Family Dinner Recipes - Cooking Light

Oxmoor House

Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Skirt steak is packed with flavor and is a great alternative to more expensive cuts. You’ll love it in steak tacos or served on its own with this delicious herb sauce. The most important thing about preparing skirt steak is to slice it against the grain. The grain in the skirt steak is obvious−it looks like big lines running across the meat. Cut the slices perpendicular to those lines, and you’re left with very tender, flavorful meat.

View Recipe: Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Oxmoor House

Pork and Mango Stir-Fry

This is the ideal weeknight meal. You can prep all your ingredients earlier in the day, and then it takes 10 minutes for it to come together. Center-cut loin pork chops are very lean, so they cook quickly and are a great alternative to chicken, but boneless, skinless chicken breast can certainly stand in for pork, if you’d like. Serve with steamed jasmine or brown rice to round out the meal.

View Recipe: Pork and Mango Stir-Fry

Oxmoor House

Mini Turkey Meatballs with Wagon Wheel Pasta

Put a twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs with this to-die-for dish. Turkey meatballs and fun wagon wheel pasta sprinkled with fresh Parmesan cheese is the perfect combination for any pasta lover.

View Recipe: Mini Turkey Meatballs with Wagon Wheel Pasta

Oxmoor House

Fish Tacos with Lime Crema and Mango Salsa

The Lime Crema really makes the recipe! If you don’t have any mango on hand, pineapple makes a good substitute. Add a side of Cilantro-Lime Rice to complete your meal.

View Recipe: Fish Tacos with Lime Crema and Mango Salsa

Oxmoor House

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Loaded with surprising hits of curry powder, lime juice, and cilantro, this soup pairs perfectly with a panini or with a salad for dinner. It also makes a wonderful first course for a fancier meal. Make this a vegetarian option by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

View Recipe: Carrot-Ginger Soup

Oxmoor House

Spring Vegetable Risotto

Risotto is comforting, substantial, and so versatile. Plus, once you learn how to stir it and add the broth, you realize it’s truly a cinch to make.

View Recipe: Spring Vegetable Risotto

Oxmoor House

Veggie Tostadas with Black Beans and Easy Guacamole

Easy to make, easy to love. Here’s another recipe that everyone in the family can customize to their own tastes.

View Recipe: Veggie Tostadas with Black Beans and Easy Guacamole

Oxmoor House

The Ultimate Turkey Burger

You can’t get much better than this tasty turkey burger. Topped with crunchy apple and tangy mango chutney, you won’t stop raving about this recipe.

View Recipe: The Ultimate Turkey Burger

Oxmoor House

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

Dip the fish in the eggs and then into the panko mixture. Create your own fish tacos or have the tilapia on its own with Roasted Fingerling Fries. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

View Recipe: Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

Oxmoor House

Creamy Tomato Soup

This tomato soup is no sugary version out of a can. Top with a little cream, and serve with Parmesan Crisps to round out your meal. Make this a vegetarian option by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

View Recipe: Creamy Tomato Soup

Oxmoor House

Beef and Broccoli

Loaded with the flavors you crave, but packed with enough broccoli and lean flank steak to make it nutritious, this is a great meal for any night of the week. Gluten-free tamari is a delicious stand-in for the soy sauce.

View Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Oxmoor House

Pot Roast

Serve over egg noodles, as a sandwich, or simply on its own−this pot roast is perfection!

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Oxmoor House

Caramelized Onion and Turkey Sausage Pizza

This pizza is a definite crowd-pleaser that is sure to satisfy everyone in the house!

View Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Turkey Sausage Pizza

Oxmoor House

Creamy Broccoli Soup

This is a perfect cold-weather soup. Because it’s pureed, the creamy texture and vibrant color make it appealing to most kids, and no cream is needed. It’s an ideal make-ahead meal on a weekend when you have a little time to sit around and let it cook. Then on Monday night, all you have to do is reheat it and make some garlic bread.

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Oxmoor House

Pan-Fried Beef Tenderloin

Allowing the steaks to come to room temperature for an hour before cooking is the secret to evenly cooked meat. Plus, it gives them time to marinate.

View Recipe: Pan-Fried Beef Tenderloin

Oxmoor House

Twisted Fish

Cooking in parchment paper leaves you with food that is flavorful and tender. All you have to do is fill the pouch with your favorite fish−halibut, salmon, cod, or snapper−seasonal veggies, and seasonings, and twist the ends of the parchment. Presto! Dinner is served.

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Oxmoor House

Herbed Rack of Lamb

This savory rack of lamb is coated with chives, fresh parsley and mint. It is simplified enough for a weeknight meal but can still be used for special occasions.

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Oxmoor House

Lemon Chicken with Currants and Pine Nuts

Pine nuts and currants create the perfect tasty combination of flavor to drench atop this chicken. Serve with couscous to add even more.

View Recipe: Lemon Chicken with Currants and Pine Nuts

Oxmoor House

Mozzarella and Basil Pizza

With a make-ahead dough and a simple sauce, this pizza is an option any night of the week. Just make the dough in the morning; then shape it an hour before you’re ready to eat. If homemade dough is not your thing, just buy the premade dough at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market and shape it as you would the scratch dough.

View Recipe: Mozzarella and Basil Pizza

Oxmoor House

Chicken Divan

This is the ultimate comfort food. It still has all its cheesy, creamy goodness−but without any of the guilt.

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Oxmoor House

Spinach and Feta-Stuffed Chicken

Stuffing spinach into chicken is a genius idea when you don’t want to eat those plain green vegetables. Serve with tomatoes to finish off this delightfully healthy dish.

View Recipe: Spinach and Feta-Stuffed Chicken

Oxmoor House

Farfalle with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you have leftover chicken, put it to use in this pasta recipe. Feel free to add any of your family's favorite ingredients.

View Recipe: Farfalle with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Oxmoor House

Couscous with Chicken and Root Vegetables

This tasty dish combines chicken, an assortment of the best root vegetables, and an aromatic broth to create an amazing stew served over couscous.

View Recipe: Couscous with Chicken and Root Vegetables

Oxmoor House

Mini Meatball Minestrone

Don’t take this soup lightly. Packed with mini meatballs, Swiss chard, tomatoes, and chickpeas, this hearty bowl of soup will not disappoint your taste buds.

View Recipe: Mini Meatball Minestrone

Oxmoor House

Baked Penne with Turkey

Try this turkey-penne bake with a glass of pinot noir and a mixed greens salad.

View Recipe: Baked Penne with Turkey

Oxmoor House

Pulled Barbecue Chicken and Coleslaw Sandwiches

Pulled pork is outstanding, but pulled chicken is a perfect substitute on a weeknight. Everyone will go nuts for this sandwich topped with Crunchy, Creamy Coleslaw and homemade Barbecue Sauce.

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Oxmoor House

Black Bean Soup

This simple soup hits the spot. For richer flavor, you could substitute chicken stock for vegetable broth.

View Recipe: Black Bean Soup

Oxmoor House

Turkey Sausage Lasagna

Lasagna is love on a plate. The homemade sauce, the layering of noodles with cheese… it’s pretty much perfection. So how do you pull it off on a weeknight? No-boil noodles. You can make the lasagna in the morning, cover and refrigerate it, and then bake it just before dinnertime. Serve it with a crunchy romaine salad and garlic bread, and your kids might think you’re the best cook ever.

View Recipe: Turkey Sausage Lasagna

Oxmoor House

Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes

When stuck in a rut with pasta and basic tomato sauce, turn to veggies. Sautéed in a little olive oil with lemon juice, this combination is great as a “sauce” on its own. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of spring and get some color into your family’s diet. Make it a gluten-free option by using gluten-free pasta.

View Recipe: Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes

Oxmoor House

Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions

This is an easy make-ahead option and ideal for a crowd. Even kids will rave about this meal!

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Oxmoor House

Honey-Lime Chicken

This chicken tastes great with a romaine salad and a side of corn, or sliced and turned into tacos with rice and beans.

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Oxmoor House

Mom’s Brisket

Just like mom makes it, this is the finest brisket you will ever taste. The rich, yet sweet barbecue sauce drizzled over top makes it mouth-watering. Serve with Crunchy, Creamy Coleslaw.

View Recipe: Mom’s Brisket

Oxmoor House

Chasen’s Famous Chili

Chasen’s was an Old Hollywood restaurant frequented by Elizabeth Taylor and many other stars. If you want to skip the dried-bean step, you can substitute two (15-ounce) cans of pinto beans that have been drained and rinsed. Add some cornbread and a salad for the perfect casual dinner on a cold night.

View Recipe: Chasen’s Famous Chili

Oxmoor House

Caramelized Onion and Prosciutto Pizza

Top your pizza with the sauce, prosciutto, onions, and cheese. This pizza is the perfect dish for a dinner party.

View Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Prosciutto Pizza

Oxmoor House

Simplest Roast Chicken Ever

Salt and pepper are all you need to roast this chicken and allow it to truly live up to its name. It tastes heavenly and is incredibly easy!

View Recipe: Simplest Roast Chicken Ever

Oxmoor House

Cheesy Stuffed Shells with My Secret Tomato Sauce

What’s not to love about stuffed shells? Loaded with cheese and tomato sauce, this pasta dish is a total crowd-pleaser. To change it up, you can add a little lean ground beef or different herbs to the sauce. Also, it’s easy to double the recipe and freeze one batch.

View Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells with My Secret Tomato Sauce

Oxmoor House

Chicken Enchiladas

These chicken enchiladas come together in no time. Serve with a salad and a batch of margaritas and you’ll have a killer combination.

View Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Oxmoor House

Sliders with Cheddar and Onions

These mini burgers satiate your craving for beef without the guilt of a ½-pound serving. Cook the burgers in a pan or on a grill over medium-high heat. Mini hamburger buns or Parker House Rolls are perfect.

View Recipe: Sliders with Cheddar and Onions

Oxmoor House

Mexican Skillet Casserole

Serve with corn chips for dipping, or roll this yummy mixture up in a tortilla with some chopped romaine lettuce for an amazing burrito.

View Recipe: Mexican Skillet Casserole

Oxmoor House

Ginger-Soy Flank Steak

If you love steak, you will love this. Fresh ginger and soy sauce combine to create a mouth-watering and flavorful steak dish!

View Recipe: Ginger-Soy Flank Steak

Oxmoor House

Salami and Mushroom Pizza

A better option than straight pepperoni, this mushroom and salami combination is still very kid friendly. Pair it with a glass of red wine for the adults.

View Recipe: Salami and Mushroom Pizza

Oxmoor House

Brined Pork Chops with Apple Compote

Brining your meat is certainly not necessary, but it adds so much moisture to lean cuts like pork and chicken. It’s worth it if you have the time.

View Recipe: Brined Pork Chops with Apple Compote

Oxmoor House

Thai Chicken Noodle Bowls

These bowls might take a little longer to make, but they are definitely worth it. Packed with Thai chicken, rice, and veggies, adults and kids will not be able to resist this delightful dish.

View Recipe: Thai Chicken Noodle Bowls

Oxmoor House

Caribbean-Spiced Chicken Kebabs

You can make this super spicy with hot pepper sauce or omit it altogether and enjoy the milder spices of the Caribbean that are totally kid friendly. If you use wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water first, or you’ll set them on fire. Serve with some Greek yogurt and chopped cilantro as a dipping sauce, if desired.

View Recipe: Caribbean-Spiced Chicken Kebabs

Oxmoor House

Caprese Sandwiches

A regular little sandwich can go from good to spectacular simply by grilling it. Favorite Pesto is a wonderful addition to this sandwich.

View Recipe: Caprese Sandwiches

Oxmoor House

Grilled Asian Salmon

If you’ve been afraid to give your kids fish, start here. Salmon is firm-fleshed and flavorful.

View Recipe: Grilled-Asian Salmon