Eating together as a family is something that I strive to do on a regular basis. Much easier said than done, that’s for sure! You don’t have to make an extravagant dinner in order to enjoy a meal with your family. Eating at the table is about more than eating, it’s about talking to your kids, it’s a time to talk with your children and strengthen that parent/child bond.
As my kids get older, they get busier. So, finding a couple nights a week to eat together can be difficult. However, they need it. As I mention in my Take Back the Challenge Video, the statistics comparing those who eat with their families to those that don’t are staggering!
Which is why I’m partnering with the Take Back the Table Movement with Vanity Fair Napkins. I hope you will join me in taking the pledge to eat dinner at the table with your family every week, the goal is at least five times per week.
I’ve tried to make it easy for busy families to sit down and enjoy a meal together by putting together this list of quick and easy meal ideas.
15 Quick Meal Ideas for Busy Families
Like I mentioned before, getting everyone at the table at the same time isn’t always easy. What works for me might not work for you but I thought I’d share a few tips.
Don’t stress yourself out while cooking dinner, just make something that’s quick and easy. Also, make dinner time a fun time! This should be an opportunity to enjoy each other and have engaging conversations. The Take Back the Table website even has some fun conversation starters for families.
Struggling to eat dinner with the kids? @VanityFairNapkins and @KelliBMiller challenges you to #TakeBacktheTableHamburgers are always a huge hit in my home and this easy hamburger recipe is always a recipe that brings the whole family to the table.
These crockpot Asian pork chops are so tasty and the best part is they are made in the crock pot.What’s easier than that?
While I love easy dinners, I also enjoy dinners that don’t require a lot of dishes. This easy fajita chicken bake is not only easy to make, but cooks up in one dish!
Affordable and easy to make, this easy turkey broccoli pasta dinner is going on my list.
This dish looks hearty enough to feed all my boys and it’s packed with so much flavor. This sausage pepper one pot pasta needs to be on everyone’s meal planning list.
Another delicious one skillet dish that is sure to bring my family to the table. Make sure to give this spicy jalapeno parmesan pasta a try.
Have you ever tried a chicken roll up? It’s a delicious recipe! Give these cheesy buffalo ranch chicken roll ups a try.
These simple chicken wraps are ready in just a few minutes, but it’s a great dish to enjoy with your family.
This one pan Italian chicken dish is perfect for any family dinner.
Popcorn chicken nuggets is a great recipe because even on those busy nights I can still get this cooked and on the table.
My meatloaf casserole is always a crowd pleaser. If my kids know I’m making this, I can guarantee you that they’ll be at the dinner table.
I love making sandwiches, but they never seem to be filling enough for my boys at dinner. This Philly cheesesteak sloppy joe recipe is definitely filling enough for everyone in my family.
Crock pot dishes are my favorite because I can dump all my ingredients in and forget about it till dinner time. I can’t wait to try this maple dijon chicken.
Love pizza but don’t have time to make homemade pizza dough? Give this easy bbq chicken pizza a try. It’s a great dish for a family dinner.
Need an easy chicken recipe? This easy mustard chicken recipe might be just what you are looking for.
For more tips and tricks to get your family to the table or to just talk about this with other families, make sure to check out the Vanity Fair Napkins Facebook page.
I took the pledge to #takebackthetable to show how important it is to spend more time with family at meal time.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Vanity Fair® Napkins. The opinions and text are all mine.