As a busy parent, I know how crucial it is to whip up quick and delicious meals that the whole family will love. Here are my top 7 super fast family-friendly dinners that never fail to impress!
1. One-Pan Chicken Fajitas
Prep & Cook Time
10 minutes prep, 20 minutes cook time
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Tortillas, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken, bell pepper, and onion; sprinkle with fajita seasoning.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with warm tortillas.
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 300 calories per serving
2. Quick Shrimp Stir-Fry
Prep & Cook Time
5 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook time
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink.
- Add mixed vegetables and soy sauce; stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 250 calories per serving
3. Cheesy Broccoli & Rice Casserole
Prep & Cook Time
10 minutes prep, 25 minutes cook time
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix cooked rice, broccoli, cheese, soup, and milk.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and sprinkle more cheese on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly.
Servings
6 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 320 calories per serving
4. Taco Salad Bowls
Prep & Cook Time
10 minutes prep, no cook time
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 6 cups lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup salsa
Instructions
- In a skillet, brown the ground meat and drain.
- Add taco seasoning and prepare according to package instructions.
- In bowls, layer lettuce, meat, tomatoes, cheese, and salsa.
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 400 calories per serving
5. Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Prep & Cook Time
5 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook time
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain.
- In a large bowl, mix pasta with pesto and cherry tomatoes.
- Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 350 calories per serving
6. Vegetable Quesadillas
Prep & Cook Time
10 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook time
Ingredients
- 4 flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, etc.)
- Sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- In a skillet, sauté mixed vegetables until soft.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet, add cheese and vegetables, and top with another tortilla.
- Cook until golden, then flip and cook the other side.
- Slice and serve with sour cream.
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 300 calories per serving
7. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Prep & Cook Time
10 minutes prep, 25 minutes cook time
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell pepper, carrots)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- On a sheet pan, toss sausage and vegetables with olive oil and Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Info
Approx. 350 calories per serving
Final Thoughts
These quick, family-friendly dinners have saved me countless times on busy nights. I hope they bring joy and ease to your dinner table, just as they do to mine!