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Home / Recipes / Course / Dinner / 45+ Easy Friday Dinner Ideas

45+ Easy Friday Dinner Ideas

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CA

Author:

Kimber Matherne

Updated:

April 8, 2025

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Friday nights are a chance to wind down after a busy week and kick off the weekend with a delicious meal. That’s where these easy Friday night dinner ideas come in. We have put together a list of 45+ recipes that are great for busy families on a Friday night. These weeknight dinner recipes are quick to prepare, but also wholesome and satisfying, so everyone at the table leaves happy and full!

4 photo collage of friday night dinner ideas - buffalo chicken burger, french bread pizza, baked tacos, and million dollar chicken bake this Recipe

Table of contents

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  • Family Friendly Friday Night Dinner Ideas
  • The Most Popular Friday Night Dinner Ideas
  • Friday Night Sheet Pan Dinner Ideas
  • Casseroles and Chicken Bake Dinners
  • Healthy Friday Night Dinner Ideas
  • Easy Friday Night Side Dishes
  • Easy Friday Night Dessert Ideas
  • Easy Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe

Family Friendly Friday Night Dinner Ideas

These are some of the best, quick and easy kid-friendly recipes that your family will love and you won’t mind making!

Lifting a slice of Garlic Bread Pizza from the sheet pan.
Crispy Baked Tacos in a glass casserole dish
  • Garlic Bread Pizza
  • Baked Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
  • Ground Beef Enchiladas
  • Cheesburger Pasta – a family favorite pasta dish
  • Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Rolls – use store-bought pizza dough for easy prep
  • Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet – protein packed and full of flavor
  • Crockpot Chicken Nachos – crockpot does the work, just ladle over tortilla chips and add toppings
  • Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

The Most Popular Friday Night Dinner Ideas

Easy dinner recipes that use pantry staples! These will please even the pickiest eaters.

buffalo chicken patty on a bun with ranch, lettuce, tomato, and onion.  on a white plate
firecracker chicken bites in a skillet with white rice
  • Chicken Taco Casserole
  • Carnitas Nachos – crockpot prep in the morning and then just 10 minutes to assemble at dinner time
  • Steak Fried Rice
  • Taco Skillet Dinner
  • One Pan Beef Ramen Stir Fry
  • Buffalo Chicken Burgers
  • Firecracker Chicken or Shrimp – serve with rice and my tender sautéed green beans
  • One Pot Easy Lasagna Soup
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread

Friday Night Sheet Pan Dinner Ideas

Simple ingredients that can all be added to one pan where everything is then cooked together. You know what that means – easy prep and little cleanup!

breaded chicken cutlets and mixed grilled veggies on a baking sheet
sausage and veggies cooked on a sheet pan
  • Baked Chicken Cutlets with Veggies
  • Sausage and Veggies with Cajun Butter Sauce
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Sheet Pan Baked Pineapple Chicken
  • Caprese Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
  • Sheet Pan Southern Meatloaf – classic meatloaf flavor but ready in half the time

Casseroles and Chicken Bake Dinners

These satisfying and hearty recipes are simple and convenient, making them perfect to whip up at the end of a busy week.

Quick Chicken Fajitas made in oven and topped with cheese and cilantro.
spoonful of green chile chicken casserole being scooped out of a white casserole dish
  • 4 Ingredient Baked Tortellini Casserole
  • BBQ Chicken Bake
  • Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole
  • Easy Baked Chicken Fajitas – only 5 ingredients and one casserole dish
  • Easy Chicken Cacciatore
  • Million Dollar Chicken Bake – a reader favorite
  • Baked Chicken Marsala
  • Oven Baked Stuffed Pepper Casserole – a complete meal in itself
  • Green Chili Chicken Casserole
  • Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Bake

Healthy Friday Night Dinner Ideas

From salads to hearty and filling family dinners, we keep these dishes full of flavor, but without the guilt.

chicken breast with tomato topping in a skillet
Taco stuffed zucchini boats on baking sheet.
  • Italian Quinoa Salad – top with grilled salmon or other lean protein
  • Chicken Pomodoro – serve over noodles or zoodles
  • Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
  • Pesto Chicken Bake with Tomatoes
  • Taco Zucchini Boats – perfect for using up leftover taco meat
  • Italian Turkey and Vegetables Skillet

Easy Friday Night Side Dishes

From healthy veggie options to simple salads, these side dish recipes are quick and easy enough to add to any entrée you make on Friday.

roasted caulflower on a baking sheet
salad made of tomatoes, mozzerella balls, basil
  • Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower – the parmesan cheese makes this super tasty and it goes with anything
  • Brown Butter Broccoli
  • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes – just a few minutes of prep earlier in the day, and these are ready to serve by dinnertime
  • Tomato Basil Mozzerella Salad – the perfect summer side dish
  • Maple Glazed Carrots
  • Sautéed Spinach
  • Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad

Easy Friday Night Dessert Ideas

Friday night is the perfect excuse to indulge a little. These desserts are popular, but require minimal effort! Enjoy!

lemon cookies on a cooling rack
three fudgy Nutella brownies stacked.
  • Lemon Meltaway Cookies
  • 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownies
  • No Bake Strawberries & Cream Chocolate Cake

If you’re looking for easy Friday night recipes, this list will be a keeper. If you need more ideas check out some of the easy Rotisserie Chicken recipes.

If there is a great Friday night recipe that I left off the list, make sure and let me know in the comments!

What to have for dinner on a Friday night?

After a long, busy week, I would suggest something that’s easy to prepare, delicious, and family-friendly. Use my list above to get inspired!

What to serve instead of pizza on a Friday night?

If you’re looking for something to serve instead of pizza on a Friday night, try taco night, a sheet pan meal, or maybe even a wholesome stir fry dinner.

What is an easy dinner to make on a lazy night?

When you’re feeling lazy and just not in the mood to cook, opt for a meal that you know requires minimal ingredients and minimal effort. Or better yet…leftovers!

Lifting a slice of garlic bread pizza with pepperoni and olives from baking sheet with a big cheese pull

Easy Garlic Bread Pizza

By: Kimber Matherne
No ratings yet
Enjoy this super quick and easy Garlic Bread Pizza with any of your favorite toppings and none of the hassle of pizza dough! Perfect for a lazy Friday night!
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
5 servings
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Ingredients 

For the Garlic Butter

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed, or 1 tsp garlic paste
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

For the Pizza

  • 1 loaf french bread
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Topping Options

  • 2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
  • 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F
  • Combine all ingredients for the garlic butter and mix well. Set aside.
  • Slice the french bread in half and spread the garlic butter over each side and then bake for 5-8 minutes or until the top is toasty and the edges are golden brown.
  • Top the garlic bread with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of toppings.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the toppings are heated through. Cut each half into 5 pieces and serve immediately.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @easyfamilyrecipes!

Recipe Notes

Substitutions:
  • French Bread – Any store-bought french bread will work for this. You can also use sub rolls to make smaller “personal-sized” pizzas which are great for getting the kids involved in the process!
  • Marinara Sauce – Feel free to use any marinara you love, store-bought or homemade.
  • Mozzarella Cheese – I prefer to use shredded mozzarella for this recipe but you could also use an Italian blend cheese.
How to Store: To save leftovers, separate into meal-sized portions and then place them in an airtight container and store:
  • in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
  • in the freezer for up to a month
How to Freeze: Making this easy French bread pizza recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  1. Make this french bread pizza as directed and let it cool completely.
  2. One cool, wrap in plastic wrap and place in an air-tight container. Store in the freezer for up to a month.
  3. When ready to eat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Place the frozen pizza on a baking tray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through, crispy on the outside, and the cheese is melted.
 
How to Reheat: Place in an oven preheated to 350 for 6-8 minutes. Or heat in a covered skillet over low heat.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2slices, Calories: 517kcal (26%), Carbohydrates: 46g (15%), Protein: 22g (44%), Fat: 28g (43%), Saturated Fat: 14g (88%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 71mg (24%), Sodium: 1470mg (64%), Potassium: 356mg (10%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 1202IU (24%), Vitamin C: 15mg (18%), Calcium: 290mg (29%), Iron: 4mg (22%)

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6 photo collage of friday night dinner ideas
6 photo collage of friday night dinner ideas

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