easy dinner recipes for family 1. One-Pan Baked Chicken and Vegetables

 1. One-Pan Baked Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 lb potatoes (cubed)

1 cup carrots (sliced)

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt, pepper, and your favorite seasoning (like Italian seasoning or garlic powder)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet and surround with cubed potatoes and carrots.

3. Drizzle olive oil over everything and season with salt, pepper, and any other spices.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the vegetables are tender.

2. Taco Night

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or chicken

Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

Soft or hard taco shells

Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.

2. Add taco seasoning and a bit of water, and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Warm taco shells in the oven or microwave.

4. Serve with your favorite toppings for a customizable family taco night.

3. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Ingredients:

12 oz spaghetti

4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley (chopped)

Grated Parmesan (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).

3. Add red pepper flakes, then toss in the cooked pasta and some pasta water (about 1/2 cup) to create a sauce.

4. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle fresh parsley and Parmesan before serving.

4. Sheet Pan Fajitas

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts or steak (sliced thinly)

1 bell pepper (sliced)

1 onion (sliced)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 packet fajita seasoning (or homemade)

Flour tortillas

Toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss the sliced chicken, peppers, and onions with olive oil and fajita seasoning.

3. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

4. Warm tortillas and serve with your favorite toppings.

5. Simple Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken, beef, or tofu (cubed)

2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp hoisin sauce or oyster sauce

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tbsp cornstarch (optional)

2 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat and cook the protein of choice until browned and cooked through.

2. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds before adding the mixed vegetables.

3. Stir in soy sauce and hoisin sauce, and cook until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened (add cornstarch mixed with a little water if you want a thicker sauce).

4. Serve over rice or noodles.

6. Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

1 lb ziti pasta

2 cups marinara sauce

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta according to package directions.

2. Mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella.

3. Pour into a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

These recipes are simple, require minimal ingredients, and can be prepared in under 45 minutes, making them ideal for busy family dinners. Let me know if you'd like more options!