If your family has a hectic schedule like mine does, you need all the quick and easy family meal ideas you can get! No matter what sports or after school activities or summer activities you have on your calendar, these family dinner ideas will fit right into you meal plan!
Dinner time is family time. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get everyone together and it’s often even more difficult to find time to prepare meals especially during baseball season.
It seems that almost every night we are at the baseball fields (we aren’t but it sure does feel that way). We practically have something going on every single night or day.
It’s easy during this busy time to rely on fast food and pizza but that gets old quick and expensive. With a bit of meal planning and some simple recipes, you can whip up quick and easy family dinners that everyone will enjoy.
Kitchen Tools to Help Make Your Quick and Easy Family Meals
You don’t need atonof kitchen tools, utensils, and appliances but there are a few that help speed along the process!
- InstaPot – I was late on the InstaPot bandwagon but, now that I have one, I can’t believe I waited so long!
- Airfryer – Again, I held out on the Airfryer because I didn’t think weneeded one. WRONG!
- Slow Cooker – If I had to pick just one extra appliance, the slow cooker would be the one! It’s so nice to set it and forget it and have dinner ready with little effort.
- Ninja Foodi – If you want to consolidate all of the new fancy appliances, the Ninja Foodi is the way the go! It’s a Pressure Cooker, AirFryer, Steamer, and Slow Cooker in one! We use ours at least 2-3 times a week.
Easy Meal Ideas for Baseball Season
My main go-to’s for busy nights are Crock Pot Meals, Casseroles, and One Pan/One Pot dinners. These are easy to prep and easy to make. Clean-up is also a breeze!
These meals tend to make a ton so you’ll have leftovers for another night. We like to have a buffet night where everyone eats buffet style. This helps use up our leftovers without wasting food!
Quick and Easy Meal Ideas
Sheet Pan Meals
Sheet pan meals are a lifesaver when you need to get dinner on the table fast. Simply toss your protein of choice (such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu) and vegetables with some olive oil and seasonings, and roast everything together on a baking sheet in the oven.
You can try combinations like chicken and broccoli, shrimp and asparagus, or tofu and bell peppers. Not only are sheet pan meals quick to prepare, but they also require minimal clean-up.
Stir-Fry
Stir-fry is another great option for a quick and easy family dinner. With a wok or large skillet, you can cook up a flavorful and healthy meal in minutes.
Simply stir-fry your protein (such as beef, pork, or tofu) with vegetables and your favorite sauce. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal. You can try combinations like beef and broccoli, pork and snow peas, or tofu and mixed vegetables.
One-Pot Meals
One-pot meals are another time-saving dinner option. With just one pot or pan, you can cook up a delicious and filling meal with minimal clean-up. You can try recipes like chili, stew, or pasta dishes like spaghetti or fettuccine Alfredo. These meals are not only easy to make, but they also offer plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day.
Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a quick and easy dinner option that the whole family will love. Simply fill tortillas with cheese and your favorite ingredients (such as chicken, vegetables, or beans), and cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. You can serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for a satisfying meal.
Breakfast for Dinner
Breakfast for dinner is a fun and easy way to mix things up when you’re short on time. You can whip up pancakes, French toast, or scrambled eggs with toast and bacon for a filling and satisfying meal. Or, try making breakfast sandwiches with English muffins, eggs, and sausage or bacon.
Quick and Easy Family Meal Ideas for Baseball Season
If your family has a hectic schedule like mine does, you need all the quick and easy family meal ideas you can get!
Quick & Easy Family Crockpot Meals
My main go-to's for busy nights are Crock Pot Meals, Casseroles, and One Pan/One Pot dinners. These are easy to prep and easy to make. Clean-up is also a breeze!
These meals tend to make a ton so you'll have leftovers for another night. We like to have a buffet night where everyone eats buffet style. This helps use up our leftovers without wasting food!
Easy Crockpot Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:jolynneshane.com
Quick and easy pulled pork uses the slow cooker so there's no mess and you can fix it and forget about it!
Easy Crockpot "Rotisserie" Chicken
Photo Credit:www.kyleecooks.com
A delicious, crockpot rotisserie chicken, that is fall-apart tender and juicy. Just season the chicken, set it in the crockpot, and serve later!
Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dogs
Photo Credit:www.servedupwithlove.com
Grab your crock pots, you are going to want to make these Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dogs for your family very soon. With our hectic schedules, these were the perfect supper on a crazy busy day.
Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
Photo Credit:www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com
Skip the takeout! Dinner is easy and delicious with this Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli recipe.
Slow Cooker Salsa Pork -- An easy Crock-Pot recipe
Photo Credit:www.mashupmom.com
Slow Cooker Salsa Pork is a super easy Crock-Pot recipe, requiring just a few minutes of prep time in the morning -- then just shred the pork and assemble your tacos when it's time to eat.
Crock Pot Chicken Stew
Photo Credit:wearychef.com
Pull out your slow cooker for this hearty, healthy dinner recipe. You’ll love to warm up with a bowl of Crock Pot Chicken Stew on a cool evening!
Slow Cooker Taco Meat
Photo Credit:www.aroundmyfamilytable.com
Slow cooker taco meat may become your new favorite way to make easy dinners!
Super Easy {and delicious} Crock Pot Chicken Chili Recipe
Photo Credit:www.thepinningmama.com
It is perfect hearty meal for a week night and can warm up the coldest of days. It is the kind of recipe you are going to want to save for yourself and share with your friends.
Quick and Easy Family Casseroles
Casserole recipes are a busy family’s best friend. Plan ahead, prepare what you can in advance and enjoy meal time with your family.
Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake
All of your favorite Chicken Parm flavors packed into an easy to make casserole!
Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole
Nothing screams comfort food more than Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole!
Southwest Chicken Bake
This dinner is one that you can prep ahead or make even easier by using a rotisserie chicken.
Best Tuna Noodle Casserole
Photo Credit:wearychef.com
This easy Tuna Noodle Casserole really is the best! It’s classic comfort food that will make you feel good inside and out. Treat your family to this wholesome, hearty dinner this week.
Meatzza Casserole
Photo Credit:www.simplystacie.net
This casserole is a hearty meal that will fill your belly and warm you up.
Spicy Sausage and Pasta Casserole
Photo Credit:4sonrus.com
In less than 30 minutes you can have this Spicy Sausage and Pasta Casserole whipped up. A little bit spicy, a little bit creamy, and a whole lot of cheesy– this one dish dinner has it all!
Meatball Sub Casserole
Photo Credit:www.simplystacie.net
If you enjoy eating meatball subs, you will LOVE this simple casserole recipe!
Quick and Easy One Pot Family Meals
Cooking in one pot or pan means there is less to clean up! And when you are trying to get out the door to game, that's really important!
One Pan Creamy Ham & Peas Pasta Recipe: Delicious Pasta Perfect for a Quick Dinner! Loaded with Ham, Bowtie and Peas.
A quick and easy one pot pasta packed with spinach and creamy tomato. Perfect for busy school nights!
Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables
All you need is a little salad dressing, chicken, and veggies and you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
One Pot Cheeseburger Casserole
One Pot Cheeseburger Casserole is delicious and ready in less than 30 minutes!
One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Photo Credit:www.callmepmc.com
it's one pot, it's cheesy, it's pasta, it's ready in 30 minutes and it's delicious!
Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe
Photo Credit:natashaskitchen.com
This Chicken and Rice dish is so satisfying – a must try!
One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Photo Credit:www.thereciperebel.com
This One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta with Bacon is SO easy and so good — hearty, cheesy and a little smoky from barbecue sauce.
Baked Ziti
Photo Credit:tastesbetterfromscratch.com
This easy and delicious Baked Ziti recipe is fast and delicious as comfort food gets and ready in less than 30 minutes!
Easy Goulash
Photo Credit:mandysrecipeboxblog.com
This Easy Goulash is one of the meals I make most when I am short on time. It’s such a quick and easy recipe. The hardest part is browning the ground beef!
Even More Quick & Easy Dinners
If you need even more dinner recipes for your busy nights, we have some more quick and easy meals that you might enjoy!
Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Turkey Chili Taco Soup
This turkey taco chili soup takes minutes to prep and can be enjoyed all week long. This simple & hearty chili recipe will become a staple in your weekly menu plan.
Pork Eggroll in a Bowl
This Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe has all the flavors of a traditional egg roll, cooked in a skillet, without the fried wrapper! Shake things up in the kitchen and try out this low-carb way to enjoy your favorite Chinese takeout food.
Easy Fried Rice
This easy fried rice recipe tastes like something you’d get at a Chinese restaurant. Fried rice is a great side-dish! Add some protein like beef or chicken and you have a quick and easy dinner.
Pressure Cooker Irish Beef Stew
This Pressure Cooker Irish Beef Stew recipe is so heartwarming and so delicious. Made in a pressure cooker, you will have this stew on the table in now time
Barbecue Chicken Pizza Pinwheels
Barbecue Chicken Pizza wrapped up in refrigerated crescent or pizza dough for an easy and tasty snack.
Easy Chicken Taco Pinwheels
A creamy filling made with chicken taco flavors spread over a soft flour tortilla and rolled up to make the most delicious easy chicken pinwheels ever.
Honey-Lime Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Sweet potato tacos with black beans, vegetables and a hint of honey and lime.
This Rustic Pasta Toss is loaded with farm-stand fresh squash, zucchini, and tomatoes. Just combine the raw veggies with tuna and pasta for a light and fresh meal.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels are an easy wrap that everyone will love with chicken, bacon, cheese and ranch seasoning.
With a bit of planning and some simple recipes, you can make delicious and nutritious meals that your whole family will enjoy. Try out some of these ideas the next time you’re short on time, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it can be to feed your family well.
