Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 30 Quick and Easy Family Dinner Recipes You Can Make in Under an Hour Don't worry, we've snuck in veggies even the pickiest of eaters at your table will enjoy. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Instagram Website Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 17, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: GREG DUPREE If you're cooking for a family, you're almost always looking for easy, family-friendly dinner recipes that every member of your crew will enjoy. And while it's easy enough to make a pot of mac and cheese or whip up a batch of DIY chicken tenders, sometimes you're in the mood for something a bit more elevated. Luckily, we've curated a list of quick and simple family dinner recipes that are ready in under an hour. Aside from being easy to make, which is a huge plus no matter who you are cooking for, these dishes are balanced, tasty, and bound to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters. That's because, for the most part, these meals take ingredients most kids know and love and make them palatable for adults too. Take the Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce, for example. On the surface, this easy meal seems like any other pizza, but it actually takes things up a notch thanks to its thin crust, rich pink sauce, and crispy pepperoni. What's more? Since all of these dishes are filling and nutritious enough in their own right, you don't need to worry about making a bevy of sides to go with 'em. The 15 Best Side Dishes for Salmon If you're running low on recipes the whole family enjoys and are at a loss regarding what to make for dinner this week, keep reading for some easy meals you and your brood will love. Trust us, you'll want to add many of these to your weekly dinner rotation ASAP! 01 of 30 Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Mango Chutney Slaw Fred Hardy There’s breaded chicken and then there’s this breaded chicken. Here, chicken cutlets get extra flavor thanks to unsweetened shredded coconut, but instead of dredging each piece in flour and egg, mayonnaise gets the job done. Round out the meal with a zesty coleslaw amped up with a touch of mango chutney and sambal oelek. If your kids don’t like spice, simply skip the sambal. get the recipe 02 of 30 Summer Nachos Greg DuPree For a lighter take on nachos that’s perfect for summer, give this vegetarian recipe a whirl. Here, tortilla chips are topped with paprika-spiked corn for pops of smoky sweetness, tender bits of sautéed zucchini, and a creamy avocado-yogurt topping you’ll want to smear on everything. Serve these nachos family-style so everyone can dig in. get the recipe 03 of 30 Linguine With Cherry Tomato Sauce Greg DuPree Pasta with tomato sauce never disappoints, and this version combines plenty of summery tomatoes with crispy pancetta. Since you'll start by rendering cubes of salty pancetta and use the same pan to cook the tomatoes, the fat infuses every bite of the sauce. Once you plate the cooked pasta, a generous shower of Parmesan and basil completes the dish. get the recipe 04 of 30 Smoky Sheet Pan Salmon and Potatoes Caitlin Bensel Sunny oranges pull double duty in this recipe, first as orange zest joins a dressing of olive oil, smoked paprika, and dried oregano to season both the potatoes and salmon, and then as orange slices get tossed with creamy avocado, cilantro, and lime to make a bright, chunky salsa. Ready in just 40 minutes, this simple dinner works in any season. get the recipe 05 of 30 Ginger and Honey-Soy Salmon en Papillote Greg DuPree Sure, this salmon sounds fancy, but if your little ones are fish fans they’re bound to like this recipe. The rich salmon filets are cooked inside of a parchment paper packet alongside strips of bell pepper and ginger in a sweet soy-sesame-garlic sauce. When the food is ready, simply open each packet and enjoy with a side of noodles or rice. get the recipe 06 of 30 Crispy Peanut Tofu With Sugar Snap Peas And Peppers Greg DuPree This vegetarian meal proves that tofu is a star. You’ll start by crisping tofu cubes up in a pan and tossing them in a spicy peanut sauce made with peanut butter, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and Sriracha. Sautéed sugar snap peas and bell peppers round out the dish, which is best served over rice or rice noodles. If you’re little ones can’t handle spice, skip the Sriracha. get the recipe 07 of 30 Almond-Crusted Chicken With Arugula Salad Caitlin Bensel Almond flour takes the place of panko on these crispy chicken cutlets, while sesame seeds add a pop of flavor and crunch. Serve the chicken with a lemony arugula and Brussels sprouts salad and you’re good to go. For a more kid-friendly take, cut the cutlets into strips and serve with ketchup. get the recipe 08 of 30 Sheet Pan Pierogies With Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Shallots, and Mustard Dressing There’s nothing not to love about this recipe, which comes together in a single sheet pan. Frozen pierogies cut down on prep time, while fresh shallots and Brussels sprouts roast alongside the dumplings. A tasty mustard dressing ties everything together, but feel free to serve it on the side if that works better for your crew. get the recipe 09 of 30 Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini Victor Protasio Another sheet pan dinner for the win! This one features roasted potatoes, salmon, and broccolini all topped with a light yet flavorful lemon juice and Dijon mustard dressing. When shopping for salmon, look for filets that all have the same thickness. This will help ensure that they cook evenly. get the recipe 10 of 30 Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers Caitlin Bensel Burgers never fail, and these turkey burgers manage to be juicy, tasty, and packed with vegetables. That’s because each patty is made up of grated zucchini and plenty of seasoned turkey meat. Top the finished burgers with sliced tomatoes, Bibb lettuce, mayonnaise, honey mustard, and pickles, and dinner is ready. get the recipe 11 of 30 Spring Minestrone Caitlin Bensel While some soups need to simmer for hours, this one is ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish. Here, lemon, basil, crisp green beans, and silky Swiss chard are joined by some toothsome ditalini pasta, leeks, and celery for a comforting meal. Opt for high-quality store-bought broth for this dish, or make your own. get the recipe 12 of 30 Smoky-Sweet Steak Supper CAITLIN BENSEL This 25-minute dinner combines a brown sugar-and-paprika rubbed steak with a fresh green salad. If your kids don’t love the idea of an anchovy-spiked vinaigrette dressing the salad, simply skip the anchovy paste or go with a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing instead. get the recipe 13 of 30 Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos Greg DuPree Stock a bottle of salsa verde in the pantry for nights when you’re craving tacos. This dish pairs the store-bought condiment with simmered chicken thighs. For more flavor, top each taco with chopped onion, plenty of fresh cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, and creamy avocado slices. If you have sour cream in the fridge, add a dollop of that, too. get the recipe 14 of 30 Vegetarian Tacos With Sweet Potatoes and Corn Introduce your little ones to tacos with this vegetarian recipe. For this 20-minute dinner, flour tortillas are filled with a zesty vegetable-and-tofu mixture that includes corn and sweet potato cubes. Season the filling to your liking with chili powder and freshly ground black pepper, and be sure to garnish the tacos with shredded cheese, salsa, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. get the recipe What Vegetables Are In Season Right Now? 15 of 30 Artichoke-Chard Pasta and Cheese Greg DuPree While this dish is an elevated take on mac and cheese, it still hits all of those familiar flavor notes. Inside, you’ll find savory Provolone, silky chard, and tender artichoke hearts. For those who love spinach artichoke dip, this recipe will definitely be on repeat. get the recipe 16 of 30 Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese Caitlin Bensel Another dish that’s always a hit is mac and cheese. This version, which is ready in 30 minutes, pairs fusilli pasta with a seasoned mozzarella sauce and sautéd Swiss chard. If you want your little ones to eat more greens, add this recipe to your meal rotation ASAP. get the recipe 17 of 30 Creamy Veggie Chicken Noodle Soup GREG DUPREE Everyone loves chicken noodle soup, and this version is creamier and heartier than your standard bowl thanks to a generous amount of cream. You’ll also find typical ingredients like chicken, noodles, and broth, as well as unexpected additions such as scallions, fresh tarragon, and haricots verts. get the recipe 18 of 30 Mushroom and Corn Tacos Greg DuPree This dish is proof that you don’t need meat to have an ace taco night. In this vegetarian recipe, wild mushrooms and fresh corn kernels are joined by an array of spices, including chile powder and ground cumin, to create a delectable taco filling. Homemade blender salsa adds even more flavor. get the recipe 19 of 30 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Greg DuPree If you're tired of buttered noodles, give this hearty pasta dinner a try. It's packed with spaghetti (obviously), Asiago cheese, and shredded rotisserie chicken, which is an easy addition that just so happens to be a good source of protein. Since this savory casserole is reminiscent of traditional fettuccine alfredo, your little ones will (most likely) gobble it up. get the recipe 20 of 30 Chicken-Pesto Flatbread Sandwiches Caitlin Bensel Rotisserie chicken strikes again in these flatbread sandwiches, which are also stuffed with mozzarella, baby arugula, and pesto. And if you don't have the time to make the pesto yourself, the jarred stuff works just as well. Thanks to these shortcuts, plus some store-bought pizza dough, this meal is ready in just 40 minutes. get the recipe 21 of 30 Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas ANTONIS ACHILLEOS What's better than a quick meal? A quick meal you can make on one baking sheet. This colorful meal calls for shrimp, bell peppers, and red onion, which gets a flavorful boost from some tasty taco seasoning. To serve, simply wrap the shrimp and veggies in warm tortillas, and bring out all the fixings. get the recipe 22 of 30 Cauliflower Fried "Rice" With Ginger and Soy David Malosh If you're on a desperate quest to get your kids to eat more vegetables, try this cauliflower fried rice recipe. While it's obviously made with a healthier rice alternative, it will still taste familiar to discerning eaters thanks to the inclusion of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and other zesty flavorings like lime juice. Additional veggies, such as carrots and red onion, make this a protein-rich meal, as do the scrambled eggs, which are often the highlight of a typical fried rice recipe. If your family isn't big on spice, just go easy on (or omit) the sambal oelek. get the recipe 23 of 30 Crispy Chicken Cutlets Jennifer Causey There's no denying that this 40-minute meal is a major step up from chicken fingers, while still being familiar enough that everyone will like it. Here, chicken breasts are coated with eggs and panko breadcrumbs, which helps ensure maximum crispiness. Eat these cutlets solo, or serve them with a fresh side salad or an easy rice dish. get the recipe 24 of 30 Turkey Burgers With Lime Mayo and Crispy Oven Fries Greg DuPree Sure, turkey burgers in their own might not be the most exciting dinner, but here, the weeknight staple gets a little help from spices blended with the turkey meat, as well as a tangy lime mayo and thick oven-roasted fries. Top the burgers with sliced avocado to give the meal a creamy texture and a nutrient boost. get the recipe 25 of 30 Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce Greg DuPree If you're not familiar with a grandma pie, think of it as a thin-crust pizza that can be made in a standard baking sheet instead of a dedicated pizza oven. This easy version is topped with a rich pink sauce, melted mozzarella, crispy coins of pepperoni, and rounds of red onion, but feel free to customize the toppings to your liking. get the recipe 26 of 30 Orange Chicken Stir-Fry With Rice Noodles Victor Protasio This stir-fry tastes exactly like takeout, which means it's (literally) a recipe for success. The "orange" part of this dish comes from orange marmalade, which adds the citrus flavor as well as a welcome bitter note to balance the sweet and salty elements. The recipe calls for veggies such as snow peas and a red bell pepper, but feel free to swap in some of your faves instead. And if you aren't a fan of rice noodles, white or brown rice will work well too. get the recipe 27 of 30 Wild Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed Shells Greg DuPree Trick your kids into eating more vegetables with these stuffed shells, which are packed with ricotta as well as mushrooms, which stand in for the ground meat filling often found in some stuffed shell recipes, and sautéed spinach. The best part about this recipe is that you'll likely have plenty of leftovers, which will make your week even easier. get the recipe 28 of 30 Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes Greg DuPree This sheet pan meal requires next to zero cleanup and is ready in 30 minutes. It's also balanced thanks to chicken, healthy sweet potatoes, and watercress, and gets an irresistibly flavorful boost courtesy of crisp, salty bacon. get the recipe 23 No-Fail Chicken Dinner Ideas The Whole Family Will Love 29 of 30 Hummus, Tomato, and Feta Pita Pizzas With Arugula Salad Johnny Miller Believe it or not, this 20-minute meal requires almost no cooking, save for toasting the pita bread. Hummus takes the place of tomato sauce, while halved cherry tomatoes and feta cheese make a practically perfect sweet and savory topping combo. get the recipe 30 of 30 Spaghetti Pasta Salad With Avocado-Basil Dressing Victor Protasio For nights when it's too hot to turn on the oven, try this refreshing pasta salad. While you do need to boil water in order to cook the pasta, the noodles are meant to be served at room temperature with a healthy, savory dressing made with Greek yogurt, basil, vinegar, honey, and avocados. Chopped toasted almonds add a satisfying crunch, while fresh cherry tomatoes bring bursts of bright acidity. As an added bonus, whatever you don't eat for dinner makes for one delicious lunch the following day. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit