Healthy Easy Family Dinners Ideas
Thinking of easy dinner recipes for the family seems like a simple task until it gets to 5pm and you still haven’t made a decision, let alone shopped, prepared or cooked the meal! That’s when this handy list of family dinner ideas comes to the rescue. Featuring some of Australia’s most popular dinner recipes including spaghetti bolognese, tuna mornay and fried rice, we’ve also got healthy dinner recipes as well as quick and easy dinner recipes for two. Lots of these meal ideas for the family are also cheap, can be cooked in 10 minutes or use shortcut ingredients. So next time you’re wondering: “what’s a good idea for dinner tonight?”, just pick one of these easy dinner recipes.
Easy cheesy 2-minute noodles
This super easy cheesy noodle dish is sure to be a hit with the kids!
Slow cooker chicken chow mein
You can now make this Chinese takeaway classic in your slow cooker! The ingredients are usually stir-fried but in our version you cook the chicken first and then at the end combine with vegies and noodles.
Chilli prawn spaghetti for two
One of the simplest and most satisfying pasta dishes you’ll ever cook, this is proof that magic can happen with just a handful of ingredients.
15-minute chicken and corn noodle soup
Ready in just 15 minutes, this quick and easy chicken and corn soup is perfect for busy weeknights.
Cheat’s chickpea korma curry
Asking yourself what’s for dinner? Make it easy, by cooking this cheat’s chickpea korma curry recipe that’s loaded with veggies for a wholesome meat-free meal.
10-minute tuna mornay rice bake
Dinner’s ready! Make the most of store-bought sauces and get food on the table fast with this 10-minute tuna mornay bake.
Last-minute fried rice
With a few clever ingredient hacks, this speedy dinner can be on the table in just 15 minutes – wow!
10-minute sticky apricot chicken
Using chicken tenderloins, apricot jam and microwave brown rice, you don’t even need a knife to make this quick and easy twist on Aussie classic apricot chicken.
One-tray haloumi and chickpea bake
Honey glazed haloumi atop a bed of tender spiced eggplant and chickpeas. This hearty vego bake is super easy to make, and cooking it slow means you pack in heaps of flavour – plus, there’s next to no washing up!
Spaghetti bolognese
Spaghetti bolognese, or spag bol, as it’s affectionately known in Australia, is what most of us would consider to be the quintessential Italian meal. However, In Italy, the thick, slow-cooked Bolognese sauce is usually served with flat pasta or in a lasagne. Our version starts with a soffritto mix of onion, celery and carrot (plus garlic) and is flavoured further by tomatoes, oregano and nutmeg. This particular version of spaghetti bolognese is diabetes-friendly, making it suitable for everyone’s dinner.
One-pot winter chicken
Who doesn’t love a one-pot tray bake? Invest 15 minutes in some chopping and the oven will the do the rest for you. Another great thing about this recipe is that it uses pre-packed vegetable bundles available from the fresh produce section of the supermarkets. You get a great selection of seasonal vegies and there is no waste! See our Notes section for more info.
10-minute chicken fajita tray bake
Need dinner in a flash? This spicy Mexican-inspired tray bake will be ready in under 10 minutes, just chuck it all on the pan and you’re ready to roll.
17-minute tandoori paneer with salad and raita
This low-cal vegetarian take on the classic Indian curry will be a new family favourite.
Speedy beef pad see ew
With just 15 minutes and 5-ingredients you can be serving this quick and tasty homemade beef pad see ew for dinner tonight.
One-pan cheat’s lamb meatball casserole
Using pre-seasoned lamb sausages and canned chickpeas makes this one-pan dish as easy as could be.
15-minute ham and pineapple ‘fried rice’
You don’t even need to get the wok out to make this fried rice – just throw it together in a matter of minutes.
17-minute spiced lamb cutlets with couscous salad
These easy low-cal spiced lamb cutlets are full of flavour and will please all the family on those busy weeknights.
17-minute zucchini and ricotta pizza
Instead of ordering take-away, try making this quick vegetarian zucchini and ricotta pizza. It still has all the cheesy goodness you love and is ready in just 17 minutes.
Pork schnitzel with cheat’s mash and gravy
We’re making weeknight dinners easy – use these shortcuts for a quick well-balanced meal, perfect for those cooler nights.
17-minute chicken and ricotta meatballs
This quick one-pan meatballs dish has a rich tomato sauce and will have the kids coming back for seconds.
Chicken noodle cup o’ soup
Nothing beats a mug of soup, especially when it’s a wholesome – but still easy – alternative to a packet mix.
10-minute cheesy gnocchi and meatball bake
Dangerously short on time? This genius meatball bake means you can avoid a kitchen crisis and get dinner on the table in just 10 minutes.
Slow cooker French onion pork roast
With melt-in-your-mouth potatoes and a slight sweetness from the apples, this is the easiest roast you’ll ever make. And it’s gluten free!
Ricotta and spinach gnocchi bake
You don’t need heaps of ingredients to cook up hearty comfort food! Try this no-fuss 5-ingredient ricotta and spinach gnocchi bake.
Pesto salmon with rice salad
This punchy-pesto salmon with rice salad recipe is made using only 5-ingredients. Making it speedy to cook and even quicker to shop for.
17-minute creamy Japanese chicken curry
With only a handful of ingredients, the quick and easy curry is perfect for school nights. The whole family will love the creamy coconut flavour!
10-minute cheesy salmon rice bake
This easy cheesy baked rice dish utilises a number of cheats – canned salmon, frozen veg, jarred sauce – to get a nutritious, filling dinner on the table tout suite!
One-pan cheese and bacon smothered chicken
Ready in just 30 mins, this is a creamy cheesy chicken dinner at it’s finest.
17-minute beef satay salad bowl
This quick and easy satay noodle salad has a delicious peanut dressing and will be a hit with the whole family.
Chicken satay noodle bowl
Meet the emergency dinner you can whip up in 10 minutes flat. With creamy chicken satay, fresh Hokkien noodles and Asian slaw, it’ll be a hit with the whole family.
17-minute caesar salad
Crispy prosciutto and toasted sourdough bread adds extra crunch to this 17-minute caesar salad.
Healthy chicken curry for two
Creamy coconut, red chilli, lemongrass and ginger combine to give this aromatic chicken curry just the right amount of kick.
Last-minute chicken tacos
Short on time? These quick and easy chicken tacos are sure to impress. They’ll be ready to feed you and the family in 17-minutes.
15-minute chicken and pumpkin laksa
For a hearty winter warmer try this 15-minute chicken and pumpkin laksa.
Easy slow cooker chicken tacos
There’s only 10 minutes required to get this family dinner prepped, then you can put the slow cooker to work!
5-ingredient honey-glazed pork
Ready in 15 minutes, these tender pork cutlets will make all your sweet and salty dinner dreams come true.
15-minute chicken, broccoli and cashew stir-fry
From kitchen to table in just 15 minutes, this fragrant chicken, broccoli and cashew stir-fry is a weeknight winner.
Easy creamy garlic prawn pasta bake
Baked in foil and ready in just 40 minutes, this easy seafood bake is packed with prawns and risoni – perfect for a weeknight dinner.
5-ingredient bacon and egg pesto spaghetti
For a quick and easy weeknight meal try this crispy bacon and pesto spaghetti topped with a soft poached egg and shaved parmesan.
15-minute Cajun chicken with corn and avocado salsa
15 minutes is all it takes to make this flavoursome chargrilled chicken served with corn and avocado salsa.
Portuguese-style chicken with rice
Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for a lazy weekend at home with friends and family.
17-minute taco bowls
This tasty taco twist uses tortilla bowls to make taco night a breeze.
10-minute prawn, tomato and chilli pasta
This pasta dish is packed with flavour and best of all, it will be on the table in record time.
5-ingredient brown mushroom and brie open omelettes
Creamy brie adds a gourmet touch to this quick and easy omelette recipe.
Healthy beef stroganoff for two
Reduced-fat cream and zucchini noodles make this beef stroganoff lower in both calories and carbs than the classic version.
Quick cauliflower and broccoli soup
Once you’ve tried this ingenious packet soup hack, you’ll never look back. This delicious vegan cauliflower and broccoli soup makes the perfect midweek dinner.
15-minute Japanese chicken noodle stir-fry
Weeknight dinners are on the table in just 15 minutes with this easy Japanese chicken mince and udon noodle stir-fry.
5-ingredient satay beef skewers
You only need five ingredients for these simple Asian inspired satay beef skewers and colourful salad.
15-minute salmon gnocchi
For a tasty weeknight meal try this 15-minute gnocchi dish with smoked salmon and snap peas.
Country beef ‘dump’ dinner
If you’re wondering about the name of this recipe, just look at the method and it will all make sense. There is only one step and it involves you dumping all the ingredients in the slow cooker and forgetting about it until dinner time. In terms of the flavour, we are talking good old-fashioned beef casserole – a perfect winter warmer.
17-minute chicken pot pie
Who says you can’t enjoy a pie for a midweek meal? Get this chicken pot pie on the table in less than 20 minutes and keep the hordes happy.
5-ingredient cheat’s chicken paella
Throw together this flavoursome Spanish-inspired chicken and rice dish this fast and fabulous 30 minute recipe.
Slow cooker chicken and mushroom risotto
This is great way to use up some leftover cooked chicken. Fry up the mushrooms and let your slow-cooker worry about the rice. Add everything together in the end. The risotto comes out perfectly cooked and no stirring is involved.
17-minute nyonya chicken curry
A creamy chicken curry that will be on the dinner table in just 17 minutes.
Pulled pork tostadas
Using just 5 ingredients you could have delicious Mexican in under 30 minutes! Pack your tortillas with tender pulled pork and creamy slaw for a speedy weeknight treat.
17-minute chow mein
The kids will love this speedy chicken chow mein.
5-ingredient meatball carbonara
A twist on the classic carbonara, these meatballs are great for kids.
15-minute Greek chicken
When you need dinner on the table and there’s no time to spare, this one-pan wonder will save the day. It’s ready in 15 minutes!
Potato and pea frittata
Layer potatoes, goat’s cheese and peas in this easy 5-ingredient dinner.
5-ingredient farfalle with fetta and broad beans
Toss crispy prosciutto, broad beans and fetta through farfalle pasta for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
15-minute carbonara pasta
Have dinner on the table in 15 minutes with this deliciously easy carbonara pasta!
Fast beef tacos
We love Mexican cuisine for its simplicity, ease and flavour and no dish encapsulates this more than beef tacos. And while there are plenty of variations to classic tacos, we think this recipe for beef tacos is the easiest and quickest out there – all you need is 5 ingredients and 20 minutes. The secret is using Coles Mexico Chile Con Carne Seasoning for a bold, vibrant Mexican flavour all from one packet. While traditional authentic taco recipes may call for soft corn tortillas, we used crunchy hard shell tacos because we know kids love them. Top with refreshing iceberg lettuce and capsicum, and you have a delicious, fun and hands-on dinner for the whole family.
5-ingredient haloumi shakshuka
Just five ingredients and 30 minutes, and dinner is on the table! With haloumi, chorizo and eggs, it’s the perfect high-protein midweek meal with just enough spice to entice.
5-ingredient Vegemite pasta
Ready in just 20 minutes, this cheesy, buttery spaghetti made with Vegemite and San Remo pasta, is the most Aussie dinner we’ve ever seen!
5-ingredient one-pan creamy chicken and pesto pasta
It should be illegal for creamy, delicious dinners to be this quick and easy. This chicken and pesto pasta (with a risotto flare) will become a weeknight favourite.
15-minute salmon and sesame rice superfood bowls
Looking for meal-prep ideas? This super-speedy salmon and rice bowl is perfect for lunch on those busy weekdays.
5-ingredient pappardelle and meatballs
Slice fresh lasagne sheets to create your own instant pappardelle pasta served with tomato-based meatball sauce, bocconcini and fresh basil.
Tasty teriyaki salmon with udon noodles
A 5-ingredient dinner that couldn’t be easier, tastier or more satisfying, if it tried.
5-ingredient carbonara ravioli with pumpkin and leek
Use ready-made ingredients to make this quick and easy carbonara beef ravioli tossed with roast pumpkin and leek.
Easy bacon and leek frittata
Give this fuss-free frittata recipe a go. Using just 5-ingredients, the chef will enjoy making this bacon and leek frittata as much as everyone will be eating it.
Beef and pumpkin curry for two
We’ve shrunk one of our best beef curry recipes into a more compact serving size so it’s now the perfect easy dinner for two.
5-ingredient Cajun salmon with chargrilled corn salsa
20 minutes is all you need to make this easy, 5-ingredient cajun salmon served with chargrilled corn salsa.
15-minute turkey san choy bow
Talk about an easy dinner, this tasty turkey san choy bow recipe takes only 15-minutes to make, uses just 5-ingredients and is the perfect healthy weeknight dinner.
Sweet chilli prawn and noodle stir-fry
With only a handful of ingredients you can whip up this mouth-watering meal with hardly any prep.
17-minute one-pan spaghetti bolognaise
Feed the whole family in no time, with this speedy one-pan spaghetti.
Quick beef pho
Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal? Look no further than this quick beef pho. Using just 5-ingredients, dinner can be on the table in just 25 minutes.
17-minute lime and coconut butter chicken
This 17-minute butter chicken has added lime and coconut for a fresh twist on a family classic.
Cajun-style pork and pineapple
Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner? Look no further than this juicy and succulent, cajun-style pork and pineapple stir-fry bowl!
Broccoli fried rice
This low-carb fried rice is made by using broccoli and takes just 20 minutes! Take leftovers for lunch the next day!
15-minute miso noodle soup
It’s the season for warming bowls of soup. Change it up a little with this 15-minute miso noodle soup.
Speedy chicken tortilla bowls
We’ve given Mexican-night a quick and easy makeover the whole family will love, with these speedy chicken tortilla bowls.
10-minute creamy salmon curry
Served with cauliflower rice, this easy curry gets its flavour and creamy texture from coconut milk and red curry paste.
Creamy chicken alfredo in a mug
You’re only 15 minutes away from creamy, cheesy pasta heaven – and there’s no washing up!
15-minute creamy salmon risoni
Creamy, but made with no cream! Salmon risoni is brilliant for weeknight meals because it cooks so quickly and can be made in one pot.
Cheat’s chicken souvlaki wraps
Whip together these chicken souvlaki wraps, following the shortcuts for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Chicken Kyiv with bacon-y peas
For a delicious family dinner that’ll rival your local pub, try this fulfilling juicy chicken Kyiv recipe, served with a warmed pea salad.
5-ingredient Mexican rice salad
Have dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes with this speedy, 5-ingredient Mexican rice salad.
Prawn, avocado and coleslaw burgers
Take a few shortcuts with these 5-ingredient prawn, avocado and coleslaw burgers.
17-minute frying-pan bolognaise with zucchini spaghetti
This speedy spag bol is low in carbs and gluten-free thanks to the zucchini spaghetti.
Speedy salmon noodle stir-fry
For a boost of sweet veg, add capsicum to your stir-fry. Seed, chop and cook with the carrot.
15-minute Vietnamese-style chicken rolls
Make your own Vietnamese-style chicken rolls with this quick and easy 15-minute recipe.
15-minute chicken, chorizo and couscous paella
Couscous adds a quick new twist to this deliciously easy 15-minute chicken and chorizo paella.
Easy superfood fried rice
Throw together our superfood fried rice in just minutes for a quick midweek meal.
10-minute chicken and vegetable soup recipe
This quick and easy chicken and pasta soup is also low-cal and packed with veg.
Easy teriyaki beef and walnut stir-fry
Looking for a nutrient-rich dinner in 25-minutes? Look no further than this wholesome easy teriyaki beef and walnut stir-fry.
17-minute turmeric chilli fried egg bowl
This healthy vegetarian bowl has kale, chickpeas, egg and Greek yoghurt for a protein-packed weeknight dinner.
15-minute honey-soy meatball stir-fry
Cheat it! We’ve created maximum flavour in minimum time by using pre-made meatballs and a delicious stir-fry sauce.
Chinese omelette
This traditional Asian omelette is full of healthy greens and some chilli for extra kick.
Mushroom steak burger
Ready in 20 minutes with only 5 ingredients, this hearty low-carb mushroom steak burger will be a dinnertime hit with young and old.
Hot-smoked salmon and rice salad
Perfect for lunch or dinner, this easy salmon and rice salad is made from only 5 ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes.
Feta and black bean scrambled eggs
You only need 5 ingredients for this healthy vegetarian scrambled eggs. This filling breakfast will be ready in just 10 minutes!
Warm chicken tortellini salad
With just 5 ingredients this warm chicken tortellini salad recipe is going to be your new go-to.
Quick chicken mince stir-fry
Try this 5-ingredient chicken stir-fry, made using chicken mince, hokkien noodles and a tasty honey soy sauce.
Beef poke bowl recipe
No one will ever know you only bought 5 ingredients to make this delicious beef poke bowl. Follow this recipe with shortcut ingredients for a new healthy weeknight dinner option.
6-ingredient vegetarian toad in the hole
Yorkshire pudding meets frittata meets focaccia in this easy-as veggie tray bake. Perfect as a breakfast, lunch or dinner, it packs a flavour punch with marinated feta and pesto.
Sicilian salmon and cauliflower tray bake
This 30-min tray-bake echoes the simple, but elegant flavours of the Mediterranean with lemon, roasted cauliflower and parsley.
15-minute combination fried rice
This colourful fried rice is the epitome of easy, mid-week cooking. Microwave rice, BBQ chicken, quick-cooking prawns and sauces you 100% already have in your pantry make this the no-fuss dinner it is.
Chicken and leek casserole for two
With leeks, mushrooms and a splash of white wine, this one-pot creamy chicken is the ultimate easy dinner for two.
10-minute vegetarian pad Thai
Packed with noodles, tofu and pre-prepared stir-fry vegies, this quick and easy dinner will be your new weeknight go-to.
Cheesy French onion meatballs and mushrooms
French onion soup is a renowned favourite comfort food across the globe. But have you ever thought about how those sweet, caramelised onion flavours would pair perfectly with some delicious meatballs? For a more filling choice try our cheesy french onion meatballs & mushrooms – the perfect meal for a cozy dinner during winter. Serve with warm, toasted sourdough and butter for an irresistible bite.
Chicken and zucchini lasagne
For a hearty weeknight meal, you can’t go past this flavour-packed lasagne. Loaded with chicken mince, hidden veggies and classic creamy, bechamel sauce, this winner dinner comes in at under $5 per serve!
One-pan cheesy beef taco rice bake
Are you looking for a low-budget one-pan dinner winner? Well, this delicious excuse to get away with less washing up is the hearty meal for you! It can feed a family or make a great meal-prep option as well. The rice soaks up the beefy Mexican flavour as it cooks, leaving you with a tasty bite every time. What’s more, it’s the perfect filling for taco shells or burritos as well! Add sour cream, avocado and even cherry tomatoes after cooking for some extra freshness.
Tikka pork & lentil curry
This mild curry is a great option for weeknight dinners as it’s ready to serve in just 30 minutes! It has delicious South Asian inspired flavours that the whole family will enjoy. What’s more, it’s super-easy to make as there are just 2 simple steps to follow. Enjoy it on its own or serve it with rice and naan for an authentic and tasty eating experience.
Chicken teriyaki pineapple rice
Chicken teriyaki has to be one of the most popular dinner options because it not only has a family-friendly flavour, but it’s quick and easy to prepare using only one pan. In this easy chicken teriyaki recipe we’ve used canned pineapple to add sweetness (you’ll never make teriyaki without it again) and given you the option of using chicken breast or chicken thigh. This chicken teriyaki recipe is ready in 40 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight meals.
One-dish cheesy French onion pasta bake
I adore the sweet and tangy flavours of everyone’s favourite winter comfort food – French onion soup. Sometimes though, I just don’t feel like soup and I crave something with a bit more texture. My solution? This delicious, cheesy French onion pasta bake! It has those familiar, caramelised flavours that we all adore, which are soaked up by the elbows pasta for a twist on mac and cheese that we think tastes just like Smith’s Cheese & Onion chips!
Red curry chicken and pineapple rice salad
This spiced, grilled chicken is the perfect addition to every barbecue! The juicy chicken is sure to impress family and friends. But don’t worry! You can still make it in the oven, if you’d prefer. Just roast at 180°/160° fan forced. What’s more, who could forget about the perfect, tangy and sweet, pineapple rice salad that rounds out this dish as being the perfect meal for a summer day. Just grab your favourite part of the chicken, help yourself to the rice salad and enjoy! You can also think outside the jar and make any leftover curry paste into a marinade.
Creamy Dijon mushroom pasta
This super creamy vegetarian pasta uses our one pan creamy chicken recipe base, which you can find at Coles, plus a little dijon mustard for extra flavour. Browning off the mushrooms until they are nice and golden adds a real meaty richness to the sauce – the trick is not to stir the mushrooms too much and let them get nice and golden before turning.
Vegetarian mushroom ragu
It looks like beef ragu, it tastes like beef ragu, but the best thing about this ragu is there is absolutely zero meat! We used our slow cooker beef ragu recipe base (which you can find at Coles) so it’s super quick and easy to prepare. Our top tip: allow all the liquid to reduce while cooking as it helps concentrate all the rich flavours together- it’s what ragu is famous for after all. And just like its meat equivalent, you can freeze this mushroom version, too.
Sweet and sour Thai beef and mango salad
Full of crunch, sweet and sour flavours, and tender barbecued beef, this rainbow low-cal salad is the ultimate fresh and fast summer dinner. Best of all, it is only $5.80 per serve and on the table 30!
Broccoli, salmon and cottage cheese frittata
With smoked salmon, cottage cheese and sweet potato, this healthy frittata makes the perfect breakfast, lunch or easy dinner. Plus, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, so that is meal prep done!
Healthy one-pan piri piri chicken
Have this low-cal, one-pot wonder on the table in 30! Packed full of smoky, spicy flavours and loaded with veg, this hearty, healthy main is a weeknight winner.
Biang biang crispy lamb mince noodles
Have this budget-friendly dinner on the table in 30! The chewy, wide glass noodles and crispy lamb mince soak up the perfectly balanced sauce creating this deliciously sticky stir-fry.
Basic mac and cheese
Although mac and cheese is commonly thought of as a popular American food (and it certainly has a bit of a cult status there), it’s a dish that is readily made in many other parts of the world including Canada and the UK. It really is such a classic comfort dish that everyone should have one recipe that they can turn to when the craving hits. This basic mac and cheese recipe uses cheddar and actual macaroni pasta though you can use other small pasta shapes. We have sprinkled it with breadcrumbs and parmesan for that added crunch.
Creamy chicken and spinach potato bake
It only takes 5-ingredients to whip up this next-level potato bake. With layers of tender potato slices, oozing mozzarella, BBQ chicken and spinach doused in a creamy sauce (with a hint of mustard), midweek dinners don’t get much better than this! This super easy potato bake can also be served as a side dish (just leave the chicken out).
Vegetarian Malaysian satay tofu noodles
“Finally, an authentic satay sauce recipe that’s quick and easy to prepare thanks to our Malaysian Satay Chicken Meal Kit. The seasoning mix in the kit gives the tofu a crispy, golden crust while the satay sauce generously coats the noodles and vegies. I like to
