Family Dinner Recipes

By Recipes: Amanda Haas
September 04, 2012
Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Take a look at these 46 new family dinners—from Turkey Sausage Lasagna to Caribbean-Spiced Chicken Kebabs. Everyone in your family will rave about these tasty dinner recipes.
Start Slideshow

1 of 51

Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 51

Waffle Iron Turkey Melt Panini

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Waffle Iron Turkey Melt Panini

This playful turkey melt's abundant crisp crevices and gooey interior will have the whole family wondering, "What can we waffle next?"

3 of 51

Broccoli-Bacon Skillet Pizza

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Broccoli-Bacon Skillet Pizza

Microwave-in-the-bag fresh vegetables help this meal come together lickety-split. A hot cast-iron skillet helps to crisp the bottom of the crust while the surface gets golden brown under the broiler—no baking required. Slice in the skillet and remove each piece for mess-free serving.

Advertisement

4 of 51

Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta

Time: 30 minutes

Mix It Up: Rice may be more traditional here, but we love the contrast of creamy polenta with the sweet heat of the sauce.

Serve with Sesame Sautéed Spinach

5 of 51

Pork and Mango Stir-Fry

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Pork and Mango Stir-Fry

Mango and mint is an unexpected combination in this speedy weeknight stir-fry, but they compliment each other well. Slice your mango the same thickness as the pork—it’s easier to eat this way, and it looks nice too!

6 of 51

Mini Turkey Meatballs with Wagon Wheel Pasta

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Mini Turkey Meatball 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 51

Fish Tacos with Lime Crema and Mango Salsa

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

8 of 51

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

9 of 51

Spring Vegetable Risotto

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 51

Veggie Tostadas with Black Beans and Easy Guacamole

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

11 of 51

The Ultimate Turkey Burger

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

12 of 51

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 51

Creamy Tomato Soup

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

14 of 51

Beef and Broccoli

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

15 of 51

Pot Roast

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Pot Roast

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 51

Caramelized Onion and Turkey Sausage Pizza

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Turkey Sausage Pizza

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

17 of 51

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

18 of 51

Pan-Fried Beef Tenderloin

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 51

Twisted Fish

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

20 of 51

Herbed Rack of Lamb

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

21 of 51

Lemon Chicken with Currants and Pine Nuts

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 51

Mozzarella and Basil Pizza

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

23 of 51

Chicken Divan

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chicken Divan

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

24 of 51

Spinach and Feta-Stuffed Chicken

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 51

Farfalle with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

26 of 51

Couscous with Chicken and Root Vegetables

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

27 of 51

Mini Meatball Minestrone

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 51

Baked Penne with Turkey

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Baked Penne with Turkey

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

29 of 51

Pulled Barbecue Chicken and Coleslaw Sandwiches

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

30 of 51

Black Bean Soup

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Black Bean Soup

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 51

Turkey Sausage Lasagna

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

32 of 51

Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

33 of 51

Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 51

Honey-Lime Chicken

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

35 of 51

Mom’s Brisket

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

36 of 51

Chasen's Famous Chili

Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 51