Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Cooking 101
  • Healthy Living
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More Next
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More Next
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More Next
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    • New Year, New You
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentines
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Recipes Chevron Right
  3. 20-Minute Family-Favorite Dinner Recipes

20-Minute Family-Favorite Dinner Recipes

October 18, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
Whether you're feeding just your immediate family or the entire extended family down to your second cousin-twice removed (whatever that means), this collection of superfast family favorites can help you cook, eat, and clean in rapid time. Each dish is designed to be on the table in just 20 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to share the evening with the ones you love. From chicken spaghetti to crispy pork tenderloin, our collection of recipes will make the whole family happy—even grumpy Uncle Robert.
Start Slideshow

1 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fast Family Dinner Favorites

Credit: Photo:
View Recipe: Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

Family dinners together, whether they're routine weeknight meals or special occasions, call for healthy, flavor-packed meals everyone is sure to love. But that doesn't mean they should take hours or rival holiday buffet spreads. These easy dinner ideas are speedy—ready in 20 minutes or less—and filling. Just combine them with your favorite salad or a side of steamed vegetables, and the whole family will be smiling with satisfaction.

Rebecca Longshore's family treasures her mother's Fabulous Slow-Cooker Pork Tenderloin. "I love bringing this recipe out in the fall. It's so easy and simple, and it makes me feel at home," she says. Our 20-minute version of this dish, Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples, is a one-dish dinner that delivers all the comforting flavors of Rebecca's slow-cooked family favorite.

1 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Farmer Family Chicken Curry

Credit: Photo: Katherine Flynn
View Recipe: Quick Chicken Curry

"My grandma Beth's chicken curry is my family's go-to comfort food—roasted chicken with onions, golden raisins, curry and rice topped with fresh lime juice, coconut shavings, cilantro, green onions and cashews. Leftovers are even better the next day with some mango chutney," Katherine Flynn says.

You can share these delicious flavors with our fast version of this comforting classic, Quick Chicken Curry. This saucy rice bowl is the stir-fried version of comfort food—ginger and chiles bring the warmth, and coconut milk adds satisfying richness.

2 of 40

3 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Content From RAGÚ: Dishes Simmered in Tradition

Credit: Photo: Ragu
Learn More About RAGÚ Homestyle Sauces

RAGÚ pasta sauce began with one simple sauce. Now there’s a rich collection of recipes for your family to enjoy.

3 of 40

Advertisement

4 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Family Night Taco Salad

Credit: Photo: Sara Tane
View Recipe: Beef and Bean Taco Salad

"My father is a great cook, but he refuses to follow a recipe. It drives me insane. No two dinners in my house ever tasted the same because my dad would follow his instincts around the kitchen, and whatever happened, happened," Sara Tane says. "Most of the time, it was a beautiful thing, but every now and then, he had some serious fails. The one dinner that we consistently enjoyed as a family was taco night. The customizability and flexibility that comes with all the different components allowed me to take back some of the control of how my dinner would taste, rather than keeping my fingers crossed that whatever my dad was concocting would be up to par. There is no other dinner option that can please such a wide variety of eaters. A good taco bar truly does have something for everyone."

Use the recipe for our Beef and Bean Taco Salad to create a base, and then let diners customize their toppings.

4 of 40

5 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A Soup Loved Through Generations

Credit: Photo: Hagen Baker
View Recipe: White Bean and Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

"My mother's college roommate made this soup for her suite mates (my mother being one of them). They all ate lunch together once a week, and this was in the rotation frequently" says Hagen Baker of this family-favorite vegetable soup. "My mother has been making it ever since she got the recipe 32 years ago, and now I make it for my family."

For a speedy version of this Stegall family favorite, try our White Bean and Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs. This easy bowl of brothy goodness is loaded with both veggies and umami depth—it's comfort food you can feel good about.

5 of 40

6 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crispy Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roll-Ups

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Crispy Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roll-Ups

Meaty, cheesy, moist, and crunchy: This 5-ingredient dish really delivers. Preheating the pan gets the breading crisp within 20 minutes. If you only have regular breadcrumbs, just add 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder. The timing and ingredient amounts work for small, 2-ounce cutlets. Split larger ones in half: Place each on a cutting board, and place your hand flat on top. Holding a sharp knife parallel to the cutting board, carefully halve using short, swift strokes. Serve roll-ups with a simple green salad.

6 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sweet Potato Medallions with Almond Sauce and Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Sweet Potato Medallions with Almond Sauce and Chickpea Salad

It may seem too good to be true, but it's not: This impressive plate requires only 5 ingredients (water, oil, salt, and pepper are freebies). Microwaved sweet potatoes are sliced into medallions, brushed with oil, and lightly seared so they become satisfyingly steak-like. The creamy, nutty sauce adds richness, and the lemon-dressed arugula-chickpea salad bulks up the plate beautifully. In place of almond butter, you can use any nut butter you like—try peanut, cashew, or sunflower butter. And if canned chickpeas aren't in your pantry, try cannellini or navy beans.

7 of 40

8 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mac and Cheeseburger

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Mac and Cheeseburger

This budget-friendly dinner costs less than $9. Mac and cheese gets heartier, and possibly even more family-friendly, when you stir ground beef and fire-roasted tomatoes into the cheese sauce. Make sure to drain the tomatoes so the sauce doesn’t get too thin. We call for whole-grain rotini, but any short pasta shape will work here; just do try to go whole-grain for more nutrition. If you don’t have dry mustard (used here for added depth), stir in a teaspoon of Dijon. Serve with a side of green beans or broccoli tossed with browned butter, or with a salad the family enjoys (a crunchy romaine Caesar salad would be great).

8 of 40

9 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Try this quick, playful spin to turn pizza night on its head—in a good way. You get all the creamy goodness of chicken potpie, in a fun, eat-with-your-hands way that kids will love. Grown-ups will dig it, too, especially if you offer hot sauce at the table. Cooking the pizza in a preheated cast-iron skillet makes the crust wonderfully crispy so that it doesn’t sog out when the creamy sauce goes on. Be sure to use only 10 ounces of dough (though you’ll likely have to purchase in a 1-pound or larger ball); save the remaining dough to make breadsticks the next night.

9 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sautéed Scallops with Shaved Celery Salad

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Sautéed Scallops with Shaved Celery Salad

Celery is an underrated vegetable, often used as a flavor accent for soups or Thanksgiving stuffing. But it shines as the star in a salad, thanks to its fantastic crunch and naturally salty flavor. For ease and speed, we advise slicing thinly on a mandoline. To cut by hand, line up 3 stalks and slice all at once instead of slicing each stalk individually. The crisp texture of the salad provides a nice contrast to the creamy-meaty scallops. Golden raisins are a surprising and delicious addition, offering a pop of sweetness and chewy texture; you can substitute regular raisins, dried currants, or dried cranberries.

10 of 40

11 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Turmeric Pork Chops with Green Onion Rice

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Turmeric Pork Chops with Green Onion Rice

Our turmeric slathered pork chops may look polished, but don't let this quick weeknight supper fool you. It's complex flavor belies it's simple preparation. 

11 of 40

12 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

White Bean & Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: White Bean & Vegetable Bowls with Frizzled Eggs

This easy bowl of brothy goodness is loaded with both veggies and umami depth—it's comfort food you can feel good about. It's also great for times when the food budget is tight, as it costs only about $11 for 4 servings.

12 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce

Chicken fingers aren't just for kids. Savory-sweet and addictive, the tahini-tomato dipping sauce offers a palate intrigue adults will love but enough flavor familiarity to keep it kid-approved.

13 of 40

14 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ham and Cheese Pizza

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Ham and Cheese Pizza

When a classic sandwich gets reincarnated as a cheesy pizza, rave reviews are bound to follow. Sweet, crisp Fuji apple provides a great balance to the rich, gooey cheese and savory ham, and everyone knows there's no better place to slip in some extra leafy greens than on a pizza. To get julienne-cut apple pieces, cut into thin slices; then stack and cut lengthwise into matchsticks.

14 of 40

15 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Curried Chicken Thighs with Pomegranate-Mint Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Curried Chicken Thighs with Pomegranate-Mint Sauce

Talk about a company-worthy meal without much effort or a hefty price tag. Serve this easy and elegant entrée over a bed of couscous and with a side of the Steamed Broccoli with Garlic and Red Onion.

15 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chipotle Hanger Steak with Sour Cream Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Chipotle Hanger Steak with Sour Cream Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Hanger steak is a flavor-packed cut of beef from between the rib and the loin. You may have to ask for it at the butcher's counter; if you can't find it, a different flat cut, like flank or skirt steak, works just as well. If your steak is thicker than 1 inch, it may require a slightly longer cook time or a quick finish in a 400°F oven. If you loved grandma's hamburger steak suppers growing up, this grown up version is guaranteed to make you cheer. It has all the comfort-style food you crave in a more attractive, satisfying package.

16 of 40

17 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken-Poblano Tortilla Soup

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Chicken-Poblano Tortilla Soup

Chilly evenings call for a comforting soup with a bit of restorative kick and plenty of vibrant toppings. Top with tortilla chips, or make your own crispy tortilla strips as shown. Cut 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas into 1/2-inch strips and bake at 375° for 10 minutes. Crush halve the strips for the soup and garnish with the rest. Make these ahead and store in a zip-top bag at room temperature for a day or two. Poblano peppers range in heat; add cooling avocado or crushed red pepper as needed.

17 of 40

18 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Beef Sliders

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Beef Sliders

Pleasantly bitter broccoli rabe gives sliders a sophisticated edge and introduces a likely unfamiliar veggie in a delicious way. The Italian flavors of broccoli rabe and provolone cheese may sound like an unlikely combination but make for a truly great family-friendly meal. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, paprika, and Worcestershire, these succulent sliders are flavorful enough to please both kids and parents. Use Broccolini for a milder flavor. To create a truly terrific burger use quality 93% lean ground sirloin and premium whole wheat buns. Lean ground sirloin and reduced-fat cheese help keep fat and calories in check.

18 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cheesy Chicken Fajitas

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Fajitas

Chicken taco meets 7-layer dip in this fiesta of a skillet supper. For extra zest, serve with cilantro and lime wedges. Shredded rotisserie chicken makes this veggie-packed meal a breeze. Red onion, orange bell pepper, tomatoes, corn, and avocado boost nutrients and add fresh flavor, while the combination of both chicken and beans packs 25g of protein and 10g fiber into this speedy supper. For additional fiber, you can swap in black beans or kidney beans for the pintos. Using reduced-fat sour cream and part-skim mozzarella still gives you plenty of creamy goodness while lowering calories and fat.

19 of 40

20 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pork Chops and Couscous with Tomato-Caper Sauce

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Pork Chops and Couscous with Tomato-Caper Sauce

This dish easily works with chicken if you don't have pork on hand. Toasting the turmeric in oil is a simple way to develop savory depth—try this technique with any spices you're cooking with. Couscous makes for a quick, versatile side dish that easily adopts different flavor profiles. Israeli couscous has more of a bite to it and can also be served chilled for picnics and to-go lunches. The tomato-caper sauce pairs well with other proteins beyond pork and poultry such as sole or shrimp simply cooked with garlic and butter. It's an impressive dish that's quickly prepared whenever you're short on time.

20 of 40

21 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Silky Tomato Soup with White Beans and Garlic Oil

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Silky Tomato Soup with White Beans and Garlic Oil

Creamy, silky tomato soup is the ultimate comfort food. We've elevated the traditional soup with the addition of white cannellini beans and toasty garlic oil. You won't miss any of the cream or calories from this dairy-free tomato soup as the texture is still silky from blending the tomato base. With the addition of the white beans, each serving provides 8 grams of protein making this vegetarian meal foolproof. Serve alongside our revamped Grilled Cheese Skillet "Panini" for a complete meal kids and adults will all approve of. We lean on reduced-fat cheddar in this sandwich but add a little canola mayo to stretch the cheese and encourage extra meltiness for a mixture that has 50% less sat fat than regular cheddar and saves 190mg sodium over processed American cheese. 

21 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Chicken Skewers With Wasabi Mayo

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Skewers with Wasabi Mayo

A kicking dipping sauce adds amped up fun and flavor. Serve with Orzo with Snap Peas, Cilantro, and Peanuts for a complete meal with 46g of protein. If you use wood skewers on the outdoor grill, be sure to soak them in water before grilling to avoid burning. Make a few extra skewers to add chicken to lunches and salads the next day. The wasabi mayo adds bold flavor to simply seasoned grilled chicken and pairs well with the sweetness of honey and tang of rice vinegar. The mayo can be saved and served alongside roasted vegetables, skirt steak, or fresh grilled fish.

22 of 40

23 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa

This speedy vegetarian entrée is absolutely bursting with peak-season produce. Side suggestion: an herby white bean and arugula salad.

23 of 40

24 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Burger Patty Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Burger Patty Salad

We love the richness that a little ground lamb offers, but you can use all beef or even ground turkey instead.

24 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fish Tacos with Sweet Pickle Sauce

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fish Tacos with Sweet Pickle Sauce

The creamy sauce offers a cool counterpoint to the bold blackening spices. Not in the mood for tilapia? The recipe is also great with chicken, sliced flank steak, or shrimp. Toss some avocado, tomato, and cilantro into the mix, and you're ready to knock Taco Tuesday out of the park.

25 of 40

26 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

If you don't love blue cheese, try crumbled feta or grated Parmesan instead.

26 of 40

27 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken Pesto Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Pesto Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

It’s seems like portobello mushrooms were just made for stuffing. Not only is this loaded fork-and-knife-entrée easy and cheesy; it's customizable, too. Make it your own with any produce or herbs you already have in your fridge, you can even switch up the protein if you’re feeling like steak or serving a vegetarian guest. If you don’t mind the extra step, homemade pesto takes this dish from great to amazing.

27 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lemon-Honey Chicken Thighs

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Lemon-Honey Chicken Thighs

These sticky saucy chicken thighs are perfectly paired with any of our grilled zucchini sides. You can also use chicken breasts; just cook them a little longer, about 6 minutes per side.

28 of 40

29 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Steak and Tomato Panzanella

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Steak and Tomato Panzanella

We use the broiler to keep this vibrant summer salad speedy, but if you already have the grill cranked up, this dish easily transitions to an outdoor entrée.

29 of 40

30 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

BBQ Chicken with Peach and Feta Slaw

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: BBQ Chicken with Peach and Feta Slaw

This summery crunch-tastic slaw is guaranteed to find its way into your recipe rotation for the rest of the season. Using ripe, juicy peaches, it's the perfect sweet-salty side dish for any number of grilled or smoked proteins.

30 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Family-Style Chicken Spaghetti

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Family-Style Chicken Spaghetti

A family favorite swaps jarred sauce for fresh—which requires just a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes.

31 of 40

32 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cheesy Beef Patties with Tomato-Cucumber Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cheesy Beef Patties with Tomato-Cucumber Salad

This deconstructed take on a cheeseburger puts some of the season's best and most abundant produce in the spotlight with a simple, dilly tomato cucumber salad. Whip it up for an easy weeknight dinner—we cook the patties in a skillet but you could also char them on the grill.

32 of 40

33 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sausage, Shrimp, & Quinoa Skillet

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sausage, Shrimp, & Quinoa Skillet

This 20-minute quinoa skillet is a play on dirty rice, and it uses only five ingredients (not counting cooking oil). Precooked quinoa keeps it superfast, but you can cook quinoa from scratch and still have dinner ready in less than 45 minutes. Spicy chicken sausage is lean and adds lots of flavor; you can swap in a chicken or turkey andouille sausage if you prefer. To round out the meal, serve with roasted asparagus or green beans, or opt for a crunchy romaine salad tossed with a bright, tart vinaigrette.

33 of 40

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken and Arugula Pasta Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken and Arugula Pasta Salad

In this dish, just a bit of a rich and pungent cheese can go quite a long way. Tossing hot pasta with a few ounces of creamy Brie makes for a light, luscious, and flavorful sauce to coat this abundant bowl of chicken, fresh veggies, and whole-grain noodles. 

34 of 40

35 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Salmon With White Bean and Arugula Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Salmon With White Bean and Arugula Salad

Ask for salmon fillets from the head end of the fish—the tail end is much thinner.

35 of 40

36 of 40

Pin
Facebook Tweet