"As you spend more time at home and way more time in the kitchen than ever before, you may be getting a little tired of your go-to recipes. Even if you’re trying to cut back on takeout, you can still bring a fun vibe to your dinner table.
Take your standard dinner gathering and turn it into a fun family event by adding theme nights to your cooking plan. Get your kids involved by brainstorming their favorite elements for the theme; they can create decorations and can even write out and color their own menus.
Here are seven theme night ideas—plus recipes to inspire you—to bring a little excitement to your dinner table.
1. Meatless Monday
Start each week with a vegetarian or vegan meal. Get creative, and you won’t even miss meat in your meal.
Recipes to Try
Loaded Vegan Nachos
Source: Lauren Carisa Cooks
Easy Jackfruit Tostadas
Source: Emilie Eats
Cauliflower Gnocchi With Crispy Zucchini and Whipped Goat Cheese
Source: Half Baked Harvest
Quinoa Fiesta Enchilada Bake
Source: Skinnytaste
2. Taco Tuesday
Whether it’s a Tuesday or any other night of the week, tacos are a great choice. Expand the meal with homemade guacamole and salsas to create a true fiesta.
Recipes to Try
Crock Pot Chicken Salsa Tacos
Source: Fit Foodie Finds
Vegetarian Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos
Source: The Toasted Pine Nut
Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Seasoning
Source: Our Salty Kitchen
The Best Chicken Tinga Tacos
Source: Pinch of Yum
3. Homemade Pizza Night
No one will say no to pizza night! To please even the picky eaters in your family, gather a variety of toppings and let everyone put together their own masterpieces.
Recipes to Try
Caprese Flatbread
Source: Midwest Foodie Blog
Chicken Peach Ricotta Pizza With Arugula and Balsamic Glaze
Source: Recipe Runner
Homemade Garlic Knots
Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction
4. Breakfast for Dinner
If breakfast is a rushed and sleepy event in your house, bookmark recipes that might be a bit ambitious to tackle at 7am but are perfect for breakfast for dinner. Go for sweet, savory, or a mix of both.
Recipes to Try
Homemade Biscuits
Source: Kristine’s Kitchen Blog
Easy Blender Pancakes
Source: Two Peas and Their Pod
French Toast Casserole
Source: Show Me The Yummy
Whole Grain Sourdough Waffles
Source: Lively Table
Dairy-Free Spinach Quiche
Source: Eating Birdfood
5. Outside Dinners
Take advantage of warm weather and bring your cooking and dining outside.
Recipes to Try
Burgers With Guacamole
Source: Jo Cooks
Grilled Halloumi Kebabs With Mint Yogurt Sauce
Source: Making Thyme for Health
Grilled Butternut Squash in a Foil Packet
Source: Bless This Mess
Black Bean Burgers
Source: Simple Vegan Blog
Grilled Pineapple Barbecue Chicken
Source: Slender Kitchen
7. Pasta Party
Go beyond your standard spaghetti and meatballs and try out new pasta dishes at home.
Recipes to Try
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Source: Damn Delicious
Air Fryer Meatballs
Source: Plated Cravings
Butternut Squash, Black Bean, and Chicken Pasta Bake
Source: Port and Fin
Crockpot Lasagna
Source: Eazy Peazy Mealz
