Between school drop-offs, soccer practice, and that never-ending pile of laundry, making dinner can feel impossible. These easy weeknight dinner ideas for families are fast, delicious, and simple enough for your busiest nights — no stress (or pile of dishes) required. Plus, using seasonal veggies and canned goods you may already have on hand is easier on the budget.
Each of these recipes serves four.
 Debbi Smirnoff | Canva |
This easy Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken works with whatever veggies you’ve got in the fridge —try it with Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash, or even asparagus. For a fall twist, sprinkle on dried cranberries right after baking for a pop of color and sweetness.
1. Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken and Veggies
Sweet, savory, and all on one pan — this cozy fall dinner makes your kitchen smell amazing and cleanup is a breeze.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half
- 8 baby potatoes, halved (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a standard sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the chicken and veggies in the mixture until evenly coated.
- Spread everything in a single layer on the pan (don’t overcrowd — that’s what makes it crisp!).
- Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender and caramelized.
- Drizzle any leftover pan juices over top before serving.
MacKID Tip: Save time by using pre-cut mixed veggies from the produce section. They roast just as well!
 Rimma Bondarenko | Canva |
Use your favorite pasta shape!
2. One-Pot Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
A cozy fall twist that feels fancy, but comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz of your favorite pasta
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1½ cups milk (or half-and-half)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped spinach, cooked bacon, or grilled chicken
Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- In a large pan, melt butter and saute garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Stir in pumpkin, milk, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Toss with cooked pasta and slowly add some of the reserved water until you reach the desired creaminess.
- Top with extra Parmesan and optional mix-ins.
MacKID Tip: This sauce is kid-approved. They’ll never guess there’s pumpkin in it!
 Rojo Images | Canva |
3. Spicy Tortilla Chicken Soup
Warm, hearty, and full of flavor — this one’s like a hug in a bowl. Perfect for chilly nights!
Ingredients:
- 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes (Mexican style if available)
- ½ cup chopped cilantro (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 4 cups chicken broth
Optional Toppings:
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Avocado
Directions:
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper; cook until soft.
- Stir in taco seasoning and cook until fragrant.
- Add chicken, roasted red peppers, corn, beans, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and broth.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes on low. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro and optional toppings such as tortilla strips, cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
MacKID Tip: Freeze leftovers in single-serving containers for quick lunches.
Looking for more meal inspiration?
5 Quick and Easy Rotisserie Chicken Recipes You Can Make Tonight
4 Apple Recipes Your Family Will Devour (+ a Bonus Apple Experiment)
Easy No-Bake Desserts Kids Can Make + Printable Recipe Cards
 bhofack2 | Canva |
4. Sheet Pan Nachos
We love nachos! I mean, what's not to love? We got this idea from Macaroni KID publisher Jen Hill and have been making it ever since as a fun communal dinner enjoyed at chairs pulled up to our kitchen island. The beauty of nachos is their versatility, so you can change up our suggested toppings below based on your family's preferences and what you have in the fridge.
Just don't forget the napkins.
Sheet Pan Nachos
What you need:
- Taco meat (ground turkey, chicken, beef, or even cut up steak or shredded rotisserie chicken works)
- Tortilla chips (thick ones are best)
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can corn (drained)
- 1 can sliced olives (drained)
- 1 small or medium onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Other ideas for toppings: Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, or banana peppers. All sliced.
For garnish:
- Sour cream
- Avocado or guacamole
- Salsa (you can add this to baking layers, if you prefer)
- Tomato, diced
- One jalapeño pepper, seeded and thinly sliced (you can buy in a jar also)
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Directions:
- Cook your favorite taco meat.
- Prep your favorite nachos ingredients.
- Line sheet pan with tortilla chips.
- Layer ingredients and top with cheese.
- Bake the nachos at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes. Keep an eye on it! Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, they are done.
- While the nachos bake, prep your garnish ingredients.
- You can add the garnish items to the top when serving, or serve on the side so everyone can add what they'd like.
Be careful! The pan will be HOT!
 Pixel Shot | Canva |
Turn pancakes into playtime — this fruity fish-shaped pancake makes breakfast-for-dinner extra fun for little chefs.
5. Breakfast-for-Dinner Pancake Bar
Kids think breakfast for dinner is an amazing treat. You know it’s secretly a win for simplicity.
What you need:
- Your go-to pancake mix
- Optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, blueberries, or diced apples
- Pancake bar addition ideas: Fruit, syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, nut butter
Directions:
- Preheat a griddle or large pan to medium heat and make your pancake batter.
- Let the kids choose their mix-ins and pour batter onto the griddle in fun shapes.
- Flip when bubbles form and cook until golden.
- Set out toppings buffet-style and let everyone build their dream stack!
MacKID Tip: Add a side of turkey sausage or scrambled eggs for extra protein. And maybe some hot cocoa on the side, because … why not?
Dinner doesn’t have to be stressful. With these quick and easy weeknight dinners for families, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table. Bookmark this list for those nights when you need something fast, filling, and family-approved.
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