken recipe couldn’t be easier. Served with rice, it makes an economical, hearty meal for a family.

Coca-Cola (or Pepsi) Chicken Thighs Recipes

Homemade Dirty Fries

Homemade Dirty Fries.
Image Credit: My Morning Mocha.

Dirty fries are a tasty dinner recipe perfect for the whole family. Chips loaded with cheese and more are so easy to make and taste so good.

Homemade Dirty Fries Recipe

Vegetarian Stroganoff

Vegetarian Stroganoff.
Image Credit: The Jam Jar Kitchen.

This delicious vegetarian mushroom stroganoff is a quick and easy dinner, perfect for meatless Monday!

Vegetarian Stroganoff

The Best Sloppy Joe Sliders

The Best Sloppy Joe Sliders.
Image Credit: Flash in the Pans.

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or a large family, these Sloppy Joe sliders cook fast and assemble easily to satisfy even the pickiest of cravings. Made to resemble your favorite sandwich as a kid but bite-size and brushed with the flavors adults expect, you’ll love these little sandwiches.

The Best Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe

Skillet Chicken & Biscuits

Skillet Chicken & Biscuits.
Image Credit: Spend With Pennies.

This is an easy dinner that the whole family loves. You can use a 1/2 a rotisserie chicken in this dish (and freeze the other half of the chicken in a Ziploc bag for next time!) You know I love meals that You can put in the freezer for later!

Skillet Chicken & Biscuits

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

One Pan Mexican Quinoa.
Image Credit: Vegan Huggs.

This One Pan Mexican Quinoa is a hearty flavor-packed meal, and it’s a breeze to make. It’s a total weeknight winner that takes about 30 minutes on the stove, and you’ll only have to clean one pan!

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Vegan Tortilla Soup

Vegan Tortilla Soup.
Image Credit: Vegan Huggs.

This Vegan Tortilla Soup is a hearty, Mexican-inspired meal that the whole family will love. It’s full of flavor and can be customized with an array of delicious toppings. It takes just 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes on the stove!

Vegan Tortilla Soup

Italian Sausage and Potatoes

Italian Sausage and Potatoes.
Image Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

For an easy weeknight meal, try this tasty Italian sausage and potatoes. Sweet Italian sausage, baby yellow potatoes, sweet bell peppers, and red onions are cooked all together on a sheet pan for easy prep and easy clean-up.

Sheet Pan Italian Sausage and Potatoes

Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe

Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe (quick, easy, 5 ingredients!).
Image Credit: Easy Wholesome.

You only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to put these chicken leg quarters together. This recipe is ridiculously easy, and the result is way more flavorful and delicious than you would imagine.

Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe (quick, easy, 5 ingredients!)

Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole Bake

Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole Bake (Vegetarian Friendly).
Image Credit: Homebody Eats.

Make a delicious twist on Mexican food, even if you have minimal ingredients in your fridge and pantry! This dish only takes 30 minutes and is definitely a crowd-pleaser!

Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole Bake (Vegetarian Friendly)

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza Grilled Cheese.
Image Credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

This Pizza Grilled Cheese is a super easy recipe that the kids can make themselves! This recipe serves six and costs $5.12 to make. That’s just 85¢ per serving!

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Fresh Tomato Pasta

Fresh Tomato Pasta (15 Minute Recipe!).
Image Credit: Food Folks And Fun.

This Tomato Basil Pasta recipe is great for busy weeknights. The heat from the pasta warms the rest of the dish. 15 minutes is all you need, folks. Now, who doesn’t love that?!

Fresh Tomato Pasta (15 Minute Recipe!)

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos.
Image Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

These Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos are my go-to weeknight dinner. They’re juicy, flavorful, and SO easy to make.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos 

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joes.
Image Credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

Homemade Sloppy Joes is a classic dinner recipe that is easy to make and economical too! It takes less than 30 minutes to make and costs just $9.34 for six servings! So that’s just .56 per serving!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Open Face Tuna Melts

Open Face Tuna Melts (no mayo).
Image Credit: Food Meanderings.

These quick and easy Open-faced Tuna Melts are made with cream cheese, no mayo, a little kick from the jalapenos and are the perfect last-minute dinner or lunch. But, of course, you can make them ahead and reheat them, so they’re also perfect for the lunch bag!

Open Face Tuna Melts (no mayo)

Chicken Sweet Potato Bake

Chicken Sweet Potato Bake.
Image Credit: Confetti And Bliss.

Chicken sweet potato bake is a rich, flavorful sheet pan dinner. Cooked with apples and rosemary, it’s fragrant, juicy, and delicious. This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients. Get dinner on the table fast with this 1-pan meal.

Chicken Sweet Potato Bake

Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Udon Noodle Stir Fry.
Image Credit: Emily Fabulous.

This Udon Noodle Stir Fry recipe is quick, easy, and delicious! Made with fresh veggies, thinly sliced beef, and a homemade stir fry sauce that is sure to become a household favorite.

Udon Noodle Stir Fry 

Spicy Moroccan Ground Beef Pie

Spicy Moroccan Ground Beef Pie.
Image Credit: Scotch & Scones.

Moroccan Ground Beef and Potato Pie features ground beef and hash brown potatoes seasoned with a Moroccan-inspired spice blend. Add a homemade pie crust for a dinner your family will love!

Spicy Moroccan Ground Beef and Potato Pie

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
Image Credit: The Anthony Kitchen.

Baked Spaghetti Casserole is the easiest (not to mention the neatest) way to serve spaghetti to the table! It’s made up of spaghetti noodles coated in parmesan and butter, and easy marinara meat sauce, savory cottage cheese, and a topping of stretchy mozzarella.

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe.
Image Credit: The Anthony Kitchen.

Your favorite Chinese restaurant is going to miss you. But, with this Easy Chicken Chow Mein Recipe, you’ll be making dinner in far less time than it takes to get take-out delivered to your doorstep.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas.
Image Credit: All Nutritious.

These Mexican chicken fajitas are so fun to make! It’s a healthy meal for the whole family that you can quickly assemble.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner.
Image Credit: All Nutritious.

This Greek sheet pan dinner is a super easy Mediterranean meal you can make for the whole family. Easy, nutritious, and full of flavors

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs.
Image Credit: Masala Herb.

With just 4 ingredients you’ll have dinner ready in no time. These chicken thighs are roasted to perfection!

Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

Baked Spiced Salmon Fillet Recipe

Baked Spiced Salmon Fillet Recipe.
Image Credit: Masala Herb.

Baked salmon fillets are rich in flavor, and it’s a healthy dish. Easy to prepare in minutes!

Baked Spiced Salmon Fillet Recipe

Creamy Spinach Pasta

Creamy Spinach Pasta.
Image Credit: The Cozy Cook.

This Spinach Pasta recipe has a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with simple seasonings and a hint of lemon juice. It’s an easy 30-minute meal that you can make with any kind of noodles!

Creamy Spinach Pasta 

Egg Roll Bowls

Egg Roll Bowls | Dinner in 25 Minutes!.
Image Credit: Making Homemade Easy.

Egg Roll Bowls are a scrumptiously simple way to get a balanced, colorful, and flavorful meal on the table for the whole family. You can prepare it more quickly than you can get Chinese food delivered! And your family will ask for this easy meal over and over, again.

Egg Roll Bowls | Dinner in 25 Minutes!

Easy Shepherds Pie

Easy Shepherds Pie (Made with Leftovers).
Image Credit: Grits And Gouda.

Easy Shepherds Pie is a delicious way to use up your leftovers or “holdovers” for a simple weeknight meal. It’s also comfort food and a great way to add lots of vegetables to your meal all in one dish.

Easy Shepherds Pie (Made with Leftovers)

One Pan Mexican Pasta

One Pan Mexican Pasta.
Image Credit: Chef Savvy.

This quick and easy one-pan dinner is a perfect healthy comfort food meal, loaded with vegetables and protein! It’s a healthy, family-friendly recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

One Pan Mexican Pasta 

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Freezer Meal

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Freezer Meal.
Image Credit: The Best Nest.

This chicken teriyaki recipe can be prepped and frozen ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to cook, just thaw and throw in the slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Freezer Meal

Crockpot Chicken Tinga

Crockpot Chicken Tinga.
Image Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

This crockpot chicken tinga is so easy to make. It is loaded with smoky and savory flavors- throw it all into the croc-pot and enjoy the smell all day.

Crockpot Chicken Tinga 

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo Alla Cacciatora)

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatora).
Image Credit: The Short Order Cook.

Chicken cacciatore is an easy slow-cooker recipe that is hearty, tasty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. This Crockpot cacciatore recipe is so easy and results in a rich tomato sauce packed with vegetables, chicken, and flavor.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (Pollo alla Cacciatora)

Air Fryer Pizza

Air Fryer Pizza.
Image Credit: Zardy Plants.

Epic delicious food couldn’t get any easier with this Air Fryer Pizza, making any night a pizza night! Load it up with anything you like, throw it in the air fryer, and in 10-12 minutes, you’ve got delicious homemade pizza.

Air Fryer Pizza

Frozen Burgers in Air Fryer

Frozen Burgers in Air Fryer.
Image Credit: Aubrey’s Kitchen.

Frozen burgers in the air fryer are one of the easiest ways to make a delicious and juicy burger! No need to defrost and easy cleanup. The best easy weeknight dinner that your family will love

Frozen Burgers in Air Fryer 

Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer Recipe

Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer Recipe (Crispy Skin!).
Image Credit: Summer Yule.

Did you ever forget to thaw the chicken in time for dinner? No worries! With this easy air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe, dinner will be on the table fast, even if the chicken is frozen in a solid block.

Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer Recipe (Crispy Skin!)

Air Fryer Taco Meat

Air Fryer Taco Meat (Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipe).
Image Credit: Summer Yule.

Psst… did you know you can air fry ground beef in 5 minutes?!? This is a super hack for easy tacos and burrito bowls on busy weeknights.

Air Fryer Taco Meat (Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipe)

Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken.
Image Credit: Mimosas and Motherhood.

Wondering how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot? This Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is so easy to follow and such a game-changer for meals!

Easy Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Instant Pot Taco Pasta

Instant Pot Taco Pasta.
Image Credit: Corrie Cooks.

One of the most popular Instant Pot pasta recipes you can make in less than 10 minutes. A kid-friendly one-pot meal that tastes great!

Instant Pot Taco Pasta 

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.
Image Credit: Corrie Cooks.

When I said easy dinners for your family, I meant easy and quick dinners to feed your family! This takes only 12 minutes to make! A vegetarian meal featuring 3 types of cheese and plenty of taste. Make it in only 12 minutes using your Instant Pot and serve with parsley on top.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese 

Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff.
Image Credit: Monday Is Meatloaf.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff is my favorite hamburger helper recipe. An easy recipe that is done in 30 minutes and is perfect for a busy weeknight. An all-in-one dish that’s full of flavor, budget-conscious, and kid-friendly!

Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

Instant Pot Chana Dal | Split Chickpeas 

Instant Pot Chana Dal Without Soaking.
Image Credit: Culinary Shades.

Chana Dal served with rice or Indian bread, makes a hearty meal. It is quick and easy to make.

Instant Pot Chana Dal | Split Chickpeas 

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