10+ Dinner Recipes for Family Easy and Delicious Meals Everyone Will Love

Finding good dinner recipes for your family can honestly feel like a bit of a challenge some days. You want meals everyone will actually eat, that aren’t a pain to make, and that don’t take up your whole evening.

Dinner recipes for family should be easy, tasty, and something everyone can look forward to eating together.

Cooking for your family is a chance to bring everyone together at the table. Having a stash of go-to recipes makes planning way less stressful.

This guide’s got ideas to help you keep dinner simple, fun, and satisfying—hopefully without too much fuss.

1) Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread

Spaghetti Bolognese is one of those classic family dinners that’s always a hit. Just cook up some lean beef mince with onions and garlic.

Add chopped tomatoes and a bit of tomato puree to get that rich, hearty sauce going. While the sauce simmers, you can throw together garlic bread—just slather garlic butter on bread slices and bake them until they’re golden.

Serve the sauce over spaghetti and add the garlic bread on the side. It’s simple, but it feels special somehow.

If you want to jazz it up, toss in a side salad or sprinkle some fresh basil over the top. You can even do this recipe in a slow cooker if you’re trying to save time.

Ingredients

• 100g lean beef mince
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp dried herbs (optional)
• Spaghetti pasta
• Bread slices
• Butter
• Garlic (for garlic butter)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the onion and garlic in a pan until soft.
2. Add beef mince and cook until browned.
3. Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, and herbs. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Boil spaghetti according to package instructions.
5. Mix spaghetti into the sauce or serve separately.
6. Spread garlic butter on bread slices.
7. Bake bread at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or until golden.
8. Serve spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread.

You can find a detailed example of this recipe with garlic bread at Food Standards Scotland.

2) Chicken parmesan with roasted vegetables

Chicken parmesan with roasted vegetables is one of those meals that just works. It’s easy, cooks all on one sheet pan, and you don’t have to scrub a million dishes after.

Bake chicken breasts topped with crispy parmesan cheese. On the same pan, roast some green beans, carrots, and potatoes.

The veggies pick up a garlic and parmesan flavor, so everything tastes like it belongs together. You only need a handful of ingredients and maybe ten minutes of prep.

Perfect for nights when you want something healthier but don’t want to work too hard.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Baby potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place chicken and chopped vegetables on a sheet pan.
3. Drizzle everything with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
5. Serve warm and enjoy your easy homemade meal.

For a simple guide, see this Chicken Parmesan with Roasted Vegetables recipe.

3) Beef chili with cornbread

Beef chili with cornbread is the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell amazing. It’s hearty, filling, and pretty easy to make.

Just brown some ground beef, add beans, tomatoes, and spices. The best part? You pour a cornbread batter right on top and bake it all together.

The cornbread turns golden and soft, and it soaks up all that chili goodness underneath. It’s a great weeknight dinner—especially when you want something cozy.

The mix of spicy chili and sweet cornbread is just so satisfying. For a twist, check out this Cornbread Chili Casserole for inspiration.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cornbread topping:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Brown beef with onion and garlic in a skillet. Drain fat.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, beans, and tomatoes. Simmer 15 minutes.
4. Pour chili into a baking dish.
5. Mix cornbread ingredients until smooth.
6. Spread cornbread batter evenly over the chili.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cornbread is golden and cooked through.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

4) Baked pasta with cheese and spinach

Baked pasta with cheese and spinach is a simple, crowd-pleasing meal. Just mix cooked pasta with spinach and a bunch of cheese, then bake until the top is bubbly and golden.

It’s an easy way to sneak some greens into dinner without anyone complaining. Use spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, maybe even cottage cheese if you’re feeling it.

A bit of tomato sauce or garlic makes it extra flavorful. You can have it ready in under an hour—definitely doable on a weeknight.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta (like shells or penne)
• 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix spinach, ricotta, cottage cheese, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in cooked pasta and half the mozzarella cheese.
5. Spread half the pasta mixture in a baking dish, then layer with sauce.
6. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the rest of the mozzarella.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
8. Let it cool a few minutes before serving.

For an easy and delicious baked pasta with spinach recipe, visit Simple Home Edit.

5) Tacos with seasoned ground beef and fresh salsa

Tacos are always a win—especially when you make them with seasoned ground beef and a quick homemade salsa. Brown the beef, toss in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, and you’ve got a flavorful filling in minutes.

For salsa, just chop up tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Squeeze in some lime juice for that fresh kick.

Spoon the beef and salsa into warm tortillas. Or, go for lettuce wraps if you want something lighter.

Top with whatever you like—cheese, avocado, sour cream. Make it your own.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 lime, juiced
• 8 small tortillas or lettuce leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 more minutes.
4. Mix tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl for salsa.
5. Warm tortillas in a dry pan or microwave.
6. Fill tortillas with beef and top with salsa. Serve.

6) Sausage and gravy biscuits

Sausage and gravy biscuits are pure comfort food. Start with flaky biscuits—homemade if you’re feeling ambitious, or just grab a can if you’re short on time.

Cook pork sausage in a skillet, then add milk and flour to make a creamy, thick gravy. Pour it over the biscuits, and you’ve got a filling dinner that’s perfect for chilly nights.

The biscuits soak up all that savory gravy. It’s hearty, simple, and surprisingly easy to pull together.

For a quick option, check out this Sausage Gravy and Biscuits recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork sausage
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 biscuits (homemade or canned)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
2. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake biscuits according to package or recipe instructions (usually 350°F/175°C for 10-15 minutes).
6. Split biscuits and spoon sausage gravy on top. Serve warm.

7) Twice baked loaded potatoes

Twice baked loaded potatoes are always a hit. They’re creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of indulgent.

Bake the potatoes, scoop out the insides, mash them up with all the good stuff, and bake again. Bacon, sour cream, cheese, and green onions make these potatoes seriously flavorful.

They go with almost anything—steak, chicken, whatever you’ve got. Plus, you can prep them ahead of time if you want.

That mix of crunchy skin and creamy filling is pretty irresistible. Perfect for family dinners or just because.

Ingredients

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup chopped green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake potatoes for 1 hour until tender.
3. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble.
4. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out the insides.
5. Mix potato with sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, half the cheese, bacon, and onions.
6. Spoon mixture back into potato skins.
7. Top with remaining cheese.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.

For more details, you can visit this twice-baked potatoes recipe.

8) Microwave-poached salmon with steamed broccoli

You can whip up a simple, healthy dinner with microwave-poached salmon and some steamed broccoli. It’s honestly one of those meals that feels way fancier than it is.

The microwave cooks salmon fast, and if you do it right, it won’t dry out. You end up with tender, moist fish—no fuss, no pan to scrub.

Just put the salmon in a microwave-safe dish and pour over a mix of butter or olive oil. Don’t forget to cover it up, or you’ll lose all the steam and flavor.

Usually, the salmon cooks in about 3 to 5 minutes. Thicker pieces might need a bit longer, so keep an eye on it.

While the salmon’s going, toss some broccoli florets into a bowl with a splash of water. The microwave steams them in about 2 to 3 minutes.

That’s dinner—light, nutritious, and you barely had to think about it.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups broccoli florets

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix butter or olive oil with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Place salmon skin-side up in a microwave-safe dish and pour the mixture over it.
3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or wrap.
4. Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes until salmon is cooked through.
5. Meanwhile, steam broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Serve salmon with steamed broccoli on the side.

For more tips and details, check out this poached salmon in the microwave recipe.

9) Homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes

Homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes—it’s classic comfort food, right? This dish brings together ground beef and pork, plus onions and eggs for a little extra flavor and moisture.

You can glaze the top or even “frost” it with mashed potatoes if you’re feeling bold. It’s not traditional, but why not?

The mashed potatoes come out soft and creamy, perfect for scooping up with bites of meatloaf. Sometimes I throw in a bit of cheese or even bacon, just because.

It’s a solid weeknight dinner that fills everyone up. If you want to round it out, toss a green veggie or a simple salad on the side.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix ground beef, pork, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Shape half the meat mixture into a loaf in a baking dish.
4. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the meatloaf.
5. Add cheddar slices on top of the potatoes, if using.
6. Cover with remaining meat mixture and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 1 hour or until cooked through.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

10) Breakfast-for-dinner: scrambled eggs and bacon

Sometimes, you just want dinner to be easy. Scrambled eggs with bacon totally fits the bill.

It’s quick, and honestly, who doesn’t love it? Kids dig it, adults don’t complain, and you can get it on the table fast.

Fry up some bacon until it’s nice and crispy. After that, cook your scrambled eggs gently with a splash of milk so they turn out soft.

If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chopped onions or peppers. Why not?

This goes really well with roasted potatoes or a couple slices of toast. Breakfast for dinner just feels fun sometimes, doesn’t it?

If you need more ideas, check out the Summer Egg and Bacon Scramble.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 4 slices of bacon
• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1/4 cup chopped onion or peppers

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a pan over medium heat. Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, then set it aside on paper towels.
2. Beat the eggs with milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Lower the heat and pour the eggs into the pan. Stir gently for about 5 minutes until they’re soft and cooked through.
4. Chop the bacon and either mix it into the eggs or just serve it on the side.
5. Serve hot, maybe with some toast or roasted potatoes if you’re in the mood.