20 Family Meals That Don’t Require Hours of Prep

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20 Family Meals That Don’t Require Hours of Prep

Family meals are key to bringing everyone together, but who has hours to spend prepping? These 20 great recipes are quick to make and perfect for those packed days. We’re focusing on meals that fit right into your busy life, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying dinner with your family.

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

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a game changer for busy nights. It’s a one-pot meal that’s ready in 45 minutes, making it perfect for when you’re short on time but still want a great family dinner. Easy for anyone to make, this casserole brings all the flavors you love without the hassle of stuffing peppers.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a straightforward and quick family dinner, try the Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. It’s ready in less than an hour and is super easy to whip up. Plus, it reheats well, so you’re set for a great meal tomorrow too. This recipe is all about making your busy life a bit easier while keeping everyone at the table happy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken bites with garlic butter sauce and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are cooked to perfection right on the stovetop to yield bite-sized pieces of juicy, tender chicken in a delicious buttery garlic sauce. This is an easy-to-make recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

This Spinach Chicken Bake is your go-to for a no-hassle dinner, ready in just 30 minutes with a single pan. It combines chicken thighs with cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach. This recipe is all about making your evening easier, ensuring you get to enjoy more time with your family without compromising on a great meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Italian Sausage Soup

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

This Italian Sausage Soup is perfect for getting dinner on the table quickly, needing only 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a simple mix of sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and cream, all cooked together in one pot. This recipe is a lifesaver on busy nights and is super easy, even for beginners. It means less time cooking and more time with your family, without sacrificing a good meal.
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 is your go-to for a fast and delicious dinner, ready in 30 minutes with just one pan. It’s simple with minimal ingredients, making it a stress-free option for a great family meal. This dish is all about getting a delicious dinner ready without a lot of prep or cleanup. It’s perfect for those nights when you need something quick but still want to keep everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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

Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a comforting choice for dinner, ready within an hour. Made in one pot, this recipe is a great way to bring the classic flavors of a chicken pot pie to your table without the extra work. It’s designed to comfort your family on colder evenings, providing a comforting and hearty meal that doesn’t keep you busy in the kitchen for too long.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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

Get a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole on the table in 30 minutes, making your busy weeknights a bit easier. This dish mixes broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheese, creating a meal that’s both quick and delectable. It’s an excellent choice for when time is tight but you still want to serve something that feels home-cooked. This casserole is about enjoying a good dinner with your family without spending the whole night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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

Prepare a quick and refined dinner with Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach, ready in 30 minutes. Shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach come together in a rich garlic sauce, ideal over pasta or rice. This dish is about serving something special without spending too much time in the kitchen, perfect for a family meal that comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

In just 30 minutes, Creamy Dijon Chicken serves up a quick and rich dinner option. This one-pan recipe combines chicken with a creamy dijon mustard sauce and fresh spinach. It’s about whipping up something that’s both quick to make and great to eat, ideal for those evenings when you’re looking for a meal that’s both simple and good without spending too much time cooking.
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.

Ready in 30 minutes, the Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a one-pan meal perfect for a hearty family dinner. It brings together ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms for a pleasant dish. This recipe focuses on ease and convenience, aiming to reduce your time in the kitchen while still providing a great meal for your family on 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 just 30 minutes, this Cheesy Beef Casserole combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese into a hearty meal that’s quick to make. It’s perfect for those nights when time is tight but you still want to serve a good dinner. This recipe is easy, allowing you to get a nourishing meal on the table with minimal prep.
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.

In just 30 minutes, Fajita Baked Chicken combines seasoned chicken, cream cheese, and sweet peppers for a quick dinner option. This dish is perfect for any night when you need something fast and full of flavor. It’s all about making dinner prep hassle-free while still delivering a dish that’s sure to be a hit with the family.
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.

This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a comforting choice that comes together quickly in one pot. It’s simple enough for any cook to prepare and brings a rich flavor to your dinner table without requiring a lot of time or effort. This soup is perfect for a comforting meal that doesn’t keep you tied up 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.

Get dinner ready in 30 minutes with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. This one-pan meal features chicken thighs in a rich sun-dried tomato sauce, delivering a quick yet flavorful dinner option. It’s ideal for busy evenings when you’re looking for a meal that’s both quick to make and good to eat, ensuring you spend less time cooking and more time with your family.
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.

Chicken Corn Soup is straightforward and full of flavor, ready in under an hour. This one-pot recipe combines chicken, vegetables, and broth for a meal that’s quick and easy for anyone to prepare. It’s a great way to serve a hearty and welcoming meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
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 can be on your table in 30 minutes, needing just one pan for preparation. It features chicken breasts in a rich garlic sauce, making it a great pick for a quick family dinner. This dish proves that you don’t need a lot of time to prepare a flavorful meal that everyone will enjoy.
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.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is your solution to a quick, hassle-free meal. Just spread sausage and vegetables on a sheet pan and bake. It’s an excellent choice for a flavorful dinner on busy nights, minimizing cleanup and maximizing taste.
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.

Prepare a Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce in no time, using just one pan. This easy dish, perfect with rice or noodles, serves a rich and flavorful dinner without the need for complicated steps. It’s ideal for those evenings when you want something special but easy to make.
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.

These Canned Chicken Patties are quick to make, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They’re a versatile meal option, great with veggies, rice, or salads, especially on days when you’re short on time but still want to serve something good and filling.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

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