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    Home » Weeknight Dinners

    18 Kid-Approved Meal Prep Dinners That Are Perfect for Weeknights

    Published: Sep 3, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding meals that kids will actually eat can be a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. These 18 meal prep dinners are not only easy to make but also kid-approved, making them perfect for the whole family. With a variety of flavors and ingredients, these recipes will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta paired with a cheesy casserole. It's a comforting and classy dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes. Using an oven-safe skillet means you can prepare everything in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    Creamy pesto gnocchi.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This creamy dish is sure to keep you coming back for more. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With its rich flavors and easy preparation, this meal is a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty dinner without a lot of work.

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    Skillet Chicken with Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Skillet Chicken with Cream of Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Skillet chicken with cream of mushroom soup turns plain chicken breast and a classic pantry item into a simple, flavorful one-pan dinner. It's a quick and easy option that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights. This dish is satisfying and brings a comforting taste to your table.

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    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce are a quick and satisfying meal that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. This dish combines tender, garlic-flavored chicken wrapped in soft tortillas, all smothered in melted cheese and a delicious green chile sauce. Whether you want to make everything from scratch or take a shortcut, it's a flexible option for any night of the week.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce without spending hours in the kitchen. It combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients, all made with simple items you probably already have at home. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe gives you a delicious meal with minimal effort.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce combines crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano for a delicious flavor that everyone will love. With just a few common ingredients and minimal prep, this meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thin chicken breasts cooked in an air fryer offer a quick and easy dinner option. In just 6 minutes, you can have a flavorful meal ready to enjoy, seasoned with garlic and basil for extra taste. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Penne Pasta

    Chicken served over penne pasta.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Fresh Roma tomatoes and hearty spinach come together in this creamy pasta dish, bringing a nice kick from chili flakes and a zesty touch from lemon. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that hits the spot without requiring much effort. Perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious but don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features soft potatoes, beef, and corn all mixed together in a creamy mushroom sauce. Topped with melted cheese right before serving, it's a hearty meal that's perfect for any night. It's the kind of comfort food you'll find yourself wanting to make again and again.

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    Lemongrass Chicken

    Lemongrass chicken.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Lemongrass chicken is a favorite in Vietnamese cuisine, known for its bright citrus flavor and savory garlic. It's a versatile dish that can be tossed into rice bowls, noodle dishes, and more. This meal is simple to prepare and brings a refreshing taste to your dinner table.

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    Pasta Salad

    Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    This pasta salad is a great side dish that combines fresh vegetables, cheese, and pepperoni with a tasty homemade Italian dressing. It's simple to put together and uses everyday ingredients, making it perfect for any meal. Whether you're having a barbecue or just need something quick to go with dinner, this salad fits the bill.

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    30-Minute Nacho Chicken Soup

    Nacho chicken soup in a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This 30-Minute Nacho Chicken Soup is packed with rich flavors and is sure to please everyone at the table. It's a fantastic choice for a weeknight dinner when you want something quick and satisfying. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for those evenings when you want a quick meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer steak bites come together in less than 10 minutes, making this a quick dinner option that everyone in the family will enjoy. The steak is marinated in a mix of lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, which helps to tenderize the meat and pack in plenty of flavor. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is quick and easy, taking only 8-10 minutes to cook. The marinade not only adds delicious flavor but also helps to make the meat tender. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
    Photo Credit: Mae's Menu.

    Creamy, savory, and ready in just a few simple steps, Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is comfort in a bowl. This family-friendly dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes and is made in just a few easy steps!

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    Instant Pot Pulled Pork

    Pulled pork on a bun.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot pulled pork is perfect for feeding a crowd or when dinner needs to be quick and easy. Using a pressure cooker, this BBQ pulled pork comes out incredibly tender in just over an hour, and it requires very little effort. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

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    Cottage Cheese Lasagna

    Cottage Cheese Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Ambitious Foodie.

    Cottage cheese lasagna is a classic comfort food that's simple to make. You can prepare it ahead of time, up to five days in advance, so it's perfect for when you want a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Enjoy a satisfying home-cooked dish whenever it fits into your schedule.

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    More Weeknight Dinners

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      22 Weeknight Dinners Your Family Will Actually Get Excited About
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      50 Insanely Good Recipes for Busy Weeknights
    • Cottage pie.
      23 Kid-Approved Beef Dinners Made for the Chilly Months
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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