From The “I Don’t Have Time To Cook” Cookbook: 13 Easy Recipes For Busy Families

If you’re constantly running from one task to the next, carving out time to prepare a family meal might feel like a pipe dream. But don’t worry, this list got you covered. These 13 easy recipes for busy families are lifesavers, showing you that putting a homemade meal on the table doesn’t have to eat up your evening. Each dish will help make dinner something you actually look forward to, not something you stress over.

Kung Pao Chicken in a bowl with a bowl of rice in the background.
Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate.
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Make your midweek dinners with a steak that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious. Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter bring the sizzle without the steakhouse fuss. Impress your family with this simple yet decadent meal that comes together faster than your favorite TV show’s intro. It’s a delicious way to upgrade your dining experience without complicating it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

A bowl of salmon pasta salad with a creamy dressing, garnished with a sprig of dill.
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Think of a dish that is as nutritious as it is speedy to prepare and this dish will come up. Easy Salmon Pasta Salad brings together the health benefits of salmon with the convenience of a pasta dish. It’s a meal that adapts to any schedule, making it an ideal choice for your family’s busy lifestyle. And the best part? It’s ready before you can ask, “What’s for dinner?”
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Croquettes on a white plate with tomatoes and broccoli.
Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Streamline your meal prep with a quick and delicious alternative to typical lengthy recipes. With Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes, you can forget about peeling, dicing, or any other time-consuming steps. This recipe offers the fulfillment of a home-cooked meal that feels gourmet without the effort. Serve these crispy dish and watch them disappear in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

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 Heather.

Switching up your meal routine can be as simple and pleasant as creating a dinner out of breakfast. California Eggs Benedict offers a light yet fulfilling alternative that will surprise and please everyone at your table. Midway through your recipe, you’ll marvel at how a dish so elegant can be so effortless. Who knew dinner could be this creative and quick?
Get the Recipe: California Eggs Benedict

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

A hand holding a fork over a bowl of Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka on a wooden table.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Have you ever been so rushed that even boiling water seems to take forever? With Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka, you can have gourmet pasta without waiting for that pot to bubble. This quick and elegant dish will be your secret weapon on frantic weeknights. It’s proof that a delicious Italian meal doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A plate of Salisbury steak with gravy on mashed potatoes, and a side of peas on a white square dish.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Long for that classic diner taste but stuck with a busy schedule? Diner Style Salisbury Steak comes to your rescue, combining convenience with that comforting taste of Americana. The simplicity of this recipe means you get a fulfilling meal on the table with time to spare. Let your kitchen become the new local hotspot with this quick classic.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Craving a restaurant favorite but strapped for time? Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken is here to transform your dinner routine with minimal prep and maximum flavor. You get to experience a beloved dish right in the comfort of your home, and in less time than it would take to dine out. Serve this up, and bask in the smiles it brings to the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Cucumber Salad with Feta

Cucumber and Feta salad in a black bowl.
Cucumber Salad with Feta. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Seeking a side dish that’s as fuss-free as it is refreshing? This Cucumber Salad with Feta is a quick chop and mix away from being the perfect accompaniment your dinner needs. It’s a simple addition that complements any main dish whilst adding a tangy crunch to your plate. And just like that, your meal gets a burst of freshness in no time.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta

Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

A plate of Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers sprinkled with chopped herbs.
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

If a trip to Little Italy isn’t on your calendar, bring the flavors home with Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. It’s a fuss-free recipe that packs a punch with minimal ingredients and effort. In just a handful of minutes, you’ll be enjoying a dish that tastes like it’s straight from an Italian street fair. This dish is a true time-saver with a taste that lingers.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

Pizza Pasta Salad

A platter of pizza pasta salad served on a white rectangular dish.
Pizza Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Leftovers should never be dull, and with Pizza Pasta Salad they definitely won’t be. This clever recipe transforms your remaining slices into a new and exciting dish. About halfway through, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried this fun and delicious trick before. It’s the perfect way to whip up a fuss-free meal that keeps the whole family happy even when you are busy and left with last night’s dinner crumbs.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

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 Heather.

What could be better than a warm bowl of soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all day? Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup achieves that depth of flavor without chaining you to the kitchen. This hearty soup will fill your home with its inviting aroma, making it the perfect end to a busy day. It’s comfort food without the wait and just what your family needs to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

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 Heather.

For mornings when everyone’s rushing or afternoons when snacking is a must, Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries is your go-to. It’s easy to prepare and makes for a nutritiously balanced, lightning-fast meal. As you spread the cottage cheese and scatter the blueberries, you’ll see why this meal is a favorite for active families. Healthy, quick, and enjoyable—what more could you ask for?
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries

Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken in a bowl with a bowl of rice in the background.
Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Skip the queue and enjoy the spice with Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. It’s a meal that brings the heat and flavor of your favorite takeout to your dining table without the wait. You’ll be halfway through cooking this dish before you’d even be back from the restaurant. It’s a recipe that’s as vibrant and quick as your family’s lifestyle.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

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