This list consists of 14 quick easy dinner ideas perfect for families with children. They all take less than 30 minutes and require minimal preparation. With quick cleanup and simple prep, these recipes will be on the table in no time.
Remember those nights when we were so tired or so low on groceries that all we had to say was, "hey, guys, who want's to go out to eat tonight?" Ah, yes. Me too. Barely.
Those joyous times feel like a dream, and if only we could get back there sooner rather later, I would be so happy. We will all be so so happy. Until then, if you are just so sick of cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner, everyday for the whole family but are still stuck in isolation, these easy dinner ideas are for you!
These recipes are my favorite when we are too tired to cook and want an easy dinner that has very minimal chopping, slicing, and dicing. And especially minimal pots and pans. Who wants to be frying this in that pan, boiling that in another pot, and roasting something else in the oven?!
Certainly not us. We are officially in quarantine fatigue. And I love to cook, so I can't imagine what it's like for those of you who don't enjoy it so much. So here are my favorite easy dinner ideas for when you need a break, but still have to cook because you have kids to feed and they are hangry!
I love these recipes for that fact they are easy enough to hand off to older kids to make on their own and easy enough for younger kids to help you with. It'll give them something to do and hopefully add a little bit of "excitement" to dinner making.
Disclaimer: Read past the names! Though they may sound fancy schmancy, they are incredibly easy, I promise!
Easy Dinner Ideas in the Oven
Flatbread Pizza
Who doesn't love pizza? And when you can have personal flatbread pizzas ready to eat in only 15 minutes, does it get any better? We love making pizza on na'an bread because everyone can choose their toppings and make their own. Flatbread pizza can be as easy as spreading on the sauce, sprinkling on the cheese, and popping in the oven. This is my go-to dinner when I have absolutely no energy or desire to cook but don't want to wait for takeout. There are rarely leftovers when it comes to this quick easy dinner!
White Pizza with Tomato and Basil
White Pizza with Tomato and Basil is another favorite fast pizza recipe that never disappoints. All you need is pizza dough, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. The only prep is rolling out the dough and cutting the tomatoes! This easy dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes and is perfect for families. If you don't have packaged dough, you can make your own.
Green Pizza with Broccoli and Arugula
Another pizza favorite for a quick easy dinner when no one wants to cook: green pizza! The only prep this requires is chopping the broccoli! It's also packed with nutrients so it's a "healthier" pizza recipe too.
Chicken Tenders Parmigiana
Chicken Tenders Parmigiana is the lazy lady's version of chicken parmesan. Seriously, this dinner has ZERO prep. Forget about breading and frying chicken and dirtying lots of pans and utensils. Use store-bought chicken tenders or nuggets instead! Layer the chicken tenders in a pan, top with your favorite jar of sauce and packaged shredded mozzarella cheese and you've got a satisfying easy dinner in 20 minutes!
The Best Easy Meatloaf Muffins
These delicious Easy Meatloaf Muffins are a fun twist on your traditional meatloaf and are sure to be a hit with the kids! They are perfect for a quick easy dinner. It's as simple as mixing the ingredients in a bowl and baking in a muffin tin. These effortless meatloaf muffins use only 6 ingredients and are truly easy to prep and cook.
Maple Glazed Salmon and Parmesan Crusted Asparagus
This easy Maple Glazed Salmon and Parmesan Crusted Asparagus might sound like a lot of work, but it is so easy to put together and is ready in only 25 minutes! All you need to do is drizzle asparagus with olive and parmesan and mix soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic, and pepper to spread on the salmon. This is another favorite for when we want something easy and effortless.
Easy Dinner Ideas on the Stove Top
Pasta with Butter and Parmesan
Pasta with Butter and Parmesan is one of the most read recipes on this site and most pinned recipes on Pinterest! This is a true favorite for children. But it is not a traditional "kid's meal", so adults love it too! This one-pot dinner is ready in 20 minutes and all you need to do is toast pepper in melted butter, toss with it with cooked pasta and add parmesan cheese. A fantastic recipe for when you are too tired to cook but want to make a meal that everyone will eat!
One Pot Ricotta Lemon Pasta
One Pot Ricotta Lemon Pasta is a seriously simple dinner. It's ready to eat in only 20 minutes, including prep. There is no cutting, slicing, or dicing, just mixing the sauce ingredients and boiling the pasta! This family favorite pairs well with crusty bread. This easy dinner is perfect for super duper lazy nights.
20 Minute Spinach Tortellini Soup
Tortellini Spinach Soup with Parmesan is a quick and comforting dinner that only takes 20 minutes on the stove, seriously! This easy dinner is full of incredible flavor and uses just 7 simple ingredients: tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, chicken broth, spinach, and tortellini. It’s fantastic served with crusty garlic bread for dipping.
Pan Fried Tortellini and Broccoli
Pan Fried Tortellini and Broccoli is also a seriously simple yet incredibly delicious one pan dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes. Tortellini is pan fried in butter and tossed with sauteed broccoli, garlic, and red onions. The most work you'll do to get this on the table is cut the broccoli, onions, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and top with Parmesan cheese for a complete and nutritious five-star meal in no time at all.
Oven Baked Garden Veggie Omelet
Breakfast for dinner is always an excellent idea on nights when you are too tired to cook. This family-style Oven Baked Omelet with Garden Veggies requires very little prep. It’s as easy as chopping vegetables, mixing them with eggs and cheese, and pouring into the casserole pan. Bake for 30 minutes and serve!
Pasta with Quick White Cream Sauce
White Cream Sauce with Milk is perfect as an easy dinner idea. Add it to cooked pasta and you've got an extremely delicious meal in only the time it takes to boil pasta! It's made with flour, garlic, grated cheese, and milk for a thick creamy sauce that tastes delicious and is ready in 10 minutes!
Easy Dinner Ideas in the Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Balsamic Sauce
Slow cooker meals are a perfect default for nights when you are too tired to cook. This Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Balsamic Sauce is melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Chuck roast, onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots are slow cooked in a balsamic sauce made with balsamic vinegar, beef broth, and Worcestershire. A true dump and go slow cooker dinner!
Easy Dinner in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Wonton Soup
Instant Pot Wonton Soup is a healthy and quick family friendly dinner that is ready is only 20 minutes! It uses hearty and simple ingredients all tossed into the pressure cooker and cooked while you wait. This kid-friendly soup is fantastic for a busy night and is so satisfying it can be served as the main course.
I hope you found something here that you and your family will love! Follow me on Pinterest for the latest family-friendly recipes and more!
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