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Dinner Ideas to Make With Mac and Cheese

What's for dinner? I'm sure that's a question we've all either asked or commonly get. And I get it, it's hard figuring out every night what to make for dinner especially when you're short on time. Whether you're looking for an easy, quick, or healthy dinner recipe that's for two or can feed your entire family I've got a plethora of crowd pleasing dinner recipes that'll give you some ideas of what to cook for dinner.

Quick Dinner Ideas

If you're looking for something quick and easy to make for dinner these recipes are for you! Who doesn't love a 20 minute meal!

Grilled Salmon Skewers
Ground Chicken Tacos
DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl
Sausage and Leek Orecchiette
Asian Chicken Slaw
Chicken Fajitas

Healthy Dinner Ideas

You won't miss out on any of your favorite flavors with these healthy recipes. From the best salads to DIY poke bowls there's something here for everyone.

Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps
DIY Poke Bowls
The New Go To Kale Salad
Avocado Shrimp Quinoa Bowl
Steamed Salmon with Garlic Herbs and Lemon
Loaded Steak Salad Bowl with Yogurt Green Goddess
Grilled Fish Cauliflower Rice Bowl
Chicken Fajita Cobb
Pesto Farmer's Market Salad with Grilled Chicken

Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

From the classics like vegetarian lasagna and vegetarian chili to vegetarian friendly dinner recipes to make at your next dinner party you can't go wrong with any of these ideas plus they'll be a hit with anyone at the dinner table no matter if they eat meat or not.

Let's address a commonly asked question first!

Is parmesan cheese or mozzarella vegetarian?

Because most hard cheeses are made with rennet an animal-derived enzyme technically the answer is no. However, there are more and more vegetarian cheese options becoming available at the grocery store that are processed with plant-derived enzymes. So if a recipe calls for parmesan, mozzarella, or any other cheese just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure you're using one without rennet. You can read more about it here.

Roasted Mushroom Pasta with Herbs
Zucchini Fritters with Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Vegetarian Chili
Vegetarian Lasagna
Mushroom Kale Larb Bowls
Cauliflower Rice Veggie Burrito Bowl
Vegetarian Tacos with Delicata Squash and Mushrooms

Chicken Dinner Ideas

If you're looking what to make for dinner with chicken these ideas are just for you!

Chicken Tawook Quinoa Bowls
Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken
Chicken Fajita Bowls with Guacamole
Chicken Larb Bowls
Moroccan Chicken Skewers

Ground Beef Dinner Ideas

These ground beef recipes are anything but boring. From burgers to bolognese I've covered all the classics and added a few of my favorites like spicy beef larb with coconut rice that I think you should try. If you're wondering what to make with ground beef look no further.

50/50 Mushroom Beef Burgers
Smoky Beef and Black Bean Chili
Ragù alla Bolognese
Spicy Beef Larb with Coconut Rice
Omi's Swedish Meatballs
Samosa Pizza

Family Dinner Ideas

These are those nostalgic family dinner recipes that everyone loves. Whether it's spaghetti and meatballs or taco night these are the perfect family meals to share.

Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone
Perfect Italian Meatballs
Poblano Corn Quesadillas
Family Style Taco Bar
Three Cheese Pizza
Three Meat Lasagna
Stacked Eggplant Parmesan
Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Sunday Dinner Ideas

After a long week there's nothing better than a comforting Sunday dinner the whole family loves! Whether you're having a homemade pizza night or making a bubbling hot skillet of mac & cheese these Sunday dinner ideas will help you beat the Sunday scaries.

Italian Mac & Cheese Bake
Caprese Focaccia Bread
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Chicken Shawarma Bowls
Burrata Pizza Pie
Salad Pizza
Ricotta and Sausage Pasta
Cheesy Pasta alla Vodka

Looking for more easy dinner ideas?

Take a look at this roundup of dinner recipes that make for great leftover lunches. And if you're hosting a dinner party soon check out my dinner party menus with prep schedules that guide you step by step to throwing the ultimate dinner party that not only your guests will enjoy but you will too.

Easy Dinner Ideas: Italian Mac and Cheese Bake

An Italian spin on mac and cheese!!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

  • 1 pound Italian sausage (hot or sweet), casings removed
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 12 ounces pasta, cooked and drained (I used cavatappi)
  • 1 26-ounce jar Gaby's Four Cheese Tomato Sauce
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup half and half or heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
  • fresh basil, for garnish
  • Preheat oven to 350° In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until seared and no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add onion, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft, 5 minutes more.

  • Add pasta, tomato sauce and season with salt. Stir in half-and-half and simmer until mostly absorbed, 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in half of mozzarella.

  • Transfer mixture to a large baking dish and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake until cheese is bubbly and golden, about 10 minutes.

  • Garnish with basil and serve.

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Dinner Ideas to Make With Mac and Cheese

Source: https://whatsgabycooking.com/50-easy-dinner-ideas/