20 Easy and Quick Family Dinner Recipe Ideas that Can Save Your Day

Have you called over friends for dinner or are you thinking of making something special for your family? Well, whenever it comes to making anything special, it requires elaborate preparations and a lot of effort. Well, that may not hold true in case of our dinner recipes.

Vegetarian Family Dinner Recipes

A home-cooked meal will not only be relished by your guests, but it is also a more nutritious option than eating out. Here are some of our quick and simple vegetarian dinner recipes:

1. Spinach and Corn

This recipe with corn and spinach will be an instant hit.

Ingredients

• 500 grams of spinach leaves
• 200 grams corn kernels
• 3-4 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
• 3 medium-sized tomatoes, finely chopped
• 6-7cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ an inch ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon coriander powder
• ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1 tablespoon fresh cream
• Salt to taste
• Oil/ ghee

Method

• Blanch the spinach leaves and churn them into a coarse paste.
• Add some oil to a pan and then heat it.
• Add chopped onions, turn them golden brown.
• Add minced ginger and garlic and cook for a few minutes.
• Add tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tomatoes are done.
• Add corn kernels and all the dry spices, cook for a few minutes.
• Add spinach and cook for some time.
• Once the vegetables are done, add cream and mix well.
• Serve with Indian bread or boiled rice.

Pre-Preparation Time: 10-11 minutes

Cooking Time: 20-22 minutes

Servings: Serves 4-5

2. Crispy Okra

This crispy okra dish can be made within no time, and it will be loved by your young ones too.

Ingredients

• 500 grams fresh okra
• ½ cup gram flour
• ½ tablespoon dried mango powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method

• Slit okra lengthwise; one into four parts.
• Mix the spices and gram flour together.
• Smear the semi-dried okras with the spice mixture.
• Heat oil in a deep pan.
• Fry masala smeared okras in smaller quantities, until crispy.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Pre-Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Serving: Serves 5-6

3. Stuffed Capsicum with Cottage Cheese and Peas

This versatile dish can be served with an Indian menu as well as a continental menu.

Ingredients

• 8-10 medium-sized capsicums
• 200 grams fresh cottage cheese
• 200 grams boiled green peas
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon coriander powder
• 3-4 tablespoons cheese, grated
• Salt to taste
• Oil for cooking

Method

• Take the capsicums, discard their tails and scoop out the seeds.
• Heat oil in the pan.
• Put onions, and let them turn pink.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
• Add peas and the dried spices and cook for a few minutes.
• Mash the cheese nicely and put in the pan.
• Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Fill the capsicum with the mixture.
• Cook capsicums in a flat pan until they turn tender.
• Add grated cheese on top and microwave the capsicum for two minutes.

Pre-Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serving: Serves 4-5

4. Exotic Stir Fried Vegetables

No fancy preparations but still this dish turns out to be utterly exotic and equally tasty.

Ingredients

• 1 medium broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 yellow zucchini, cut into cubes
• 1 green zucchini, cut into cubes
• 200 grams mushrooms, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
• ½ cup parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat butter in a pan.
• Add garlic and cook for a minute
• Add all the vegetables, salt and pepper and cook for 5-6 minutes.
• Once tender, add the seasoning and mix well.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley

Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes

Serving: Serves 3-4

5. Aromatic Potato Wedges

This is a great side dish and can be prepared quickly.

Ingredients

• 6-7 medium sized potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½teaspoon black pepper
• ½teaspoon coarsely chopped dried red chillies
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Sale to taste

Method

• Heat butter in a pan.
• Add potatoes and cook them on high flame for a few minutes.
• Add all the spices and salt and cook for 7-8 minutes or until potatoes are done.
• Sprinkle some rosemary before serving.

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Serving: Serves 2-3

6. Cottage Cheese in Creamy Tomato Gravy

Cream renders a smooth and rich texture to this yummy cottage cheese dish.

Ingredients

• 4-5 tomatoes
• 7-8 garlic cloves
• ½ inch ginger
• 200 grams cottage cheese, cut into cubes
• 100 grams fresh cream
• ½ cup cashew nuts, soaked in warm water
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp red chilli powder
• ½ tsp garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp Ghee

Method

• Blend onion cashew nuts, tomatoes, ginger and garlic into a fine paste.
• Heat some ghee and add the above mixture in a pan
• Cook till the ghee separates.
• Add all the dried ingredients.
• Add cottage cheese and cream and mix well
• Cook for two minutes. Serve hot with Indian bread or rice.

Cooking Time: 20-22 minutes

Serving: Serves 4-5

7. Cauliflower Keema with Peas

This is a vegetarian twist to the usual non-vegetarian keema recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cauliflower, grated
• 1 cup peas, boiled
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• ½tsp cumin
• ½tsp coriander powder
• ½tsp red chilli powder
• ½tsp chaat masala
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp oil

Method

• Heat wok and add oil in it.
• Add cumin seeds and ginger-garlic paste.
• Add peas and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add grated cauliflower and all other spices except chaat masala, cook until done.
• Add chaat masala and serve hot.

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Serving: Serves 3-4

8. Mixed Vegetable with Basil

Basil adds an aromatic twist to the usual mix-vegetable recipe.

Ingredients

• 200grams tofu, cut in cubes
• 200grams red pumpkin, thinly sliced
• 1 each of red and green capsicum, chopped in cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp red chilli sauce
• ½ fresh basil leaves
• 3 fresh red chillies, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat oil in a wok; add onions and pumpkin and sauté for a minute.
• Add soy and chilli sauce and mix well.
• Add tofu and red chillies.
• Add the capsicums.
• Add roughly chopped basil leaves and salt.
• Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Cooking Time: 20-22 minutes

Serving: Serves 4

9. Creamy Garlic Potatoes

This is a yummy potato main dish with a dash of garlic.

Ingredients

• 4-5 potatoes, cut in cubes
• 1 cup milk
• 6-7 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3-4 spring onions with bulb, chopped
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns, crushed
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat butter in a pan, add garlic, potatoes and salt. Mix well.
• Add milk, cover and cook.
• Add onions and cook covered for 7-8 minutes.
• Cook on low heat until potatoes are done.
• Add crushed pepper and spring onions before serving.

Cooking Time: 20-23 minutes

Serving: Serves 4-5

10. Dried Green Split Lentils with Tamarind Leaves

This tangy green lentil dish is a great side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup green split green lentils, soaked
• 1 cup tamarind leaves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chillies, chopped
• ½tsp cumin seeds
• ½tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• ¼ tsp asafoetida
• Salt to taste

Method

• Cook soaked lentils with turmeric and 2 cups water for 6-7 minutes.
• Add tamarind leaves and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
• In a separate pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and asafoetida.
• Add onion and cook for a minute. Add chilli powder and mix well.
• Add the lentil mixture to the pan.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and cook covered for 5 minutes on medium flame.
• Serve hot.

Pre-Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes

Cooking Time: 21-24 minutes

Serving: Serves 4

Non-Vegetarian Family Dinner Recipes

Here are some mouth-watering non-vegetarian easy dinner recipes for family dinners that can be whipped in no time. These easy dinner recipes are kid-friendly too.

1. Pepper Eggs

This is a simple and easy main course recipe for the all the egg lovers out there.

Ingredients

• 4-5 hard-boiled eggs, cut into halves
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1-2 green chillies, slit into halves
• 10-15 curry leaves
• 1-2 tbsp crushed black pepper
• ½tsp fennel seeds
• ½tsp coriander seeds
• ½ tsp red chilli powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

• Heat oil, add fennel and coriander seeds in a pan
• Add curry leaves and green chillies and let it splatter.
• Add onion and all the spices, mix well.
• Add tomato puree and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add salt and put eggs in the mixture.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander.

Pre-Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes.

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Serving: Serves 4-5

2. Dried Ginger and Pepper Chicken

This chicken recipe can be served as the main course and makes a great snacking option too.

Ingredients

• ½ kilograms boneless chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp black pepper, crushed
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoon butter
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat butter in a non-stick pan.
• Add chicken, cook on high flame for two minutes.
• Add grated ginger, pepper, and salt, mix well.
• Cook covered for 10-12 minutes or until done.
• Add lemon juice and cook for one minute.
• Sprinkle some freshly crushed black pepper for garnishing.

Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes

Serving: Serves 4-5

3. Chicken in White Gravy

This tasty chicken recipe is an ideal option for people who do not like spicy chicken dishes.

Ingredients

• ½ kilograms boneless chicken, cut into pieces
• 3 to 4 Medium-sized onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoon crushed black pepper
• 2 tablespoon thick curd
• 1 tablespoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh cream
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil

Method

• Take a flat pan, heat oil in it.
• Fry onions until they turn pink. Take these onions, cool them and churn into a fine paste.
• Marinate chicken with curd, salt, cumin powder, ginger-garlic paste, 1 tbsp peppercorn and salt for 5-10 minutes.
• Add oil in the pan along with the chicken. Cook on high flame for two minutes.
• Add onion puree and the leftover pepper. Cook covered for 8-10 minutes.
• Add fenugreek leaves and cream, mix well. Serve hot.

Pre-Preparation: 5-10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Serving: Serves 4

4. Fish in Thick Gravy

Ideally use boneless fish for this dish, or else choose the one you like.

Ingredients

• ½ kilograms boneless fish, cut into medium-sized pieces.
• 2 onions
• 3 tomatoes
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 2-3 green chillies
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• 1 tbsp grated coconut
• 3-4 dried red chillies
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoon mustard oil

Method

• Marinate fish with ½ tsp turmeric powder, salt and ½tsp of ginger garlic paste, for 15-20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a pan after which you must shallow fry the fish.
• Take onions, tomatoes, green chillies and mustard seeds, churn them into a fine paste.
• Heat oil in a pan, add dried red chilli, turmeric and chilli powder.
• Add the onion paste and ginger-garlic paste. Cook for 6-7 minutes.
• Use some shredded coconut and cook the same for about 6 minutes.
• Add salt and water; boil for 7-8 minutes.
• Add fish; cook covered for 3-4 minutes.
• Serve hot with rice.

Pre-Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes

Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes

Serving: Serves 4-5

5. Easy Chicken Briyani

If you thought to make briyani was tedious, try this super easy recipe!

Ingredients

• 1-kilogram chicken, cut into 10-12 pieces
• 2 ½ cups long grain rice
• 1 cup hung curd
• 4-5 onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1 tsp biryani masala powder
• A pinch of turmeric
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 9-10 fresh mint leaves
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste

Method

• Marinate chicken pieces with half sliced onions, curd, 1 tsp garam masala and salt.
• Heat oil in a pan, put rest of the onions and turn them golden brown. Take out a spoonful, for garnishing.
• In the remaining onion add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
• Add marinated chicken, cook for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is almost done.
• Add washed rice, garam masala, chilli powder, biryani masala and salt, cook on high flame for 2 minutes.
• Add 4 cups water, a pinch on turmeric and mint leaves.
• Cook covered for 7 to 8 minutes. Add butter mix well.
• Garnish with fried onions before serving.

Pre-Preparation Time: 20-25minutes

Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes

Serving: Serves 5-6

6. Stir Fried Chicken with Capsicum and Onion

Try this simple and quick chicken recipe when you have surprise guests at home.

Ingredients

• 500 grams boneless chicken
• 2 green capsicum, cut into cubes
• 2 onions, cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp green chilli paste
• 1 tsp barbeque sauce
• 1 tsp crushed black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped spring onions
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat oil in a flat pan.
• Put chicken and cook on high flame for a minute.
• Add chilli paste, ginger-garlic paste and salt.
• Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes.
• Add capsicums and onions and cook for 4-5 minutes.
• Add barbeque sauce and crushed peppercorns. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Garnish with spring onions.

Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes

Serving: Serves 3-4

7. Chicken in Mushroom Sauce

This is a yummy chicken recipe in white gravy.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 big onion, chopped
• 8-10 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2-3 tablespoons cream
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat some oil, add crushed garlic and sauté for a minute in a pan.
• Add onions and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add chicken, cook on high flame for one minute.
• Add mushrooms and salt; cook covered for 7-9 minutes.
• Add pepper and oregano and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Add milk and cream and give a boil.
• Serve hot with rice.

Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes

Serving: Serves 3-4

8. Spicy Mutton Gravy

This is a must-try recipe for all the mutton lovers.

Ingredients

• ½ kilograms mutton, cut into pieces
• ½ cup thick curd
• 3-4 onions, sliced
• 3-4 dried red chillies
• 2 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 4-5 green cardamom
• 4-5 black cardamom
• 2-3 bay leaves
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• 2 tablespoon oil
• 1 cup water
• Salt to taste
• Fresh green coriander for garnishing

Method

• Marinate mutton with curd, salt and 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste for 20-25 minutes.
• Heat oil in pressure cooker put all whole spices and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add onion and turn them brown, add ginger-garlic paste and cook for one minute.
• Add mutton and all the dried spices, mix well. Cook covered for 10-15 minutes.
• Add water and pressure cook on medium flame for 10-12 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped coriander.

Pre-Preparation Time: 20-25 minutes

Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes

Serving: Serves 3-4

9. Boiled Eggs with Stir-Fried Veggies

This is a healthy recipe that you can make to make boring meals more interesting.

Ingredients

• 3-4 boiled eggs, cut into halves
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 green capsicum, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp chopped spring onions
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat oil and add all the vegetables and sauté it on a pan in high flame for 3-4 minutes.
• Add soy and tomato sauce, cook for a minute.
• Add salt, black pepper and boiled eggs, mix well.
• Garnish with spring onions.

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Serving: Serves 3-4

10. Garlic and Lemon Fish

This easy fish recipe will be a hit in any party or family dinners.

Ingredients

• ½ kilograms boneless fish, cut into pieces
• Juice of a lemon
• 2 tablespoon crushed garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoon crushed black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt to taste

Method

• Smear the fish pieces with lemon juice, black pepper salt and crushed garlic. Keep aside for 10 minutes.
• Heat butter and allow the fish cook for 4-5 minutes in a pan.
• Sprinkle some lemon juice before serving.

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serving: Serves 2-3

We hope you try some of these recipes and make your meals more interesting!

Also Read:

Tips to Enjoy Meals with Your Family
Good Table Manners to Teach Your Kids Today
Healthy and Delicious Dinner Recipes for Your Kid
Easy Noodle Recipes for Children