22 Quick and Easy Dinners for Busy Dads

Kids will cheer when you bring these sizzling beef fajitas to the table. Strips of tender, inexpensive skirt steak are flash-fried on the stove top with bell peppers, onions, and Mexican spices, and served with tortillas and your choice of toppings.

Pasta noodles are tossed with flaked canned tuna and bacon in a creamy sauce, in this winning family dinner inspired by a classic Italian recipe. With plenty of protein, and tons of flavor and crunch, it's a tasty meal you can feel great about serving your kids.

When you're in a hurry to feed your family, count on this stir-fry recipe for a delicious, Chinese take-out style dinner in only 20 minutes. Moist chicken strips are cooked in a tasty, thickened orange juice and soy sauce mixture, and topped with crunchy cashew nuts. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Family favorite pork chops and peppers is a filling, nutritious meal that cooks quickly in one skillet, for easy clean-up. Worcestershire sauce and pantry spices add great savory flavor to meaty pork and vegetables.

Kids love saucy sloppy Joes. With a mixture of ground beef, onions, diced bell pepper, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar, these hot sandwiches make a quick, fun and filling dinner that you can cook and serve in under an hour.

Elevate your family's hot dog meal with this fun puka dog recipe. Cooked on a grill, either inside or out, Polish sausages or veggie dogs are poked into Hawaiian rolls. The toppings include a homemade mango mustard that's spicy but can be adjusted to your family's preference, as well as sweet pineapple relish.

Take the worry out of cooking rice by making Instant Pot rice. It's an invaluable kitchen appliance for busy families and cooks rice perfectly every time. Serve it as a side, plate cooked meats or veggies on top of it, or incorporate it into another recipe.

For families who are not afraid of a little adventure, Seattle hot dogs are a quick and fun meal. Cook the hot dogs in a frying pan or toss them on the grill, if you like. The toppings include sautéed onions, cream cheese, and jalapeños, and you can always ramp up the flavor with Sriracha or brown mustard.

The Instant Pot makes roasting big hunks of meat quick and hands-off. This pulled pork is ready in under an hour and frees up dad to make any side dishes, help with homework, or tidy up. Serve as is as a main or on buns as sandwiches.

Teriyaki sauce seems to be one of those flavors that is enjoyed by both adults and kids alike, and this sheet pan dinner makes it easy to get dinner on the table in a snap. The recipe combines a homemade version of the Asian sauce with healthy salmon and vegetables like broccoli, peppers, green beans, and carrots. Make a pot of rice and dinner is done.

For a twist on a traditional Chinese stir-fry, try this recipe using ground turkey. It is reminiscent of the Asian lettuce cup appetizer in terms of flavors and texture, but the added broccoli and peppers make this a nutritious and complete dish, perfect served over cooked rice.

Frozen store-bought meatballs and purchased pesto sauce make it easy to put together this family favorite, cheesy spaghetti dinner. Kids will enjoy the green-colored pasta in this satisfying weeknight dinner that you can put together in just 30 minutes.

Dial up the nutrition on dinner, when you serve these easy, 30-minute baked fish fillets with a crunchy parmesan cheese and breadcrumb coating that kids love to eat. Serve with hot cooked rice for a healthy dinner, or French fries for a treat.

Satisfy vegetarian kids' pizza cravings with this tasty pesto pizza recipe that begins with a store-bought crust. Simply layer on prepared pesto sauce and Mediterranean toppings, and bake in a hot oven until your pizza is hot and crispy.

Say olé to these 30-minute enchiladas that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. With corn tortillas, two kinds of cheese, and store-bought Mexican sauce, they couldn't be easier to assemble and bake. Go ahead and add some cooked beef or chicken, if you have leftovers in the fridge.

Crockpots are a busy dad's best friend for getting hot dinners on the table, without rushing around after work. Assemble the ingredients for this hearty beef and vegetable chili quickly in the morning, and come home to a rib-sticking family meal.

These individual-sized pizzas are simple to make and easily customizable. Store-bought pizza dough is cut to the size of a cake pan, layered with toppings, and cooked for 15 minutes. Stack two pans and cook a few at a time.

Make taco night a healthy night for your family when you serve up turkey tacos! Lean ground turkey is flavored with Mexican seasonings, and piled into taco shells or tortillas, along with lettuce, salsa, store-bought guacamole, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Creamy chicken stroganoff makes a wonderfully warming dinner on cold or rainy evenings. Juicy chicken thighs, onions, mushrooms, and a rich and easy sauce add up to a satisfying, homey meal. It's budget-friendly, too!

Tasty tofu cubes and plenty of crunchy vegetables are stir-fried in a creamy peanut butter sauce with Asian flavorings, for a healthy and filling dish that may become your vegan family's new favorite dinner. It's ready to serve in just 20 minutes!

Homemade macaroni and cheese is a kid favorite meal you can make on your stovetop in just 30 minutes. Just a handful of ingredients, plus salt and pepper to taste, is all that is needed to cook up this classic recipe. Toss in some steamed broccoli florets, if you like, for an extra boost of nutrition.

Dig into a cheesy, savory pasta casserole for dinner on busy weeknights. This hearty family pasta bake with leftover cooked ham, penne pasta, peas, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce can be made ahead for your freezer, to reheat easily on rushed weeknights.