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21 On-The-Go Dinner Ideas for Busy Families You’ll Love

Families are busy nowadays with football practices, soccer games, and ballet lessons. The last thing parents want to do is feed their family fast food multiple times a week. That’s why you need some on-the-go dinner ideas that your family will enjoy.

Everyone knows that fast food truly isn’t good for your body. I’m not a purist; I grab McDonald’s for my kids and happily get take-out when nights are too busy to think straight. However, eating out isn’t good for your bucket or your waistline.

21 on the go dinner ides for busy families

After all that time in the gym, don’t give up wins for pizza two times a night.

When my kids got old enough to have after-school activities, I began working on developing a balanced family schedule, but I kept running into a stumbling block.

All lessons and practices are RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF DINNER!

What are parents supposed to do?

I can tell you what I did. I gathered some supples like take-out containers and lunch bags, and I started to pack dinner for the family members that needed to leave. If you’re feeling the pinch of your budget straining under eating out too much and your pants getting a bit too tight, here are some of my favorite on-the-go dinner ideas for families.

21 On-The-Go Dinner Ideas for Families

1. Baked Tacos

Do you love taco night but feel like it’s not very friendly for on-the-go dinners? This Baked Taco Recipe can be made with ground beef or shredded chicken. They’re topped with cheese and served with your favorite taco toppings! Your kids will enjoy them; try serving them with some rice on the side.

2. Instant Pot Meatballs from Scratch for Subs

Meatballs are undoubtedly a kid-friendly meal, but who wants to go through the process of making them? These Instant Pot meatballs are made from scratch and used to make sub sandwiches. Try serving fries on the sides. I promise; your kids will love this meal!

3. Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

One of my favorite dinners growing up as a child was when my mom made breakfast for dinner. I have no idea why I loved it so much, but my kids are the same. Breakfast foods for dinner feels like a novelty.

If you need to leave in a hurry, try these homemade english muffins topped with eggs and either bacon, ham or sausage. Perfect for meal prep and busy mornings or evenings.

Breakfast foods aren’t just for the morning!

4. West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

Pizza is a kid favorite, but big slices of pizza aren’t the easiest to stick in a meal container. Instead, try making these West Virginia pepperoni rolls. Pepperoni rolls are the perfect portable food. They’re warm and flaky, stuffed with pepperoni and cheese. Put some pizza sauce in a container for dipping.

5. Sausage & Egg Breakfast Hot Pockets

Here’s another perfect example of a breakfast food that works for dinner as well. I guarantee that your kids will devoir these sausage and egg breakfast hot pockets.

The best thing about this recipes that you can prep them ahead for quick breakfast or dinners. So, if you need to get your kids out of the house fast for school, try these as well.

6. Mason Jar Keto Greek Salad

This simple and delicious Mason Jar Keto Greek Salad is a perfect grab and go meal to stay on track, even on busy days! This easy make-ahead lunch recipe will make sure that you’re getting lots of delicious and healthy vegetables in your diet too!

7. Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

I love Instant Pot meals on a busy day; they’re the perfect for on-the-go dinner ideas. This fettuccine alfredo meal only takes 10 minutes – yes seriously – to make. So, you can cook the meal and put it into containers before heading out the door to soccer practice.

8. Tonkatsu Sandwiches – Japanese Pork Sandwiches

If you’re looking for something dinner to add to your dinner menu, try these tonkatsu sandwiches, a Japanese pork sandwich. The recipe takes only 40 minutes to put together, and since it’s a sandwich, you can easily take this on-the-go dinner with you anywhere.

9. Chicken Fajita Pasta

Instant Pot chicken fajita pass is a comforting and cheesy dump and start recipe. It is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. You put all the ingredients together and cook them; you’ll be surprised how fast it cooks.

9. Stuffed Pepper Casserole

I love stuffed peppers, but it’s one of those meals I rarely make because it takes too much time. This stuffed pepper casserole gives you everything you want in a faster way – flavorful beef, and saucy rice topped with plenty of cheese.

Yum!

10. Instant Pot Risotto

As the weather starts to cool down, you need something warm and hearty for dinner. This creamy and flavorful Instant Pot Risotto recipe is the perfect weekday on-the-go dinner recipe. It’s a fail-proof weeknight dinner that requires no continuous stirring or babysitting the pot.

11. Easy Alabama White Sauce Chicken Sandwiches

Never heard of Alabama white sauce? It’s a delicious, ranch-based white sauce that is a simple and easy. Spoon it onto warm sliders, and you have a dinner everyone loves. You can cook your chicken and place it in a container to pop on some buns when you ready instead of making the sandwiches ahead of time.

12. Baked Rosemary Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

One pan means are my jam. This lemon rosemary chicken is a sheet pan dinner recipe that only takes 20 minutes in the oven. You cook the veggies at the same time on the sheet pan. Talk about an easy yet healthy on-the-go dinner recipe.

13. Ultimate Cheesy Baked Pasta Al Forno

Feeling sick of the traditional pasta meals? You need this baked al forno; it’s cooked pasta in a tangy, tomato cream sauce. Then, you top it with more cheese and crunch bread crumbs.

This will quickly become a new family favorite.

14. Texas Roadhouse Copycat Chili Recipe

Texas Roadhouse is one of my favorite restaurants; their chili recipe is delicious. I found this Texas Roadhouse copycat chili recipe, and it’s delicious. It’s thick, savory with a bit of heat, and it’s easy to serve on the go with some cheese on top and crackers on the side.

15. Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls

Crescent rolls are one of the most versatile things you can buy to cook. Fill them with cheese and pepperoni then bake. Pepperoni roll crescent rolls are always a hit with our kids. I serve sauce on the side for dipping.

16. Crispy Chicken Wrap with Spicy Tomato Salsa

You have to try these delicious wraps made with crispy breaded chicken cutlets, spicy tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, and lettuce. These crispy chicken wraps are delicious homemade fast food that the whole family will enjoy!

17. Meatball Pita Pockets

These 5 ingredient Meatballs Pita Pockets, made with pantry staples, are the perfect on-the-go dinner idea. They fit perfectly into food containers, and you can add sauce or different toppings to make these pita pockets different.

18. Savory Vegetable Muffins

These irresistible savoury vegetable muffins are packed with flavour thanks to Cheddar cheese, sage, garlic, cumin and plenty of vegetables. They’re perfect to make ahead of time or make and toss them into a bag for an on-the-go dinner. If you’re like me, I’m always trying to get my kids to eat more veggies, and these are perfect!

19. Chicken Caesar Wraps

This Chicken Caesar Wrap is made juicy flavorful and tender chicken, crisp lettuce, garlicky croutons, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy homemade Caesar dressing. The perfect quick lunch or dinner that you can serve to your family in just 15 minutes!

20. Sweet Potato Burritos

Burritos have become some sort of a universal language; we love all things burrito in this family. From the classic bean and rice burrito to these amazing sweet potato burritos! I just can’t get enough. Make sure to try these sweet potato burritos and get ready to fall in love!

21. Monte Cristo Sandwich: Bacon & Ham Sandwiches with Berry Dip

I tried my first Monte Cristo sandwich a few years ago and fell in love, so why not try this recipe for dinner instead of breakfast? This Monte Cristo is a quick and satisfying with a melted cheese, bacon, and ham center. With lower sodium, cholesterol, and calories, it’s a much healthier treat!


If you’re feeling run down and can’t figure out how to feed your family while always running around, try a few of these on-the-go dinner ideas. Your kids will love them!

Make sure to grab my FREE Back to School Menu Guide. Planning meals will be a breeze!

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