Easy Fun Dinner Ideas For Family

Howdy, friends! Here at The Pioneer Woman, we're all about easy, comforting, and delicious recipes. (But you know that already 😉.) It's the reason why Ree Drummond's family dinner ideas are always a hit around the table. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, hungry teenagers, or a bunch of cowboys, you can always count on Ree's easy dinner recipes to make supper a breeze. That's why we've rounded up her best family meals for every night of the week—comforting chicken recipes, creative steak dinners, budget-friendly meals, and so much more! We keep it really family-friendly around here, Ree says. It's no wonder her kids love coming home to the Drummond ranch!

Here, you'll find tons of quick 30-minute meals and sheet pan suppers that make cleanup easy. Looking for something big enough to feed your hungry crowd of kids? Look no further than The Pioneer Woman's best casserole dishes —like her green chile enchilada casserole or the cheesy lasagna. You'll also find some new twists on childhood classics, like a sloppy joe casserole that's both fun and messy to eat! Along with these comfort food recipes, we've made sure to include some ways to make weeknight dinner fun—like Tex-Mex recipes for taco Tuesdays, cheesy baked pasta recipes, homemade pizzas, and a Sunday dinner that's fit for a crowd. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get cooking!

Super

This hearty meat sauce makes a big batch so you can prep it on a Sunday and enjoy throughout the week. Ree even suggests stashing containers of it in the freezer for those nights when you simply don't want to cook!

Easy Dinner Ideas To Make Tonight!

This recipe for honey mustard chicken might just be the most versatile one yet! You can use the marinade for breasts or thighs depending on your family's preferences and make it on the grill or stovetop.

Not only are these stuffed peppers pretty and comforting, but they're also a healthy dinner that you can feel good about serving to your family. You'll get your grains, meat, and veggies all in one dish.

There's a reason this is one of Ree's most bookmarked and printed recipes of all time. It's so darn delicious! And if you can't find Cajun spice mix, just make your own.

Easy Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love

This hearty bowl of chili is loaded with two types of beans, warm spices, and comforting sweet potatoes. You won't even need to tell your family that's actually meat-free.

Turn a classic party dip into a hearty main course! This mash-up of creamy pasta and spinach-artichoke dip will become a new favorite.

It doesn't get more comforting that cheesy grits topped with spicy Cajun shrimp! You'll be glad to know that the whole thing comes together in just 20 minutes.

Best Easy Dinner Ideas

Everything about this dish is delicious—the crispy chicken thighs cooked in bacon drippings, the creamy gravy, and even the mashed potatoes on the side!

If you want to make your house smell incredible, just start cooking this hearty beef stew. It gets all its flavor from bacon, garlic, thyme, and a whole bottle of red wine!

You've likely seen variations of this popular pasta on the internet. Our version uses both feta and cream cheese so it's almost like a mac and cheese!

Easy Dinner Ideas

One pot is all you need to make this creamy gnocchi recipe that's loaded with sausage and garlic breadcrumbs. That means less cleanup at the end of the night!

Remember that boxed hamburger helper when you were a kid? Well, we're giving it a much-needed upgrade by making it from scratch.

Brighten up your dinner table with this flavorful curry made with coconut milk, ginger, warm spices, and sweet mango. Serve it over rice and watch your family gather round.

Easy Dinner Recipes For Family

This creamy, luxurious pasta sauce is just like the kind you might find at your favorite Italian restaurant. Serve it up with extra grated parmesan and red pepper flakes if you like a kick.

Easy

You don't need any fancy tools to make pizza from scratch! This version uses a sheet pan to make a cheesy pepperoni pie that's big enough for a crowd.

This moist, flaky salmon has a simple honey, mustard and lemon juice marinade that makes all the difference. It's what gives the fish a nice glaze.

Easy Quick Family Dinners To Delight Every Night

Taco night gets a whole new spin with this casserole recipe that's fit for a crowd! Don't worry, you can still top it with all your favorite taco toppings.

Don't let risotto scare you! It's surprisingly easy to make. This version has bits of tender squash to make it even creamier.

We love when you can throw everything into a slow cooker and go on with the rest of your day. That's exactly what you can do with this hearty beef chili. When you're ready to serve, set up a DIY chili bar with toppings like chips, cheese, and sour cream!

Easy Dinner Ideas You Can Make Tonight!

Save Leftover Easter Ham for Split Pea Soup Country-Style Ribs Are Fall-Off-the-Bone Tender Wake Up to a Big, Beautiful Easter Brunch Meatless Meals for Every Night of the Week

A Slow Cooker Makes Corned Beef and Cabbage Easier Ree's Perfect Pancakes Come With Plenty of Butter Our 100 All-Time Best Easter Dinner Ideas This Cabbage and Sausage Is Quick-Fix Comfort Food

Best

22 Dinners to Keep You Satisfied Over Lent Ree's Famous Easter Ham Is Glazed With Dr Pepper 25 Easter Casseroles to Feed a Crowd These Steaks Give Cabbage a Main Dish MakeoveThese simple yet satisfying meals not only save time but also ensure that everyone's taste preferences are met, making dinnertime stress-free and effortless!

Quick Family Dinners For Busy Nights

Are you looking for quick and easy dinner ideas for a family with kids? I’ve rounded up a list of simple meals that are made with just a few cheap ingredients! Everything from ground beef and chicken to carb loaded comfort foods.

I think most kids are notorious picky eaters, which makes it difficult to find family meals that everyone can agree on. My daughter will tell you everything is too spicy, my husband just wants a big plate full of meat, and I usually prefer a little healthy rabbit food like a beet salad. Try putting that all together! It ain’t easy making everyone happy.

Fortunately, I’ve rounded up a few delicious recipes over the years that my entire family agrees on, plus they make for great last minute dinners, especially if you’re a lazy cook like me. These are all perfect for busy moms and dads on a budget! And who isn’t these days?

Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas

This is my all time favorite dinner for busy weeknights! It’s made with just 3 ingredients that last for a long time, so as long as you keep them in stock, you’ll always have a kid-friendly dinner ready to be made. It’s vegetarian, but you can add ground beef or sausage to the layers if you’d like, as well as any veggies you happen to have on hand like mushrooms or zucchini to make it healthy.

I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it’s always a hit with my kids. I do recommend the “StoveTop” brand of stuffing because it’s packed full of flavor, making any additional seasoning unnecessary. You could also add other soft veggies to the mix if you’d like such as squash, corn or mushrooms.

I’ve never been much of a meatloaf fan, but this recipe is killer! The box of stuffing makes all the difference. Feel free to add anything else to the mix that you’d like such as onion, garlic or cheese.

Quick

Easy Family Dinner Ideas For Busy Weeknights

So easy to make in your slow cooker with just 3 ingredients! The chicken turns out really tender and easy to shred, making it perfect for tacos or burritos. You may want to add in some additional seasoning depending on the brand of salsa you use and your personal preference. Serve with shredded cheese, fresh tomato, avocado, cilantro, jalapeño or anything else you’d like!

I love sheet pan meals because they require very little cleanup and dishes with everything just cooking to perfection on a single pan. These chicken fajitas are a great oven meal served with warm flour tortillas, shredded cheese, avocado and sour cream. My picky eaters love them!

The ultimate comfort food, especially during the cold winter months! You will be pleasantly surprised at how tender and flavorful this beef is. Cook it with potatoes and veggies to make it a complete meal, or over a heaping pile of mashed potatoes.

Family Friendly Love: Recipes For An Unforgettable Valentine's Day Dinner

If you’re looking for easy ground beef dinner recipes, this hamburger casserole is the ultimate cheese lover’s dream come true! It’s made with just a handful of cheap ingredients, and is just as good leftover for lunch or dinner the next day. Two meals in one!

Zesty shredded chicken served on toasted buns with a store-bought packet of coleslaw. Yes, please! You can throw this chicken in your crockpot before work and come back to dinner ready to be served. This is one of my daughter’s favorite meals.

Made with just a handful of ingredients, this is my favorite way to bake chicken! It’s naturally low carb but you can serve it with anything you’d like such as rice or pasta. I like to eat it over a heaping bed of seasoned cauliflower rice.