Easy Last-Minute Dinners the Whole Family Will Love

We’ve all had those days — the ones that fly by in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, it’s time to put dinner on the table. You’re exhausted, and you just know you don’t have it in you to spend hours preparing a big meal. When you’re low on time and energy (and let’s face it, when aren’t we these days?), you want to whip up something quick and easy that the whole family will still love.

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Because let’s be real — on those days, you really don’t want to deal with the added hassle of making individual meals for each kid or trying to placate your picky eaters. You need a recipe that will be a hit with everyone, not to mention something you feel good about serving to your favorite people.

Fortunately, we live in a day and age when food bloggers have made life a little easier for the rest of us by sharing their favorite no-fuss recipes. We combed the internet to find easy recipes that don’t require tons of prep work or any fancy cooking skills, but the best part? They are sure to please every palate in your household.

A version of this article was originally published in July 2018.

  • King Ranch Chicken

    Image Credit: Leite's Culinaria.

    So you stocked up on frozen chicken and now you don’t know how to use it all. May we suggest the most delicious recipe you’ve never heard of — King Ranch Chicken. It’s got ooey gooey cheese, roasted peppers and layers of corn tortillas. 

    Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria. 

  • Sausage Kale Pasta Bake

    Image Credit: Simple & Savory.

    Yes, this dish is full of pasta and sausage but the kale off sets all of those carbs, right? We certainly think so. 

    Get the recipe from Simple & Savory. 

  • Spring Pea and Bacon Flatbread

    Image Credit: Southern Cast Iron.

    Peas on pizza. You probably never imagined it would taste amazing, right? We didn’t either until we tried this recipe. Just trust us on this one, guys. You’re going to love it. 

    Get the recipe from Southern Cast Iron. 

  • Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

    Image Credit: Plain Chicken.

    Plain Chicken’s Stephanie Parker gushes that this soup “should come with a warning label” — it’s that addictive. Think of it as classic chicken noodle soup kissed by the cheese and bacon gods.

    Get the recipe from Plain Chicken.

  • Chicken & Preserved Lemon Salad

    Image Credit: Leite’s Culinaria.

    This bright and flavorful salad from Leite’s Culinaria will add some much-needed variety to your weeknight meal rotation. Chances are you already have most of (if not all) the ingredients you need in your kitchen, and your kids won’t even realize they’re being tricked into eating something healthy.

    Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria.

  • Turkey-Avocado BLT Croissant Sandwich

    Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

    How could this recipe not be a hit? It combines BLTs and croissants, two things with a practically universal appeal. Plus, you could always adjust the ingredients depending on what you already have in your fridge. 

    Get the recipe from Culinary Hill.

  • Summer Skillet Gnocchi

    Image Credit: How Sweet Eats.

    With grilled corn, mini-gnocchi and plenty of Parm, this summery dish will remind your kids of comforting corn chowder while giving you a bit of refinement. 

    Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

  • Last-Minute Chicken

    Image Credit: I Wash You Dry.

    Chicken is always a hit, right? This recipe keeps it short, simple and focused on flavor with skinless chicken thighs tossed in tasty seasoning and then baked or grilled. 

    Get the recipe from I Wash You Dry.

  • Beef Stroganoff Soup

    Image Credit: Jo Cooks.

    What do you get when you combine classic beef stroganoff with the comfort of soup? This dreamy one-pot, 30-minute recipe packed with flavor. 

    Get the recipe from Jo Cooks.

  • Crispy Baked Breaded Pork Chops

    Image Credit: Yummy Healthy Easy.

    This dish boasts some pretty impressive stats considering it consists of only four ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to serve. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it’s the healthier yet equally tasty version of guilty indulgence fried pork chops. 

    Get the recipe from Yummy Healthy Easy.

  • Pineapple-Ham Sheet Pan

    Image Credit: Whole Kitchen Sink.

    When you’re in a pinch, you can’t go wrong with a sheet pan meal! This version includes kid-friendly favorites like carrots, potatoes, ham and turkey — not to mention it’s Whole30- and paleo-friendly. 

    Get the recipe from Whole Kitchen Sink.

  • Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs With Lemon Zucchini Noodles

    Image Credit: Eatwell 101.

    Kids scarf down spaghetti and meatballs, and this tasty skillet dish is close enough to the original to pique their interest. Bonus? It’s light and healthy fare with enough sophistication to make your grown-up palate happy.

    Get the recipe from Eatwell 101.

  • One-Pot Taco Mac

    Image Credit: The Cozy Cook.

    C’mon — it’s creamy mac ‘n’ cheese loaded with taco fixin’s. You know your kids are going to ask for seconds (and thirds) of this genius one-pot meal. 

    Get the recipe from The Cozy Cook.

  • P.F. Chang’s-Style Mongolian Beef

    Image Credit: Savory Tooth.

    Even the pickiest eater won’t be able to resist this Mongolian beef drenched in sticky sauce, ideal for pairing with rice or noodles. Best part? The stir-fry only takes 15 minutes to make!

    Get the recipe from Savory Tooth.

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    Image Credit: Eatwell 101. Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows.

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