15 Family Dinner Recipes That’ll Make TV Dinners Cry In The Freezer

The next time you consider reaching for a TV dinner, remember these 15 recipes. They’re so delicious and easy to make, you’ll never want to settle for something frozen again. These dishes will have your family asking for seconds and your freezer dinners questioning their existence. Your TV dinners will be ashamed for existing after you learn these dishes.

A fork with pizza pasta salad in a bowl.
Leftover Steak Soft Tacos. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Two bowls of Copycat Carrabba's Mama Mandola's Sicilian Chicken Soup, accompanied by two spoons, a black pepper grinder, and a napkin.
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

When you’re looking to bring some warmth to the dinner table, nothing beats a steamy bowl of soup. Round up the family for a night in and enjoy Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup instead of reaching for a bland, frozen alternative. You’ll find it’s a worthier match for everyone’s appetite and fill the house with mouthwatering aromas.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Cucumber Salad With Feta

Cucumber and Feta salad in a black bowl.
Cucumber Salad With Feta. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Looking for something crisp and tangy to complement your main dish? This salad is not just an accompaniment; it’s a fresh expression of simple ingredients. When Cucumber Salad With Feta joins your meal, it’s a sure sign that those boxed meals will be staying out in the cold tonight. Brighten your dinner routine with a side that’s effortlessly sophisticated.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad With Feta

Cottage Cheese Toast With Blueberries

A plate of cottage cheese toast with blueberries, next to a honey dipper.
Cottage Cheese Toast With Blueberries. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Upgrade your quick meal game with a versatile option that’s a breeze to put together. Perfect for those craving a balance of sweet and delicious, this toast is a go-to for a light meal or snack. With Cottage Cheese Toast With Blueberries, you’ll wave goodbye to the idea of a microwaved meal. It’s all about fresh and effortless fulfillment.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast With Blueberries

Pizza Pasta Salad

A fork with pizza pasta salad in a bowl.
Pizza Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Get ready for a fun twist on two classic favorites. This chilled salad is playful, filling, and a total crowd-pleaser that nudges frozen meals further back in the freezer. Pizza Pasta Salad combines the best of both worlds and serves up a flavor party. It just goes to show that homemade can be both easy and incredibly enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Leftover Steak Quesadilla

A hand holding wedges of a quesadilla.
Leftover Steak Quesadilla. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Transform your mealtime with a dish that makes the most out of those dinner remnants. It’s a cheesy and mouthwatering transformation that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Leftover Steak Quesadilla is your answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” Forget the pre-packaged ordeal and tuck into something undeniably better.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla

Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

A closeup of Jason's Deli Irish Potato Soup.`
Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Chilly evenings call for a comfort dish just like the one from your favorite deli. This warm, creamy soup draws everyone in with its simplicity and heartiness. Each bowl of Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup is a clear winner against any freeze-and-eat option, promising a cozy end to your day. Gather round, give those standard TV dinners the cold shoulder, and enjoy a soothing, homemade touch.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

A bowl of skillet gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe.
Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage & Broccoli Rabe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ignite a love for skillet magic with a dish that’s hearty and packed with greens. In one skillet, you create a flavorful tableau that’s as colorful as it is fulfilling. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe is one of those dinners that shows TV meals they’re just not cutting it anymore. It’s all about bringing something special to the table, effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich

A roast beef sandwich with melted cheese on a hoagie roll, accompanied by crinkle-cut fries and a bowl of brown dipping sauce on the side.
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Sink your teeth into a sandwich that brings the bistro vibes into your kitchen. This creation is a shout-out to the beloved classic, fulfillingly meaty with a dipping sauce that hooks you from the first bite. With this Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich, any microwaved meal will seem terribly unappealing. Get ready for a hands-on meal that packs a punch.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich

Wild Rice Salad

Wild rice salad served on a white rectangular plate.
Wild Rice Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Light, refreshing, and far from the mundane, this salad is a fantastic change of pace. Lean back into something wholesome, a salad that brings texture and taste together. Wild Rice Salad stands out as a side dish that truly livens the table. It’s a firm nudge for frozen meals to stay put, as this bright plate is all you’ll want tonight.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad

Korean Galbi Ribs

Two Korean galbi ribs on a black slate plate with red chopsticks placed beside them.
Korean Galbi Ribs. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

When it’s time for a standout meal, one that truly trumps those single-serve foil trays, ribs are the way to go. These are marinated, juicy, and destined to be a smash hit at any family table. Serve up some Korean Galbi Ribs and watch the magic happen. There’s just no going back to the TV dinner humdrum with these on your plate.
Get the Recipe: Korean Galbi Ribs

Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche

Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche served on a pie dish.
Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Brunch or dinner, this dish doesn’t disappoint. It’s a creamy and delicious quiche that brings together freshness and comfort in every bite. You’re not just cooking; you’re crafting experiences when you make Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche. So, why reach for a boxed meal when you’ve got this kind of flair at your fingertips?
Get the Recipe: Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche

Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

A tray of cheddar bacon loaded tater tots, drizzled with Alfredo sauce, with a hand-picking one up.
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Craving that restaurant side dish but don’t want to dine out? Here’s a way to enjoy those flavors without leaving home. Homemade Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots will make any pre-made meal look downright pitiable by comparison. When it’s this easy to recreate restaurant magic, why settle for less?
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

A white rectangular plate with several meatballs covered in tomato sauce, garnished with chopped basil.
Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Beat the rush and let dinner practically make itself with these succulent slow cooker favorites. They’re a meaty marvel, tender and juicy, perfect for a stress-free evening meal. Pop them in in the morning and by nightfall, Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs are ready to take center stage. No one will spare a glance at the freezer when these are on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

California Eggs Benedict

Eggs benedict with ham and avocado on an English muffin served on a black plate.
California Eggs Benedict. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Upgrade your meal with a recipe that’s a toast to freshness and flavor. This take on a brunch classic melds creamy and delicious elements with a touch of sunshine. Enjoying California Eggs Benedict at the dinner table can make any ordinary night feel like a weekend treat. Sorry, frozen dinners, you don’t stand a chance here.
Get the Recipe: California Eggs Benedict

Leftover Steak Soft Tacos

Top-down shot of two Leftover Steak Soft Tacos on a slate board.
Leftover Steak Soft Tacos. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.

Turn last night’s steak into today’s fiesta with a dish that brings new life to leftovers. It’s a quick and flavorful twist that turns a regular evening into a casual taco night. Leftover Steak Soft Tacos are proof that homemade beats the frozen aisle every time. Skip the TV dinner and wrap up something far more memorable tonight.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Soft Tacos

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