Thank goodness for family dinners. It's our chance at the end of the day to laugh and share ... and here are a week's worth of main-dish recipes, each calling for seven ingredients or less.

Menu 1

• Bow Ties with Sausage and Sweet Peppers
• Ready-to-eat salad greens tossed with ripe olives and marinated artichoke hearts (try the marinade as the salad dressing)
• Focaccia (an Italian flatbread) or crusty rolls from the bakery

Bow Ties with Sausage and Sweet Peppers
Gather any late-season sweet peppers from your garden or the farmer's market for this spicy dish
" View this recipe

Menu 2

• Sauteed Sirloin and Mushrooms
• Au gratin potatoes
• Fresh tomato slices sprinkled with balsamic vinegar
• Ready-to-heat garlic bread

Sauteed Sirloin and Mushrooms
Bottled hoisin sauce, traditionally an oriental condiment, gives the mushroom glaze a subtle, sweet-and-tangy flavor. Look for hoisin sauce with the oriental products in your grocery store or in an oriental market.
" View this recipe

Menu 3

• Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Breasts
• Wild rice pilaf mix (add a pinch of dried Italian seasoning to the cooking liquid)
• Cooked sliced carrots tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, and snipped chives

Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Full of cheese, roasted peppers, and sage, these rolled chicken breasts are a tasty choice when making dinner for two. If you like, serve four by doubling the recipe and using a 10-inch skillet.
" View this recipe