Quick and Easy Family Dinners

Busy weeknights? I’ve got you! These quick and easy family dinners are perfect for when time’s tight and everyone’s hangry. From my cheesy Chicken Pesto Pasta to the always-popular Chicken Filo Parcels, these recipes are fast, fuss-free and guaranteed to please even the fussiest eaters. All made with simple ingredients – no fancy stuff, just real dinners for real families.

If your afternoons are anything like mine – a blur of homework, sport drop-offs and toddler chaos – then quick, no-fuss dinners are a must. These recipes are made for busy families: minimal prep, everyday ingredients, and on the table in around 30 minutes. Whether you're feeding little ones, hungry tweens or just need something easy after a long day, you'll find plenty of go-to options right here.

Jump to:

• Chicken Dinners
• Pasta & Rice Dinner Recipes
• Pies & Quiches
• Light Dinner Options

Chicken Dinners

Chicken is a total weeknight winner – it’s budget-friendly, quick to cook, and the kids never complain! From saucy stir-fries to creamy bakes and crunchy crumbed tenders, these easy chicken dinners are on high rotation in our house. Perfect for picky eaters and busy nights alike!

Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Chicken piccata meatballs combine tender chicken meatballs infused with parmesan, garlic, lemon zest, and parsley; all simmered in a buttery lemon caper sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile dish is perfect for both weeknight dinners and entertaining guests.

Creamy Chicken & Bacon Ranch Bake

A family-friendly dinner featuring tender chicken pieces layered with sautéed onion and crispy bacon, smothered in a rich ranch and sour cream sauce and topped with melted parmesan and cheddar cheese. Ready in under an hour, it's perfect for busy weeknights and pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a light salad for a satisfying meal.

Bang Bang Chicken

Quick and easy Bang Bang Chicken features crispy, panko-coated chicken bites baked to golden perfection. Drizzled with a creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce, it's a flavour-packed meal ready in just 30 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.

Chicken Panko Schnitzel

With boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated in panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder, then pan-fried until golden and crispy, panko chicken schnitzels can be ready in under 30 minutes. A kid-friendly meal that can be customized with different herbs and spices and served with salad, vegetables, or even in a wrap.

Chicken & Mushroom Vol Au Vents

Chicken and mushroom vol-au-vents make a comforting family dinner featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy mixture of chicken, mushrooms, and leeks, all topped with melted cheese. With just 10 minutes of prep time, it's an easy and delicious meal that's perfect for mid-week meals or even when entertaining guests.

Chicken Chorizo Risotto

Oven-baked chicken chorizo risotto is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken, smoky chorizo, baby spinach, and sun-dried tomato pesto, all combined with arborio rice and melted parmesan. With just 20 minutes of prep and no need for constant stirring, it’s a fuss-free, family-friendly dinner ready in under 50 minutes.

Chicken Rissoles

This quick and easy family dinner option, featuring lean chicken mince combined with grated carrot, zucchini, cheese, and herbs, all coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, can be ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and always popular with kids, they can be served hot or cold, making them ideal for meals, snacks, or lunchbox treats.

Creamy Oven Baked Chicken, Rice & Bacon

Creamy oven-baked chicken and rice with bacon is a comforting family dinner made with tender Cajun-spiced chicken thighs, crispy streaky bacon, and creamy rice, all baked together in a single dish. With just 10 minutes of prep and a simple 'set and forget' method, it's an easy, no-fuss meal perfect for family dinners and busy weeknights.

French Onion Chicken Bake

Looking for a budget-friendly meal that everyone will love? This French onion chicken bake is a creamy, one-pot family dinner featuring chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and a rich sauce made with French onion soup mix, Dijon mustard, and sour cream. Just 15 minutes of prep and minimal cleanup, that's what you want to feed the family!

Pasta & Rice Dinner Recipes

Comfort food at its finest! These pasta and rice dinners are warm, hearty and oh-so-easy to throw together. Whether you’re whipping up a creamy pasta bake, a one-pan risotto, or a rice dish, these recipes are guaranteed to fill hungry tummies with minimal fuss (and minimal washing up!).

One Pot Mac & Cheese

A creamy, stovetop classic made with just seven simple ingredients—including macaroni, milk, butter, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Ready in only 20 minutes, it's a budget-friendly, vegetarian dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta Bake

Creamy chicken and bacon pasta bake is a hearty, family-friendly dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach, all enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Ready in under 45 minutes, it's ideal for busy weeknights and can be prepped ahead or frozen for future meals.

Fettucine Carbonara (No Cream!)

Easy fettuccine carbonara is a popular dish made with just four ingredients—eggs, bacon, fettuccine pasta, and parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes and with no cream required, it delivers an authentic Italian style that's both kid-friendly and full of flavour.

Creamy Beef Mince Pasta

Creamy beef mince pasta is a quick and easy family dinner that combines lean beef mince with a creamy tomato and herb sauce enriched with melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's a budget-friendly, comforting meal that's sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Taco Pasta

Taco pasta is such a quick and easy family dinner that combines beef mince, taco seasoning, and pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce, all cooked together in one pot in just 20 minutes. It's a budget-friendly, customizable dish that's ideal when you want a meal in a rush and can be tailored with extra veggies or spice to suit your family's taste.

Tuna Pasta Bake

This creamy tuna pasta bake is a family-friendly dish featuring a creamy sauce made with canned tuna, vegetables, and cheese, all baked to perfection with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Budget-friendly and requiring just 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking time, this quick and easy meal serves 6–10 people. Any leftovers can be frozen for later use.

Mexican Lasagne With Tortillas

Mexican lasagne offers a delightful twist on the classic, layering flour or corn tortillas with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and melted cheese. It's a versatile, family-friendly dish that's quick to assemble, freezer-friendly, and perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

This one-pot creamy pesto chicken pasta combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy pesto sauce with spiral pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a tasty and convenient midweek meal.

Beef Lasagne

This classic lasagne features layers of rich beef Bolognese sauce, melted cheese and pasta sheets. It's a comforting weeknight dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd and is always a hit with the kids.

Pies & Quiches

From golden, flaky pies to cheesy, flavour-packed quiches – these recipes are perfect for family dinners, lunchboxes or weekend meal prep. Made with simple ingredients and plenty of flavour, they’re the kind of comforting meals that everyone at the table will happily tuck into.

Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pies

These individual pies feature a creamy filling of chicken, leeks, and bacon encased in flaky puff pastry. They're perfect for a comforting dinner or lunch that can easily be made in advance and are ideal for meal prepping too.

Chicken Filo Parcels

Golden filo pastry parcels are filled with a delicious mixture of chicken, basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto, and mozzarella. They're quick to prepare and bake, making them an ideal choice for a family dinner.

Mince & Cheese Pie

This hearty pie features a flavourful beef mince filling with peas, topped with melted cheese and covered in puff pastry. It's a satisfying and budget-friendly meal that's sure to please the whole family.

Chorizo Quiche

A savoury quiche filled with spicy chorizo, feta, capsicum, and red onion, all set in a flaky shortcrust pastry. This is a versatile dish that can be served warm or cold, perfect for a satisfying dinner with leftovers for the next day's lunch.

Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie

This comforting cottage pie features a savoury beef and spinach filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It's a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables for picky eaters.

Egg & Bacon Pie

A classic pie filled with a simple mixture of eggs, bacon, and cheese, all encased in a golden puff pastry. It's a quick and satisfying meal that's ever popular with all.

Light Dinner Options

Looking for something a little lighter? These dinner ideas are perfect for when you want a simple, fresh meal without feeling too full. Think veggie-packed frittatas, nourishing soups, and quick salads – all easy to make and still super satisfying for the whole family.

Impossible Quiche

An easy, crustless quiche made with just six ingredients, including bacon and cheese. It's a simple and delicious meal that's ready in under an hour.

Classic Zucchini Slice

A most popular savoury slice packed with zucchini, bacon, and cheese, all held together in a simple egg-based mixture. This is such a versatile dish that's great for lunchboxes or a light dinner, andit's great to have some on hand in the freezer for mid-week meals.

Cheesy Macaroni & Vegetable Frittata Bake

This frittata bake combines macaroni pasta with a variety of vegetables and eggs, baked to perfection. It's a nutritious and satisfying meal that's easy to prepare and the ideal way to sneak some extra veggies into little ones' diets.

Roasted Pumpkin, Caramelised Onion & Feta Tart

A savoury tart featuring roasted pumpkin, sweet caramelized onions, and creamy feta, all set in a flaky pastry shell. It's a delightful dish that's perfect for lunch,h or a light dinner served with a salad.

Cheesy Vegetable Quinoa Bake

This nutritious bake combines quinoa with a medley of vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce. This healthy bake is kid-friendly and a wholesome and satisfying meal that's both vegetarian and gluten-free.

When life gets busy (and let’s be honest, when isn’t it?!), having a stash of quick and easy dinner recipes you can rely on makes all the difference. Whether you’re feeding toddlers, tweens or tired grown-ups, these family-friendly meals are here to take the stress out of weeknights. Save your favourites, come back often, and enjoy more time around the table with the people you love.

WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel.