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    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas

    Looking for recipes everyone in the family will love? This collections of Family Dinner Ideas will keep everyone happy!

    It doesn’t have to be hard to put a hearty and nutritious meal on the table. This list includes fun meals like tacos and meatballs, kid friendly casseroles, cozy soups and so much more.

    Whether you’re cooking for a big crowd, or just have some picky eaters, you’ll find something for everyone here.

    Cook your way through all of these great family recipes, you’re sure to discover some new favorites! Have fun…

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas.

    1. Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - chicken lettuce wraps.

    Lets start this list with a fun family dinner. Inspired by P.F. Chang, this quick and tasty dish is a sure crowd pleaser! A great hand held meal for the whole family. No one will mind that it happens to be low-carb too.

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    2. Johnny Marzetti

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Johnny Marzetti.

    Who is Johnny Marzetti? One hearty and nostalgic American casserole, that’s who. Elbow macaroni, ground beef sausage and veggies in tomato sauce and covered in melty cheese. Yum!

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    3. Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - shrimp tacos.

    Looking for another fun family dinner idea? Sweet and savory, these tacos are so tasty you will want to go back for seconds, maybe thirds! And they are so quick, they just might become a weeknight staple. Whenever you see a mango, think about these colorful tacos!

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    4. Zuppa Toscana

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - zuppa toscana.

    Soups are great for family dinners. This hearty and comforting soup is based on the version made famous by Olive Garden. But I don’t want to call it a copycat… because this home made version is much better!

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    5. Crock Pot Barbacoa Pork

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - barbacoa pork.

    Having a big family gathering? This barbacoa pork is Super easy, Super tasty and Super versatile. Make a huge batch and you can serve a big crowd or have leftovers for days. Try in tacos, a burrito bowl, or use your own creativity!

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    6. Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - honey mustard chicken.

    Sweet, Savory, Sticky, Saucy… Meet your new favorite meal prep option. This baked honey mustard chicken only takes 10 minutes of your time, the oven does the rest!

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    7. Cajun Shrimp Scampi

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Cajun shrimp scampi.

    This Cajun shrimp scampi is so quick and easy you can make it any weeknight. But it is so fancy and tasty you just might want to save it for special occasions! This is the meal that is enjoyed by your whole family.

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    8. Dublin Coddle

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Dublin coddle.

    Looking for some great cozy family dinner idea? Look no further than this hearty and cozy Dublin coddle. Loaded with rich and satisfying flavors, this is what you call comfort food!

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    9. Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Hawaiian fried rice.

    Now this is a very simple yet great family dinner recipe. Add some island flair to your fried rice. This quick and easy one pot meal is loaded with flavors and whips up in 20 minutes or less!

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    10. Mediterranean Braised Chicken with Apricots

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Mediterranean braised chicken.

    This gorgeous Mediterranean braised chicken is your coq au vin taken to the next level! So many layers of flavor, yet so easy. Impress your guests or save it for yourself, the choice is yours!

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    11. Puerto Rican Picadillo

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - picadillo.

    Picadillo is a classic, home-style, Latin American dish. This picadillo is so versatile, great in tacos, burritos, empanadas or alongside rice and plantains. It’s a delicious new flavor to be enjoyed by whole family.

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    12. Chicken Provençal

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - chicken provencal.

    Take a peek into my pot. Beautiful golden brown chicken braised in white wine, nestled between eye catching olives, plump cherry tomatoes, oh-so French shallots, tangy capers and plenty of garlic and herbs. Life can’t be more beautiful!

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    13. Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Pasta Alla Vodka)

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - gigi hadid pasta.

    What is Gigi Hadid Pasta? Simple… Pasta made by Gigi Hadid, which broke the internet when it went viral on instagram and tiktok. The whole family will love this creamy cheesy dish!

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    14. Smothered Chicken

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - smothered chicken.

    Smothered Chicken… Classic Soul Food that will warm up your body and soul. This is a comfort food that generations have grown up on.

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    15. Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - chicken paprikash.

    Chicken Paprikash… Out-of-this-world Delicious! This Hungarian chicken stew has become a new favorite in our household.

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    16. Brunswick Stew

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Brunswick stew.

    Brunswick stew – a hearty southern dish that’s perfect for chilly nights. If you love barbecue flavors, this is sure to become one of your new family dinner favorites.

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    17. Firecracker Salmon

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Firecracker salmon.

    This Firecracker Salmon is a super easy and super delish meal that must become part of your rotation. It has an amazing Asian sauce and whips up in about 20 minutes.

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    18. Loco Moco (Hawaiian Beef Patty with Gravy)

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - loco moco.

    Loco Moco is a fun, yet delicious, Hawaiian dish where a heap of rice is topped with a beef patty, smothered with gravy, and finished with a sunny side up egg. How cool!

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    19. Flank Steak Fajitas

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - fajitas.

    These flank steak fajitas are the perfect easy option when that Mexican food craving hits. Perfectly marinated, melt in your mouth tender beef strips with colorful peppers. You’re in for a fun family meal with this one!

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    20. Guinness Beef Stew

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - beef stew.

    Who doesn’t like a nice steaming pot of stew? Melt in your mouth beef, hearty veggies, and an amazing Guinness stout based gravy. So comforting!

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    21. Crustless Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - chicken pot pie casserole.

    Pot pie without the pie? Yes, if you are like me craving those comfy, cozy flavors without the extra work. This one is for those lazy days!

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    22. Easy Creamy Chicken Skillet

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - creamy chicken skillet.

    This creamy chicken skillet is your weekday best friend. It’s super easy and it’s super tasty. Start to finish in 30 minutes, this just may become a new staple in your rotation.

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    23. Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Swedish meat balls.

    These Swedish meatballs are the ultimate comfort food. Tender, perfectly cooked meat spheres smothered in the most delectable sauce. Everyone in the family will keep coming back for more!

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    24. Meaty Cabbage Soup

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - meaty cabbage soup.

    This hearty, meaty cabbage soup is the perfect one pot dinner. It’s loaded with protein and healthy veggies. Cook it in the crock pot, instant pot or on stove top, it’ll turn out great every time!

    Get the Recipe


    25. Sausage Potato Casserole

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - sausage potato casserole.

    This hearty casserole combines two comfort food staples, sausage and potatoes. Add in a generous helping of veggies and you have one great complete meal!

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    26. Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas - Tuscan chicken.

    This crock pot Tuscan chicken is drenched in a creamy sauce loaded with great Mediterranean flavors. It’s one easy and delicious make ahead weeknight dinner!

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    27. Greek Meatballs

    These football shaped Greek style meatballs, Soutzoukakia, are smothered in a cinnamon-y wine enhanced tomato sauce laced with cumin. You’re gonna keep coming back to this one!

    Get the Recipe


    28. Greek Baked Fish with Onions & Tomatoes

    This Greek baked fish, Psari Plaki, is a great addition to your recipe collection. Flaky white fish with light, fresh and vibrant Mediterranean flavors!

    Get the Recipe


    29. Kleftiko (Greek Lamb Cooked in Parchment)

    Kleftiko (Greek Lamb Cooked in Parchment)

    Greek Kleftiko is a boldly marinated lamb roast that cooks ow and slow for hours, sealed in parchment paper for ultimate moisture and tenderness. Save this Greek baked lamb for special family get together dinners.

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    30. Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet

    This creamy pesto chicken skillet is a great weeknight dinner recipe. It happens super fast, 3O minutes fast! Tender chicken and loads of veggies in a delicious creamy pesto sauce. YUM!

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    31. Jambalaya Soup

    Jambalaya Soup! This hearty soup is boldly flavored with great Creole seasoning and is loaded with meats and veggies. It’s great on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker or instant pot.

    Get the Recipe


    32. Gorgonzola Portobello Steak Skillet

    This Gorgonzola Portobello Steak Skillet is sure to become a new family favorite. It’s a super easy restaurant quality meal that is an absolute flavor bomb!

    Get the Recipe


    33. Creamy Tuscan Soup

    This Creamy Tuscan Soup is the ultimate bowl of cozy. Hearty sausage, sun dried tomatoes and kale in an amazingly flavorful creamy broth… so, so good!

    Get the Recipe


    34. Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi Tacos)

    Korean Beef Tacos, aka Bulgogi Tacos… Thinly sliced, juicy tender steak marinated then flash cooked and wrapped in tortillas with Asian coleslaw and sriracha aioli. They’re a Flavor Bomb!

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    35. Egg Roll Soup

    This Egg Roll Soup is everything you dream about in your beloved egg roll, but in a cozy, delicious soupified way!

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    There you have it, thirty five easy and delicious family dinner ideas! Pin or bookmark this collection of great dishes so you always know where to find it.

    And be sure to subscribe to the GypsyPlate mailing list, we’re always cooking up new recipes for you!

    Featured image for family dinner ideas post.

    The 35 BEST Family Dinner Ideas

    Looking for recipes everyone in the family will love? You've come to the right place! This collections of Family Dinner Ideas will keep everyone happy! One of our favorites is this Johnny Marzetti casserole:

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 lb ground Italian sausage
    • 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni (we used large elbows)
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
    • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
    • 6 oz mushrooms, chopped
    • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
    • 2 14 oz cans tomato sauce
    • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
    • 2 tsp dried oregano
    • 2 tsp dried thyme
    • 2 tsp dried basil
    • 1.5 Tbsp sugar
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar, divided
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
    • 1 Tbsp olive oil
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

      1. Grease the skillet with olive oil and sauté chopped onions on medium high heat till they get soft, about 2-3 minutes.
      2. Stir in chopped bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic and combine well. Cook till the veggies get a little soft, about 3-4 minutes.
      3. Add in beef and sausage. Crumble with a spatula and add a little salt as it cooks. Cook till the meat is brown in color with no more pink, about 5 minutes.
      4. Add in diced tomatoes along with tomato sauce and Italian herbs and combine well. Simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
      5. Cook macaroni according to the package instructions. You want it cooked al dente, as it continues cooking in the oven.
      6. Preheat oven to 350°F.
      7. Mix half of mixed grated cheese into the meat sauce. Stir in cooked macaroni and mix well.
      8. Sprinkle remaining grated cheese on top of the assembled casserole. Loosely cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40-45 minutes in preheated oven.
      9. Remove from oven and rest for 5-8 minutes before serving it up.

    Notes

    1. Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

    Check out these other great recipe collections!
    Healthy Dinner Ideas
    Easy Dinner Recipes
    Roast Chicken Recipes
    Pork Chop Recipes
    Hamburger Recipes
    Pizza Recipes
    Dessert Recipes

    Picture of Alpana, blogger and recipe developer at GypsyPlate

    Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.

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