41 Friday Night Dinner Ideas for Family

Looking for a perfect dinner for this Friday? These Friday night dinner recipes are easy to make, delicious and so yummy.

The arrival of the weekend comes with a wave of laziness as well as the need for easy recipes. Well, you are just the same as we are.

You need to check out these 41 Friday Night Dinner Ideas for an easy meal and lazy weekend cooking.

Lazy Friday Night Dinner Ideas

Friday is the start of the weekend, and after working hard the whole week, most people want to relax and watch a movie with the easiest dinners they can cook for the whole family.

Easy Friday night dinner ideas are mostly easy cheap dinner recipes that are filling and effortless to cook. Check out our favorite easy Friday night dinners to enjoy with all your family members after a long week.

1. Chicken Zucchini Pasta

Source: allnutritious.com

If you like recipes that are full of flavor and that are also slightly spiced, you should try this Chicken Zucchini Pasta next time you need something easy on the dinner table without much work.

If you are fed up with making store-bought pasta, it’s time you try this tasty recipe for Zucchini pasta; more flavor, fewer calories, and a whole lot of vegetable goodness.

2. Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Source: troprockin.com

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas is an easy weekend dish that is packed with bursting flavor in every bite. This mouth-watering Fajita recipe has the juiciest chicken you will ever taste in your life.

Apart from being tasty, this recipe is also healthy as no frying is required. You can cook your chicken fajita in your brand new Air Fryer.

Just serve this chicken fajita with traditional tortillas with a side of rice or beans. You can also go for grocery store corn tortillas or even eat this in a salad bowl.

3. Egg Fried Rice

Source: masalaherb.com

Here’s one of the best Friday night recipes that you can cook in under 15 minutes and surprise your family with a filling and delicious dinner. This tasty dinner will help you put down the takeout menus and is great for a family game night to have more perfect Friday nights

Egg Fried Rice is not only easy to cook, but you can also add any vegetable you want to it and make it tastier and healthier.

Toss your eggs and veggies in a deep wok with spices and olive oil, add your pre-cooked rice, and fold gently. Let it cook for about five more minutes with the lid closed, and enjoy your tasty rice with a cold beverage or gravy of your choice.

4. Mushroom Melt Grilled Cheese

Source: frugalnutrition.com

How can a yummy, cozy and hearty dish be easy to cook? Well, you need to check out our Mushroom Melt Grilled Cheese to know-how.

This easy sandwich is so effortless to cook and has lots of cheese; you will be making it every weekend for your family. Since there are two elements to this recipe, it might take time to prep, but the sandwich is pretty easy to assemble, and you will love the results.

5. Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

Source: gardeninthekitchen.com

Most kids and adults avoid broccoli, but it’s the healthiest vegetable, so you need to make this chicken recipe that have both taste and broccoli in them as a main ingredient.

This Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry is one of the easiest things to cook and a great addition to your weekend; you can also add other veggies to this recipe to customize it to your taste.

If you want a meatless broccoli stir fry, you can also replace the chicken cubes with tofu cubes.

This could also be an amazing Sunday Dinner recipe!

6. Chicken Bacon One Pot Meal

Source: livingsweetmoments.com

Lazy Friday dinners are incomplete without one-pot meals. If you love one-pot meals and good food as much as we do, you are in for a delicious treat after a busy work week. Chicken and bacon is the perfect combination for a delicious friday night dinner.

Our Chicken Bacon One-Pot Meal is ideal for lazy Fridays and Sundays. This is even a cool recipe to try if you have friends over.

7. California Roll

Source: pressurecookrecipes.com

California Roll is one recipe that will earn you the apron of Master Chef in your family. This recipe has all the delicious flavor you need in your life. If you are looking for a great dinner for date night don’t go for pizza night make this main course with fresh ingredients and so much flavor.

This Sweet-umami crab with creamy avocado recipe has crunchy cucumber enclosed in nori seaweed and flavored sticky sushi rice. Top off the recipe with roasted sesame seeds to add the perfect Californian touch.

8. Baked Chicken Cacciatore

Source: foodmeanderings.com

Here’s a classic Italian recipe that is so easy to cook that it will become a classic recipe in your home.

Baked Chicken Cacciatore is so effortless to make that you will itch to make it every day. All you need to do is place your chicken breast at the bottom of the baking dish.

Mix the rest of your ingredients in a bowl and pour it over your chicken. Now let this bake for 50 or fewer minutes and enjoy the heavenly flavors of Italy.

9. Mongolian Chicken Stir Fry

Source: morewithlesstoday.com

Stir Fry recipes are only excellent lazy Friday dinner ideas, but they are also a delicious treat to your taste buds. Our Mongolian Chicken Stir Fry recipe is one that you can cook in no time and enjoy on your weekends.

For the Mongolian sauce, you will need olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger powder, and minced garlic.

For Mongolian Stir Fry, you will need green peppers, onion, chestnuts, broccoli, rice, chicken breast, and seasoning.

With all the flavors and hassle-free cooking, this is the perfect recipe for your Friday dinner.

10. Pasta with Sausage and Peppers

Source: everyday-delicious.com

Now you can make the yummiest Pasta in just 30 minutes or less. This Pasta with Sausage and Peppers has all the goddess of fresh vegetables and yummy ham.

It’s packed with the rich taste of crispy sausages, fresh vegetables, and cheesy tomato sauce. Not only that, but you can also cook it before time and reheat it when it’s time for dinner. It’s the perfect weekend recipe ever!

11. Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan

Source: easyflavorful.com

Here’s the lazy Friday recipe for people on a strict low-carb diet. This Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan has no bread, is Keto-friendly, and it’s so yummy you won’t be able to stop at just one helping.

On a bed of coated eggplant, you get to enjoy the bursting flavor of baked marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.

12. Sheet pan Chicken and Potatoes

Source: all-thats-jas.com

Here’s a Lazy Friday dish packed with color, flavor, and all the goodness of fresh vegetables you can get in one recipe.

To make Sheet pan Chicken and Potatoes, you will need Chicken strips, Potatoes, Lemon, Onion, Za’atar, and Feta cheese.

This recipe combines delicious flavors and brings you the most satisfying meal ever!

Healthy Friday Night Dinner Ideas

Who said weekend means you can go crazy on calories? If you need taste and flavors, you can get them with our lazy Friday healthy dinner ideas.

With our healthy lazy Friday dinner ideas, you don’t need to compromise on your diet or the taste of your food.

13. Herb Crusted Salmon

Source: allnutritious.com

Most people go to a restaurant when they fancy fish. Why? Because most people are intimidated by the dish, they feel they can’t make it as good. But with this Herb Crusted Salmon recipe, you can make restaurant-style fish at home and enjoy a lazy meal on Friday.

Baked Salmon with Garlic and Tomatoes is a simple dish to cook, and the best part is that your Salmon stays moist and juicy.

This is also a perfect healthy college dinner!

14. Shepherds Pie

Source: livinghealthywithchocolate.com

Shepherds Pie is classic comfort food that most people bake on Holidays or Sundays. It’s the perfect Lazy Friday recipe ever.

But ours come with a healthy twist. Instead of using potatoes for the top layer, we will be using mashed cauliflower. Mashed and boiled cauliflower with garlic tastes more or less like boiled potatoes, and it’s also low in carbs, so you can indulge without feeling guilty about putting too many calories in your tummy.

15. Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Source: allnutritious.com

Oh, how I love lettuce wraps. You can make the most delicious Teriyaki Chicken with our recipe and wrap it in your healthy greens. This is the best and the yummiest diet food ever.

You may have ordered Teriyaki Chicken at many Asian restaurants, but have you ever considered making this delicacy at home? Did you know it’s pretty easy to whip up? Well, now is your chance to make the best Teriyaki Chicken at home and present it in the healthiest way.

16. Salmon Casserole

Source: healthyrecipes101.com

Why do people love Casseroles so much? Well, the simplest answer to this question is that they are highly customizable. You can make Casserole for the pickiest eater and get an empty dish back.

You can add any type of meat and veggies to your Casserole too. So, it’s an ideal choice for weekends. For Salmon Casserole, you will need Salmon, Vegetables, Fusilli, and seasonings.

17. Celery and Carrot Soup

Source: allnutritious.com

This easy and quick Celery/Carrot soup recipe is ready and on the table in as little as 25 minutes. And it’s one of the healthiest foods for your weekends.

This soup recipe is healthy, filling, and nutritious. You can make it as a side dish for the whole family, and you don’t need much to cook it either.

All you need for this recipe are some carrots, olive oil, onion, and celery. Add garlic and herbs to add the traditional Italian taste.

18. Pumpkin Mushroom Spinach Risotto

Source: lbhealthandlifestyle.com

This dense and creamy mushroom Risotto is ready in 25 minutes, and it’s an extremely fulfilling and comforting recipe ever!

There are many benefits of making Risotto without rice. One of the most important is that it’s easy on the stomach.

For this recipe, you will need Pumpkin purée, Bone Broth, Spinach, Mushroom, Celery, and onions.

19. Jackfruit Chilli Con Carne

Source: lbhealthandlifestyle.com

Here’s a hearty and thick chili recipe that is made without tomatoes and spices to keep it light and gluten-free.

This recipe is perfect for a lazy Sunday or Friday; you can cook it in under 30 minutes and get the table ready while this simmers on the stove.

Jackfruit has the texture of pulled meat, so you won’t miss the meat in this recipe. To make the Jackfruit Chilli, you will need con Carne, Celery, Pumpkin purée, Ground black pepper, and Jackfruit.

20. Egg Roll Bowls

Source: theviewfromgreatisland.com

Here’s the thing about egg rolls, they have become a huge disappointment; no matter where you go, you struggle to find a decent egg roll with just the right filling and a crunchy wrap. However, we are here to solve this problem for people who love egg rolls to death.

Let’s make Egg Roll Bowls. You don’t need to suffer at the hands of commercial egg rolls and Chinese restaurants; you can now make your egg roll in a unique way. 

Here’s what you need to make your egg roll bowl: ground meat, cabbage, carrots, celery, onion, bean sprouts, peas, ginger, garlic, oil, and wonton wrappers.

21. Orange Chicken

Source: hauteandhealthyliving.com

Do you love Chinese take-out? If you do, you must have had orange chicken; it’s the best and most flavorful chicken on the Chinese take-out menu.

Now, you can make the same orange chicken at home in just 30 minutes. This sweet, sticky, and tangy chicken doesn’t need any fancy ingredients; that’s the beauty of this recipe.

22. Vegan Miso Ramen Noodle Soup

Source: rainbownourishments.com

Looking for the best lazy Friday dinner recipe, this Vegan Miso Ramen Noodle Soup is a one-pot recipe that is easy to make, and you will find all the ingredients easily.

This ramen recipe is so creamy and flavorful that you will stop making ramen any other way after this.

Summer Friday Night Dinner Ideas

Balmy summer nights call for light and refreshing dinners that aren’t too heavy on the stomach. For such recipes, you should check out our summer weekend favorites.

23. Spanish Vegan Paella

Source: healthmylifestyle.com

One-pot dishes are lifesavers; just add all the ingredients in a pot, give it a good fold or stir and forget it till it’s time to eat. This is how you make hassle-free weekend dinners.

Our Spanish Vegan Paella recipe is just the same. Take a big pot, green beans, red bell pepper, diced rice, saffron, sweet paprika, tomato paste, tomatoes, broth, chickpeas, artichokes, and olives. Enjoy the hearty and comforting Vegan Paella with a fork or tortillas. 

24. Creamy One-Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon

Source: baking-ginger.com

When it comes to making weekend dishes, I prefer ones that can be made in one pot, so I have fewer dishes to wash at the end of the day.

This Creamy One-Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon is my favorite dish so far. You can cook it for under 20 minutes with a preparation time of 5 minutes.

This recipe is finger-licking good, and you will only hear praises from your friend and family for making this.

25. Vegetable Pasta

Source: karalydon.com

Healthy and full of vegetable goodness, this Vegetable Pasta is the easiest dish for your busy weekends. If you have friends over and you need a creamy and easy side dish, this is the perfect one.

Light and refreshing, the most easy-to-digest dish for hot summer’s night. Moreover, this weekend meal is ready in just 30 minutes, and you won’t even break a sweat while cooking this.

26. Sheet Pan Nachos

Source: ottawamommyclub.ca

You love nachos, but your’s turn soggy every time you attempt them? Well, here’s a pro tip; drain your veggies thoroughly before adding them to your nachos. This keeps the nachos crispy for long.

If you like our pro tip, you will also love this Sheet Pan Nachos recipe. To make this recipe, you will need Tortilla Chips, Chicken, Black Beans, Corn, Onion, Tomato, Avocado, Cilantro, and cheese.

27. Greek Salad

Source: joyfilledeats.com

To make this greek salad, you need to cook three layers, one dressing, one for the salad mixing, and one is your grilled chicken.

All three are easy steps that you can do in the morning and let the salad rest till dinner. For the dressing, you will need Greek Dressing olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. For the salad, you will need lettuce, cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.

To grill the chicken, you need chicken breast pieces, salt, and pepper. Once all your steps are done, fold the ingredients together and drizzle your dressing over the salad.

28. Creamy Shrimp Primavera

Source: joyfilledeats.com

Keto is the latest popular diet. Many people have made Keto their lifestyle. Here’s a quick Keto recipe that you can try this weekend.

The Creamy Shrimp Primavera is a light, easy to cook, and fast recipe that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes.

All you need are some shrimp, onion, pepper, broccoli, zucchini, butter, cheese, and heavy cream

29. Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs

Source: twopinkpeonies.com

Here’s some good news for all the busy mamas who hate defrosting chicken. To make your Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Thighs, frozen or fresh, both types of chicken will suffice.

So, let’s put together the best weekend recipe of all time. You need the following ingredients, boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cooking oil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, parsley, rosemary, and water.

30. Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Source: mangiawithmichele.com

Sometimes, on a hot summer night, all you need is a dish of spicy food and a cold beverage. For such nights our Spicy Garlic Shrimp is the perfect dish to enjoy.

To make this super easy recipe, you need Garlic Confit cloves, Garlic Oil, Calabrian chili paste, crushed red pepper, black pepper, raw shrimp, garlic, and lemon juice.

Love this recipe? You might enjoy these low calorie dinner recipes!

31. Chicken Fajitas

Source: hauteandhealthyliving.com

Here’s a traditional Mexican dish that is ready in 30 minutes, and it’s perfect for feeding the whole family over the weekend.

Chicken Fajitas is easy to make, and you can eat it in many ways, with rice, tortillas, or even with a fork. No matter how you choose to eat your Chicken Fajitas, you will have the time of your life eating this Mexican delicacy.

32. Chicken Tagine with preserved Lemons and Olives

Source: littleferrarokitchen.com

As hard as it sounds, the Chicken Tagine with preserved Lemons and Olives is one easy dish to cook. It’s so easy that it might become your weekend staple.

This dish cooks for under 35 minutes with 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time. Moreover, it’s a healthy dish that is full of bold flavor, preserved lemons, and olives.

Friday Night Ideas for 2

Are you having a special someone over for dinner at the weekend? Need a little help preparing the perfect weekend meal?

Here are some of the best and yummy Friday Night dinner Ideas for two. This dish will help you make a lasting impression.

33. Steamed Fish with Ginger Soy Sauce

Source: delightfulplate.com

When you are cooking for two, the presentation of the dish matters as much as the flavor. So, dish out this Steamed Fish with Ginger Soy Sauce in your best china, and don’t forget to place the chopsticks near the bowl for good measure.

This steamed fish recipe is full of rich vegetable flavor, vivid color, and the most delicious aroma of steamed fish and veggies.

34. Honey Chicken Wings

Source: allnutritious.com

Sometimes to enjoy your food to the fullest, you need to get your hands dirty. But don’t worry, with our Honey Chicken Wings recipe, your date will lick their fingers clean.

These honey-coated wings aren’t only mouth-watering, but they are also crispy, sweet, and nutritious. With all the goodness of honey, these wings are the finest you will ever have.

35. Fish and Chips

Source: christinascucina.com

My mother has always been a huge fan of fish and chips. She must have tried over ten or more restaurants for the perfect fish and chips platter, but none came close to what she was looking for.

So, we started making this recipe at home, and these Fish and Chips turn out perfect every time she makes them. The recipe is easy to follow, and it’s super delicious too. The recipe comes from a small street shop in Glasgow. Needless to say, it’s magical.

36. Taco Stuffed Peppers

Source: eatingglutenanddairyfree.com

Let’s make tacos with a healthy, gluten-free twist. Instead of taco shells, use peppers. These Taco Stuffed Peppers are the perfect dinner for two. Moreover, they look highly presentable.

To stuff your peppers, you will need ground beef or turkey, onion, seasoning, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. You can even customize this recipe and use any stuffing or topping you, please.

Get more inspiration with these ground turkey recipes!

37. Vegan Pita Pizza

Source: healthmylifestyle.com

If you don’t know what your guest likes to eat, you should make Vegan Pita Pizza; it’s the safest bet.

Even if she is a meat lover, she will still love this pizza. Once you have your pita pizza bread, all you need are your toppings and your pizza sauce. You can make a variety of toppings for your pizza and serve as a true chef.

38. BBQ Chicken Burgers

Source: aseasonedgreeting.com

What makes your burger a total hit? THE SAUCE. This BBQ Chicken Burger comes with a yummy sauce made from Worcestershire, ranch, and BBQ sauce. This is the secret behind the juiciness of this burger.

To your ground chicken, add garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, chicken bouillon powder, pepper, onion powder, BBQ sauce, ranch, and Worcestershire sauce. Don’t hold back on the sauce and spices; it’s the ultimate secret of this recipe.

39. Fried Ground Beef Tacos

Source: thriftandspice.com

Does anyone you know say NO to tacos? We didn’t think so. To make the best-fried tacos, you need ground beef, garlic/onion/cumin powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, chives, tortillas, tomatoes, onion, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce

The ingredients list may seem long, but these tacos will be the most perfect tacos you will ever have!

Need more inspiration? Make these easy beef cube recipes!

40. Burrito Casserole

Source: inthekitch.net

This Casserole is inspired by the street food in Mexico, so we named it Burrito Casserole. If you have never tried the Burrito filling in a Casserole, you are seriously missing out on some serious flavor.

41. Chicken Vindaloo

Source: pipingpotcurry.com

When chicken cooks in onion, ginger, garlic, aromatic whole spices, and vinegar, you get the best Chicken Vindaloo ever! You can serve your Chicken Vindaloo with naan or even with rice.

Friday night dinner should be easy-going, relaxed, and hassle-free. If you are of the same mind, do try the above-mentioned recipes for your lazy Fridays.