When it comes to cooking, people are usually divided into two teams: those who love it, and those who can’t stand it. And those two people usually fight over who’s making those family friendly “easy” dinner recipes each night.
There are numerous reasons why cooking is considered such a nuisance by many. Sometimes, recipes call for extremely specific ingredients (sorry, but we just don’t keep Romanesco broccoli on hand). Other times, the preparation takes too long. Enjoying food for 10 minutes after you’ve spent 3 hours preparing it seems like a deal gone wrong. And don’t even get us started on all the dishes yogu need to wash after. A complete nightmare!
Plan ahead and say goodbye to meal time madness
You may be wondering how we know all this. Well, friends, it’s because we’ve been there. We’re a team of foodies, but there are some of us who adore cooking and some of us who are really all about the eating, but not the preparing. We’ve lived that life!
Thankfully, along the way, our stance on cooking has changed tremendously. In a matter of months, we’ve gone from ordering out almost every night to preparing full-fledged meals for the whole family all by ourselves. Our biggest predicament has always been coming up with fresh ideas on what to cook each night. Sound familiar? We reckon every cook in the world has had similar thoughts. Especially if you have kids or partners to cook for too!
If the same issue has been causing you headaches too, we’ve got just the right solution. We’ve assembled with a list of ten family-friendly dinner recipes that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. These dishes are easy to prepare, with simple ingredients (take that, Romanesco broccoli!). And they’re done in less than an hour. That’s a win-win situation for us!
1. Ground Beef Casserole
When it comes to easy family-friendly dinner recipes, casseroles are a natural go-to. Firstly, the possibilities are truly endless with the ingredients you can layer up. Secondly, you save so much time since everything is cooked together. Thirdly, you can make them ahead, freeze and reheat in the oven when the time comes. Perfect for a busy day! And finally, they’re super comforting and yummy! Seriously, is anything better than the first warm bite of your favorite casserole?!
And for all of you carnivores out there, we’ve found the perfect Ground Beef Casserole recipe. If you’re not the biggest fan of beef, chicken or pork can both work well too. You can mix it up the cheeses as well. Some grated mozzarella or parmesan can make real magic. We can’t wait for you to try this one!
2. Black Bean Quinoa Casserole
If you’re following a vegetarian diet or you’re simply looking for a little Meatless Monday inspiration, then this Black Bean Quinoa Casserole will take your breath away. This dish is inspired by the great Mexican cuisine, so it involves the kinds of toppings you’d normally find in a taco or a quesadilla. So…all the best ones, then!
Of course, the toppings are all optional, but we strongly advise you to give some of them a go. They add so much flavor and connect the rest of the ingredients very well.
3. Chicken Quesadillas
While we’re on the Mexican cuisine train, we found ourselves browsing through loooooads of recipes suitable for a quick and easy family dinner, including this amazing Chicken Quesadilla recipe. Seriously, Mexican food is the gift that keeps on giving! What’s especially great about this recipe is that it calls for ingredients you probably already have in your fridge and pantry. It’s nutritious and healthy. And ready in less than half an hour. What’s not to like?
4. Cheesy Pan Pizza
If there was an award for the ultimate kid-friendly dish, then pizza would win every time. There aren’t many dishes that can stand up against pizza in the eyes of the youngest. And to be frank, it’s a favorite among many adults too. Us included! Since pizza is designed to feed many people at the same time, it inspires bonding among friends and family members. Anyone can jump in to making it as well. There’s just the matter of deciding which topping to add. It’s a tough choice, we know. The options for pizza toppings are endless.
For a home-cooked pizza, there probably isn’t a better option than this award-winning Cheesy Pan Pizza recipe. It requires only 10 ingredients, with minimal kneading. This recipe calls for a cast iron pan which allows you to have better control of the cooking process. You can make the crust as crunchy as you’d like, without the fear of burning it. And with the cheese, tomatoes and fresh herbs, you’ll have a tasty vegetarian meal ready in less than an hour.
5. Vegan Roasted Garlic and Spinach White Pizza
If anyone ever told you that there’s no such a thing as good vegan pizza, you can prove them wrong by showing them this recipe. The garlicy dough paired with fresh spinach and chopped tomatoes will please even the toughest critics. And it’s a looker too. If you decide on making this pizza for your family, it might be a good idea to omit the red pepper flakes. The heat they bring adds to the overall flavor of the dish, but it can be overwhelming for kids.
6. Spaghetti Bolognese
Italian culture values family above all else, and it shows in their cuisine. Lots of quintessentially Italian dishes are made in large portions for the sole purpose of sharing them with your loved ones. While having a nice glass of wine and interesting conversation, of course. To Italians, food equals love. That’s why it isn’t a surprise that yet another dish from Italy found its way on our list. This time, it’s the classic Spaghetti Bolognese. It’s simple, flavorful, and done in less that half an hour.
Spaghetti Bolognese holds a special place in our hearts. It’s the fist dish loads of our team ever learned how to make themselves! If you’re a beginner in the kitchen, seeing sugar in a savory recipe might confuse you. But a general rule you might want to remember is – whenever you’re using tomatoes, a little sugar helps neutralize their natural acidity.
7. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
In many cultures, soup is considered an opening dish to a multi-course meal. But this warm and hearty Broccoli Cheddar Soup can be enjoyed as a standalone. It’s surprisingly nutritious, so you might not need another bite of anything else that night. Or you’ll simply make space for dessert, which we highly encourage. This recipe uses fresh broccoli, but frozen works too. What we love about soups in general is the positive effect they have on the digestive system. And on the mood too. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup when you’re feeling under the weather.
8. Garlic and Rosemary Chicken Tray Bake
If you’ve read any of our previous articles or advice on the Samsung Food blog, then you’ve surely noticed we keep celebrating dishes that can be easily assembled, put in the oven and left to cook on their own. No need for constant checking or fussing over. Since these are usually one-pot dishes, the clean-up after is reduced to a minimum. And that’s definitely a reason to celebrate!
Early on, we said we’d to show you only the dishes that can be prepared under one hour. But we must make an exception for the wonderful and healthy Garlic and Rosemary Chicken Tray Bake. It’s done in one hour and five minutes. But we promise, those five minutes extra are so worth it. Along with chicken pieces, the recipe includes different veggies, such as potatoes, carrots and brussels sprouts. But you can definitely mix it up. We also like to add a couple of cherry tomatoes in there. They give a gorgeous pop of color that contrasts really well with the greenery. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can swap the regular potatoes with sweet potatoes. Yum!
9. Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
If you’re following the pescatarian diet or you simply enjoy the occasional fish meal, then we’ve got just the right recipe for you. Even though this Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa serves only two, the quantities can easily be adjusted to serve more. Like any fish, salmon is a protein powerhouse. And when paired with avocados, that are rich in “healthy fats”, you get a perfectly balanced and nutritious meal. This dish is so light and tasty, full of different spices. If you don’t have lime on hand, lemons work extremely well too. We guarantee the whole family will love this flavorful dish.
10. Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad
While salads may not be considered a traditional stand-alone dinner idea, some carry enough nutrients that you really don’t need anything besides them. And this beautiful Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad is the proof of that. This salad is the perfect choice on a hot summer night, when you and your family crave a light and fresh meal. The tender chicken contrasts so well with the crunchy cucumbers. The addition of olives and feta cheese in this recipe will keep you fuller (thanks, healthy fats!) and add salty flavor too!
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