5 Easy Family Dinners: A Week of Recipes

It’s easy to get stuck in a dinner rut, especially when busy weeknights make it tempting to cook the same familiar meals again and again. But introducing a few new recipes can bring fresh energy—and flavor—back to the table. Here you’ll find five dinner ideas designed to keep things simple while still feeling exciting.

1. Tortellini pasta salad & chicken fajita burgers

Tortellini pasta salad

Ingredients:

• 1 package cheese tortellini (Costco or any store brand, fresh or frozen)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup Italian dressing (Olive Garden brand recommended)
• 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• ½ English cucumber, diced

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta

Cook tortellini according to package directions (add 1 minute if frozen). Drain and let cool.

2. Make the dressing

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Italian dressing, Parmesan, and black pepper.

3. Combine ingredients

Gently fold in cooled tortellini, tomatoes, and cucumber (or substitute with other veggies you like).

1. Season the patties

Mix ground chicken with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 patties.

2. Cook the peppers

Sauté bell pepper in olive oil with onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper until tender. Remove from skillet.

3. Make the guacamole

Mash avocado with lime juice and garlic salt to make a quick guacamole.

4. Cook the burgers

Cook chicken patties in the same skillet, 5 minutes per side, adding cheese slices during the last few minutes.

1. Season the wings

Pat chicken wings dry. Toss with cornstarch, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.

2. Bake until crispy

Lay wings on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray with olive oil. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.

3. Make the sauce

In a small saucepan, simmer honey, lemon zest and juice, garlic, butter, pepper, and salt for 5 minutes.

4. Coat the wings

Toss hot wings in the sauce until well coated.

1. Prepare the meatloaf mixture

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix ground beef with crushed corn chips, eggs, salsa, taco seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Add cheese

Stir in shredded cheese and transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan.

3. Bake the meatloaf

Spread remaining salsa on top and bake for 40 minutes.

4. Add topping and finish baking

Sprinkle extra cheese on top and bake another 10–15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Seasoned rice

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup long-grain rice (rinsed)
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce (or soy sauce packets)
• A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Onion powder, garlic, dried parsley

Instructions:

1. Sauté the rice

In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté rice briefly.

2. Add liquids and seasonings

Add onion powder, garlic, broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and dried parsley.

3. Cook the rice

Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes, then fluff with butter.

2. Prepare the gravy

In a bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and gravy powder until smooth.

3. Assemble in the slow cooker

Place pork chops in the slow cooker and spread the gravy mixture evenly on top.

4. Cook slowly

Cook on low for 6 hours.

5. Serve and enjoy

Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

5. Cheesy manicotti

Ingredients:

• 1 box manicotti pasta
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 5 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping
• 1 Tbsp garlic (minced)
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• Parsley, basil, oregano, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cheese filling

Mix ricotta, cream cheese, eggs, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, and herbs until smooth.

2. Prepare the baking dish

Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce in a 9×13 baking dish.

3. Fill the manicotti shells

Transfer the cheese mixture to a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and pipe into uncooked manicotti shells.

4. Assemble the dish

Place filled shells in the dish. Top with remaining sauce and extra mozzarella.

5. Bake covered and uncovered

Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake 20 minutes more.

6. Serve

Serve warm with salad and garlic bread.

These five recipes make a full week of dinners—hearty, family-friendly, and budget-conscious. Mix and match sides, swap proteins, and adjust seasonings to your taste. Cooking at home gives you the freedom to make meals exactly how you like them. Which one would you try first? Let me know in the comments!