9 Family Dinners You Can Whip Up After Work

Family meals are for bonding over good food and shouldn't require hours of planning, shopping and cooking. From Pan Seared Salmon with Soy Mustard Glaze to Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp, these nine recipes are perfect for when you need to hit the kitchen running.

1. Pan-Seared Salmon with Soy Mustard Glaze

The glaze is the star of this easy and elegant salmon dish. It's tangy and sweet, and the little mustard seeds glisten in the sauce and "pop" in your mouth, releasing bits of intense, sharp mustard flavor when you bite into them. GET THE RECIPE

2. Pecan Crusted Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Sauce

In this gourmet twist on chicken tenders, the chicken is breaded in a mixture of pecans and panko, then pan-fried until crispy and golden and served with a creamy whole grain honey mustard sauce. Since the pecans are finely chopped, even kids who think they don't like nuts will try them (and ask for seconds). GET THE RECIPE

3. Beef with Broccoli

No wok needed for this for this easy "takeout" dish of tender steak and crisp broccoli florets in a rich ginger and garlic sauce. Serve with rice and dinner is done. GET THE RECIPE

4. Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

Forget fish sticks: your kids will love this dish. With the crunchy tortilla crust and flaky white fish within, it's a surefire family pleaser. GET THE RECIPE

5. Orecchiette with Sausage & Broccoli

Not only is this dish quick and easy to make -- 25 minutes tops -- the whole family eats it up, broccoli and all. GET THE RECIPE

6. Chicken Tacos

Everyone loves taco night. Loaded with veggies, these chicken tacos are a healthier spin on beef tacos -- and they're just as good, if not better. GET THE RECIPE

7. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Here's a quick and delicious Spaghetti and Meatball recipe to add to your weeknight repertoire. The meatballs are baked in the oven, which is so much easier and healthier than the typical stovetop frying method. To cut down on the cooking time, you can cheat and use a good quality store bought sauce. GET THE RECIPE

8. Easy Chicken Curry

Here's a dish the whole family will love: thinly sliced chicken breasts are quickly sautéed with curry powder, and then simmered in an aromatic and slightly sweet curry sauce thickened with Greek yogurt. Green peas and fresh cilantro add a vibrant, fresh touch. GET THE RECIPE

9. Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp

This is one of my go-to recipes when I'm short on time. It takes just twenty minutes to make, I always have all of the ingredients on hand, the kids love it as much as I do, and there's barely any clean-up. Serve it over pasta or with a lightly toasted baguette for mopping up all of the garlic-butter sauce. GET THE RECIPE