Looking for fast, easy, delicious meals at the end of a long day? Check out these 45 Best Family-Friendly 30-Minute Meals for Busy Weeknights!
We all have those crazy busy nights. Maybe there are dueling kids' sports practices or games. Work is running late and you're up against a tight deadline. When you have just 30 to 45 minutes MAX to pull together dinner for the whole family, what do you do?
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Getting a full, home-cooked dinner on the table at the end of a long work day can be quite the challenge. Even working from home, I often find myself scrambling at dinner time. The dreaded "what should we have for dinner?" question is asked and answered with a head scratch and a sigh all too often.
Fast Family-Friendly 30-Minute Meals to the rescue
Thanks to some of my fellow food blogger friends, I've compiled a list of recipes to help us all answer the dreaded "what's for dinner?" dilemma.
And for those of us with kids, that dilemma can be extra challenging. There are additional individual tastes, whims, intolerances, and allergies to consider.
To me, family-friendly recipes are recipes that can be done in less than an hour (these are all 30 minutes or less!). They are recipes that include common ingredients that you might already have in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. And, they are recipes that don't cost an arm and a leg.
I broke these fast, family-friendly recipes up into categories to make it easier to find what you're looking for on any particular night. Feel free to click on the link below to jump ahead to a specific recipe category.
Search recipes by category
- Beef and Pork Recipes
- Chicken Recipes
- Seafood Recipes
- Pasta Recipes
- Instant Pot Recipes
- Soups, Risotto, and Fried Rice Recipes
- Asian Noodles
- Vegetarian Recipes
Beef and Pork Recipes
Beef is a hearty and delicious meat protein source. It's also an awesome source of Vitamin B, iron, zinc, selenium, and niacin.
My favorite cut is rib-eye, and I usually buy the Whole Foods Market rib-eye steak. But as you can see from these recipes, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy beef!
- Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak from Whisk It Real Gud
- Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas from Girl Heart Food
- Carne Asada Burrito from Pinch and Swirl
- Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes from Delightful Plate
- Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables from Good Life Eats
- Sausage Tortellini Soup from Urban Bliss Life
Pizza Pinwheels from Ruffles and Rainboots
Other cuts of beef you might enjoy: brisket,
Chicken Recipes
Chicken is one of the most popular sources of meat protein around the world. These fast and easy chicken recipes show you just how versatile and tasty chicken dinners can be!
One of my favorite cuts of meat is boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Wallet-friendly and oh so versatile. The recipes use a variety of cuts of chicken, from chicken thighs to drumsticks to chicken breasts.
- Easy Chicken Tacos from Midwest Foodie Blog
- Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula from The Organic Kitchen
- Thai Peanut Curry from Urban Bliss Life
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders from Little Sunny Kitchen
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken from Good Life Eats
- Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken from Whiskey and Sunshine
- Easy 30-Minute Chicken Marsala from Home and Plate
- 30-Minute Chicken Green Curry from The Roasted Root
Seafood Recipes
Seafood is the home cook's secret weapon when it comes to fast and easy dinner recipes! Shrimp, scallops, and fish all cook up faster than chicken or beef.
- Salmon and Vegetables Foil Packets from Savory Nothings
- Easy Shrimp Scampi from The Gay Globetrotter
- Tuna Tomato Pasta from Neil's Healthy Meals
- Easy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta from Salt and Lavender
Pasta Recipes
When I'm in a pinch, I can always count on a pasta recipe for a fast, easy, delicious family-friendly 30-minute meal.
- One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese from Sugar and Soul
- Bucatini Cacio e Pepe with Prosciutto from Hostess at Heart
- Rigatoni with Italian Sausage from Urban Bliss Life
- Simple Pasta with Peas from Veggie Desserts
- Taco Pasta Salad from Smells Like Home
- Cheesy Sausage Gnocchi from Joy Food Sunshine
- Pepperoni Pizza Hamburger Helper from Pumpkin N Spice
Need more pasta? Order from Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market for delivery. We usually get ours within 2 hours of placing our order!
Instant Pot Recipes
I use my Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot nearly every single day. They both help make fast, flavorful dinners in a flash!
- Healthy Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken from Urban Bliss Life
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken from Sustainable Cooks
- Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta from Urban Bliss Life
- Pasta Fagioli (Instant Pot) from Spice Cravings
Find my latest Ninja Foodi recipes and Instant Pot recipes here.
Soups, Risotto, and Fried Rice Recipes
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili from Shane and Simple
- "Instant" Miso Ramen with Poached Eggs from My Kitchen Love
- Barley Risotto with Italian Sausage and Peppers from A Communal Table
- One Pot Chicken Taco Rice from Organized Island
- Meal Prep: Shrimp Fried Rice from Mom Advice
- Filipino Bacon Fried Rice from Urban Bliss Life
- Simple Pork Cauliflower Rice from The Fit Cookie
- Pan Fried Garlic Prawns from Greedy Gourmet
- Fresh Sushi Spring Rolls from Vibrant Plate
Noodles
Noodles are always reliable for quick and yummy meals. Here are some better-than-takeout recipes!
- Quick and Easy Pad Thai from Play Party Plan
- Shrimp Lo Mein from Urban Bliss Life
- Stir Fry Noodles from Contentedness Cooking
- Instant Kimchi Noodle Soup from Spa Bettie
Vegetarian Recipes
- Vegetarian Fajitas from Cadry's Kitchen
- Simple and Delicious Corn Fritters from Goodie Goodie Lunch Box
Which if these are your favorite family-friendly 30-minute meals?
PIN IT: Family-Friendly 30-Minute Meals
Emily says
Omg so much delicious food in one place...I don't know what to choose first! Thanks so much for putting this together.
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says
Marlynn, you're speaking my language. When I get home from work, I want to play with my kids - not stress over dinner in the kitchen for an hour. These recipes are great!
Beth Pierce says
What a great roundup of recipes! Will definitely be saving this for busy weeknights when the kids are back in school!
Chris Collins says
I'm always on the hunt for delicious and most importantly QUICK recipes, so this roundup is perfect for me!! Thanks so much for sharing :)
Julie says
Such a great way to plan for a months worth of meals. Appreciate the layout of it.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I'm getting so hungry right now looking at all this deliciousness! Thank you very much for including my cheesy ground beef quesadillas :) !!
Megan Joy says
I am all about the quick and easy recipes especially with a toddler and newborn keeping me busy lol I can't wait to try the chicken tacos!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
Definitely pinning this for the busy nights ahead! There are SO many yummy, easy recipes to try on this list!
Jenni LeBaron says
What a great round-up! I could make my way through this list twice in a row and never get bored!