Keep it simple for dinner tonight by trying out some of these family-friendly dinners! These easy dinner recipes use just five ingredients—not including salt, pepper or olive oil—for a delicious, nutritious meal that parents and kids alike can enjoy. Nourishing options like our Roast Chicken & Sweet Potato or our Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta are sure to be big hits with the whole family.
5-Ingredient Miso-Glazed Salmon
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This miso-glazed salmon is quick but jam-packed with flavor thanks to red miso, which has a stronger, more distinct flavor than sweet miso.
Roast Chicken & Sweet Potato
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
This low-calorie sheet-pan meal combines chicken thighs and sweet potatoes and cooks up fast in a very hot oven.
Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Mint and peas are a natural pairing in this creamy pasta dish. It works well as a vegetarian main dish or can be divided into smaller portions as a side dish.
Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This shrimp gets its kick from Cajun seasoning—a zesty blend of paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Refrigerated cauliflower rice helps cut down on prep time.
Roasted Cauliflower & Curry Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Curry paste adds heat to this antioxidant-rich roasted cauliflower soup. If you want to mellow the heat, you can swap yellow curry paste for the red for a milder flavor.
Sheet-Pan Carrots & Chickpeas with Tahini
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Roasted carrots and crispy chickpeas pack on the fiber in this vegan main dish. The tahini sauce strikes the perfect balance of nuttiness and sweetness.
5-Ingredient Honey-Ginger Chicken
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Hoisin and honey combine for a sweet coating for tender chicken thighs in this easy stir-fry. This versatile recipe can be served over steamed rice or used as a filling for lettuce wraps.
Pistachio-Crusted Halibut
A layer of pistachios combined with panko breadcrumbs on top of the halibut fillets provides a delicious crunch and a pop of vitamin B6. We like the firm texture and mild flavor of halibut, but cod, haddock or tilapia can be used in its place.
Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Ali Redmond
Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient meal for one!
Black Bean Fajita Skillet
Here, presliced fajita vegetables are sautéed with canned black beans and Southwest seasoning for a quick and easy Tex Mex-inspired meal. You can easily take your bowl up a notch by adding some cheese, sour cream or another tasty topping.
French Onion Grilled Cheese
One of our favorite comfort foods—French onion soup—meets crowd-pleasing grilled cheese in a sandwich with the flavors of both dishes.
Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale
Ali Redmond
You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry.
Sheet-Pan Caprese Pizza
This light and flavorful caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted.
Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions
These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.
Chipotle-Orange Broccoli & Tofu
Chipotle peppers add kick to this tofu and broccoli stir-fry recipe. If you’re shy about spice, cut back on the amount or leave them out completely. Serve over brown basmati rice.
Teriyaki-Glazed Cod with Cauliflower Rice
Store-bought teriyaki glaze makes a great marinade for cod that doubles as a sauce for the cauliflower rice.
3-Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Chickpeas
Here, roasted red pepper soup is jazzed up with canned chickpeas and fresh baby spinach for a fast, comforting meal.
Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole
Simplify weeknight dinnertime by transforming leftover slow-cooked chicken (see associated recipe, below) into an easy, cheesy casserole.
Chickpea & Veggie Grain Bowl
This high-fiber vegetarian grain bowl is packed with colorful veggies and plant-based protein to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.
Chicken Tinga Baked Pasta
This spicy baked pasta features leftover chicken tinga, a dish hailing from Puebla, Mexico. The rich tomato-chipotle sauce adds heat and creaminess to the dish.
Black Bean Tacos
Mixing mashed canned beans with whole beans and seasonings makes an incredibly simple taco filling from your pantry. Top these speedy 5-ingredient tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa or any of your favorite taco toppings.
Pesto Ravioli with Spinach & Tomatoes
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This easy ravioli dish is loaded with fresh flavors. Using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto eliminates prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal.
