20 Last-Minute Family Dinners That Are Always on Our Menu

We’ve all been there — staring into the fridge at 5 pm, trying to come up with a last-minute family dinner that doesn’t involve cereal. Whether it’s a manic Monday or a “what day is it?” kind of evening, having a few trusty recipes up your sleeve can be a game-changer. That’s why we’ve rustled up a list of 20 last-minute family dinners that are always on our menu. These dishes are quick, easy, and guaranteed to silence the “I’m hungry” chorus from the peanut gallery. So, let’s take the stress out of mealtime and get cookin’!

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

This casserole takes the beloved flavors of stuffed peppers and turns them into a simple, one-pot dinner. Start by cooking all the ingredients together, bake for 45 minutes, and you’ve got a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy. Serve it straight from the oven and watch it disappear. Bonus — leftovers store great in the fridge, so you can have a ready-made meal for those busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

If you need to throw something together fast, this casserole is perfect. Steam frozen broccoli and cauliflower, mix in the cheesy sauce and bacon and bake until everything is golden and bubbling. This dish is ready in 30 minutes, making it a solid choice for last-minute dinners.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

This is the kind of meal that makes your evening less hectic. Toss sausages and your favorite veggies on a sheet pan, bake them, and in just 30 minutes, you have a filling and easy dinner ready. This sheet pan dinner is perfect for busy nights as it’s quick, simple, and a great way to get your meat and vegetables in one go.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Fajita Baked Chicken

When you’re looking for something a little different but still easy, this Fajita Baked Chicken fits the bill. Chicken, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella are all baked together and can be served in just 30 minutes — perfect for shaking up your dinner routine without taking up your whole evening. For a complete meal, wrap it in tortillas or serve it alongside a heap of cilantro lime rice.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Chicken Corn Soup

Here’s a great go-to option for a quick, flavorful meal at the last minute. Prepared in one pot in less than an hour, tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a savory broth are all simmered to give you the best soup ever. Plus, it stores well in the fridge, so you can make it ahead and have a ready meal on busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

This cabbage and sausage stir-fry is an easy dish you can whip up in just 25 minutes. It’s made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand, like cabbage and bacon, making it one of the best dinners you can make when you need something at the last minute. It’s perfect for busy weeks when you need to serve an easy, filling, and delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Here’s a quick dinner recipe that won’t ever disappoint. These Garlic Chicken Bites are ready in just 20 minutes, and use only one pan for easy cleanup. They’re super versatile, too. Toss them over rice or a salad for a complete meal, or serve them atop garlic mashed potatoes to soak up the rich buttery sauce. Perfect for when you need to pull dinner together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Keep this recipe handy for times when you need to make dinner at the last minute. You’ll cook the egg noodles, mix them in with the creamy tuna sauce, and bake until golden — it’s as easy as that. It’s ready in less than an hour, making it a solid choice when you need a delicious and filling dinner stat. Serve straight from the oven with a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

This easy recipe turns the timeless comfort of chicken pot pie into a convenient soup. It’s made with the same simple ingredients, like potatoes, carrots, peas, and chicken, as the classic pot pie. It’s a great choice for a last-minute dinner on busy weeknights and laid-back weekends alike. Serve with crusty bread for dipping in the rich, creamy broth.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Canned Chicken Patties

Whip up these patties in just 20 minutes using canned chicken and a few pantry staples. It’s super easy to make — combine the ingredients, form them into patties, and then cook them on the stovetop. They’re crispy on the outside but still have that juiciness once you bite on them. Serve with salads, veggies, or as a sandwich filling for a well-rounded dinner. You can refrigerate the patties for up to 3 days, so when you’re short on time, just reheat, and you can have a ready dinner at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a wholesome, hearty meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Using just one skillet, you’ll combine ground beef, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms, then top it generously with cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for last-minute dinners when you need an easy but filling dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

This Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is hearty, filling, and one of the recipes we always have bookmarked. After you have the ingredients prepped, all you have to do is sauté, simmer, blend, and garnish. Ready in just an hour, it’s a great choice for busy weeknights when you want a comforting homemade meal but don’t want to spend hours doing hands-on cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

Here’s another easy dish you can make when you need something at the last minute. This casserole recipe features chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese. It’s ready in 30 minutes and perfect for those evenings when you can quickly get a delicious dinner on the table. Pair it with a simple side salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Italian Sausage Soup

This Italian Sausage Soup is a comforting, one-pot meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. It features ingredients like Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy whipping cream, giving this soup its delicious flavor and texture. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley to amp up the flavors. And, if you have any leftover soup, you can store it in the fridge for up to four days and just pull out a quick dinner at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is a great go-to for evenings when you’re craving something special but don’t have time for complex cooking. The dish features chicken breasts cooked on the stovetop in a creamy white sauce made with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. It’s an impressive yet easy-to-prepare recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Serve over pasta or with roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

This easy and filling dinner can be made in just 25 minutes flat. It combines the humble cabbage with the flavors of bacon and onion and cooks everything in just one pan for convenience. If you want an easy way to add extra veggies to your last-minute dinner, this cabbage dish is the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Enjoy comfort food at its best with this one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are cooked to perfection in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce that’s made with ingredients like heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Everything is cooked in one skillet, perfect for busy nights when you want a delicious and filling meal at the last minute. Serve over quinoa or rice to soak up the rich sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

This casserole mixes ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, spinach, and cheddar cheese for that balanced combination of protein, vegetables, and dairy. It’s a quick and filling meal that’s perfect for last-minute dinners since it’s ready in 30 minutes and uses only one skillet for easy cleanup. Serve hot from the oven for a cozy meal, or make it for meal prep. This dish stores well in the fridge, so you can have a ready-made meal when you need something at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are cheesy, savory, and packed with so much flavor. They’re made with straightforward ingredients — which you might likely have on hand right now — and can be served in just an hour. These poppers are also perfect for meal prep. You can make a batch ahead of time, freeze them, and then bake them as needed. Serve with the delicious homemade ranch dressing and your favorite side to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Leftover chicken is given a new life in this easy 20-minute dinner. This recipe takes leftover chicken and simmers it with green chilis, jalapeno, cheddar cheese, whole milk, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream and spices. This dish can be served on its own or paired with rice, tortillas, or your favorite side dishes. It’s an easy dinner that’s packed with so much flavor and protein, perfect when you need to quickly get a meal on the table at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs