12 Family-Style Meals to Lure Everyone to the Table

By Jenn Segal

Memories are made around the dinner table, but getting everyone there can be a challenge. From bubbly mac and cheese to sloppy Joes, these family-style meals will have everyone circling the kitchen at dinnertime.

Mac and Cheese

I find most homemade mac and cheese recipes to be a bit dry, so I developed this version to be ultra-creamy. The crispy panko-Herbes de Provence topping absolutely makes the dish!
Sloppy Joes

These smoky, spicy Sloppy Joes are made completely from scratch. Pile the beef onto buttery toasted buns and serve the sandwiches with a sweet & tangy citrus slaw.
Easy Chicken Parmesan

This recipe takes a few shortcuts, making it doable on a weeknight, yet tastes as good as the chicken parmesan from your favorite Italian restaurant.
Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala is an Italian-American dish of golden pan-fried chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine sauce — always a family pleaser!
Gail Simmons’ Epic Spaghetti Pie

Spaghetti pie is a big affair, impressive in both stature and ingredients, and meant to serve a hungry crowd.
Peruvian-Style Roast Chicken with Green Sauce

This is my take on Pollo a la Brasa, the delicious spit-roasted chicken made popular by so many Peruvian restaurants. The accompanying green sauce is spicy, creamy and downright addictive.
Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala is a dish of marinated and broiled chunks of chicken in a creamy, spice-infused tomato sauce. Alongside the requisite basmati rice, buttered peas and naan, it makes a fabulous family feast.
Shrimp Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta)

This easy Greek shrimp recipe is made almost entirely from pantry and freezer staples. It’s one of my go-to meals when I have to hit the kitchen running.
Chicken Nachos

Loaded with pulled rotisserie chicken in a spicy sauce and ungodly amounts of cheese, these chicken nachos are hearty and satisfying – and everyone is happy when you say, “Nachos for dinner!”
Baked Ziti

This baked ziti with sausage is a MAJOR family pleaser. It’s similar to meat lasagna but without the fuss, easy enough for a weeknight but also special enough for company, and it makes a great potluck dish.
Street-Style Shrimp Tacos with Corn, Bacon and Lime Crema

Nothing beats street-style shrimp tacos with corn, bacon, and lime crema for a fast, fun, family-pleasing feast!
Julia Turshen’s “A Nice Lasagna”

From Julia Turshen’s lovely cookbook, Small Victories (Chronicle Books, 2016), this lasagna is easy to make and even easier to eat.