We've pulled together some of our favorite recipes to help dad get dinner on the table without a lot of fuss.
46 Easy Dinners Every Dad Should Know
1
/
44
Everything Bagel Chicken Strips
I love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
2
/
44
Meatball Stroganoff
A quick and delicious twist on the classic, our meatball stroganoff uses frozen meatballs to get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.
3
/
44
Parmesan Pork Medallions
Here's one of the best pork medallion recipes I've found. With my own special tweaks, I have served this tender pork countless times for family and friends. It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve any number. —Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
5
/
44
Ham & Broccoli Pasta
It’s hard to beat a meal that is created in one pan, takes 30 minutes and your kids will actually thank you for making. Sounds like a keeper in my book! —Jana Cathey, Ada, Michigan
6
/
44
Apple-Mustard Chicken Tenders
My husband says this dish is sweet and a little bit sassy, just like me. I like to use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness. Winesaps are great for this dish, too. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
7
/
44
Easy Asian Beef and Noodles
I created this dish on a whim to feed my hungry teenagers. It's since become a dinnertime staple, and now two of my grandchildren make it in their own kitchens. —Judy Batson, Tampa, FL
8
/
44
Italian-Style Chicken & Peppers
I found my mom's well-stained recipe card for chicken and green peppers and was flooded with memories. I'd forgot how good it was! Hope you enjoy. —Donna Miller, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
9
/
44
Warm Chicken Tortellini Au Gratin
I have a number of easy, planned leftover recipes in my arsenal, which are especially useful when I'm busy. This is one of my favorites: pasta from Monday plus roasted chicken from Tuesday equals this delicious dish on Wednesday. When paired with a green salad and toasty bread, you have a meal that's fancy enough for company. —Brenda Cole, Reisterstown, Maryland
10
/
44
Baked Beef Tacos
Upgrade your usual Tuesday night taco with this clever (and tasty!) oven baked tacos recipe.
11
/
44
Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan Supper
Most nights I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors but also because of its speedy cleanup time. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
12
/
44
Apricot Ham Steak
Ham is a versatile main menu item that's a standby with all country cooks. One of the best and easiest ways to serve ham slices is topped with a slightly sweet glaze, like this apricot version. —Scott Woodward Shullsburg, Wisconsin
13
/
44
Crispy Dill Tilapia
Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama
14
/
44
5-Cheese Ravioli Marinara
This ravioli is ready in a flash, tossed with your favorite pasta sauce, then sprinkled with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
15
/
44
Salsa Skillet Pork Chops
There's nothing better than turning out a super-quick skillet supper that totally delivers on a meal that'll please the whole family on a busy weeknight. It's a keeper. — Deanna Ellett, Boynton Beach, Florida
16
/
44
17
/
44
Slow-Cooker Pork Medallions
These slow-cooker pork medallions are a simple, low-prep meal for busy days. Start them before you take the kids for their after-school activities, or yourself for errands, and dinner will be done when you get home.
18
/
44
Frito Pie
Crunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
19
/
44
Beefy Tortellini Skillet
This tortellini dish is a one-skillet-wonder the family craves. From browning beef to cooking the pasta and melting the cheese, everything happens in one pan. You can add basil or chives for a touch of freshness. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
20
/
44
Chili Dog Pizza
My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
21
/
44
Bacon & Cheddar Chicken
Cheese and bacon don’t usually come “light.” But this tasty recipe keeps the fat and calories low and flavor high. This family friendly chicken bacon recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger group. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle Idaho
22
/
44
Big Kahuna Pizza
A prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
23
/
44
No-Fuss Chicken
This recipe could hardly be simpler to prepare. The chicken gets a wonderful tangy taste, and no one will know you used convenient ingredients like a bottle of salad dressing and onion soup mix...unless you tell them. —Marilyn Dick, Centralia, Missouri
24
/
44
Stuffed Pasta Shells
These savory shells never fail to make a big impression, even though the recipe is very easy. One or two of these shells makes a great individual serving at a potluck, so a single batch goes a long way. —Jena Coffey, St. Louis, Missouri
25
/
44
Asian Salmon Tacos
This Asian/Mexican fusion dish is ready in minutes—perfect when time is tight! If the salmon begins to stick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and continue cooking. —Marisa Raponi, Vaughan, Ontario
26
/
44
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
27
/
44
Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts
These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
28
/
44
Enchilada Chicken
We enjoy southwestern flavors and this six-ingredient recipe never gets boring. The chicken sizzles in the skillet before getting baked and comes out tender and juicy every time. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
29
/
44
Sweet Chili & Orange Chicken
My husband loves this simple sweet chili chicken dish so much he often requests it when he comes home from deployment. The sweet chili sauce adds just the right amount of heat to the bright, citrusy sauce. —Jessica Eastman, Bremerton, Washington
30
/
44
Vegetarian Tacos
I love Mexican food but was looking for a healthier option to share. My family devours these tasty tacos whenever I make them. —Amanda Petrucelli, Plymouth, Indiana
31
/
44
Chicken & Waffles
My first experience with this dish sent my taste buds into orbit. I first made this chicken and waffles recipe into appetizers, but we all love them as a main course, too. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
32
/
44
Weeknight Chicken Mozzarella Sandwiches
My husband is a big garlic fan, so we use garlic bread crumbs and garlic sauce for our baked chicken sandwiches. They are so comforting on a chilly day. —Bridget Snyder, Syracuse, New York
33
/
44
Cider-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
This is a super easy recipe full of sweet fall flavor. The maple flavor really shines through. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
34
/
44
Aloha Pizza
This pizza came together on the fly. I had to take something to a gathering, but had no time to shop. I raided the fridge for inspiration and discovered this happy combo. —Wendy Huffman, Bloomington, Illinois
35
/
44
Thai Chicken Tacos
Inspired by a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich, this recipe is an awesome way to use leftover chicken. If you have a little extra time, let the carrot and cucumber marinate in some rice vinegar before taco time. —Melissa Halonen, Spokane, Washington
36
/
44
Tex-Mex Pasta
After a recent surgery, I wasn’t able to stock up on groceries. One night, I looked in my pantry and created this. The results were fabulous! —Michele Orthner, Lethbridge, Alberta
37
/
44
Pizza Ring
Mom made a ring with chicken and broccoli one night. I said I’d rather have pizza. That’s how this recipe was born! —Tricia Richardson, Springdale, Arkansas
38
/
44
Slow-Cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Our approach to meatball sandwiches is a simple one: Cook the meatballs low and slow, load them into hoagie buns, and top them with provolone and pepperoncini. —Stacie Nicholls, Spring Creek, Nevada
39
/
44
Chicken Legs with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Just a handful of ingredients give this mouthwatering meal maker its light, lemony flavor. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts
40
/
44
Pork Chops ‘n’ Pierogi
The Polish dumplings are traditionally served as a meal, with applesauce or sour cream. This meal in one is a different way to use pierogi. —Greta Igl, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
41
/
44
Crispy Onion Chicken
My family loves chicken, and I'm always trying new ways to prepare it. This golden-brown chicken with its crunchy french-fried onion coating is great with rice, baked potatoes, macaroni salad or potato salad. —Charlotte Smith, McDonald, Pennsylvania
42
/
44
Chicken Stir-Fry with Noodles
Stir-fry noodles on a cooking show caught my eye. I ran with the idea and loaded mine with veggies. Now it’s our favorite hurry-up meal. —Beverly Norris, Evanston, Wyoming
43
/
44
44
/
44