Food
20+ Easy, Family-Friendly Recipes To Make In A Pinch
Published on August 17, 2021
As the colder weather sets in, getting quick, easy and satisfying meals on the table is essential. From simple curries to pantry pastas and a one-pan paella, we rounded up 22 family-friendly recipes that will have both kids and adults begging for seconds!
Skillet Chicken Parm With Spicy Breadcrumbs
“Skillet Chicken Parm With Spicy Breadcrumbs has all the components of the original dish, minus the pounding or frying,” says cookbook author Mark Bittman. And it’s on the table in 30 minutes!
Get the recipe for Skillet Chicken Parm With Spicy Breadcrumbs.
Caramel Salmon
“Few techniques are as magical as cooking in a sweet and savory caramel sauce, a technique I first learned while traveling in Vietnam,” says Mark. “Caramel Salmon is a good place to start since the process is straightforward. Also, if you like fish sauce but not in the amounts in these recipes, replace some of it with water or a combination of water and soy sauce.”
Get the recipe for Caramel Salmon.
Grilled Potato, Leek & Gorgonzola Flatbread Pizza
“I rely on shortcuts like naan and frozen dough to get an easy crust every time,” says food personality Trish Magwood. “Lay out the ingredients on a platter so everyone can customize their own pizza. I love Terroni’s Peperoncini Piccanti on the side to add heat.”
Get the recipe for Grilled Potato, Leek & Gorgonzola Flatbread Pizza.
Simple Middle Eastern Chicken
“A staple main course for my family, this flavorful chicken bake is garnished with pomegranate seeds,” says Trish.
Get the recipe for Simple Middle Eastern Chicken.
Mexican Chicken & Lime Soup
This spicy soup is the perfect winter warmer, and all the fun comes from the extras dipped in — broken tortilla chips, avocado slices, radish and cilantro — just before serving.
Get the recipe for Mexican Chicken & Lime Soup.
Pesto Tuna Kitchen Sink Salad
“This has been a favorite recipe over the past few months because, honestly, I’ve been exhausted from cooking,” says Charlotte Langley, chef and owner of Scout Canning. “This salad uses every little bit of crunchy leftover bits you may have in your fridge and brings together abundant fresh flavors. It’s so versatile: add cheese, beans, grains or whatever you have kicking around. A dressing laden with citrus and fresh herbs will have you bouncing into the new year with renewed energy!”
Get the recipe for Pesto Tuna Kitchen Sink Salad.
Zarrein’s Shrimp Curry
“The herbs give it a freshness,” says Calgary restauranteur Maya Gohill about her mother’s recipe. “It’s just delicious!”
Get the recipe for Zarrein’s Shrimp Curry.
Lasagna Rolls
The beauty of this cheesy dish is you can fill, form and sauce the roll-ups up to one day in advance, so all you need to do is pop them in the oven and dig in.
Get the recipe for Lasagna Rolls.
Paella
No need to stir the rice. Shocking, right? (We apologize in advance to the purists!) And it serves six people.
Get the recipe for Paella.
Pistachio-Crusted Salmon
“Fish and chips is one of my favorite meals, but to keep things a little bit lighter, this pistachio panko crust adds the perfect element of crunch without it being too heavy,” says food blogger and TV personality Abbey Sharp.
Get the recipe for Pistachio-Crusted Salmon.
Golden Tagliatelle & Greens
A gorgeously fragrant pasta with the flavors of a coconut curry and a secret base of sweet carrot juice.
Get the recipe for Golden Tagliatelle & Greens.
Citrus, Shrimp & Quinoa Salad With Feta
This citrus salad is satisfying complete, combining sharp grapefruit, clementine and lime, along with shrimp, quinoa and feta. If you don’t like shrimp, skip it or use thin slices of medium-rare steak instead.
Get the recipe for Citrus, Shrimp & Quinoa Salad With Feta.
Mushroom Agrodolce Chicken Thighs & Tumeric & Orange Sauced Chicken Thighs
When it’s real chicken you’re craving, thighs are prized for their depth of flavor and natural fat. The best method of cooking them is a braise — a super-simple technique that keeps the meat really moist and juicy. Try these two delicious options for sauces: Mushroom Agrodolce (top) or Turmeric & Orange.
Get the recipe for Mushroom Agrodolce Chicken Thighs & Turmeric & Orange Sauced Chicken Thighs
Baked Cod With Garlic & Herb Ritz Crumbs
“Tender white cod fillets are cooked in white wine and fresh lemon juice with a crunchy topping of old-fashioned Ritz crackers, panko crumbs and lemon zest,” says Ina Garten. “Very retro but so new and delicious!”
Get the recipe for Baked Cod With Garlic & Herb Ritz Crumbs.
Skillet Cypriot Spaghetti
Conjure thoughts of warmer weather with a one-pan pasta using rotisserie chicken, halloumi cheese, fresh mint and zingy lemon zest. It’s a lighter way to do comfort food.
Get the recipe for Skillet Cypriot Spaghetti.
Frittata di Pasta
“This is a quick and easy recipe that I make with leftover pasta,” says chef and TV personality David Rocco. “It’s so simple, and the kids love it. You can use any kind of leftover pasta and sauce from the night before. I’ve made it with leftover pasta al pomodoro, spaghetti aglio e olio, carbonara, and even a fusilli with tuna and capers. It always tastes delicious, so I strongly recommend that, if you make pasta, make extra. With this recipe in your back pocket, leftovers will never go to waste.”
Get the recipe for Frittata di Pasta.
Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
You don’t need to be under the weather to enjoy this delicious, feel-good classic.
Get the recipe for Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup.
Orecchiette With Tuna, White Beans & Radicchio
Bright fennel and peppery radicchio pair perfectly with cupboard staples of canned white beans, Italian tuna, garlic and chili flakes.
Get the recipe for Orecchiette With Tuna, White Beans & Radicchio.
Northern-Style Green Curry
Curries vary in flavor, depending on their region of origin. This is the style of curry chef Nuit Regular grew up with in the town of Phrae, in the northern area of Phrae province. If you’re a fan of green curry, you’ll never need takeout again.
Get the recipe for Northern-Style Green Curry.
Cauliflower “Mac & Cheese” Bake
“I love the combination of the sweet coconut, the flavor of the carrots and onions, and the crispy cheesy topping that makes you want to come back for more and more,” says chef and food consultant Suzanne Barr. “It’s simple, delicious, and you’ll impress your family making it from scratch.”
Get the recipe for Cauliflower “Mac & Cheese” Bake.
Greek Chopped Salad With Crispy Peppercorn Salmon
This chopped salad comes together in under 15 minutes and can be made year-round, tasting even better during prime tomato season, which runs from late August to early September.
Get the recipe for Greek Chopped Salad With Crispy Peppercorn Salmon.
Cinnamony Smoky Eggplant P’titim
Quick-cooking and absorbent, p’titim (or Israeli couscous) soaks up any sauce you throw its way; No one’s going to mistake this dish for rice, but p’titim deserve a place of their own in every kitchen. If you can’t find them in a shop, Italian fregola works well, too.
Get the recipe for Cinnamony Smoky Eggplant P’titim.