Weeknight dinners can be tricky when everyone wants something different, but these 25 recipes make it simple to please the whole table. The meals are easy to make and full of flavors that everyone actually enjoys, so dinner is less stressful on you. From cheesy pastas to flavorful chicken dishes, these recipes have the whole family asking for seconds before the plates are even empty.
Shredded BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Give these turkey burgers a try for a fun weeknight dinner that feels different from the usual. Ground turkey is seasoned with mild spices and topped with crunchy vegetables, cooking quickly on the stove to save time. The burger shape and bold flavors make it easy for kids to enjoy while leaving plates empty fast.
Get the Recipe: Asian-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Meatballs and Sauce
Serve juicy meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce for a filling dinner that comes together quickly. The sauce is thick and flavorful, and the meatballs are tender enough to pair with pasta, rice, or bread. Kids find the bites easy to eat and satisfying, making this a meal that often disappears before the adults finish.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Toss grape tomatoes and creamy ricotta with pasta for a meal that is simple but full of flavor. It cooks in about 30 minutes and uses just a few ingredients for an easy weeknight dinner. Kids enjoy the soft noodles and creamy cheese, turning this into a recipe that usually ends with requests for another helping.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Scoop together creamy chicken salad for a dinner that is both light and filling without much effort. It can be served on bread, crackers, or lettuce for a quick, hands-on meal. Kids enjoy the creamy bites, making this a kid-friendly recipe that often has everyone going back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Honey Glazed Chicken
Coat tender chicken in a sticky honey glaze for a simple and flavorful dinner that cooks quickly. Each bite is sweet and savory, making it fun to eat for little hands. This recipe is a kid-approved favorite that tends to disappear fast and often shows up again on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Mix tender shredded chicken with sweet and smoky BBQ sauce for a fast dinner that can be used in sandwiches, tacos, or over rice. It’s simple to prepare and fills the table quickly with satisfying flavors. Kids enjoy the sticky, flavorful bites, making this a recipe that rarely lasts long at the table.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Marinate chicken in bright lemon before cooking it on skewers for a fast and flavorful dinner. The skewers make the meal interactive and easy to serve for weeknights. Kids enjoy holding the chicken on sticks and tasting the tangy flavor, making this a recipe that often gets requested again.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Chicken Fried Rice
Combine tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy rice for a filling dinner that cooks quickly in one pan. The familiar flavors make it an easy choice for picky eaters while still satisfying adults. This kid-friendly recipe is fast, flavorful, and tends to disappear before anyone can ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cook quinoa, beans, and salsa together in one pan for a dinner that is simple, hearty, and flavorful. The mix is fast to make, leaving minimal cleanup after a busy evening. Kids enjoy the soft bites with the familiar flavors, making this recipe one that often disappears from plates quickly.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Roll cheesy lasagna noodles into bite-sized portions for a dinner that is easy to serve and satisfying to eat. The rolls bake quickly, making them perfect for nights when time is short. Kids love picking up the cheesy bites, making this a recipe that rarely lasts long on the table.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
Ground turkey mixed with mashed sweet potatoes creates meatballs that are soft, flavorful, and easy to eat for little hands. They bake quickly and pair perfectly with rice, pasta, or vegetables for a complete dinner that satisfies the whole table. These tender bites disappear fast and often lead to requests for another plate right away.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Turkey Meatballs
Lemon Butter Pasta
Pasta tossed in a creamy butter sauce with a touch of lemon delivers a light, comforting, and flavorful meal in just minutes. The smooth sauce coats every strand for a satisfying, easy-to-eat dinner that works for busy nights. Plates are usually emptied quickly as the buttery, zesty flavor keeps everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Chicken and Dumplings
Tender chicken and soft dumplings simmer in a rich, savory broth to create a filling one-pot meal that is simple to make. The dumplings soak up the flavorful broth, giving every bite a comforting and satisfying taste. This hearty dinner tends to vanish quickly and often ends with everyone asking for another serving.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Potato Gnocchi
Soft potato gnocchi cook in minutes and pair wonderfully with simple sauces for a quick and satisfying dinner. The pillowy texture makes every bite fun to pick up and pop into mouths without effort. These chewy, tender bites are usually gone before anyone can ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Crisp tortillas cook quickly in the air fryer to make a golden, crunchy base ready for favorite toppings that everyone can choose. The mini pizzas are fast, hands-on, and perfect for little fingers to grab. Plates are often empty within minutes as the cheesy, flavorful bites disappear from the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Carnitas
Slow-cooked pork turns tender, juicy, and full of bold flavor, making it perfect for tacos, sandwiches, or bowls. The recipe is simple to prepare and offers a meal that fills the table with satisfying bites. Each savory piece tends to vanish fast, making it a dinner that often gets requested again.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Hot dogs wrapped in buttery crescent dough bake into soft, golden rolls that are fun for little hands to hold and eat. They cook quickly and can be served as a meal or a hearty snack without fuss. The combination of soft dough and savory filling disappears fast, leaving everyone asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Crescent Roll Bagel Dogs
Tomato Lime Chicken
Juicy chicken cooks with tangy tomato and bright lime, creating a flavorful dinner that takes very little effort to make. The dish pairs easily with rice, tacos, or simple sides, giving everyone a plate they can enjoy. The bold, zesty bites usually vanish quickly and often inspire requests for a second serving.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Chicken Taco Wraps
Rotisserie chicken, fresh vegetables, and soft tortillas come together to make fast, customizable wraps that everyone can build. The hands-on process keeps dinner fun and lets each person control their favorite flavors. Plates often empty quickly as the tasty wraps are eaten with eager hands at the table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Southwest Tortilla Pie
Layers of crispy tortillas, beans, chicken, and melted cheese bake into a colorful, flavorful pie that is easy to slice and serve. The recipe comes together quickly for a satisfying meal that fills everyone up. Each cheesy, layered bite tends to disappear fast, making this a repeat-worthy dinner for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie
Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls filled with gooey cheese, chicken, and spinach bake quickly into a fun and easy meal for dinner. The warm rolls are simple to handle and let everyone pull apart the cheesy filling themselves. Plates usually clear fast as the gooey, savory rolls disappear before anyone realizes it.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Salmon cooks in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic and Parmesan, making a rich and flavorful dinner in under 30 minutes. The sauce coats each piece and gives the dish a comforting, satisfying taste that works well for picky eaters. Each tender, creamy bite vanishes quickly and often sparks requests for the recipe again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Tender chicken and vegetables simmer in a savory broth and are topped with golden, fluffy biscuits that soak up the sauce. The meal comes together easily and offers a complete dinner that is both filling and satisfying. The warm, hearty bites usually disappear fast, leaving the table empty in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Cacio e Pepe
Simple pasta tossed with cheese and a hint of pepper creates a creamy, comforting dish that is ready in minutes. The flavors are easy to love and satisfy everyone at the table without extra effort. Plates are often cleared quickly as the cheesy, peppery noodles vanish before anyone notices.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Tender chicken, noodles, and savory broth come together quickly in the Instant Pot for a fast, filling dinner. The familiar flavors make a meal that is both comforting and easy to serve on busy nights. Ladling a bowl often leads to empty bowls and requests for seconds before dinner is done.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup