20+ Easy Back to School Dinner Ideas
Some would say that September brings a clean slate to the routine more than New Years. After a laid back summer, the start of a new school year makes life a little more structured… yet chaotic. Between after school activities and sports, homework, and trying to get the kids in bed earlier for early wake ups, the evenings are full of priorities and it’s easy to let meal planned dinners go out the window.
If you’re looking for some new and easy ideas to quickly throw together in the afternoon (or even in the morning to sit in the crockpot all day), I’ve gathered some recipes for you (and me) to try!
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One-pot dinners:
Lighter Buffalo Chicken and Rice Skillet - made with ground chicken, this easy is quick to whip up on a busy night!
The BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper - like hamburger helper from the box but without the box and with ingredients you probably already have! Plus it’s ready within 30 minutes!
Easy Healthy One Pan Mongolian Beef - this stir fry dish uses shaved beef so it quicks super quickly!
Chipotle Lime Shrimp Bowls - the longest part of this recipe is marinating the shrimp while you prep the rest of the ingredients. Use a microwaved bag of rice and you don’t even need freshly cooked rice.
Crockpot dinners:
Chicken French Dip - the only “cooking” you have to do is the onions and then everything gets tossed into the crockpot for 7-8 hours. When it comes to assembling, you just have to make the sandwiches and bake for 10 minutes!
Mongolian Beef - different than the above recipe, this is the easiest way I’ve ever seen to make Mongolian Beef (think PF Changs!) and I’m adding it to our menu to happen this fall!
Crockpot Lasagna - includes only 6 ingredients and you don’t have to pre-cook the lasagna noodles!
Tomato Tortellini Soup - I have included this recipe in at least one other recipe roundup because its just THAT good! Definitely add it to your list this fall!
Instant Pot dinners:
Easy Taco Soup - cooks for 8 minutes after the meat and onions are cooked in the Instant Pot’s insert!
Goulash - with a prep time of 8 minutes and a cook time of 4 minutes, this one is a pasta-based must.
Easy Chili Mac - you had me at “chili” and “mac”. ‘nuff said.
Apple Butter Pork Chops - you’ll want to make extras for leftovers of this one.
Chicken Potpie Casserole - casseroles are my love language and I love how quick this one can be whipped up in the instant pot!
Instant Pot Braised Beef - a versatile recipe that can be used for everything from rice bowls and tacos to enchiladas!
Sheet pan dinners:
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas - this one is a repeat recipe in my house, and one that is Whole30 if you’re on that journey. If you’re not on Whole30, add some cheese or sour cream to the fajitas and you’ve got your next favorite easy dinner!
Sheet Pan Pancakes - breakfast for dinner is a hit for all of us and not standing over the griddle flipping pancakes for the entire family means more time for wrapping up homework or more time for before-bedtime stories.
Sheet Pan Turkey Meatloaf and Broccoli - no pre-cooking cooking required! Just mix, portion, shape, and cook!
Parmesan Crusted Steak and Potatoes - * notes recommendation on adding more parmesan *
Other delicious options that require very little prep:
Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders - throw your favorite frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer while you’re assembling the rest of the dinner and BOOM! they’ll be ready to go by the time the sandwiches are ready to be assembled.
Tater Tot Casserole - tater tots belong in every casserole… or meal, whichever. This is a hearty meal that will keep your belly full and happy!
Meal Delivery services:
Home Chef and Blue Apron are both services I’ve used and enjoyed. They are perfect if you want to cut out time spent shopping at the grocery store. These are a one-stop, front-porch delivery service that brings plenty of options right to your door. Both services have different types of cuisines and number of servings/meals per week and you can customize each week’s menu!
Also available are gift cards that make the perfect gift for a family member or friend!
Home Chef gift cards available here.
Blue Apron meal OR wine gift certificates available here.
