When it comes to quick-fix dinners, your kitchen can feel less like a cozy corner and more like a 24/7 diner catering to the bottomless pit we call a teenager. But fear not, because this lineup of 17 meals is about to make your life a whole lot easier. We’re talking about dishes that are so straightforward, even those with the culinary enthusiasm of a teaspoon can whip them up. They’re the perfect arsenal for when the clock’s ticking and your teen’s stomach is rumbling louder than a freight train.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
This Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a great pick for those nights when you need something quick and filling for your always-hungry teenager. It’s ready in less than an hour, and you can even prepare it ahead of time. Plus, if you happen to have leftovers, they freeze like a dream. It’s a straightforward dish that’s a hit with both the kids and the adults.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is a fast and filling meal, layering cheese ravioli with marinara sauce and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. With just a few steps, it’s made and ready to serve on hectic nights. This dish is a practical solution for your teen’s hearty appetite, ensuring a delicious, lasagna-inspired meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ready in just 20 minutes, these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are great for keeping up with your teen’s fast-paced life. This straightforward dish uses basic ingredients like chicken, garlic, butter, and parsley, making a dish that’s easy to make and even easier to love. Pair these bites with veggies or a salad for a quick, complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are a quick, 25-minute meal that’s great for feeding hungry teens. All you have to do is coat the pork chops in mayonnaise and breadcrumbs for a tender inside and crispy outside. Quick to prepare and pair with any side dishes you have, this meal keeps dinner time simple and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
The Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a straightforward, cost-effective dish that’s ready quickly, making it perfect for hectic evenings. It combines noodles, tuna, peas, and cheese in a creamy base, topped with breadcrumbs for an added crunch that your teens will love. It’s an easy favorite that keeps well, ensuring leftovers are just as good.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties are a fast, economical meal perfect for busy evenings with the family. Mix canned chicken with eggs, Parmesan, and a choice of flour, then fry until crisp. These 20-minute patties come together quickly, creating a crunchy texture teens love, while being both affordable and filling.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This 30-minute Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole combines broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheese into a hearty meal that’s easy to make whenever you want to impress your teens. In fact, it’s a smart pick for feeding the whole family, combining everyone’s favorite flavors into a delicious dish that’s also perfect for making ahead and reheating.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Need a quick dinner that’s also easy on the wallet? This Tuna Macaroni Salad is ready in 40 minutes and uses ingredients you probably already have. It’s perfect for beginner cooks and versatile enough for lunch or dinner. Just cook some macaroni, toss it with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sweet relish, and mustard, and you’re good to go. Feel free to throw in your own spin with different mustards or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is quick to prepare, needing just 10 minutes of prep and 35 minutes to cook. It combines ground meat, onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rice, all topped with melted cheese. This casserole is surely something your teens will gobble up, but should there be any leftovers, it’s easy to reheat for a convenient meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken combines simple ingredients like canned chicken, eggs, Parmesan, and spices in a dish that’s cooked to a golden finish. You can make this in just 30 minutes, making the recipe great for getting a quick dish out. This meal pairs well with a side salad or steamed veggies, so it’s great for feeding your teens with all the good stuff they need to grow strong and healthy.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is a straightforward, 50-minute recipe that’s perfect for getting your teens to eat some veggies. This dish layers fresh broccoli, creamy mushroom soup, eggs, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and sharp cheddar cheese, topped with crushed crackers for a crispy topping.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This one-skillet Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice dish is ready in 30 minutes, combining beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and onions in a creamy sauce. Topped with melted cheddar, it’s a hearty dinner that requires minimal cleanup. This dish is perfect for feeding teens quickly and keeping leftovers for the next day.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
For a quick dinner, try the Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Just toss sausages, zucchini, broccoli, and mini peppers on a sheet pan and bake. Spiced with paprika and garlic powder, this meal is great for nights when you need something filling and flavorful to feed your teens. Plus, cleanup is minimal!
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Ready in 30 minutes, this Cheesy Beef Casserole mixes cauliflower rice, ground beef, spinach, and cheese into a hearty dish. It’s straightforward to prepare and holds up well as leftovers, perfect for stretching out a meal. This dish keeps things simple, flavorful, and nutritious, great for keeping up with your teen’s appetite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Spinach Chicken Bake
Spinach Chicken Bake is a quick 30-minute meal that’s easy to assemble on a lazy day. It layers chicken thighs seasoned with herbs and spices, cream cheese, and spinach, all topped with mozzarella. Serve with veggies or rice to fill your teen’s stomach with flavor and nutrition.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup brings your teen’s favorite flavors into a hearty soup, ready in just one hour. Packed with chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion, this soup is a perfect meal choice for nights you’re craving some comfort food. It’s easy to store and reheat, so you can be sure that a filling meal is always ready.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
In just 30 minutes, Creamy Garlic Chicken makes a quick meal option with seared chicken breasts in a garlic sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. This dish pairs well with almost any side, and leftovers are just as good the next day, making it a reliable option for a hearty dinner. Your family will love this simple chicken recipe, even your teenage picky eaters!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken