Are you looking for simple, healthy and fun family dinner ideas? Join the club! I know many of you are sick of cooking. I am hoping a few of these can inspire you, but also encourage you to simplify and make it fun. Breaking our nights into themes really helps our family come up with ideas and joining in the preparation. Also, don’t be afraid to just take the night off sometimes. Seriously, just make a PBJ for everyone and call it good. You need a break! Your family will not care, and you will be a happier, more relaxed you.

Dinner Nights Ideas
  • Clean out Fridge Night
  • Breakfast for Dinner
  • Make Your Own Pizza (English muffins or naan bread work great)
  • BBQ Night or Cook Around the Campfire
  • Pack a Picnic (eat in your backyard or head to your local park)
  • Homemade Fast Food (cook your own homemade chicken nuggets and fries)
  • Dessert Before Dinner (a rare treat loved by kids of all ages)
  • Learn a New Recipe (pick a parent, kid or call a relative you miss and ask them a favorite recipe)
  • Imitate Your Favorite Restaurant
  • Family Member Choice (take turns picking and possibly cooking or helping with their favorite dinner)
  • Around the World Night: We love Mexican, Italian and Asian food. A nice change for us can be a Spanish Night (Tapas Bar) or Indian food.
  • Around the US Night: Southern Night is a favorite (fried chicken or shrimp & grits with collard greens).
  • Bar Nights: Baked Potato, Taco, Burrito, Nacho, Sandwich, Salad, Sushi and/or Omelet
  • Precooked Protein Night: Pulled Pork, Ham or Rotisserie Chickens (Costco has a great one)
  • Easy Favorites: Chicken Drumsticks, One Pan or One Skillet Dinners, Sloppy Joes, Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, French Dip, Fish & Chips⠀
  • Slow Cooker or Instapot Night: Chili, Green Chili Chicken, Pot Roast (Mississippi Pot Roast is 👍).

You can make most of these recipes gluten-free/dairy-free too. Feel free to add a salad, fruit or a vegetable. My husband loves rice and we often cook rice in our Instapot. In the morning I always make sure the protein is defrosting! If I have a protein ready, then assembling everything else is easier! Let’s enjoy cooking again by keeping it simple, fun and healthy all at the same time!