Easy Dinner Recipes For Family

5 from 2 votes
Jump to RecipeRate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Here are incredibly Easy Dinner Recipes for Family. Most of these recipes can be made in 30 minutes or they require less than 30 minutes of hands-on (prep) time.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Hi friends, is dinner time a struggle? Trust me I KNOW the struggle! Most days I struggle with what to make for dinner.

So I thought it would be great to have some of my favorite easy dinner recipes in one place for a quick reference when I do not know what to make.

4 pictures of easy dinner recipes

These are easy dinner recipes for the family. Most of these recipes can be made in 30 minutes. For those that require more time, the hands-on time is not more than 30 minutes.

Also, these family-friendly recipes are so approachable, requiring pantry staple ingredients (at least for those in the United States). There are no strange or hard-to-find ingredients here!

Planning meals week after week could be such a task. If you need more help with dinner planning, also check out these tips for weekly meal planning and these menu ideas.

Okay, back to today’s post which is a powerhouse of uncomplicated dinner recipes that are way better than ordering takeout!

These Easy Dinner Recipes for Family range from chicken recipes to fish recipes to beef recipes and vegan recipes! There is something for everyone, regardless of what your dietary preferences are.

So bookmark this page to refer to whenever you need quick and easy dinner ideas. I know I will be visiting this post often. It is a good one!

Also, I have updated this page and I will be updating this page often when I add more recipes to my repertoire of easy dinner recipes for family. So be sure to check back for updates.

P.S. If you want to view my full range of dinner recipes check out this page.

Here are easy dinner recipes for family:

1. CHICKEN IN WHITE SAUCE

Chicken in White Sauce
Chicken in White Sauce recipe

Chicken in White Sauce

5 from 5 votes
Luscious chicken in white sauce. It is creamy, garlicky, buttery and so good! A meal fit for kings yet so easy to make It cooks in 30 minutes!
View Recipe

2. EASY CHICKEN STIR FRY

A bowl of rice and chicken stir fry. Easy dinner recipe for family
A bowl of rice and chicken stir fry. Easy dinner recipe for family

Easy Chicken Stir Fry

5 from 2 votes
This Easy Chicken Stir Fry is ready in about 20 minutes. Juicy perfectly seared chunks of garlicky chicken with tasty crispy vegetables. It is perfect with rice! This is the quick fancy balanced weeknight dinner to make. Enjoy, friends!
View Recipe

3. BAKED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

Close-up shot of a baked chicken leg quarter
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters on baking tray

Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

5 from 1 vote
These Baked Chicken Leg Quarters are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and tasty to the bone. The awesome seasoning blend makes the chicken skin taste so good, garlicky, herby like something you will get at a fancy restaurant.
View Recipe

4. CHICKEN AVOCADO SALAD

Chicken and veggies laid out on a platter - such an easy dinner recipe for family
Platter of chicken avocado salad

Chicken Avocado Salad

5 from 1 vote
This Chicken Avocado Salad is on repeat in my home. It is kid-approved, fresh with juicy chunks of chicken and a well-rounded meal. I mostly serve it as a complete meal but it will make a great appetizer, side dish or party salad. So pretty on the table and most importantly, so delicious!
View Recipe

5. CHICKEN COCONUT CURRY IN A HURRY

Best ever chicken coconut curry in a hurry
coconut curry chicken and rice in a bowl

Coconut Curry Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Coconut Curry Chicken is the quick and easy dinner recipe to make when you need to put dinner on the table but you are in a hurry. It is so hearty with the creamy coconutty sauce and crisp vegetables. Serve over hot-fluffy rice!
View Recipe

6. CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS IN CREAMY SAUCE

Close up of chicken drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks in creamy sauce in a cast iron skillet

Chicken Drumsticks in Creamy Sauce

5 from 3 votes
Elevate your chicken drumsticks by making them with this creamy sauce. Chicken Drumsticks in Creamy Sauce is ready in 30 minutes and goes with rice, pasta, and vegetables. Dinner time just got better!
View Recipe

7. AFRICAN SPINACH STEW WITH CHICKEN AND SHRIMP (MORE LIKE A SPINACH SAUTE)

spinach stew Africa
Cameroon spinach stew

African Spinach Stew with Chicken and Shrimp

5 from 6 votes
This spinach stew is made by sauteeing onions then adding in tomatoes to cook and finally some chopped spinach. It is quick, easy and delicious. With only 30 minutes of cooking time, this is the perfect meal for busy weeknights! To make this vegan, use mushrooms in place of chicken and shrimp.
View Recipe

8. PAN SEARED TILAPIA

Close up shot of Pan Seared Tilapia
Pan Seared Tilapia on a serving tray with lime wedges

Pan Seared Tilapia

4.97 from 27 votes
This Pan Seared Tilapia is a great way to cook tilapia fillets to taste really good! Trust me, you will want to double this recipe. I tested the recipe using 1 pound of fillets but my family of 2 adults and 3 kids finished 2 pounds at one go! The fish is out-of-this-world good!
View Recipe

9. CAJUN SALMON

Baked salmon on baking sheet, easy dinner recipe for family
Baked salmon on parchment paper.

Cajun Salmon

5 from 2 votes
We love salmon in my home. This Cajun Salmon is so good because it is ridiculously easy to make with cajun seasoning. Serve with any vegetable or carb-y side you like.
View Recipe

10. SHRIMP PASTA

Blackened Shrimp and Pasta recipe
Blackened shrimp pasta - a flavorful pasta dinner made in 30 minutes. So easy, so delicious.

Blackened Shrimp Pasta

5 from 3 votes
Blackened shrimp pasta – a flavorful pasta dinner made in 30 minutes. So easy, so delicious.
View Recipe

11. JOLLOF RICE WITH SHRIMP

African Jollof Rice cooked with shrimp
Jollof rice made with shrimp

Jollof Rice with Shrimp

5 from 1 vote
West African famous meal Jollof Rice made with Shrimp is comfort food at its best! Flavorful shrimp with aromatic rice adorned with vibrant fresh veggies. This Jollof Rice with Shrimp all happens in one pot, it is made with pantry staples and requires very little prep time!
View Recipe

12. LEMON BUTTER TILAPIA – SUPER EASY DINNER RECIPE

Lemon butter tilapia fillets on a plate
Lemon butter tilapia fillets on a plate

Lemon Butter Tilapia

4.75 from 4 votes
This Lemon Butter Tilapia recipe takes tilapia to the next level. First the fish is pan seared to golden perfection then drenched in a garlicky lemony buttery insanely good lemon butter sauce. The perfect meal to enjoy with a wide array of side dishes.
View Recipe

13. WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP

African Peanut Butter Stew served with rice and plantains.
Bowl of African Peanut Stew

African Peanut Stew – Mafe

5 from 3 votes
Luscious glistening African Peanut Stew! Travel to West Africa by making this hearty stew. It will give new meaning to your boiled rice. It will make you cry happy tears. It is one recipe you will want to make over and over again. Enjoy!
View Recipe

14. EASY BEEF STIR FRY

Easy beef stir fry and rice - an easy dinner recipe for family
Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Easy Beef Stir Fry

5 from 2 votes
Easy Beef Stir Fry that happens in 30 minutes. Once you marinate your beef, you are good to go! I used bell peppers in this recipe but feel free to use any veggies you like alongside the beef. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
View Recipe

15. PAN SEARED STEAK

A cast iron skillet with two chunks of rib eye steak
2 cooked ribeye steaks in a cast iron pan

Pan Seared Ribeye Steak

5 from 2 votes
Pan Seared Ribeye Steak is one of the tastiest things I ever put in my mouth! Incredible flavorful meat that only needs a little seasoning to shine. You will feel like you are dining at a 5-star restaurant when you try this. Elegant enough for special occasions like date night, Valentines Day and easy enough to make on weeknights or Sunday Supper. Serve with some sautéed vegetables and you have a magnificent meal!
View Recipe

16. AFRICAN BEEF STEW

African Beef Stew Recipe
African Beef Stew Recipe

African Beef Stew

5 from 2 votes
See Recipe Video Above. African Beef Stew is quite different from American Beef Stew. The main ingredient is tomato so you may as well call it a tomato stew. My method of making African Beef Stew includes cooking the tomatoes with a tasty blend of spices then adding the oil at the end. The taste is out of this world!
View Recipe

17. OVEN BAKED JOLLOF RICE (VEGAN)

Jollof Rice made in the oven
Oven-Baked Jollof Rice Recipe

How to Cook Jollof Rice in the Oven

5 from 5 votes
West African Jollof Rice made in the oven with big flavors. This is Jollof Rice made easy yet it is so tasty. 
View Recipe

18. LENTIL STEW (VEGAN)

A pot of Lentil Stew garnished with chopped fresh parsley and green onions
Spoon digging into a bowl of Lentil Stew.

Lentil Stew

5 from 2 votes
The secret is in the combination of spices used! This yields a really flavorful Lentil Stew that makes a nutritious vegetarian or vegan dinner. Enjoy as is or pair with some crusty bread, cornbread or rice. This is one yumminess you'll need to make over and over again.
View Recipe

19. COCONUT FRIED RICE (VEGAN)

Coconut Fried rice with coconut oil

Coconut Fried Rice

5 from 2 votes
Coconut Fried Rice is pure fried rice epicness. The rice is cooked in coconut milk then stir-fried in coconut oil. Perfectly coconutty and vegan!
View Recipe

20. MUSHROOM FRIED RICE (VEGAN EASY DINNER RECIPE FOR FAMILY)

A pan of mushroom fried rice. Get mushroom fried rice recipe on Precious Core. #EasyDinner
Mushroom fried rice recipe.

Mushroom Fried Rice

5 from 2 votes
I love 30 minute meals like this healthy insanely delish and vegan mushroom fried rice! It comes together in no time especially if you precook the rice before and save in the fridge. You won’t miss the meat in this one!
View Recipe

21. MIXED VEGETABLES WITH CABBAGE (VEGAN)

Mixed vegetables with cabbage on a plate
Cameroonian Cabbage Stew served with baked plantain fries.

Mixed Vegetables with Cabbage

5 from 2 votes
This medley of vegetables is an easy delicious way to get lots of veggies into your body. The veggies taste great due to the epic spice blend I use. Enjoy your mixed vegetables with cabbage as is or enjoy with a starchy side of choice. So scrumptious!
View Recipe

FAVORITE TOOLS FOR MAKING EASY DINNER RECIPES FOR FAMILY

Also friends, here are my favorite tools that help make dinner time a breeze for me! These are affiliate links which means if you purchase any of these tools through these links I will earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.

  1. Cast Iron Skillet. I use my cast iron skillet all the time! It is great for searing fish, chicken or meat and it can easily go from stovetop to oven. Every home cook needs a cast iron skillet!
  2. Dried Spices. Dried Spices and herbs make life so much easier and I use them all the time! With a good spice collection, you get great tasting food without always having to prep fresh spices and herbs.
  3. Cast Iron Braiser. I use my cast iron braiser all the time! It is a great pot for making one pot meals and can also easily go from stovetop to oven.
  4. Non-Stick Baking Sheets. Nonstick baking sheets are great for grilling and baking!
  5. Disposable Foil Pans. Disposable foil pans make cleaning after cooking a breeze. Just throw them away!

For more tips on conquering dinner time, check out these ways to become a good cook and this post on kitchen essentials.

Cooking for yourself and your family is one of the most productive and important things you can do in life. Because nourishing your body right is necessary.

Therefore investing in making dinner time easier should be a priority. These easy dinner recipes for family are recipes I enjoy making for my family.

I really hope this post makes dinner time quicker and easier for you no matter how busy your life is.

If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to leave them below. I love hearing from you guys!

*This post contains affiliate links.

4 pictures of easy dinner recipes

Easy Dinner Recipes For Family

5 from 2 votes
Easy Dinner Recipes For Family because you have more things to be doing with your time than slaving in the kitchen every day. These dinner recipes are quick, easy, approachable and family-friendly. I have gathered my favorite family-friendly dinner recipes in one place so you can print out this list and refer to whenever you need easy dinner ideas. Hope they make dinner time easier for you!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Notes

1. A cast-iron skillet makes like in the kitchen so much easier! It is great for cooking fish and chicken and it can also easily go from stovetop to oven. You can easily get one from the kitchen section of a supermarket or get one from amazon.com.
2. Always keep a wide collection of dried spices on hand. My favorite most used dried spices and herbs include dried garlic, onion powder, ginger, paprika, thyme, curry powder, white pepper and red pepper flakes.
3. Learning how to boil rice perfectly is essential! Because with perfectly boiled rice, you can easily make some stir-fry, a curry or some stew to go with the rice. Here is a great post on how to cook rice perfectly and easily every time!

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcal

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Western
Calories: 416
Tried this recipe?Mention @preciouscore or tag #PreciousCore!

About Precious

Welcome to my core! I am Precious Nkeih, the recipe developer and writer right here on my blog, Precious Core. My goal is to show you insanely delicious recipes you can replicate in your kitchen. And I love to tell stories too. Hope you find recipes here that will make cooking easier for you! Check me out on YouTube at YouTube.com/PreciousKitchen.


You Might Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. Hi Precious,

    Thank you for all these findings and am really feeling the taste for am from that area you mention back home. Achu, fufu corn , njam njama , plantains, cornchaff, jeloff etc are all my favourites.. You are just best , you have the touch and do what i know.

    I will request you to inform me on a good research what powder or a substance that is organic or can be joint together to make our stews a bit thicker for accompaning rice, fufu and other carbos, just to make sure there is no water running side by side the oil after final cooking.

    Thanks for your great stuff its teaching and enriching.

    Best Regards

    Francis A Vitung.

    1. Hi Francis, I am so glad the recipes have been useful. You do not need to add any substance to thicken stews. Just blend lots of tomatoes and onions together then fry the mixture in oil until the tomatoes no longer taste sour. Then you can add spices like garlic, ginger, herbs, etc. Add very little water to your stew so it isn’t watery. You can use the search button on the right side of the blog to search for my stew recipes. Hope this helps.

  2. Hello precious thank you 🙏 for these amazing meals/menu.can I have a link to your meals monthly planner please?