Most busy families need a way to get dinner on the table fast, and these recipes are the perfect solution. Here are five easy dinner recipes for your family that are so easy you won’t need a recipe.
I’ve made all the following meals at least 20+ times, so I assure you that these simple recipes work wonderfully and taste delicious. Once you’ve made each of these, you won’t have to come back to find the recipe because they are so simple to make.
We all need dinner recipes that are our go-to favorites. My criteria for a go-to recipe to make again and again are:
- Easy enough that I can memorize the ingredients and pick them up at a quick pit-stop grocery store run, or keep them on hand.
- My family says, “Oooh, we’re having ________ tonight? Yeah!” when I make it.
- It’s (mostly) healthy.
- Can be made in 30 minutes or less.
While I typically meal plan for a week’s meals or even a month’s worth when I freezer cook, it’s still helpful to have those few recipes in your brain that you know you can remember the ingredients when you need to run to the grocery store. Knowing it’s a meal your family loves is an added bonus.
The Holy Mess Grocery List and Meal Planner Printable – Use this free printable to do your week’s meal plans.
5 Easy Dinner Recipes for a Family to Try Tonight
We all have our go-to staple dinner recipes like Tacos, Sloppy Joes, and Spaghetti. Each of the following is a bit more interesting and I assure you that every recipe is simple to shop for, prepare, and serve.
1. Easy Salsa Chicken
This recipe is:
- low in calories
- low in WW points
- kid-friendly
- crock pot, slow cooker, oven, Instant Pot
Easy Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts fresh or frozen
- 15 ounce salsa 1 jar
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 1 cup Greek yogurt plain, non-fat
Instructions
- Add chicken breasts to Instant Pot inner pot.
- Add chicken broth or water.
- Top with salsa.
- Cook on “Manual” or “Poultry” for 15 minutes.
- Natural or quick release.
- Optional – if you desire a thicker sauce, simmer on “saute” for 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove chicken, chop with knife or shred with 2 forks. Return chicken to pot.
- Stir in 1 cup plain, non fat Greek yogurt.
- Serve over rice, over taco salad, or in tortillas (additional points).
WW Information
WW Changes December 2024
The WW Zero Point Foods updated on December 10, 2024, which changes the point value of some recipes. Use the WW recipe analyzer feature to confirm points. -Sara
Nutrition
This salsa chicken recipe is one of my go-to recipes for an easy meal that is healthy for me I’m maintaining a 100 pounds weight loss (read more about my weight loss here) plus my family enjoy it. This chicken tastes great right from the pot over rice or quinoa or shredded and is used for burritos, bowls, taco salads, and more.
2. Country Pork Chops
This recipe is:
- low in calories
- kid-friendly
- crock pot, oven, Instant Pot
Country Pork Chops (3 Ingredients)
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 6 pork chops with or without bone, see note below.
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 10.5 ounces each, regular or reduced fat
- 1 bottle barbecue sauce 18 ounces, regular or sugar-free
Instructions
Crock Pot Method
- Place pork chops in slow cooker.
- Mix soup and barbeque sauce, and pour over the meat.
- Cook 6 to 8 hours on low.
Oven Alternate
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Place pork chops in a 9×13 baking dish. Mix soup and barbeque sauce and pour over the meat. Cover with foil or a lid.
- Bake for 1 hour or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145℉.
To Serve
- Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
WW Information
WW Changes December 2024
The WW Zero Point Foods updated on December 10, 2024, which changes the point value of some recipes. Use the WW recipe analyzer feature to confirm points. -Sara
Notes
Nutrition
For years this was one of my daughter’s favorite dinner recipes. I received this recipe at my wedding shower and I’ve been making this dinner ever since because it’s easy and flavorful. We eat this over brown rice with a side of broccoli or green beans.
3. Ranch Chicken Salad
This recipe is:
- low in calories
- kid-friendly
- stovetop
Chicken Ranch Salad
Ingredients
- 2 bags Romaine lettuce chopped or 3 heads, chopped
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- 1 large cucumber chopped
- ½ cup light cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 bags Frito's corn chips lunch size bags
- ½ cup Ranch dressing light
- ½ cup Greek yogurt plain non-fat
- 1 cup salsa
- 4 chicken breasts 4 ounces each
- 3 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp season salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- cooking spray
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine Ranch dressing, Greek yogurt, and salsa to make the dressing. Set aside.
- In skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken with cooking spray. Sprinkle with seasonings. Cook until no longer pink in the middle (about 20 minutes). (If needed, add 2 to 3 Tablespoons of water to prevent the chicken from burning or getting too dry.)
- Allow the chicken to sit about 5 minutes before slicing — this helps it stay moist. After chicken rests, slice for it for the salads.
- Arrange lettuce and other vegetables in 4 bowls.
- Top with chicken, cheese, and corn chips.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve.
WW Information
WW Changes December 2024
The WW Zero Point Foods updated on December 10, 2024, which changes the point value of some recipes. Use the WW recipe analyzer feature to confirm points. -Sara
Nutrition
This Chicken Ranch Salad is one of my favorites and makes a quick weeknight dinner. It’s great all year round but for some reason I think “summer” when I think of this meal. The Frito’s make it feel like a special treat but don’t add too many extra calories.
4. Family Favorite French Dip
This recipe is:
- low in calories
- kid-friendly
- crock pot and instant pot
Family Favorite French Dip
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 onion cut in half and sliced
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cans beef broth low sodium if possible
- 3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 3 pounds beef shoulder roast chuck roast, or chuck arm pot roast
To Serve
- rolls
- cheese slices
Instructions
- Place onion in greased crock pot.
- Place roast on top of onion.
- Pour broth, mustard, sauces, and spices over roast.
- Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove the meat and shred.
- Keeping the juice, serve the meat on rolls (using onions if desired) with cheese.
- Serve au jus on the side in individual containers for dipping.
WW Information
WW Changes December 2024
The WW Zero Point Foods updated on December 10, 2024, which changes the point value of some recipes. Use the WW recipe analyzer feature to confirm points. -Sara
Notes
Nutrition
I’ve made this yummy French Dip recipe countless times because it’s a family favorite at our house. Using the crock pot or Instant Pot makes this a great weeknight dinner that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
5. Easy & Delicious Roast
This recipe is:
- low in calories
- kid-friendly
- crock pot, instant pot
Easy and Delicious Roast
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chuck roast chuck arm roast, or shoulder roast
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 10.5 ounces each, regular or reduced fat
- 1 packet Lipton Onion soup mix or make your own with this recipe: Homemade Onion Soup Mix Recipe
Instructions
- Place chuck roast in crock Pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.
WW Information
WW Changes December 2024
The WW Zero Point Foods updated on December 10, 2024, which changes the point value of some recipes. Use the WW recipe analyzer feature to confirm points. -Sara
Notes
Nutrition
With these 5 dinner recipes so easy you don’t need a recipe, once you’ve made them once you’ll have them in your brain for the next time you need a quick meal to feed your family fast.
What’s your favorite easy family dinner recipe?
15 Incredibly Easy Weight Loss Dinner Recipes Cookbook
Make weight loss even easier with this helpful cookbook with quick yet incredibly delicious weight-loss dinner recipes. These recipes are so easy that you almost don’t need a recipe.
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Click here to get the Easy Weight Loss Dinner Recipes Cookbook.
If you want to learn more recipes, be sure to check out The Holy Mess Recipe Index, where you’ll find a diverse collection of delicious and easy-to-make dishes for every meal.
More Recipes That Your Family Will Love
Instant Pot: 15 All-Time Best Family Recipes
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