Hunting for dinner ideas? Whether you find yourself in the kitchen at 6:00 p.m wondering “what should I make for dinner tonight” OR your family can never agree on one meal, dinner can be one of the most hectic parts of the day. As a working mom of 3 kids, I get it.
With picky eaters and food allergies, making one meal for everyone in my house seemed impossible for so long! Learning how to meal plan and prep helped me get a handle on the dinner fiasco. A few years ago I started sharing my meal plans with the world and I’ve been able to help thousands of other families do the same.
So goodbye to living as a short order cook in your own home, and hello to fresh, simple meals that everyone can agree on. Grab your free meal plan here.
When it comes to finding dinner ideas that work for the whole family it’s important to incorporate at least one item everyone will enjoy, whether it’s the entree or side dish.
I like making self serve meals like tacos, loaded potato, and burgers bars since they include a variety of healthy options and everyone can build their own plate with the ingredients they love most.
Now for the real reason, you’re here, recipes you can cook for dinner tonight!
What to Cook for Dinner Tonight
When you’re wondering what to make… I’ve got everything from chicken dinner ideas to beef, to tacos and so much more!
Quick Lemon Chicken
Take your simple pan-seared chicken up a notch with this quick lemon chicken marinade. It’s full of flavor and a total crowd-pleaser
Chicken Spaghetti Squash
This is a great switch from my usual spaghetti squash with Bolognese sauce. Cook the spaghetti squash beforehand to cut down on kitchen time.
Healthy Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are the one food I’ve never seen a child turn away and this healthy baked version is perfect for both kids and adults.
Need gluten-free chicken nuggets? I’ve got you covered there too!
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
Made with my easy slow cooker buffalo chicken the hardest part is choosing whether you want to serve your quesadillas with Ranch or Blue cheese dressing. Maybe both?
Healthy Teriyaki Chicken
The healthier, baked version of everyone’s favorite Asian take-out.
If you’re looking for more chicken dinner ideas – check out my latest ebook – Chicken. It’s what’s for Dinnner!
70+ Epic Chicken Recipes
If chicken is your go-to meal builder, you’re going to love the recipes inside this book!
From marinades, soups, slow cooker meals, one-pot wonders, sheet pan dinners, and more, the recipes inside are delicious and kid-approved.
Recipes Using Ground Beef
The possibilities are endless when it comes to dinner ideas using ground beef!
Quick tip – If you’re planning to make a few of these recipes this week, then you can prep a few pounds of ground beef in the slow cooker to save you time in the kitchen each night.
Cheesy Beef Goulash Recipe
One of the only recipes I can expect no complaints, only clean plates. This recipe is so easy, my teenager can even cook it on her own!
Beef Bolognese
This simple pasta and meat sauce recipe is the ultimate quick and easy dinner idea for kids!
Taco Pizza Recipe
Grab those leftovers from taco night and get ready to make the best pizza you’ve ever had. Yep, we’re talking about taco pizza! This recipe will leave everyone wishing for more leftovers.
Instant Pot Chili Mac
The Instant Pot does all the work in this quick and easy chili mac dinner recipe! Grab some ground beef, a bag of pasta, and a few cans, and dinner will be on the table in no time.
Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes
When it’s already 5pm and you need something…FAST, try one of these quick and easy dinner ideas!
Easy Homemade Nachos
Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery, use some of the meat for these nachos and the rest to make chicken salad for lunches.
Spiralized Zucchini and Tomatoes
Healthier noodles, made with Zucchini paired with tomatoes and a delicious blend of spices.
Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Comfort food in all its simplicity! And that homemade homemade Carbonara Sauce is everything you ever hoped for in a pasta.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Sliders stuffed with shredded chicken in a tangy, smoky sauce, melted cheese, and homemade Ranch dressing.
Meatless Dinner Ideas
We’ve all had that feeling where you go to make dinner and realize you’re either out of meat OR everything is frozen. While I do have a safe (quick!) defrost method for chicken, sometimes you just have to go meatless, so here are a few quick and easy meals to get you started.
Creamy Spinach Tortellini
This recipe is my secret weapon on busy weeknights. You can have dinner on the table within 20 minutes of getting home from after-school activities with this meatless meal.
Homemade Shakshuka
I grew up on this recipe in Spain, and it’s still. family favorite with me and my kids. This dish is made with classic red sauce and eggs and could not be more delish!
Meatless Meatballs
Spaghetti doesn’t have to be boring, simply because you’re out of ground beef. Grab some oats and beans and make these epic “meat”balls to top your noodles tonight.
Easy Parmesan Risotto
This simple Parmesan & Peas Risotto Recipe is one for the ages! It’s creamy, delicious and the perfect meal to make when you need to whip up dinner using items in your pantry.
How to Plan Healthy Family Meals Every Night of the Week
With busy lives and kids, enjoying a meal with your family hinges on two important factors:
1. A meal plan prepared in advance
2. Recipes your family will actually enjoy and eat
And lucky for you- I’ve got BOTH!
Meal planning goes a little differently for everyone, but the most effective method for me is to set aside time at the beginning of the week to plan 5-6 days worth of meals, leaving the other days open for leftovers or family plans.
If you’re on the lookout for a completed meal plan with shopping lists and prep guides, you’ll find it in our family meal plans.
Classic Weekly Meal Plan
Eat delicious real food family meals with a simple plan. Recipes, meal prep, and done-for-you shopping list inside.
So who’s ready for some hassle-free meals? I say we start with these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas you can totally make for dinner tonight.
PrintEasy Dinner Ideas for Tonight | EPIC Chicken Quesadillas
Quick & Easy dinner ideas for tonight that your whole family will love. Use what you already have on hand with these easy recipes, starting with classic beef tacos, for an epic taco night!
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ cup buffalo sauce
- 8 8-inch flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
- Butter, for grilling
- Blue cheese or Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts into the dish of a slow cooker. Pour the buffalo sauce over the chicken, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, shred the meat with two forks and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Place the tortillas on a flat surface. Top 4 tortillas with the chicken, Cheddar cheese, and blue cheese. Assemble the quesadillas.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. One at a time, place the quesadillas into the skillet and grill for 3 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt. Flip and grill for another 3 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. Remove from the skillet and repeat with remaining quesadillas.
- Slice and serve Ranch or Blue cheese dressing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 655
- Sugar: 1.3g
- Sodium: 1775.1mg
- Fat: 27.1g
- Saturated Fat: 11.8g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 45.1g
- Cholesterol: 134.1mg
Keywords: dinner ideas, family dinner ideas, dinner ideas for kids, what should I make for dinner tonight, dinner recipes
More Family Dinner Ideas
I’m all about cooking with what you have on hand, so if you’re looking for something starting a specific ingredient, I have you covered in the posts below. Be sure to click over for the recipe you need today or pin the posts to save for the next time you are standing in front of the fridge trying to come up with a dinner idea for tonight.
Chicken Dinner ideas – Quick, easy and delicious meals using chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks or even the whole bird!
Dinner Ideas with Ground Beef – Wondering what to make with that pound of ground beef you have thawing the fridge? Here’s a collection of family favorite recipes to try.
Shrimp Dinner Ideas – 10 amazing kid-friendly recipes made with shrimp. Plus, a few tips for cooking shrimp so they come out perfect every single time.
Laurie Rasor
Thanks for these dinner ideas. Have A Good Day
★★★★★
Joanna Jones-Heron
I made the American Goulash dinner idea and my family LOVED it. thanks for the suggestions, this post is now my go-to for family-friendly recipe ideas.
★★★★★
Camber
The quesadillas are a great idea and I can’t wait to try the American Goulash!
★★★★★
Jillian Leslie
This is so easy and absolutely delicious! Thanks, Laura!
★★★★★