Not everyone loves fish, but we love everyone, so we have dinner ideas that make the whole family happy! Whether you’re looking for a 9 days menu filler or a new weeknight go-to (we’re bored of Thursday night pizza too) we have some awesome ideas that you’ll enjoy all year. 

1. Greek Eggplant Gnocchi by Brynie Greisman

This packs intense flavor into every bite due to the variety of roasted veggies and the array of spices. This striking dish will become a family favorite.

2. Cheesy Pasta Sticks by Miriam Fried

These are so quick to make and can be enjoyed by adults and kids equally.

This is a great food for a melave malka. It’s a really easy and quick thing to throw together on a Motzei Shabbos. You can also prepare them ready to bake before Shabbos.

3. Healthy Creamy Pesto Pasta by Maya Maizlech

4. Cauliflower-Chickpea Salad by Chaia Frishman

Have you seen a salad recipe with cauliflower? Sure, you have. How about one with roasted chickpeas? Definitely. Ever mix them together? Likely. Who knows? But I doubt you’ve seen one that has this funky technique that makes the chickpeas BEYOND. Feel free to swap out the pepitas with a different nut or seed. You can even choose your own fave greens base, but don’t mess with the star ingredients and the new way you’ll make all your cauliflower and chickpeas from now on.

5. Broccoli-Cheese or Garlic-Cheese Calzones by Victoria Dwek

Usually on Thursday nights I make pizza. These calzones were a welcome, popular change. I felt that two different types of fillings were important because there was really something to appeal to everyone. (Because I left the shallots in rings, I was also able to make an onion-less broccoli and cheese version to appeal to the kids in the middle.)

6. Malawach Egg Rollups by Miriam Fried

These are actually my kids’ favorite lunch (or even supper). They beg me to make this all the time.

The crispy malawach adds the perfect crunch to the scrambled eggs. It may sound basic, but try it and see how delicious it is!

7. Delicious Eggplant Parmesan Pasta by Leah Klein

This recipe does have some extra steps, but it’s worth it!

8. Loaded Sheet-Pan Nachos by Chaya Suri Leitner

With the hot summer days coming up, who wants to stand in the kitchen cooking full meals? Especially when the kids always seem to be running to play outside… This makes a great light, fun supper that the kids can eat quickly before running off to play.

9. Broccoli Bake with Smoky Dipping Sauce by Brynie Greisman

These veggies are sautéed first, adding an extra element of sweetness. The dipping sauce gives it a real kick, making this dish especially appealing.

10. Eggplant and Sweet Potato Bake by Brynie Greisman

11. Lemony String Beans and Chickpeas by Brynie Greisman

This is one of my favorite string bean dishes. Both the string beans and chickpeas become somewhat crispy, and overall, this dish is full of fresh flavor. A great choice!

12. Garlic Bread Brown Rice Pasta by Leah Klein

This delicious garlic bread pasta is a family favorite! It’s so simple to put together and its taste and texture is amazing, making it a winner for a weeknight dinner.

13. Fresh and Tangy Salad with Dairy Cucumber Dressing by Estee Kafra

A refreshing salad of crispy greens is always the perfect accompaniment to any party or heavier meal. This low-fat dressing can also double as a dip for crudités and is even great as a dip for tortillas or ruffled chips. Yup, I tried it!

14. Empanadas with Eggplant and Feta Cheese Filling by Clara Fatal

These empanadas have a spectacular filling of roasted eggplant and cheese. You’ll enjoy every blissful bite.

15. Meal-in-One Potato Casserole by Brynie Greisman

Utterly simple and always satisfying. Potato kugel at its very best! Serve with fresh vegetable sticks and a light dressing, and a scoop of cottage cheese, if desired.

16. Breaded Haloumi Cheese Salad by Rivky Kleiman

17. Tomato Soup with Garlic Bread and Bulgarian Cheese by Temi Philip

18. Mushroom-Feta Stuffed Shells by Chanie Nayman

I love the idea of adding feta to my pasta. It may sound redundant when you’ve got the rest of the cheese, but it’s actually a lot saltier, more pungent, and doesn’t melt completely like mozzarella does. After you taste this, I bet you’ll start adding feta to all things dairy!

19. No-Bouillon Cream of Mushroom Soup by Chaya Lallunk

This rich, creamy soup is the perfect starter for a milchig meal.

20. Four-Cheese Quiche with Red Onions by Marilyn Ayalon

Cubes of yesterday’s bread, challah, or rolls make a perfect base for this savory dish.

21. Vegetable Cheese Calzones by Rivky Kleiman

22. Italian Focaccia by Clara Fatal

Focaccia is a light and airy Italian bread. The fried vegetables add a pretty and colorful topping. Welcome to Italy!

23. Tomato-Parmesan Quiche by Marilyn Ayalon

The quiche uses a classic pie crust, called pâte brisée, which has a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Since the dough freezes well, I always make a double recipe: one for immediate use, and the other to put in the freezer, already rolled out and wrapped well in plastic wrap.

24. Easy Cheesy Pesto Pasta by Faigy Grossman

When I came up with this pasta dish combination, I didn’t realize how fast it would take to prepare and how gourmet it would actually taste. Be forewarned: Easy and delicious can both be used to describe this sophisticated tasting meal-in-one!

25. Grilled Vegetable Linguine by Rivky Kleiman

26. Cheese-Stuffed Bread Loaf by Chef Tom Francz

This is a delicious, classy bread, great for company. You can make it out of almost any bread, store-bought or homemade. Your kids will have a great time helping you stuff it, and taking it apart is as fun as creating it.

Originally published July 2017. Updated and improved July 2024.