15 Delicious Family Dinner Recipes for a Cozy Meal Together

Nothing brings a family together like a warm, delicious dinner. Whether you are looking for comforting classics or new favorites to try, these family-friendly dinner recipes will make your evenings extra special. From hearty casseroles to one-pot wonders, these recipes are easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

1. Classic Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 cup ketchup (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well.
3. Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf.
4. Spread 1/4 cup of ketchup on top.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
7. Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.

2. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fettuccine pasta
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add sliced chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked.
4. Reduce heat, add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until combined.
5. Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Mix well until creamy.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

3. Hearty Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups potatoes, diced
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, cook onion and garlic until softened.
4. Return beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
5. Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer.
6. Add potatoes, carrots, and celery. Cover and cook for 1.5-2 hours until beef is tender.
7. Remove bay leaf and serve hot.

4. Baked Ziti with Ricotta Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta until al dente and drain.
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add marinara sauce to the beef and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. In a baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by half the beef mixture and half the ricotta mixture.
6. Repeat the layers and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
8. Serve hot with garlic bread.

5. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. Coat drumsticks evenly with the mixture and place on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Brush BBQ sauce on drumsticks and bake for another 10 minutes.
6. Serve with coleslaw and cornbread.

6. Garlic Butter Shrimp with Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp, salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until shrimp turns pink.
4. Stir in lemon juice and cook for another minute.
5. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with parsley.

7. Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
2. In a bowl, mix chicken, broccoli, rice, soup, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Transfer mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly.
4. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
5. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve warm.

8. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers, halved and deseeded
• 1 lb ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place bell peppers in a baking dish.
2. In a skillet, cook ground meat with onion and garlic until browned.
3. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Stuff each bell pepper with the meat mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
6. Serve warm.

9. Teriyaki Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
3. Marinate salmon fillets in the mixture for 15 minutes.
4. Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet.
5. Place marinated salmon on the sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until flaky.
6. Serve warm with steamed rice.