Dads! Men! Kings! Are you ready to get your culinary jig on? As Dads, we know how important it is to spend quality time with our loved ones, especially during special occasions and on those lazy Sundays. That’s why I’ve put together a collection of easy recipes for dad to make.

They are all delicious, and fuss-free recipes that will make you the hero of the kitchen and the favorite chef of the whole family.

From classic comfort foods to innovative creations and Mom’s copycat recipe ideas, these great recipes are carefully done for you to bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces without being award-winning chefs. With simple ingredients and help from www.daddysimply.com, you can create memorable homemade meals that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Whether you’re planning a special day or just looking for a quick and tasty recipe for your weekly meal plan, we’ve got you covered. Have you ever been on the ‘Dad with a Pan’ dad blog?… Check him out.

Easy Dinner Recipes for Dad to Make

Steak Salad

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb steak (sirloin, ribeye, skirt steak or your preferred cut)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Your favorite salad dressing

• Instructions:
  • Preheat the grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
  • Season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Cook the steak to your desired level of doneness (about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare).
  • Remove the steak from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly.
  • In a large bowl, toss the salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
  • Top the salad with the sliced steak and crumbled feta cheese.
  • Drizzle your favorite salad dressing over the top and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Potato Salad

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs potatoes (red or Yukon gold), boiled and diced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the boiled and diced potatoes, diced celery, and diced red onion.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, chopped dill, salt, and pepper.
  • Pour the dressing over the potatoes and vegetables, and gently toss until everything is well coated.
  • Refrigerate the potato salad for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled.

Pasta Salad

• Ingredients:
  • 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, or bowtie work well)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup Italian dressing
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

• Instructions:
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
  • Drizzle the Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
  • Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken Breast

• Ingredients:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides.
  • Rub the seasoning into the chicken to ensure even coverage.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Remove the chicken from the oven, cover with foil, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite side dishes including the sauteed mushrooms on the bottom of the list!

More Easy Recipes for Dad to Make

Garlic Bread

• Ingredients:
  • 1 French baguette or Italian bread loaf
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Cut the bread loaf in half lengthwise.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley (if using), salt, and black pepper.
  • Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on the cut sides of the bread.
  • Place the bread halves back together and wrap them in aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the bread is warm and the butter is melted.
  • Remove from the oven, unwrap the bread, and slice it into serving pieces. Serve warm.

Simple Honey Chicken Recipe

• Ingredients:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

• Instructions:
  • In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them.
  • Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for more flavor).
  • Preheat the grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
  • Cook the chicken on the grill or pan for about 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired. Serve with rice or your favorite dishes.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pre-made pizza dough or pizza crust
  • 1/2 cup Barbecue sauce
  • 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to the temperature recommended on the pizza dough or crust package.
  • Roll out the pizza dough or place the pre-made crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
  • Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the pizza dough or crust.
  • Sprinkle the shredded chicken, shredded mozzarella, and thinly sliced red onion on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven following the package instructions or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro. Slice and serve hot.

Sloppy Joe

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hamburger buns

• Instructions:
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and crumbled.
  • Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and sauté until they are softened.
  • Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper.
  • Simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
  • Toast the hamburger buns if desired, then spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns.
  • Place the top halves of the buns on top, and serve the sloppy joes warm.

Yummy Easy Recipes for Dad to Make

Juicy Pork Chops

• Ingredients:
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Season the pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the skillet, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Place the seasoned pork chops in the skillet and sear them for about 3 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
  • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and cook the pork chops for an additional 10-15 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  • Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pork chops rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the juicy and flavorful pork chops!
  • ++Tip my mom used to top the oven grilled chops with Heinz Ketchup. Yes..WTF..? but they were yummy. Could be something to try out next time. Or I should include this one in my next ‘easy recipes for dad to make” article.

Apple Hand Pies

• Ingredients:
  • 1 package pre-made refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
  • 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar (or granulated sugar) for sprinkling

• Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl, mix together the diced apples, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch until the apples are coated.
  • Roll out the pre-made pie crusts on a floured surface and use a cookie cutter or a small bowl to cut out circles (about 5-6 inches in diameter).
  • Place a spoonful of the apple filling onto the center of each pie crust circle.
  • Fold the circle in half to form a half-moon shape and press the edges together with a fork to seal the pies.
  • Brush the tops of the hand pies with the beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for a crunchy finish.
  • Place the hand pies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.
  • Let the hand pies cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the delicious apple hand pies as a sweet treat!
  • This is the least simple from the ‘easy recipes for dad to make’ list but it’s worth the try on a Sunday or when time allows it.

Impress the Kids with…

More Easy Recipes for Dad to Make

Easy Butter Chicken

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream (for a dairy-free option)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked rice or naan bread for serving

• Instructions:
  • In a bowl, marinate the chicken pieces in yogurt, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes or up to an hour for more flavor.
  • In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter and vegetable oil over medium heat.
  • Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and chili powder to the pan. Cook the spices for about 1 minute to release their flavors.
  • Add the marinated chicken to the pan and cook until it is browned on all sides.
  • Pour in the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
  • Stir in the heavy cream or coconut cream, and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve the butter chicken over cooked rice or with naan bread.

Super Easy Asian Noodles

My favorite from the list of ‘easy recipes for dad to make.’

• Ingredients:
  • 8 oz Asian noodles (such as ramen, udon, or soba)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sliced carrots
  • 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
  • 1/2 cup sliced snow peas
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

• Instructions:
  • Cook the Asian noodles according to package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce.
  • Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add the minced garlic to the pan and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the sliced carrots, bell peppers, and snow peas to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables until they are tender-crisp.
  • Add the cooked noodles to the pan, followed by the sauce mixture. Toss everything together until the noodles are coated in the sauce and heated through.
  • Stir in the sliced green onions.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro if desired. Serve the delicious Asian noodles hot.

Sauteed Mushrooms

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb mushrooms (button or cremini), cleaned and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pour a drop of Red Wine if you have some
  • Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

• Instructions:
  • Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and sauté them until they release their moisture and become tender.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and chopped fresh thyme. Continue to cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant.
  • Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve the sautéed mushrooms as a delicious side dish.

Pasta! Super Easy Recipe

• Ingredients:
  • 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne, spaghetti, or fettuccine work well)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of spice)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced black olives. Cook the tomatoes for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to combine.
  • Stir in the chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve the super easy pasta recipe with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.

Which One will you try?

So, dear Dads, get ready to use these easy recipe ideas to prepare a delicious dish for your family with little effort and a whole lot of love. With these simple recipes at your fingertips, you can make any day a special occasion and create unforgettable moments around the dining table. These easy recipes for Dad to Make are a great way to bond with your family and show them how much you care through the magic of good food.

Cheers to the joy of cooking and making memories together!

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