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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Family Friendly Recipes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals

    Published: Aug 13, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, but with the right recipes, they can become a fun and enjoyable part of the day. Here are 17 family-friendly meals that are easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table. From quick pastas to hearty stews, these dishes will help you create delicious dinners without the stress.

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick and satisfying meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce is rich with flavors from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mix of dried herbs. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    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 recipe that fits perfectly into any busy weeknight.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It combines two delicious cheeses, with a nice kick from Gorgonzola, and adds a satisfying crunch from walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and quick meal option for busy weeknights.

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    One Pot Creamy Vegetable Soup

    One pot creamy vegetable soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    You can change the vegetables to whatever you like or use this as a way to use up leftovers and random bits from your fridge. It's a flexible dish that fits your preferences and helps reduce food waste. Perfect for those nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Bacon Steak Wraps with Blue Cheese Dressing

    Bacon Steak Wraps with Blue Cheese Dressing.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Bacon-wrapped chuck steak bites are packed with flavor and served with a delicious homemade blue cheese dressing. This dish is sure to satisfy and will have everyone wanting more.

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    Salmon Stew

    A bowl of salmon stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Salmon Stew is a warm and satisfying dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Using simple ingredients and an easy cooking method, it's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. This stew is a great way to enjoy fish and will likely become a favorite in your home.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    The Walking Taco Casserole is a fantastic comfort food that everyone will enjoy. It features layers of tasty ground beef, melted cheese, and the delightful crunch of Fritos. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or fun get-togethers, making it a go-to choice for any occasion.

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    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Melt in your Mouth Chicken is a simple dish that uses just six ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and baked to perfection, resulting in juicy and tender meat. This is a great dinner choice for busy weeknights or when you just want something easy on the weekends.

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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 great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It's a rich and hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe lets you enjoy a comforting dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice is a simple one-pot meal that's perfect for busy families. The chicken turns out tender, the rice is fluffy, and the crunchy broccoli adds a nice touch. This dish is great for a cozy dinner without a lot of work.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a comforting mix of creamy steak and mushroom pasta baked into a cheesy casserole. It's a cozy yet 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.

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    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta

    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This 20-Minute, One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta is a healthy and tasty option for a quick meal. It's a simple skillet dish that fits perfectly into busy weeknights. With just one pan to clean, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner on any weeknight. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that you'll want to add to your regular rotation.

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    Massaman Chicken Curry

    A bowl of massaman chicken curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This authentic Massaman Chicken Curry (Gaeng Massaman Gai) is made in one pot in just 45 minutes, using store-bought curry paste. With coconut milk, chicken, potatoes and peanuts it's super creamy, subtly sweet and not so spicy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew is a classic comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to any meal. With tender meat and a mix of tasty vegetables, this dish has a nice smoky flavor that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup is both healthy and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. It's gluten and dairy free, so it works for a variety of diets. The soup is cooked in the crockpot with poblano peppers, giving it a nice Southwest flavor. Just set it up and let it simmer while you take care of other things.

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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 ready in just 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

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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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