20 Fun Dinner Ideas For Tonight When You’re Not Sure What to Eat
on Oct 06, 2023, Updated Nov 21, 2023
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If you’re looking for some new ways to add a spark of fun to weeknight meals, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to check out our collection of 20 Fun Dinner Ideas.
Kids tend to enjoy their meals more when an element of fun is involved. Whether it’s finger food, a theme meal, a celebration, or just eating outdoors, a dinner that’s fun will be enjoyed by all.
Fun Dinner Ideas for Kids
- Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes: There’s something about a meal served on a bun that automatically makes it fun! Your kids will also love the flavors of these hefty sandwiches.
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese: This cheesy dish would be a great choice for Meatless Monday. Add a bright green vegetable, and you’ll have a complete and nutritious meal!
- 3 Ingredient Coca-Cola Chicken: Adding cola to chicken might surprise you but it does add a delicious flavor. And because this recipe also has soy sauce, it would be great served with steamed rice and stir-fried veggies.
Fun Dinner Ideas for Family
- Lasagna Roll Ups: Get your kids involved in this dish! They can help you roll up the noodles, making an easy dish even easier to make. Serve it with a crisp garden salad for a healthy weeknight meal.
- Philly Cheesesteak Pizza: Your family will love having pizza for dinner, especially the meaty bite of this one! It’s loaded with tender steak, salty cheese, and a combination of bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Buy pre-sliced steak and ready-made pizza dough to make it even easier, and feel free to use different veggies.
- The Best Tater Tot Casserole: This one-dish meal is a fun dish that everyone will love. And because it’s made with frozen tater tots, canned cream of mushroom soup, and canned green beans, dinner will be on the table before you know it.
- Crockpot Pulled Pork: Ideal for busy weeknights, you can get everything started in the morning, and then finish it off after work! Serve the succulent pulled pork on tortillas topped with shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream for your next Taco Tuesday!
- Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings: Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to make this hearty meal. The dumplings are moist and tender, and the entire dish takes just 30 minutes to make!
- Chinese Rice Cooker Fried Rice: If you have a rice cooker, this will be the easiest meal you’ll ever make. In addition to the rice, this dish also has potato, carrots, sausage, and green peas, making it a filling one-dish meal!
- Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast: This tender pot roast couldn’t be easier. Just add everything to the crock pot and let it work its magic. With all the gravy, a side of creamy mashed potatoes and frozen green peas would be delicious.
Other Fun Dinner Ideas for Tonight
- Four Seasons Pizza: Have fun with these four flavors of pizza, or create your own to suit your taste. Let your kids choose their own toppings for a bit of fun.
- Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf: You can’t go wrong with this classic meatloaf. Serve it with scalloped potatoes and glazed carrots for a meal the whole family will love.
- Nacho Pot Pie: This dish has got to be the ultimate comfort food! It’s filled with seasoned ground beef, crispy tortilla chips, and a tasty Mexican cheese blend. Serve it with sour cream and diced avocado for a meal that’s big on flavor!
- Chicken Noodle Soup Stuffed Bell Pepper: This comforting dish takes just 40 minutes to make from start to finish. Instead of using the can of chicken noodle soup called for in the recipe, choose a vegetable soup instead, and serve this meal on Meatless Monday!
- Baked Falafel Burgers: This would be a delicious light meal to enjoy on a hot summer’s night, and would also fit the bill for vegetarians and vegans alike. Serve the burgers on pita bread for heartier appetites, or wrap them in chard or collard green leaves to keep it light.
- Walking Taco Casserole: A meal made with Fritos chips, ground beef, and shredded cheddar couldn’t be more fun. You get the crunch from the chips, the savory goodness from the ground beef, and the salty taste from the cheese. Serve it with a dollar of sour cream for a meal everyone will love!
Healthy Fun Dinner Ideas
- Baked Sockeye Salmon: Your family will love the flavors of this simple salmon dish. Add some roasted potatoes and asparagus, and you’ve got a healthy and satisfying meal!
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas: This dish couldn’t be easier. Everything cooks in the oven on a sheet, and it takes just 30 minutes to make from start to finish. Serve the fajitas with sides of sour cream, salsa, and avocado.
- Avocado Pasta: If you have some ripe avocados on hand, you can whip up this creamy pasta dish in just 15 minutes! Serve it with crispy garlic bread for a meal your family will love.
- Shrimp Tacos: This dish is for the seafood lovers! The tacos are filled with plump blackened shrimp, creamy avocado, and sweet mango for a flavor explosion! Serve this at your next casual get-together for rave reviews!
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Fun Dinner Idea: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are a fun dinner idea that combines two delicious dishes into one. There’s something about a meal served on a bun that automatically makes it fun! Your kids will also love the flavors of these hefty sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced or in chunks
- 8 hamburger buns
- 1 tbsp butter, optional
Instructions
- Place a large nonstick pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Coat the pan with oil, and add the ground beef.
- Stir for 3-5 minutes until the beef is mostly browned. Strain out most of the fat that accumulates.
- Add in the onions and bell peppers, and stir for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Add in the beef broth followed by the ketchup, Worchester sauce, salt and pepper.
- Mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of water in a cup, and add to the pan, stirring constantly as it will start thickening quickly.
- Within a few minutes, the mixture should be thick enough to start forming mounds.
- Remove from heat, add cheese and slowly stir it in. Meanwhile, start toasting the buns.
- Once cheese is fully melted, spoon onto buns. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
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