Cooking dinner for your household can be a great way to experience new adventures and have a great time connecting over a shared meal. While trying out all kinds of new recipes with a wide range of flavors can be exciting and fun, there’s also merit to finding a sense of balance with the recipes you try out. Whether you’re cooking for younger kids, teens or you’re having a few guests over and you’re looking to branch out into new — yet comforting — foods, there are so many options out there that you can try. Who knows? You may be adding some brand new staples to your recipe book soon enough!
Of course, everyone has different tastes and each family has its own staples when it comes to mealtimes. However, there are so many ways that you can create interesting and satisfying meals that are both new to your family and carry familiar comfort. If you are in a bit of a recipe rut, look no further than this list of satisfying recipes that you can feed your family. From basic and healthy to staple comfort foods, there’s no shortage of new ideas ready for the taking. Here are just a few humble but satisfying recipes to feed your family.
- Classic Mac N Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is arguably one of the primary comfort foods that everybody loves. If you aren’t usually in the game of making homemade mac n cheese, This could be the perfect opportunity to try your hand at it. While you can keep it classic, you can also add details like fresh vegetables or bacon bits for a bit of extra flavor.
- Indian Dal
Dal is definitely a satisfying yet simple staple of Indian cuisine. With its lentil base, usually served over rice, this Indian dish is filling, flavorful and definitely underrated in terms of popular Indian food options. It’s also affordable and simple to make, in addition to being highly customizable.
Speaking of new dishes from different cultures, this Japanese egg custard with ginger sauce is a great option for families is looking to try something new within a cuisine that they already love. With the rich flavor of shiitake mushrooms and the kick of ginger, This recipe is filled with flavor and fun.
- Pasta Pomodoro
Pasta with sauce — there’s nothing crazy about it, but there’s definitely a chance that you’ve taken it for granted as a simple, lazy recipe. If you’ve never tried making your own Pomodoro sauce, I can actually make all the difference in your pasta dinner. Try using fresh tomatoes and playing with the seasoning balance.
- Chicken Biryani
Tired of basic grilled chicken? This chicken biryani recipe is sure to cure the chicken boredom that often comes into play when you rely on lean proteins often. It’s simple, yet extremely flavorful and satisfying, which is likely exactly what you are looking for in a new recipe. You can serve it over rice and with fresh vegetables — a perfectly well-balanced meal.
- Tossed Green Salad
Sometimes, it’s totally normal to crave the pure freshness of a green salad. Although it might not be seen as common to eat a salad as a main course, salads can be surprisingly filling. Especially in the warmer months, fresh greens can truly hit the spot. This tossed green salad recipe is basic, but highly customizable. Add in some of your favorite seasonal vegetables and serve alongside the grain of your choosing!
- Veggie Lasagna
Tired of basic, heavy lasagna? Why not venture into the veggie side of things? This vegetable lasagna is an awesome vegetarian staple that can be enjoyed by those who are vegetarian as well as those who aren’t. Still filling and satisfying, the veggies add a new sense of flavor and freshness to the comfort of classic lasagna.
- Lemon Chicken
Looking for another recipe that might be able to cure your chicken blues? This lemon chicken is a great option for just that! This recipe can be especially satisfying in the summertime, but there’s truly no restriction on this refreshing yet satisfying meal. Serve it with a fresh green salad or over your favorite grain!
- Veggie Black Bean Tacos
Tacos are a fantastic option for large groups because they offer a build-it-yourself style, all while still maintaining that community spirit. These veggie black bean tacos are a great example of a classic, yet adventurous meal, especially if you don’t eat a lot of Mexican food. This can be a wonderful choice for a night when your family is entertaining guests.
- Split Pea Soup
Especially when the winter months begin to roll around, soups and stews can be especially satisfying and comforting. This split pea soup is the perfect combination of fresh, healthy satisfaction and that warm comfort that people often look for in their soups.
Humble and Satisfying Recipes
There are so many ways to cook up amazing, satisfying dinners for the whole family. Whether you’re on the hunt for new recipes all around or you’re simply looking to try something new one night out of the week, these recipes can be great building blocks for balanced, satisfying meals. Which of these recipes are you excited to try out first?
