10 Easy Weeknight Dinners for Busy Families

Posted on by Morgan

When you’re juggling a busy schedule, finding quick and easy dinner recipes is essential. These 10 weeknight dinners are not only simple to prepare but also delicious and satisfying, perfect for busy families.

1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until translucent.
  2. Add chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides.
  3. Stir in rice, chicken broth, and frozen peas and carrots.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until rice is cooked and chicken is tender.

2. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Tortillas and toppings (sour cream, salsa, cheese) for serving

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Toss shrimp, bell peppers, and onion with olive oil and fajita seasoning.
  3. Spread out on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until shrimp are pink and vegetables are tender.
  4. Serve with tortillas and desired toppings.

3. Easy Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooked egg noodles for serving

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add onions, garlic, and mushrooms; cook until tender.
  3. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add beef broth and bring to a simmer.
  4. Return beef to the skillet and stir in sour cream. Cook until heated through and serve over egg noodles.

4. Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pound ground beef or sausage (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and return to pot.
  3. If using meat, cook it in a skillet until browned; drain and add to pasta.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce, ricotta, and Italian seasoning.
  5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

5. Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • Cooked rice for serving

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in vegetables and cook until tender.
  4. Add soy sauce and hoisin sauce; cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  5. Serve over cooked rice.

6. Quick Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • Taco shells or tortillas

Instructions:

  1. Cook ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add taco seasoning and water according to packet instructions; simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Serve in taco shells or tortillas with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

7. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix spinach, feta, and garlic in a bowl.
  3. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast and stuff with the spinach mixture.
  4. Season chicken with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

8. One-Pot Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, cook ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add onions and garlic; cook until softened.
  3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, broth, chili powder, and cumin.
  4. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, until flavors are melded.

9. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  3. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Toss with cooked pasta, lemon juice, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

10. Veggie Quesadillas

Ingredients:

  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Sour cream and salsa for serving

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté vegetables until tender.
  2. Place a tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle with cheese. Add sautéed vegetables and top with another tortilla.
  3. Cook until cheese is melted and tortilla is golden, flipping once.
  4. Slice into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.

These easy weeknight dinners are perfect for busy families, providing quick, nutritious, and tasty meals that everyone will enjoy.