Make cooking dinner for your family a little simpler with these easy one-pan dinners for family. They are all easy, delicious, and nutritious, involve super streamlined cooking methods, AND most are ready in less than 30 minutes!
There are a few things I aim for with my recipes to make them easier for families to enjoy, these include short ingredient lists and accessible ingredients. And since I know dishwashing tends to be one of the factors that can make cooking so much harder—and it is one that is often never acknowledged by us recipe developers—I wanted to put together a collection of toddler dinner recipes (suitable for the whole family) that require just one pan for cooking.
This means you will not wind up with a sink full of pots and pans to wash at the end of these easy one pan dinners for family. It means that the method involved in each of these recipes mainly requires you to add ingredients to the same pan. And each of these can be made ahead and warmed up for easy weeknight family dinners.
(You may also like Shortcut Toddler Meals, Slow Cooker Recipes for Kids, and One Pan Pasta Recipes.)
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One-Pot Taco Pasta
This has the best of both pasta and tacos, requires just one pan, and is so versatile. You can use ground beef or trade in ground turkey or chicken—or make it vegetarian for an easy one pan family meal.
Made in one skillet and ready in under 30 minutes, this One-Pot Taco Pasta is an easy family dinner win. It has the comfort and flavors of both pasta and tacos, and it’s super versatile so you can tailor it to the preferences of your own family.
One-Pot Taco Pasta
One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
This recipe requires minimal pots and equipment, cooks quickly, and is really versatile to help you use what you have on hand and prefer–as in fresh or frozen broccoli, added spices or simpler.
The method on this recipe is streamlined to cut down on dish washing. Add the optional spices for more flavor if you like! Double it to make more.
One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
One-Pot Lentils and Rice
Packed with plant-based protein and simple pantry ingredients, this easy dish boasts subtle Moroccan flavors and sweetness from dried fruit. It’s a favorite vegetarian meal and an easy one pan dinners for family meals.
Serve this easy family meal with optional toppings according to what everyone likes.
One-Pot Lentils and Rice
One-Pot Pesto Chicken and Rice
This skillet recipe has been in rotation in my house for years and I love the simplicity of the ingredients—and that it delivers on flavor. Plus, the veggies blend right into the rice, making it both a satisfying and nutritious meal, and more appealing to wary kids.
With a quick cooking time and easy method, this Pesto Chicken and Rice is a delicious family meal to share. It’s flavorful, versatile, and just so delish.
One-Pot Pesto Chicken and Rice
Easy Sloppy Joes
You can serve the cooked mixture as sandwiches on hamburger buns or brioche rolls, next to a buttered roll, or even stuffed into a bun to make it easier for toddlers to eat. It has the classic Sloppy Joe taste, but with less ingredients and work for an easy one pan dinners for family.
With two veggies in the mix and a super simple method, these Easy Sloppy Joes work as well for toddlers as it does for big kids and adults. Plus, you can make the whole dinner in less than 15 minutes!
Easy Sloppy Joes
Quick Pasta with Peas
I keep frozen peas in the freezer and pasta in the pantry so I can make this whenever it’s on our menu. You can of course add chicken, diced steak, or shrimp on the side—or another protein. It’s super versatile.
With just a few ingredients, you can make a satisfying vegetarian meal to share with the kids. This Pasta with Peas is fast, simple, and so yummy
Quick Pasta with Peas
Easy Broccoli Rice
This healthy broccoli recipe has subtle garlic flavor, fiber from brown rice, and all of the nutrition you expect from broccoli. It also boasts a surprising amount of vegetarian protein, as an added bonus.
This Broccoli Rice is a favorite easy side dish—or vegetarian main dish. It’s loaded with fiber and has the yummiest garlicky flavor. You can easily serve it as a baby food, too.
Easy Broccoli Rice
Easy Giambotta (Italian Vegetable Stew)
This, to me, is comfort food and I love how after you chop the veggies, the Giambotta just simmers away in a pot. There are so many ways to vary this dish and customize it for your family.
Bursting with flavor and fresh vegetables, this easy one-pot Giambotta (or Italian Vegetable Stew) is perfect to make in the summer with produce at peak ripeness—or anytime the craving hits. You can omit the Italian sausage, too.
Giambotta (Italian Vegetable Stew)
Shortcut Quinoa Fried Rice
Using cooked quinoa to make a version of fried rice is an easy dinner option that’s packed with nutrients—and honestly, it’s just a nice, quick meal to have in the mix since it tastes like takeout.
Transform cooked quinoa into a really delicious skillet dinner with this shortcut Quinoa Fried Rice. You can add eggs or omit them, and add more (or less) flavor to your own bowl. See the optional toppings to customize this for each person at your table!
Shortcut Quinoa Fried Rice
Easy Stuffed Peppers Skillet
With the classic flavors of classic Stuffed Peppers, but much less work, this skillet version cooks up in just 20 minutes for a healthy family dinner option.
You can use whichever type of rice your family likes best. We rotate through short grain brown rice, basmati, and jasmine. Adults may want to top their portions with shredded fresh basil and/or crushed red pepper.
Easy Stuffed Peppers Skillet
Easy Skillet Lasagna
Skillet Lasagna, with tender noodles, creamy cheese, and tons of yummy flavor! It’s perfect for the whole family or as an easy toddler dinner.
Serve up this 30-minute, one-pan Skillet Lasagna for those days when you want yummy comfort food…but in less time and with less work!
Easy Skillet Lasagna
One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
It’s made with accessible ingredients you can easily find at the store, has a veggie right in the mix, and boasts the creamiest texture.
This one-pot Cheeseburger Pasta is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make. It’s a 30-minute way to make quick work of dinner!
Cheeseburger Pasta
Homemade Hamburger Helper
This pasta recipe for kids has it all: protein, comfort, cheesiness, and an easy method. You can add veggies if you want, you can swap in vegetarian ingredients to make this without meat, and you can make it ahead to serve it up at a later time.
This one-pot homemade Hamburger Helper is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make. It’s a 30-minute way to make quick work of dinner!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
How to Store
All of these recipes can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then reheated in a heat-safe container. See each recipe for the specifics on each recipe as they may vary slightly.
Best Tips for Success
- Add simple sides to any of these to round out the meal. Try a salad kit, applesauce, cheese and crackers, or fresh fruit.
- Add condiments and more flavor to adult portions with items such a salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, lemon, fresh herbs, or other toppings you like.
- Try serving meals family style so the kids can see what’s on offer and can help to serve themselves.