Let’s be honest, not every dad loves to cook or knows how to cook. There are even dads who hate cooking.

But when Dad is on dinner duty, sometimes take-out won’t cut it; you’re pressed for time, or you want a home-cooked meal. So whether you’re stepping into the kitchen for the first time, want to impress your family, or just want a comforting home-cooked meal without the fuss, this is the list for you. From viral hits like baked feta pasta to sheet pan steak and broccoli, each recipe includes a simple grocery list and some tips to make dinner feel less like a chore and more like a win.

1. Baked Feta Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Salad

Recipes: 

Baked Feta Pasta

Grilled Chicken Breasts

Tip: Buy a salad kit to add a simple side in a pinch.

Grocery List: 

1 (7 – 8oz) block feta cheese

2 pints cherry tomatoes

Olive oil

White Wine (optional)

Garlic (or garlic powder)

Spinach

Fresh Basil (or dried)

Parmesan Cheese

Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)

Chicken breasts

Salad kit

2. Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Recipes:

Maple Glazed Pork Chops

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Sautéed Green Beans

Grocery List:

4 pork chops

2 lbs potatoes (russet, Yukon gold, or red potatoes)

½ lb fresh green beans

Garlic

Maple syrup

Cayenne pepper

Garlic powder

Paprika

Olive oil

Butter

Milk

3. Pesto Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Recipe:

Pesto Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Grocery List:

4 salmon filets 

1 ½ lbs baby potatoes

1 lb asparagus

Pesto

Parmesan cheese

Garlic

4. One Pan Oven Baked Chicken & Rice with Broccoli

Recipe:

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Tip: Add broccoli florets to the chicken and rice bake for a complete meal. 

Grocery List:

6 bone-in chicken thighs

1 lb broccoli

1 onion (yellow or white)

Garlic

Long-grain white rice

Chicken broth

Paprika

Dried thyme

Garlic powder

Onion powder

5. Sheet Pan Marinated Steak and Broccoli with Baked Potatoes

Recipes: 

Sheet Pan Marinated Steak and Broccoli

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Grocery List:

1 ½ lbs flank steak

1 lb broccoli

Green onions

4 large russet potatoes

Cheddar cheese or Colby Jack

Sour cream

Bacon bits or chopped bacon

Olive Oil

Worcestershire sauce

Balsamic Vinegar

Red pepper flakes

6. Linguine Shrimp Scampi with Lemon Roasted Asparagus

Recipes: 

Linguine Shrimp Scampi

Lemon Roasted Asparagus

Grocery List:

1 lb asparagus

5 lemons

Fresh Italian parsley

Garlic

2 lbs large shrimp

1 ½ lbs Linguine pasta

Parmesan Cheese

Butter

Olive oil

Red pepper flakes

7. Easy Chili 

Recipe:

Easy Chili

Tip: Serve with Fritos chips or tortilla chips and a bagged salad for another easy throw-together meal.

Grocery List:

1 onion

1 green bell pepper

Garlic

2 lbs lean ground beef

Beef broth

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans

Chili powder

Oregano

Cumin 

Coriander

Cayenne pepper

Tortilla chips or Frito chips for serving

Salad kit

Toppings: cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions

8. Make Your Own Pizza Night

Recipe:

Make Your Own Pizza Night

Lay out any toppings you and your kiddos desire – cheese, meats, vegetables, sauces, and you can also experiment with different crust options like English muffins, tortillas, French bread, bagels, or store-bought pizza dough. 

Grocery List: 

Pizza crusts of choice (store-bought dough, pre-made crust, French bread, English muffins, bagels)

Pizza sauce

Cheese 

Meats (pepperoni, Italian sausage, chicken, bacon)

Veggies and other toppings (mushrooms, olives, red onion, spices, etc.)

Even if Dad is on dinner duty, that doesn’t mean cooking has to be a hassle.

These meals are flexible, flavorful, and made for real life, where cleanup matters and nobody wants to spend an hour deciphering a recipe. With a few go-to ingredients, a hot oven or skillet, and a little confidence, you can feed the family well (and maybe even enjoy the process). Keep this recipe collection and grocery lists on hand for dad to take over dinner duty anytime. And remember: a good meal doesn’t have to be complicated—just cooked with a bit of love and care (and maybe some pre-shredded cheese).

Happy cooking, dads!