Find the best, easy weeknight family dinners with these 30-minutes (or less!) ideas. With options to make them ahead, freeze them for later, and share with kids of any age.

broccoli mac and cheese in bowls on counter.

I know that we’re all looking for toddler meals that can be made quickly, so this list includes 15 of our favorite easy weeknight dinners for families. Each can be enjoyed by both the kids and the adults at the table and are versatile to help you use pantry and fridge staples you might have on hand.

Each recipe here can be made in less than 30 minutes and can be easily rounded out with a simple side. (See ideas at the end.)

I hope these help you feed your family on those busy days—whether you’re all able to eat at the same time or you’re eating in shifts.

(You may also like my book, Dinnertime SOS: 100 Sanity-Saving Meals Parents and Kids will Actually Enjoy, Dinner Ideas for Kids, and Make-Ahead Toddler Dinners.

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5-Ingredient Easy Weeknight Meals

These are my top easy weeknight family dinner ideas that I turn to again and again.

  1. Pasta with Peas
  2. Pizza Toast
  3. Chickpea Fritters
  4. Spinach Grilled Cheese
  5. Chocolate Protein Shake
  6. Homemade Chicken Nuggets
  7. Broccoli Cheesy Rice
  8. Pizza Rolls
servings-of-broccoli-mac-and-cheese-for-family

One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese

This super easy one pan dinner has a super easy method that only requires one pot, you can have this easy weeknight family dinner ready in no time. It cooks in about 20 minutes and has a solid dose of nutrients and deliciousness.

One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
The method on this recipe is streamlined to cut down on dish washing. Add the optional spices for more flavor if you like! Double it to make more.
One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
servings-of-broccoli-mac-and-cheese-for-family

Cherry Tomato Pasta

Pick up a pint of cherry tomatoes of any kind and make this super easy no-cook sauce to go with a pound of pasta. It’s fresh, fast, and easy to modify as needed.

Easy Cherry Tomato Pasta (to Share with the Kids)
With a no-cook, stir-together sauce, this easy Cherry Tomato Pasta is an easy family dinner. And OH so delicious and fresh. You can leave it chunky or blend it smooth—it's so versatile for all preferences!
Easy Cherry Tomato Pasta (to Share with the Kids)
cherry-tomato-pasta-in-white-and-colored-bowls
minestrone-soup-for-kids-in-yellow-bowl

Extra-Veggie Minestrone

Cozy comfort food, here we come. This easy Minestrone is a perfect pair for cheese and crackers and it loaded with both veggies and vegetarian protein.

Extra-Veggie Minestrone Baby Soup (for Big Kids too!)
With a streamlined method and a quick cooking time, this veggie-packed baby soup (that big kids and parents will also enjoy!) is filled with vegetarian protein and super yummy Italian flavors.
Extra-Veggie Minestrone Baby Soup (for Big Kids too!)
three-bowls-of-minestrone
alphabet-soup-in-blue-bowl

Alphabet Soup

Cook up this cozy Alphabet Soup recipe the next time you want an easy weeknight family dinner that’s also fun! ABC pasta is a perfect addition to this kid-friendly soup—and you can tailor the veggies to the likes (or dislikes!) of your own kiddos. It’s so versatile!

Favorite Alphabet Soup
You can use ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini—or any other very small pasta shape in this Alphabet Soup recipe. And you can start with fresh or frozen veggies. See below for options.
Favorite Alphabet Soup
alphabet-soup-in-blue-bowl
butter-chicken-on-kids-and-parents-plate

Butter Chicken

Serve this flavorful and tender chicken with rice, pita, and cucumber for a delicious meal for the entire family. This is one of my favorite easy weeknight family dinners.

Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Forget takeout—deliver this popular Indian dish to your table instead. Shredded chicken thighs are coated in a rich, buttery sauce with hints of tomatoes, ginger, and garam masala—a messy but very flavorful finger food. Adapted from The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook.
Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken
instant-pot-butter-chicken
Chicken in tomato sauce in pan with cheese on top.

Chicken in Tomato Sauce

With an easy cooking method, this no-fuss method for making chicken is one of my weeknight go-tos.

Easy Chicken in Tomato Sauce (with Pasta)
This is the absolute easiest way to cook flavorful chicken—it simply poaches right in the marinara sauce. This Chicken in Tomato Sauce is perfect with pasta or with a side of Italian bread and is a great easy family meal.
Easy Chicken in Tomato Sauce (with Pasta)
Chicken in tomato sauce in pan with cheese on top.
chicken soup for kids in teal bowl

Chicken Noodle Soup

There’s nothing like a bowl of cozy, comforting Chicken Noodle Soup—especially when it’s one that’s easy to make in about 30 minutes. This version is quick to make and is one of our one of our very favorite soups for kids…and easy weeknight family dinners to share.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids
This easy recipe makes a big pot of comforting soup to feed the whole family—babies, toddlers, and big kids included. The leftovers store nicely so you can enjoy it for a few days!
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids
chicken soup for kids in teal bowl
family-style-snack-plate

Snack Dinner

The next time you just cannot summon the energy to cook a meal…Snack Dinner to the rescue! I love this easy concept because it’s so easy to make one big platter for the whole family to share, or individual plates for each kiddo. And: You can use up so many items you already have in the house!

Easy Snack Dinner (to Share with the Kids!)
You can do a big family-style platter or individual ones for the kids depending on your preference. Add anything else that sounds appealing and know that the nutrition info will vary according to what you use.
Easy Snack Dinner (to Share with the Kids!)
family-style-snack-plate
taco-buffet-ingredients-in-white-plates

Taco Buffet

Serve up an easy Taco Buffet without any cooking or involved prep work and have an healthy family meal on the table in minutes. This taco bar is one of my very favorite family meals and it’s so easy to customize!

Easy Taco Buffet (No-Cooking Required!)
I prefer to make these vegetarian since it’s easier, but you can of course add in cooked chicken, beef, or shrimp if you like! Add another can of beans or additional corn to feed a larger family or appetites.
Easy Taco Buffet (No-Cooking Required!)
taco-buffet-ingredients-in-white-plates
stir fry for kids on yellow plate and green bowl

Vegetable Stir Fry with Tofu

For those nights when you want a super quick and healthy family dinner, this Healthy Vegetable Stir Fry should be on your must-make list. It comes together in about 20 minutes and it’s super easy to customize for your kids!

Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice and Tofu
I like to use vegetables like carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas in this easy recipe. Plan to cook the rice ahead of time or to get it started first.
Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice and Tofu
sesame-tofu-with-veggies-and-rice-in-bowl
stir fry noodles with vegetables

20-Minute Stir Fry Noodles

Use rice noodles or spaghetti in this easy skillet dinner and whichever quick-cooking veggies your family prefers. You can even add some Sesame Tofu to the pan before you start the veggies to add in a protein.

20-Minute Stir Fry Noodles
Try this quick family dinner the next time you're craving fresh comfort food—and want to please the entire family! You can add a protein to this dish if you'd like. See the Notes for options.
20-Minute Stir Fry Noodles
stir fry noodles with vegetables
sheet-pan-quesadillas-on-platter

Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Learn how to make a big batch of quesadillas for the family all at the same time with these easy oven-baked Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas. They’re flavorful, straight-forward, and so delish—and a great easy weeknight family dinner!

Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas
These easy quesadillas can be made with pumpkin puree, sweet potato puree, or butternut squash puree. You can also skip it and just go with beans and cheese! I make these as half moon shapes since it helps contain the mess a little when feeding these to kids.
Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas
sheet-pan-quesadillas-on-platter
baked-pizza-rolls-in-pan

Pizza Rolls with Cheese

This Mini Spinach and Cheese Pizza Roll recipe is packed with nutrition—and even greens!—but the cheese, and silly spiral shape makes them much more appeal to toddlers and big kids. And: You can make them in about 30 minutes and stash them in the fridge or freezer for future easy weeknight family dinners.

Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Veggies)
This Pizza Rolls recipe is packed with nutrition—and even greens!—but the cheese and silly spiral shape makes them much more appealing to toddlers and big kids. Be sure to grease your pan well and roll the dough up fairly tightly around the fillings for best results. (But it's okay if they don't look perfect when they go into the pan!) 
Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Veggies)
pizza rolls recipe on wire rack on counter.
sheet pan nachos with salsa

Sheet Pan Nachos

These healthy Baked Sheet Pan Nachos have a tender potato base and are topped with black beans, cheese, salsa and (optional!) spinach. They’re a total family dinner hit—and are so easy to prep ahead of time to make getting dinner on the table possible on even busy days.

Baked Sheet Pan Nachos
These Baked Sheet Pan Nachos have a tender potato base and are topped with black beans, cheese, salsa and veggies. They're a total family dinner hit. (You can add some of the ingredients to some of the areas—leaving the spinach off, adding more salsa or spice—to customize for everyone at the table.)
Baked Sheet Pan Nachos
healthy loaded potato nachos
Pizza toast on baking sheet after baking.

easy pizza toast

This is the fastest way to get the flavors we love of pizza, with less work … all in about 15 minutes!

Easy Pizza Toast
Learn how to make the quickest Pizza Toast to share with the kids for an easy lunch or dinner. This is the fastest way to get the flavors we love of pizza, with less work!
Easy Pizza Toast
Pizza toast on baking sheet after baking.
Pasta in broth in bowl and pan.

Pasta in brodo (pasta in broth)

Learn how to make the easiest, yummiest Pasta in Brodo (broth) as a delicious meal to share with the kids. It’s nutritious, fast, and packed with delicious flavor.

Easy Pasta in Brodo (Pasta in Broth)
Learn how to make the easiest, yummiest Pasta in Brodo (broth) as a delicious meal to share with the kids. It's nutritious, fast, and packed with delicious flavor.
Easy Pasta in Brodo (Pasta in Broth)
pasta in brodo in pot and bowl on counter.
slow cooker black bean soup in pink bowls.

slow cooker black bean soup

This version of Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup is easy, nutritious, and really yummy. I love that it has veggies blended in and that it’s easy for me to throw together even when I’m in a rush!

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
Use the crock pot to cook up a hearty and nutritious Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with veggies and lots of kid-friendly flavor. It's easy, versatile, and a great freezer meal
 
Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
slow-cooker-black-bean-soup
Orzotto with peas on plates and in pan.

Orzotto with Peas

With the creamy texture of risotto but a much faster cook time and an easier method, this Orzotto with peas is a favorite quick family dinner.

Orzotto with Peas
With the creamy texture of risotto but a much faster cook time and an easier method, this Orzotto with peas is a favorite quick family dinner.
Orzotto with Peas
Orzotto with peas on plates and in pan.
creamy chicken pasta in three bowls.

Creamy Chicken Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pasta with veggies that blend right into the sauce? Win! This pasta recipe is legit delicious and so crazy comforting. Plus, you can make the sauce ahead and take some shortcuts along the way. Win-win!

Creamy Chicken Pasta
Creamy Chicken Pasta with veggies that blend right into the sauce? Win! This pasta recipe is legit delicious and is so crazy comforting. See the Notes for variations and storage information.
Creamy Chicken Pasta
creamy chicken pasta in three bowls.
Hamburger helper in pan and bowls.

homemade hamburger helper

One pot and under 30 minutes? Yes! This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a fast dinner option that’s satisfying, comforting, and so darn delicious.

Homemade Hamburger Helper
This one-pot homemade Hamburger Helper is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make. It's a 30-minute way to make quick work of dinner!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Hamburger helper in pan and bowls.
Pasta salad on two white plates.

best easy pasta salad

The beauty of this method is you can swap ingredients and dressings in an out to make it your own. You can make it more or less complicated as you like.

Best Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
With one simple method, you can make the best pasta salad ever using your family's favorite ingredients and dressing. This is infinitely flexible, it stores well so you can make it ahead, and it's great cold or at room temperature. (See the Notes for variations!)
Best Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
pasta salad in glass bowl.

How to Store and Reheat Weeknight Dinners

You can store these meals in the fridge, either as leftovers or made ahead, for 3-5 days in the fridge. To reheat, portion into a heat-safe bowl or plate and warm in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.

With any pasta that seems to have firmed up in the fridge, sprinkle with a little water before heating.

Easy Sides to Add

Round out any easy weeknight meal for your family with an easy side dish such as:

  • Salad kit (my family particularly loves Caesar salad)
  • Applesauce
  • Thinly sliced apples, pears, or peaches
  • Crackers and cheese
  • Sliced bread and butter
  • Warmed frozen veggies
  • Canned fruit

How to Modify for Babies and Toddlers

Use a knife or kitchen scissors to dice up any of these meals for a baby eating finger foods or for a toddler. You can also shred chicken as needed, and cut quesadillas, pizza rolls, or bread into strips for easier biting and chewing.

Best Tips for Success

  • Try serving family-style meals and let the kids have a little more power over what goes onto their plate (which can help improve mealtime dynamics if they’ve been a struggle).
  • Prep one veggie on the weekend so it’s ready to go during the week.
  • Double any of the meals (except the Snack Dinner) and stash into the freezer for a future week.

I’d love to hear your feedback on these ideas, so please comment below to share!

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broccoli-mac-and-cheese-in-bowls-on-counter

Easy Weeknight Dinners for Family (One-Pot Mac and Cheese)

The method on this One-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is streamlined to cut down on dish washing. Add the optional spices for more flavor if you like! Double it to make more.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dinner
Calories 475kcal
Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk (I use whole milk)
  • 1 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
  • 8 ounces elbow or mini shell pasta
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 10 ounces frozen broccoli or peas (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (feel free to double this to make it even cheesier)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
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Instructions

  • Add the broth and milk to a large pot set over high heat. Bring just to a boil, then reduce to medium-high.
  • Stir in the pasta and salt, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the pasta is just soft. (The liquid will not be totally absorbed and that is okay—it will be by the end of the process!)
  • Meanwhile, steam or otherwise warm the broccoli or peas if using. Drain. Cut up the broccoli, if using.
  • Turn the heat off under the pasta and stir the cheese, broccoli. butter, cream cheese, and salt into the mixture. Taste and season with additional salt as needed. Serve.

Video

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through, in the microwave.
  • The size of the pasta you use may alter the cooking time slightly. This recipe was tested with elbow pasta, so any kind that’s a similar size should work the same.
  • I prefer to use steam-in-the-bag frozen broccoli to cut down on pots, but you can also steam fresh or regular frozen broccoli florets in a pot fitted with a steamer basket. 
  • This is very filling, so I usually don’t make a full pound of pasta. If you’d like to, you can click the “2x” in the recipe card to adjust it up.
  • Add the optional spices to add more flavor as desired. Adults may also like to top their serving with crushed red pepper or hot sauce.
  • See the post for more easy dinner ideas.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 584mg, Potassium: 622mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1058IU, Vitamin C: 63mg, Calcium: 395mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

This post was first published November 2022.

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