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25 Fun and Easy Friday Night Dinners (That Aren’t Pizza)

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Skip the restaurant crowds! Kick off the weekend with a Friday night dinner your family will love and that still lets you take it easy in the kitchen.

What’s your Friday night vibe? Ours is low-key. And we like it that way!

We sometimes get pizza on Friday night (or make our own) but more often, we try to cook something simple ourselves.

Our favorite Friday recipes are EASY, they’re FUN, they include a veggie or two, and they don’t make loads of dishes. Here are some we love:

Healthy Pasta Dinners

Take advantage of pasta’s quick cooking time and endless flavor possibilities. Add seasonal veggies, protein, and all types of cheese. And choose whole wheat pasta for the best nutrition!

blue bowl of pasta with sausage, greens, and sundried tomatoes

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Creamy Date Night Pasta

Healthy Italian Carbonara

Peanut Sesame Noodles and Veggies

Veggie Packed Chicken Teriyaki Noodle Bowls

Healthy Nachos for Dinner

Nachos are fast, they’re guaranteed to please a crowd, and you can pile on nutritious veggies to boot! Dig in to multi-layered goodness with these healthy nacho recipes.

pan of crisp nachos with loads of fresh toppings like lime, scallions, and ground beef

Quinoa Stuffed Bell Pepper Nachos

Skillet Nachos Dip

Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos

Epic Beef Nachos Supreme

Loaded Veggie Nachos

Dinner Sliders

Little sandwiches pack big flavor and they’re tons of fun for a Friday night dinner. Serve these simple sliders with a green salad on the side.

slider bun filled with ground beef, melty cheese and bell peppers

Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Sliders

Veggie Pizza Sliders

Easy Taco Sliders

Cheesy Chicken Sliders

Breakfast for Dinner Sliders

Dinner Quesadillas

What kid can say no to gooey cheese and loads of flavorful toppings sandwiched in between two crisp chewy tortillas? Quesadillas come together quickly and require minimal cleanup.

stack of cheesy quesadillas on a plate topped with lettuce and tomato

Teriyaki Chicken Quesadilla

Easy Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

Sweet Potato Quesadilla with Black Beans

Southwest Veggie Quesadillas

BLT Quesadilla

Quick Chicken Dinners

Chicken to the rescue again! Get a high-protein dinner on the table in under 30 minutes of hands-on time with these healthy chicken recipes.

crispy chicken tenders on parchment paper with a creamy dip

Crispy Baked Coconut Chicken Strips

White Chicken Chili Skillet Dip

Healthy Orange Chicken

Dump and Bake Salsa Chicken

Italian Skillet Chicken

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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