Sometimes you have to celebrate the little things. Whether it’s Groundhog Day, acing a job interview, or getting a good grade on a report card, weeknight dinners are a fun way to acknowledge the small wins— without spending too much time in the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be hard: a twist on an old classic, for example, or recreating a favorite fast-food meal. Whatever the case, we have tons of tips to make exciting meals that everyone will love. We have a few tricks up our sleeves, too. Like leaning into budget-friendly pantry and frozen ingredients. Check out our favorites here.
Mediterranean Sheet Pan Grazing Board
Snack boards always feel like fun and when they’re substantial for dinner they’re even better. Here pita bread, hummus, tzatziki, and falafel come together for a healthy dinner that is endlessly versatile. Add a little crumbled feta or goat cheese, or your favorite veggies, such as grilled zucchini or chopped cucumber, to spice it up and make it your own.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Sheet Pan Grazing Board
Butter Chicken Naan Pizza
Everyone’s favorite, pizza, gets an Indian twist in this fun and easy recipe. Naan flatbread serves as the crust, slathered with butter chicken curry sauce, and topped with shredded chicken, onions, and mozzarella cheese, plus a little cilantro for a bright kick.
Get the recipe: Butter Chicken Naan Pizza
Buffalo Chicken Gnocchi Bake
Add a little zing to your pasta with this hearty, cheesy casserole that uses just five ingredients and brings together a restaurant favorite and a classic pasta bake. A package of buffalo-style chicken dip makes the dish creamy and spicy, while shredded rotisserie chicken turns it into a satisfying, protein-packed meal.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Gnocchi Bake
Southern Sheet Pan Grazing Board
Take a trip down south with this bright, eclectic meal. Chicken salad and tangy pimento cheese pair well with buttery crackers and fresh lettuce leaves for a casual dinner. Finish up the meal with these yummy lemon bars for dessert.
Get the recipe: Southern Sheet Pan Grazing Board
BBQ Chicken Ramen with Corn
This creative take on instant ramen is sure to be a hit with the kids and it’s certainly not going to break the bank. Adding a little barbecue sauce to the broth brings out a rich, smoky-sweet flavor, and shredded chicken makes it hearty and satisfying.
Get the recipe: BBQ Chicken Ramen with Corn
Ragu Nachos with Pickled Onions
Who doesn’t love nachos? Here they team up with spaghetti to create a fun, inventive family-friendly meal. Crispy tortilla chips provide a great contrast to savory beef ragu, topped with zingy pickled onions. Just like our grazing boards (TK link to collection), this is a great casual dinner that everyone can share.
Get the recipe: Ragu Nachos with Pickled Onions
Blackened Fish with Steamed Spinach
When you need something easy but impressive, this Cajun-inspired meal more than fills the bill. A vibrant spice blend helps to make fish and veggies exciting, adding a little kick and a lot of depth. Pair with fresh-cut lemon wedges to squeeze over the top, and thick slices of bread to mop up the savory juices.
Get the recipe: Blackened Fish with Steamed Spinach
Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These smoky, cheesy stuffed potatoes are sure to be a family favorite. Putting the sweet potatoes in the air fryer speeds up the cooking time, making the outsides crispy and the insides fluffy. Use your favorite barbecue sauce, and top with sour cream and chopped green onions.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Chile Relleno Casserole
All you need is five ingredients for this simple, filling casserole that features blistered poblano peppers, broiled in the oven. Finish off the dish with toppings of your choosing, such as sour cream, chopped green onions, and hot sauce or salsa.
Get the recipe: Chile Relleno Casserole
Banh Mi Bowl
The flavors of the classic Vietnamese sandwich inspire this innovative vegetarian meal. Plant based crumbles, seasoned with hoisin sauce and soy sauce, pair with crispy, fresh veggies and chopped cilantro. Quick and affordable, this rice bowl also makes for great leftovers.
Get the recipe: Banh Mi Bowl
Grilled Chicken Parm Burger
This chicken burger, topped with sliced tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese, is a fun twist on the classic chicken parm. Serve with a green salad or sweet potato fries for a healthy dinner the kids will love.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Parm Burger
Potsticker Grazing Board
This grazing board couldn’t be easier to make and is light and healthy to boot. The sweet chili sauce pairs well with the shrimp, while a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil makes a fantastic dipping sauce for the dumplings. Wasabi peas add a little heat and crunch to the meal. Don’t like spice? Try a ramekin of rice crackers or sesame sticks instead.
Get the recipe: Potsticker Grazing Board
Pizza Beans
Kids will absolutely adore these pizza-inspired beans. Follow along with the pizza theme and add in some of your favorite pizza toppings such as sliced olives or green peppers. Slices of crusty bread make a great side, perfect for scooping up the cheesy, savory beans.
Get the recipe: Pizza Beans
Cheeseburger Pizza
When the two most popular family meals combine into one, this is what happens. Cheeseburger pizza takes all the ingredients of a cheeseburger and throws them onto a pizza crust, creating something fun and delicious. Using a pre-baked pizza crust means this meal comes together in no time.
Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Pizza
Overnight Sheet Pan Yeast Pancakes
These pancakes couldn’t be easier for the whole family to enjoy. Making the batter the night before lends itself to fluffier pancakes and saves lots of time in the morning. Customize toppings for different flavor combinations. Or, to celebrate a holiday like Groundhog Day or Valentine’s Day, use cookie cutters to punch out fun shapes and let your kids decorate with chocolate chips, berries, and whipped cream.
Get the recipe: Overnight Sheet Pan Yeast Pancakes
