Finding new weekday family dinner ideas can all-too-quickly become pretty overwhelming! But it doesn't have to be.
There are those who enjoy their time in the kitchen, and those who would rather do something else. But, when it comes to weekdays, it can be hard to spend the extra time slaving over a meal. These easy dinners can help you enjoy family dinner without too much fuss.
Here are a few of our favorite simple dinner ideas like Cobb salad and quesadillas, to get you out of a rut of just eating spaghetti noodles and meatballs to some flavorful treats. Of course, noodles are a fantastic dinner option, too.
Whether you’re looking for something super-healthy or perhaps just the right comfort food, try out one of the following options.
It might be tempting to eat out on a weekday. But there are easy dinner recipes that offer up great flavors without much effort. Whether it’s with beef or chicken, these healthy options will please with ease!
Filling but refreshing salad.
PREP TIME
15 mins
COOK TIME
a few seconds
TOTAL TIME
15 mins
COURSE
dinner
CUISINE
American
SERVINGS
4 people
CALORIES
435.0 kcal
1/2
cup
cooked quinoa
1/2
cup
cooked lentils
1/4
cup
kale ((packed))
1/4
cup
cooked garbanzo beans
drained and rinsed
1/4
cup
cucumber
peeled
1/4
cup
carrot
diced
1/4
cup
grape tomatoes
quartered
1
tbsp
red onion
finely-diced
1/2
tbsp
raw sunflower seeds
1/2
tsp
lemon zest
2
tbsp
freshly squeezed lemon juice
2
tsp
raw honey
1/2
tsp
Dijon mustard
1/4
tsp
sea salt
1/8
tsp
ground black pepper
3
tbsp
olive oil
Quinoa Lentil Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
(if cooking quinoa) Cook quinoa by mixing 1 cup uncooked quinoa with 2 cups water. Bring mix to boil, then simmer for 20 minutes covered. Once water is absorbed, stir with fork and set aside for cooling.
(if cooking lentils) Cook the lentils by mixing 1 cup dry lentils with 3 cups water. Bring mix to boil, then simmer for 30 minutes covered (until tender). Once cooked, drain water and set aside for cooling.
Remove kale leaves from spine. Break kale into bite size pieces. Toss and rub kale with a little olive oil, massage until kale becomes softer.
For lemon vinaigrette, mix the lemon juice, lemon zest, raw honey, dijon mustard, sea salt, ground black pepper, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until mix is consistent throughout.
Combine the cooked quinoa, cooked lentils, kale, garbanzo beans, diced cucumber, diced carrot, quartered grape tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and raw sunflower seeds in a large mixing bowl. Toss salad until mixed thoroughly.
Mix in lemon vinaigrette slowly, toss again until mixed thoroughly.
For added texture, sprinkle extra sunflower seeds over top of salad.
Calories:
435.0 kcal
Carbohydrates:
41.2 g
Cholesterol:
24.2 mg
Fat:
20.1 g
Fiber:
6.1 g
Protein:
15.8 g
Saturated Fat:
3.3 g
Serving Unit:
cups
Sodium:
136.5 mg
Sugar:
7.1 g
Grilled Cobb Salad – Looking for a filling way to get everyone to eat their veggies? Whether you make it vegetarian or with protein this grilled option is great! By cooking scallions and tomatoes, and adding avocado and quinoa, you’ll get a warm dinner dish, chock full of delicious vegetables.
If you’re using a slow cooker or looking for something heavier, a salad might not always fill you up. These easy dinner recipes for beginners will do the trick.
Sometimes the hardest people to please at your dinner table will be your children. Luckily, with these easy, cheese-centric recipes you’ll have some simple dinner recipes your kids will love.
Here are a few more favorite dinners that your whole family will love.
Our busy lives can make it hard to come up with good dinners on the weeknights. Fortunately, whether you’re looking for healthy or hearty, there are many easy dinner recipes that take less than 30 minutes! Do you have any favorite weekday easy family dinner ideas that are simple and tasty? Share them on FamilyApp! Weekday meals don't have to be a struggle-- you can do it!