9 Father's Day dinners that will satisfy Dad's heart (and stomach)
The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (as the saying goes), and one thing is certain – every Dad appreciates a delicious meal made with love by his family. Celebrating Father's Day doesn’t mean you have to spend big. Sometimes, spending time with Dad and enjoying a tasty dinner is the best way to express just how much he means to you.
We’ve searched online to find our top 9 dinner ideas that are guaranteed to warm your Dad’s heart and fill his stomach with deliciousness. These ideas vary from quick and easy meal preparation to recipes that demand a bit more effort - so there is something for everyone, regardless of skill level. Let's get cooking!
1. Classic Burger
With its universal appeal, it’s hard to beat the classic burger. No matter what you add between those buns, it all starts with a juicy patty. According to A Spicy Perspective, the perfect hamburger patty recipe is easy, all-purpose and can be cooked thick or thin. With a rating of 4.96 stars out of 5, this is one to check out.
2. BLT Hot Dogs
Another all-time favourite is the Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich. However, this recipe has a unique twist because it features a hotdog as well as the standard BLT ingredients. This is a dish the kids can help out with - not only is it quick, easy, and tasty, but it’s also a guaranteed way for the kids to show their gratitude to Dad. Check out the 5-star recipe here.
3. Air Fryer Pork Chops
Here's another simple recipe that will fill Dad’s stomach with joy and tasty food. And because the pork chops are cooked in an air fryer, they're a healthier option for dinner. Recipe Teacher claims to have the best recipe out there, and he may well be right. All it takes is just 12 minutes of cooking and you’ll have a tender pork chop with a lovely crispy char on the outside. That yummy layer of char comes from the simple seasoning rub that is generously applied before cooking.
Serve those delicious chops with steamed veggies or a green salad - and don’t forget the apple sauce!
4. Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
With more than 300 5-star reviews, this cheesy spinach-stuffed chicken recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen is a winner. This dish features tender chicken breasts filled with freshly chopped spinach and a blend of three cheeses (mozzarella, cream cheese and parmesan). The cooking process involves searing the chicken on the cooktop before finishing it off in the oven.
This is one dish that has plenty of attraction at first flavour.
5. Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings
It doesn’t matter what part of Australia you live in; most Dads love to get outside and cook. And why not – quite apart from whipping up some delicious food, it’s also an excellent way to spend some quality time with the family.
A great dish for cooking on the BBQ – and some would say, the ultimate party food - is grilled chicken wings. There are plenty of recipes online, but we think this one from Simply Homecooked is a real winner. Marinated with a fuss-free, four-ingredient barbeque sauce, each wing is sweet and smokey, and the cooked result is juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside. What a perfect appetiser to enjoy over a glass of wine or a cold beer.
6. Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken
Amongst all the recipes we have on our list, this is one of the most flavoursome meals you can cook for Dad. There is a little meal prep involved, but it’s mainly for the marinade, which features spicy chilli paste, brown sugar and coconut milk (to balance out the heat), and lots of fresh ginger and lime juice. Here’s the recipe from bon appetit, and it’s the perfect dish to serve with some perfectly cooked coconut rice.
7. Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon
If your Dad is a seafood lover, this is one dish that's sure to tantalise his tastebuds. This flaky baked salmon from The Mediterranean Dish takes very little prep and cooks in under 20 minutes. What’s not to love about that? The salmon is cooked in tinfoil so it’s pretty much a no-mess dish, and this is one fancy dinner that is a breeze to cook.
8. Chilli Prawn Linguini
Here’s another meal for seafood-loving Dads. Chilli prawns are a classic, and when they are combined with linguine that’s been cooked al dente, it’s a complete meal that Dad will love to tuck into.
Luscious raw prawns are cooked with garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes and tossed with linguine and sugar snap peas, It’s fresh, fast and delicious, so make sure you check out the recipe from Good Food.
9. Air Fryer Lamb Racks
We Aussies love our lamb, and with an air fryer on hand, you’re only 25 minutes away from having a delicious roast on the table. We think this recipe from Love Food Not Cooking is a standout because you’ll get perfectly cooked lamb, time after time. It features a super-simple but timeless seasoning of rosemary and thyme. Just mix the herbs with some olive oil, salt and pepper, press all over the lamb rack and pop it into a preheated air fryer. Simple and delicious.
Celebrate with Dad this Father’s Day
Fathers’ Day is always best celebrated together with the family, especially when Dad has a tasty home-cooked meal to look forward to, But if you need some extra cash to help make this year’s celebration even more special, we’re here to help. Just take a look at our cash loans up to $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours - so you can make sure Dad has the best Father’s Day ever!