By the time Friday night rolls around, we could all use some fun and easy ideas for dinnertime. Before you rush to grab those take-out menus (we get it), take a minute to browse our homemade supper ideas that might take you less time than ordering from your favorite pizza joint. Whether you are hosting a sleepover, a grown-up dinner party, or just dining solo, you’ll be pleased with all of these delicious Friday night dinner recipes.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
End a busy week with a creamy, cheesy dish the whole family can agree on. Customize the recipe with your family’s favorite pasta shape or some cooked veggies, like peas or broccoli.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Few things say “party” like homemade pizza—and this easy-to-make dough can be prepped ahead so you’re ready to stretch, top, and bake when hunger strikes. Whether you’re cooking with the family or hosting friends, making pizza from scratch isn’t just delicious—it’s an experience.
Tip
Customize your dough by adding dried herbs or using 00 flour for a Neapolitan-style crust.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
End the week on a flavorful note with a cheeseburger pie that rivals take-out. Set out a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their slice like their favorite burger.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
We transformed a classic creamed corn side dish into a silky pasta infused with the flavors of Parmesan and bacon. It’s the kind of quick and easy pasta supper you’ll want to always have in your back pocket for effortless weeknight meals.
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Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Daley
Fire up the grill because these pork chops lacquered in pepper jelly are universal crowd-pleasers. Serve the chops with any of your favorite side dishes, like an easy tomato salad or fluffy cornbread.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This is the ultimate bowl of comfort food. It also happens to use mostly pantry staples, making it extra easy to pull together after a long week.
Tip
Make sure to use a skillet with high sides that can accommodate all of the ingredients.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
We put a Southern spin on a classic grilled chicken sandwich by adding a thick layer of pimento cheese to the sandwich. You can use homemade pimento cheese or store-bought; we won’t judge.
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Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Shrimp scampi is one of those no-fail dishes that is simple, yet elegant. Just don’t forget to reserve a cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
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Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley
There’s nothing like a delicious steak supper to start your weekend off right. Drizzled with an elegant herb sauce and served with a side of roasted potatoes, each bite is perfect.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Our foolproof method for crispy chicken skin doesn’t require deep frying. Just a solid cast-iron skillet and a little patience.
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Credit: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin
With plenty of spice and a whole lot of fresh flavor, these are going to become a weekly staple. The best part is that they’re ready in 20 minutes.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
We put a delicious, cheese-filled spin on your favorite comfort dish. Layers of ravioli, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella make for a family-friendly lasagna that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
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Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos
There’s something about a sheet pan dinner that just makes life so much easier. Covered with feta, Kalamata olives, lemon, and more, this Greek Chicken is just too good.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
When you’ve reached the end of the work week, you and your family deserve a meal like this one. It’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly easy. Serve with a family favorite side to soak up all the sweet sauce.
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Credit: Brittany Conerly; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Skip the added time of making homemade crust and use pre-made frozen puff pastry for a delicious chicken pot pie that’ll be ready in half the time.
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Credit: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
It can be tempting to just order in on the weekends, but this recipe will make you think twice before placing an order. It’s a simple sandwich that will satisfy the whole family. With only five ingredients, you can have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes. Serve with French fries or any fast food side.
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Credit: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: LYDIA PURCELL; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN
Dinner in just 15 minutes? Yes, please! Rotisserie chicken helps this one-pot mac and cheese come together quickly so you can kick your feet up.
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Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Head to your grocery store and pick up some pre-made pizza dough to make this Friday night special.
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Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
Penne pasta and Tex-Mex flavors might be the unexpected match-made-in-heaven you didn’t know you were missing. This cast-iron skillet dish is full of flavor from chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Taco night is always a great idea. This recipe is perfect for a party with kids or a movie night with a few girlfriends.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Easy? Check. Delicious? Check. Need we say more? We use no-boil lasagna noodles, which take out an entire step in this go-to recipe.
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Credit: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
This easy dinner is ready in minutes and can easily feed a crowd. With mushrooms, heavy cream, and a whole lot of cheese, it’s like comfort on a plate.
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Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Hear us out on this one. Yes, it takes just a little bit longer, but it’s the most searched soup recipe in the South for a reason. Warm, cheesy, and absolutely delicious.
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Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Save the mess of a shrimp boil with our one-sheet pan recipe. The ingredients soak up extra flavor from roasting in the Old Bay and butter mixture, so you might even prefer this easy, hands-off version.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Ranch seasoning is the secret ingredient to almost any Southern recipe, from Ranch Oyster Crackers to dips. For this one-of-a-kind recipe, ranch takes pork to the next level.
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Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner
The magic formula to this sheet pan dinner involves a protein, a veggie, and a side. Yes, it’s that simple. This flavorful dinner is perfect when you want something to come together perfectly all at once.
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Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
From pasta to crusty bread, this sauce is the ideal starting point to a romantic Friday night at home.
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If your Friday night plans involve watching your favorite movie curled up on the sofa, these nachos are the perfect pairing for those plans. In just half an hour, you’ll have a cheesy meal that’s even better than movie-theater popcorn.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
More is more, and we are here for it. This old-school classic screams Friday night dinner and will have everyone requesting seconds.
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Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen. Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
If you want something that you can have all weekend long, this is the dish for you. Serve with grocery store chicken tenders and roasted veggies, or a simple salad for a crowd-pleasing meal.
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Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
From cheesy goodness to healthy vegetables, dig into comfort in a bowl with this recipe. One reviewer says, “This is a winner,” and we couldn’t agree more.
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Credit: Antonis Achilleos
Breakfast for dinner is a good Friday night move when you’re in a real food slump.
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If you love the classic sandwich, then you won’t want to miss our casserole that was made for Friday night family dinners.
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Meatloaf is always a family favorite, but this recipe adds just a little extra spice to keep dinner the dish interesting. Serve it up with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.
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A hearty soup filled with Southern favorites like baby lima beans and okra makes this dish ideal for serving at book club or taking to the neighborhood potluck.
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Creamy, cheesy, and smothered with flavor. If you’re bored of tacos, this is a fresh, unfussy idea that will surprise all of your dinner guests.
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Break out the fried pork chops for a Friday night dinner that pulls out all of the stops.
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Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you have leftover rice from a meal earlier in the week, toss it in this recipe with some fresh or frozen shrimp, and a few veggies, and dinner is served.
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Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Everyone loves pasta night. Here, frozen meatballs are magically transformed into this spectacular pasta bake.
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Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist:Ruth Blackburn
For the home cook that wants to serve a well-balanced and delicious supper, try this meal with crispy chicken, green beans, and sweet potato wedges that are crispy and delicious.
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Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
For a healthier version of everyone’s favorite macaroni and cheese, whip up this recipe that adds in hearty kale.
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Credit: Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This casserole has long been a staple on Southern dinner tables, and for good reason. Dig in and let the creamy, cheesy goodness be the perfect end to a long week.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Burrito bowls let the whole family get creative. Choose your favorite protein, add an array of toppings, and let everyone have some fun.
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Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett
We turned everyone’s favorite pasta dish into a baked version with layers of pasta, chicken, and spinach, plus a hint of pesto. Thanks to store-bought Alfredo sauce and rotisserie chicken, all you have to do is cook the pasta before combining all the ingredients in a casserole dish.
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Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Instead of going out, bring the French bistro to you. Thanks to frozen shoestring French fries, this restaurant-quality meal will be ready in a flash.
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