When life gets busy, planning dinner can feel like just another task on an already long to-do list. But with a little bit of meal planning, you can take the stress out of mealtime and ensure your family is well-fed with minimal fuss. I’ve compiled 20 dinner ideas that are perfect for busy parents. From quick and flavourful Chicken Pad See Ew to comforting Creamy Garlic Chicken, and kid-approved Black Bean Burritos to the indulgent Creamy Lemon Chicken Risoni, these recipes are designed to be both easy and delicious. Whether you’re looking for something you can prepare in advance or a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, these dishes will help you stay on top of dinner without sacrificing flavour or quality. Meal planning doesn’t just save time; it also helps you make healthier choices and reduces the temptation to order takeout. So dive into these 20 dinner ideas and discover how simple and satisfying dinner can be, even on the busiest nights!
1
Chicken Pad See Ew
Perfect for nights when you need a quick dinner but want to skip the takeaway, this flavour-packed Chicken Pad See Ew saves the day! Perfectly cooked noodles and chicken come together in a delicious sauce made with pantry staple ingredients. Delicious, but outrageously simple.
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2
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Perfectly cooked chicken in an easy, creamy garlic sauce. Creamy Garlic Chicken is on the table in less than 20 minutes!
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3
Black Bean Burritos
These fast Black Bean Burritos are packed with Tex-Mex/Mexican-inspired flavours and are made with wholesome, budget-friendly ingredients. The black bean filling is freezer-friendly, making these burritos perfect for meal prep. The tortillas are served with a creamy avocado dip for the perfect weeknight family dinner.
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4
Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken
This quick and easy Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner for when you are wanting to skip the takeaway and eat a comforting meal at home.
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5
Mediterranean Pizza
Using the shortcut of store-bought bases, you can have these delicious, family-friendly pizzas on the table in just 17 minutes … and for a fraction of the cost of takeout. This Mediterranean Pizza recipe sees the bases topped with salami, mushrooms, olives, capsicum (bell pepper) and herbs, with plenty of other customisable suggestions.
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6
Spring Roll Bowls
The classic flavours of spring rolls … in a bowl! These quick and easy Spring Roll Bowls are packed with vegetables and come together so quickly, perfect for busy weeknights when you want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. Serves 4 with loads of leftovers!
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7
Creamy Lemon Chicken Risoni (Orzo)
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Risoni (Orzo), comes together in just over 30 minutes, all cooked in the one pan with minimal prep and washing up! It’s comforting, delicious and makes the perfect weeknight meal.
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8
Speedy Beef Teriyaki
This quick and easy Speedy Beef Teriyaki is a family favourite made with either homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights!
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9
Chicken Fajita Tray Bake
Chicken Fajita Tray Bake is a fast and easy weeknight dinner, filled with familiar Tex-Mex flavours that the whole family will love.
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10
Chicken Thai Red Curry
You can easily make this amazing Chicken Thai Red Curry recipe in your own home in less time than it would take your local takeout to deliver!
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11
Tuscan Prawn (Shrimp) Pasta
Tuscan Prawn (Shrimp) Pasta is as deliciously ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or as an elegant meal for easy entertaining. Using prawns from the freezer section of the supermarket, makes this dish a breeze to make.
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12
Pork Belly Fried Rice
This Pork Belly Fried Rice recipe is a fast and easy alternative to takeout that doesn’t skimp on flavour! It’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
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13
Quick Mexican Beef Rice Bowls
A delicious, all-natural Mexican seasoning is what takes these Quick Mexican Beef Rice Bowls to another level! Super quick and easy to prepare, this meal will quickly become a weeknight dinner staple!
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14
Portuguese Chicken Burger
Here's a healthier, homemade version of the ever-popular Portuguese Chicken Burger. Crumbed chicken is cooked to golden perfection, then served in buns with cheese, mayo and your favourite fresh toppings. And it's all done in 20 minutes!
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15
Quick Beef and Broccoli Noodles
Quick Beef and Broccoli Noodles is the ultimate stress-free meal for busy weeknights. Minced (ground) beef is stir-fried with broccoli and noodles in a delicious rich sauce in just one pan, and it all only takes 20 minutes to make.
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16
Creamy Chorizo Pasta
This Creamy Chorizo Pasta recipe is one of the easiest, satisfying and most delicious meals you can make. Filled with flavour-packed chorizo and teamed with a creamy, garlicky sauce, this is a recipe you are going to want to make again and again!
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17
Juicy Beef Rissoles
This Delicious Beef Rissoles recipe is the perfect quick and easy family dinner. Make a big batch to freeze, ready for a rainy day!
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18
Lemon and Oregano Chicken Tzatziki Wraps
The perfect meal to prepare ahead of time and enjoy all week long. These Lemon and Oregano Chicken Tzatziki Wraps with caramelised chicken and homemade tzatziki come together quickly, making them the perfect stress-free, easy weeknight dinner.
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19
Cheesy Chicken and Broccolini Rice
Cheesy Chicken and Broccolini Rice is a comforting, hearty meal made with simple, low-cost ingredients. It’s stress-free, easy to prep and, because it’s made in just one pan, it means there’s virtually no washing up.
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20
Creamy Tomato Sausage Pasta
Creamy Tomato Sausage Pasta is a cosy, comforting and – most importantly – fuss-free meal to whip up at the end of a busy work and school day. Here sausages are squeezed out of their casings to form easy "meatballs", then served with pasta in a creamy tomato sauce.
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Diane Black says:
In a word…. scrumptious! So quick and easy to prepare.
Patricia says:
Thank you so much for these beautiful recipes. I don’t know which to try first.
Diana Perkovich says:
I cannot wait to try these recipes. They look delicious