Family Dinner Ideas
If the weekly meal plan is feeling a bit like a playlist stuck on repeat, we’ve got a load of great family dinner ideas for you here. We’ve put some of our favourite family meal ideas in one handy spot, which you’ve very cleverly found! Some are quick, some are easy, some take a bit longer but are worth it. They’re the kind of family dinner recipes that bring everyone to the table, fussy kids included. Some are from our chefs, others come from the wider team here, and a lot are the very same recipes we use to make our hand-prepared meals.
If you’re looking to stretch your budget, try batch cooking these family dinner recipes. With a little planning, the right containers (our trays are great for freezing) and a spare afternoon, you can whip up meals for the week in one go.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagne Recipe
Yep, we know, lasagne is a bit of a faff. It doesn’t fall in the “quick and easy” category, but - as is so often the case with a labour of love - it’s worth it. Layers of roasted peppers, courgette and mushrooms, with a light crème fraiche and mascarpone sauce. It’s great for feeding a crowd or just making ahead and stashing in the freezer for one of those “what’s for dinner?” days.
Lamb Moussaka Recipe
A Greek-inspired classic that’s proper comfort food. This Lamb Moussaka layers rich, spiced lamb ragu with roasted aubergines, potato slices and a creamy béchamel, all topped with golden, cheesy breadcrumbs. It’s a bit of a weekend project, but the results are well worth the effort.
Beef Stroganoff Recipe
This Beef Stroganoff is rich, creamy and packed with flavour - think tender strips of beef, mushrooms and a splash of brandy for good measure. A classic family dinner idea for when you want something a little indulgent that still feels down-to-earth. It can easily be XXL’d if you’ve got family or friends coming over, and needs nothing other than rice, mash or pasta to serve.
Cottage Pie Recipe
A true British classic and the ultimate in comfort food. This recipe is everything you want it to be: a rich, savoury mince filling with a smooth, buttery mash on top. It’s easy to make ahead and a total crowd-pleaser … even for fussy eaters. It doesn’t need adorning, serve simply with spoonful of peas.
Lasagne Al Forno Recipe
A labour of love that is worth every ounce of energy and every minute of time you put into it. A complete crowd-pleaser, that you can’t go wrong with. Layered with a rich beef and pork ragu, velvety béchamel and golden cheese topping. Just leave it to sit for a wee while before serving … a true exercise in will power!
Huntsman’s Chicken Recipe
This is our take on an old pub classic. It’s not the quickest recipe in the world, but if you’ve got the time, it’s absolutely worth the effort. The Duxelle (that’s the mushroom stuffing, if you’re wondering) gives the chicken a rich, savoury flavour, and that sauce? You’ll be hard pushed not to lick your plate.
Mushroom Carbonara Recipe
This one’s a winner if you’re cooking for someone special … rich, comforting, and ready in about 20 minutes. It was shared with us by SJ, a chef who used to cook with us, and it’s a firm favourite for a cosy date night in. Serve with a crisp white wine and a bit of your best chat.
There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a home-cooked meal with the people you love, and we’ve pulled together this collection of easy family meal recipes to make that feel a bit more doable. So, bookmark this page, share it with your friends, and let us know how you get on with the recipes above, we always love hearing from you. Don’t forget though, sometimes even the best laid plans go to pot, so having a plan B isn’t a bad idea … keep the freezer stocked with easy family dinners that have been hand-prepared by the chefs in our kitchens, when you simply don’t have the time to spend in yours.