Calling all busy moms and dads! Making dinner for your picky family every night can be a real struggle, which is why I’ve rounded up this list of easy meal ideas you can throw together on busy weeknights.
If you have picky eaters at home and feel worn out from cooking every evening, these quick dinner ideas can make mealtime much easier. They focus on simple store-bought ingredients that you can pick up on the way home and turn into satisfying meals with very little preparation.
Quick & Easy Last Minute Meals in less than 15 minutes!
These simple last-minute meals are designed for busy evenings when you need dinner on the table quickly. They use convenient ingredients and require minimal preparation, making them useful options for families who want something tasty without spending a lot of time cooking.
Cheesy Salsa Chicken Tacos
Rotisserie chicken makes these soft tacos incredibly easy to prepare. Pull the chicken apart and combine it with salsa and sour cream, then fill small flour tortillas with the mixture and shredded cheddar cheese. Bake until the cheese melts and the tortillas become lightly golden, then serve with guacamole and pico de gallo for extra flavor.
Crispy Chicken Ranch Wraps
Frozen chicken strips can be transformed into quick and satisfying wraps with very little effort. Prepare the chicken according to the package directions, then place it inside large flour tortillas with shredded cheese, lettuce, ranch dressing, and optional toppings such as tomatoes, jalapeños, or barbecue sauce.
Orange Chicken & Rice Dinner
Orange chicken is a family-friendly option that pairs especially well with quick sides. Keep frozen orange chicken on hand and combine it with instant rice and frozen vegetables for a complete meal. Frozen vegetable fried rice can also make the preparation even more convenient.
Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas
These quesadillas put a fun pizza-inspired twist on a classic quick meal. Fill a tortilla with pepperoni, shredded cheese, and other pizza toppings such as olives, peppers, or mushrooms, then add Italian seasoning and cook it in a pan with a little butter over medium heat. For less grease, the pepperoni can be warmed first and blotted before adding it to the quesadilla.
Chicken Alfredo with Veggies
Chicken Alfredo becomes much easier when you use convenient prepared ingredients. Combine frozen grilled diced chicken or pulled rotisserie chicken with boxed fettuccini Alfredo, then add some green vegetables for extra color and nutrition. Remember to have any ingredients required by the pasta package, such as butter and milk, available before preparing the meal.
Crispy Chicken Sandwiches
When you are hungry and short on time, homemade crispy chicken sandwiches can be a simple alternative to takeout. Use breaded chicken fillets and serve them on burger buns with mayonnaise, pickles, or your favorite sauce. Adding lettuce and tomatoes provides a fresh element while keeping the meal quick and easy.
Garlic Toast Pizzas
Garlic toast can become a fun mini pizza with just a few additional ingredients. Bake the garlic toast according to the package directions, then add pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and pepperoni before returning it to the oven until the cheese has melted. These quick pizzas are especially convenient for a relaxed family dinner.
Cheesy Meatball Sandwiches
Frozen meatballs are a convenient base for hearty sandwiches. Bake the meatballs according to the package instructions, toss them with warm marinara or pasta sauce, and place them inside hoagie rolls with shredded cheese. A short bake at around 400 degrees allows the cheese to melt and creates a warm, satisfying sandwich.
Loaded Chicken Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are inexpensive, versatile, and easy to customize with family-friendly toppings. For a quick dinner, top cooked potatoes with pulled rotisserie chicken, butter, garlic salt, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream. The combination creates a comforting meal that requires very little preparation.
Chili Cheese Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are an easy classic that can be enjoyed throughout the year. For a more filling version, top cooked hot dogs with warm chili and shredded cheese. The combination adds extra flavor and turns a simple hot dog into a satisfying last-minute dinner.
Cheesy Ranch Cobb Salad
A prepared salad kit can make an excellent foundation for a quick dinner. Add protein, cheese, avocado, diced ham, crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, rotisserie chicken, or any other ingredients you enjoy. The result is a filling salad that can be assembled quickly when you do not have time for a complicated meal.
Ham & Cheese Sliders
Small sandwiches are always popular with kids, and these ham and cheese sliders are easy to prepare for the whole family. Fill Hawaiian rolls with your favorite deli meat and cheese, arrange them in a greased baking dish, brush the tops with melted butter, and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another two to three minutes. You can season the butter with garlic salt, Italian seasoning, poppy seeds, or another seasoning you prefer.
Lazy Lasagna
This simple baked ravioli dish creates the comforting flavors of lasagna with much less preparation. Layer frozen ravioli with pasta sauce and cheese in a greased baking dish, cover, and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Remove the cover and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes. Ground beef can also be added if you want extra protein.
Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad
Rotisserie chicken makes this Caesar salad especially quick to assemble. Simply pull the chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine it with your favorite Caesar salad kit. Extra Parmesan cheese and croutons can be added for more flavor and crunch, while garlic toast makes an easy side dish.