45 Easy Family Dinners to Have on Rotation

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45 Easy Family Dinners to Have on Rotation1/45 Penne and Smoked Sausage 57 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 553 calories, 35g fat (14g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. 2/45 Sunday Chicken Supper 12 Reviews Test Kitchen

It’s a hearty, homespun dish that satisfies the biggest appetites

Approved Sunday Chicken Supper Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this slow-cooked sensation with chicken, vegetables and seasonings. It’s a hearty, homespun dish that satisfies the biggest appetites. —Ruthann Martin, Louisville, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 385 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 898mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 37g protein. 3/45 Lentil & Chicken Sausage Stew 38 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 15 min Servings 6 servings. (21/4 qt.)

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This hearty and healthy stew will warm your family right down to their toes! Serve with cornbread or rolls to soak up every last morsel. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 231 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 803mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 13g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 starch. 4/45 Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage 48 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go

I tried it for St. Patrick’s Day a few years ago

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This corned beef and cabbage slow-cooker recipe is a fuss-free way to cook the traditional dish. I tried it for St. Patrick’s Day a few years ago. Now it’s a regular in my menu planning. —Karen Waters, Laurel, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 414 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 1191mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 6g fiber), 23g protein. 5/45 Skillet Mac and Cheese 96 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy!

Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 600 calories, 37g fat (23g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1185mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. 6/45 Chicken Broccoli Casserole 190 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious chicken

It’s quick, satisfying comfort food

and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 317 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein. 7/45 Sweet & Sour Pork Wraps 10 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Sweet & Sour Pork Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings (16 wraps) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We always make these wraps at our family’s annual

party, and they’re a true favorite

party, and they’re a true favorite. The cabbage and cilantro give them tempting texture and flavor. —Andrew DeVito, Hartford, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 2 wraps: 523 calories, 23g fat (6g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1357mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein. 8/45 Spanish Rice with Sausage 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage Spanish Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I both work the midnight shift, so I’m always on the lookout for slow cooker recipes. This one couldn’t

be easier. We often enjoy it as a main course because it’s so hearty, but it’s also good as a side dish. —Michelle McKay, Garden City, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 401 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 1495mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein. 9/45 Lemon Chicken and Rice 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Emily Davis for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 2 casseroles (4 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I couldn’t say who loves this recipe best, because it gets raves every time I

Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest

serve it! Occasionally I even get a phone call or email from a friend requesting the recipe, and it’s certainly a favorite for my grown children and 15 grandchildren. —Maryalice Wood, Langley, British Columbia Nutrition Facts: 2 chicken thighs with 3/4 cup rice mixture: 624 calories, 26g fat (6g saturated fat), 173mg cholesterol, 754mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 53g protein. 10/45 Frito Pie 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Frito Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest

for being spicy, salty and fabulously cheesy

for being spicy, salty and fabulously cheesy. Here’s my take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 718 calories, 40g fat (14g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1719mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein. 11/45 Pork Chops & Acorn Squash 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pork Chops & Acorn Squash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I are crazy for the squash we grow in our garden. For a sweet and tangy dish,

we slow-cook it with pork chops and orange juice

we slow-cook it with pork chops and orange juice. —Mary Johnson, Coloma, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 2/3 cup squash: 317 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 365mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. 12/45 Strawberry-Quinoa Spinach Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We make quinoa with spinach and strawberries year-round, but it’s most fun when we go to the farmers market to get the season’s first

berries. —Sarah Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 355 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 444mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 12g protein. 13/45 Lentil Tacos 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tasty Lentil Tacos Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my husband’s cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family’s diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a

huge hit with everyone

huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 365 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 777mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 14/45 Slow-Cooker Mushroom Chicken & Peas 29 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Mushroom Chicken & Peas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Some amazingly fresh mushrooms I found at our local farmers market inspired this recipe. When you start with

the best ingredients, you can’t go wrong

the best ingredients, you can’t go wrong. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 3/4 cup vegetable mixture: 292 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 566mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 41g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable. 15/45 Zesty Orange Beef 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 15 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I put this recipe together in the morning before I leave for work. In the evening, the amazing aroma greets me

when I open the door

when I open the door. All I have to do is quickly cook some rice, and dinner is served. —Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without rice): 310 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 554mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 16/45 Quick Calzones 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Leftover meat sauce makes a hearty calzone that tastes like it’s made from scratch. Top the calzones

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⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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