17 Family Meals That Don’t Involve Hours of Prep

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17 Family Meals That Don’t Involve Hours of Prep

Family meals are about spending quality time together, not hours in the kitchen preparing food. These 17 recipes are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy days. They are meant to help you get a delicious dinner on the table fast, so you can enjoy more time with your family.

Cheesy spinach and chicken casserole.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Italian Sausage Soup

A spoonful of creamy Italian sausage soup in a white pot.
Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Italian Sausage Soup is a great choice for a quick family dinner, ready in 30 minutes. This easy recipe mixes sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream in a single pot. It’s perfect for those busy nights or for beginners in cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage, a one-pan meal ready in 30 minutes, is great for last-minute dinner plans. Its minimal ingredients and easy steps make it a great choice for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is an excellent choice for busy weeknights, ready in 30 minutes. It combines broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheese for a quick, delicious family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Spinach Chicken Bake

A casserole dish filled with chicken, spinach and cheese.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can whip up Spinach Chicken Bake using just one pan. This recipe is a great choice for a family dinner, combining chicken thighs with cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach. It’s quick and easy, perfect for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a refined yet easy dinner option. This dish pairs shrimp with tomatoes and spinach in a garlic sauce, perfect over pasta or rice for a quick family meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a bowl with peas and carrots.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup, ready in an hour, brings comfort to your dinner table. This one-pot recipe is great for a family meal, especially throughout the chillier months of the year.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken, ready in just 30 minutes, is a quick and flavorful choice for dinner. Cooked in one pan, it combines chicken with a creamy dijon mustard sauce and fresh spinach, creating a delicious meal for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a great pick for a hearty family meal, ready in 30 minutes. This one-pan dish mixes ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms, great for those busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes, Cheesy Beef Casserole is an easy-to-follow recipe perfect for a quick family dinner. It combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese for a hearty and enjoyable meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fajita Baked Chicken is an easy 30-minute dish that combines seasoned chicken with cream cheese and sweet peppers. It’s a perfect choice for a quick, flavorful dinner that’s great for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a comforting and easy choice for any family dinner. Prepared in one pot, this flavorful soup is approachable for cooks of all levels and doesn’t require much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken, a 30-minute meal, is a great option for busy evenings. This one-pan recipe features chicken thighs in a sun-dried tomato sauce, making for a quick yet flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In under an hour, Chicken Corn Soup is a simple and flavorful family dinner. This one-pot recipe combines chicken, vegetables, and broth, perfect for a quick meal that’s easy even for beginners in cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken, prepared in 30 minutes using just one pan, is a great choice for a fast and flavorful meal. Pairing chicken breasts with a garlic sauce, this dish is perfect for a family dinner that doesn’t require much time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a quick, no-fuss dinner, try the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Just toss sausage and veggies on a sheet pan for a flavorful meal that’s great for those busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is an easy-to-prepare, rich, flavorful dish. Ready in one pan, it’s perfect when paired with rice or noodles for a special yet effortless dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Canned Chicken Patties

A white plate with broccoli and chicken patties.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these canned chicken patties are best for days when you need something on the table fast. This meal is very versatile — enjoy it with veggies, rice, or salads.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

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