There are few things I enjoy more these days than knowing exactly what we’re having for dinner all week. 😂 This meal plan is for anyone who would quite happily never answer the question “what should we have for dinner?” again. I’ve put seven easy family dinners in one place so you can do one grocery shop, have a plan and get on with your week. There’s a really good mix too: crispy Chicken Fingers for the night you need an easy win, Stovetop Dumpling Lasagne when you want maximum comfort with minimal effort, Cheat’s Dan Dan Noodles for something quick and ridiculously delicious, and Big Mac Potato Bowls for a fun fakeaway night. You’ll also find Creamy Mustard Chicken, One-pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes and my One-pan Beef Ragu Lasagne. Everything uses familiar supermarket ingredients, there’s plenty of one-pan and low-prep cooking, and most importantly, you don’t have to come up with seven dinner ideas yourself. That part is already done.

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crispy chicken finger recipe with ketchup and ranch

Crispy Chicken Fingers (Chicken Fries!)

These Crispy Chicken Fingers (Chicken Fries) are crunchy on the outside, tender in the middle and a huge hit with kids. My easy batch-crumbing method makes preparing all those little strips much quicker and less fiddly, and you can either shallow-fry them or cook them in the air fryer. Serve them with coleslaw and your favourite dipping sauces for an easy family dinner, then reheat any leftovers for lunch the next day.
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Dumpling lasagne recipe in pan

Stovetop Dumpling Lasagne

4.60 from 5 votes
If you love homemade dumplings but don’t have the time for all the rolling and folding, this Stovetop Dumpling Lasagne recipe is such a fun alternative. Seasoned minced (ground) pork is layered with store-bought dumpling wrappers and cooked in one pan until the filling is juicy, the dumpling layers are soft and chewy and the base is golden and crispy, just like a pan-fried dumpling. Finished with an irresistible chilli dumpling dressing, it’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
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Creamy Mustard Chicken Plated with Mash and Beans

Creamy Mustard Chicken

5 from 7 votes
Creamy Mustard Chicken is an easy 30-minute family dinner made with golden, juicy chicken breast in a rich and creamy dijon and wholegrain mustard sauce with garlic, parmesan and thyme. Serve it over buttery mashed potato with steamed greens for a comforting weeknight dinner that tastes far more impressive than the effort it takes to make.
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close up dan dan noodles in bowl with chopsticks

Cheat’s Dan Dan Noodles

5 from 3 votes
These easy Cheat’s Dan Dan Noodles combine minced (ground) pork, thick wheat noodles and baby spinach in a rich, creamy peanut chilli sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal prep and made using simple supermarket ingredients, they’re a brilliant family-friendly fakeaway for busy weeknights. I love that the chilli can be adjusted or left out completely for kids, then added at the table for anyone who likes more heat.
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Top view of a Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl with crispy potatoes, seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, pickles, diced onions, and special sauce, served in a speckled ceramic bowl.

Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl

4.95 from 17 votes
Crispy potatoes, juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, and a creamy homemade burger sauce – this is a fakeaway dinner the whole family will love. It’s quick to prep, easy to customise, and perfect for those busy nights when you want something fun, filling and fuss-free. Add it to your meal plan for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that saves you money (and a trip to the drive-thru).
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Top view chicken in baking dish with side of greens and lemon

One-pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes

5 from 1 vote
One-pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes is an easy family dinner featuring golden chicken thigh cutlets and baby potatoes roasted together in a garlic, lemon and herb marinade. Finished with parmesan and served with a creamy lemon parmesan yoghurt sauce, this comforting chicken tray bake (sheet-pan dinner) needs only 15 minutes of preparation from you, then the oven does the rest of the work – and there’s only one pan to wash!
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one pan beef ragu lasagne close up

One-pan Beef Ragu Lasagne

5 from 1 vote
This One-pan Beef Ragu Lasagne is made by slow-cooking beef chuck roast in a rich tomato, vegetable and herb sauce until fall-apart tender. The beef is shredded straight into the sauce before fresh lasagne sheets are tucked through the ragu and everything is topped with mozzarella and parmesan, then baked until bubbling and golden. There’s no searing the beef, frying the vegetables or layering required, and everything is made in the one casserole dish. Serve it with a simple green salad, steamed greens or garlic bread for a cosy family dinner.
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