All of these dinners are easy to make, and easy to pack! When it’s time to go back to school, it comes with all things busy weeks and tons of activities. Then, you won’t be able to spend so much time in the kitchen to prepare healthy dinner for your family. This ultimate list with easy back to school recipes will quickly become your new favorite way to get some inspiration for yummy, easy and simple weeknight meals.
Also read:
- 26 Healthy, Cold, Non-Sandwich Kids School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
- 29 Quick and Easy Back-to-School Breakfast Ideas for Kids & Teachers
Table Of Contents
- Creamy Beef and Shells
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Meatball Parmesan
- The Perfect BLT
- Meatball Pasta Bake
- Summer Rolls
- Vegetarian Italian Chopped Salad
- Korean Soy-Marinated Jammy Eggs
- Chili Garlic Oil Noodles
- Cheesy Sun-dried Tomato Penne Pie
- Hamburger Steak with Creamy Mushroom Gravy
- Taco Spaghetti
- American Goulash Recipe
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
- Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake
- Air Fryer Fish Fingers
- Big Mac Tacos
- Chicken Crescent Rolls
- Ravioli Lasagna Casserole
- Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
Creamy Beef and Shells
Creamy Beef and Shells is a delightful family-friendly dish that combines a rich, cheesy sauce with ground beef and pasta shells. It’s a crowd-pleaser that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick yet tasty meal.
- Cook: 30 mins
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- pasta shells
- olive oil
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- Italian seasoning
- paprika
- mustard powder
- all-purpose flour
- beef stock
- tomato sauce
- heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
- cheddar cheese
Easy Pasta Salad
Is there a more quintessential warm-weather side dish than cold pasta salad? This cool salad keeps well, and it’s the perfect make-ahead lunch that you can pack throughout the week. Just about everyone in your family, from your kids to your mother-in-law, will eat it!
- PREP: 15 mins
- COOK: 8 mins
- SERVES: 6 to 8
Meatball Parmesan
Meatball parmesan is a robust Italian dish perfect over noodles or in a sub sandwich. The flavorful homemade meatballs are drenched in savory sauce, topped with melted cheese, and baked to perfection. This meal combines rich flavors and hearty textures, making it a comforting favorite.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 17
INGREDIENTS
- lean ground beef
- Italian ground pork
- Italian breadcrumbs
- whole milk
- garlic
- Italian seasoning
- onion powder
- dried parsley
- Parmesan cheese
- salt
- pepper
- egg
- pasta sauce
- mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil
The Perfect BLT
A step-by-step guide to making the sandwich of summer, filled with juicy, ripe tomatoes, salty bacon, and crisp lettuce.
- PREP: 5 mins
- COOK: 10 mins
- MAKES 1 sandwich
Meatball Pasta Bake
This easy Meatball Pasta Bake is a convenient one-dish meal that bakes entirely in the oven, including the pasta. Using frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your favorite marinara sauce, it’s a simple yet flavorful dinner option. Perfect for busy nights, it combines hearty ingredients with minimal prep for a delicious, comforting meal.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- ziti pasta
- marinara sauce
- water
- Italian seasoning
- dried basil
- salt
- Italian style meatballs
- fresh mozzarella
- shredded parmesan cheese
Summer Rolls
Summer rolls, also known as fresh spring rolls, are one of my favorite things to order at a restaurant. They are made from rice paper wrappers rolled around fresh crunchy vegetables partnered with cold proteins, fresh herbs, and sometimes noodles.
- MAKES 16 rolls
Vegetarian Italian Chopped Salad
This make-ahead friendly salad is packed with crunchy veggies and tossed in a garlicky oregano vinaigrette. Eat as-is or serve alongside pizza.
- PREP TIME: 25 minutes
- SERVES: 4 to 6
Korean Soy-Marinated Jammy Eggs
These jammy marinated eggs can make even my most lazy meals feel extra-special.
- PREP: 15 mins
- COOK: 6 mins
- MAKES 10
Chili Garlic Oil Noodles
This recipe combines wide noodles with a flavorful sauce that’s spicy and scrumptious.
It is easy to make in less than 10 minutes for a satisfying lunch or dinner. The spicy garlic pasta sauce has umami soy sauce, loads of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper for heat and brown sugar for a hint of sweetness. Serve chili garlic noodles hot or cold.
Cheesy Sun-dried Tomato Penne Pie
A delightful pasta pie that combines penne, sun-dried tomatoes, and Gruyère cheese for a cheesy, comforting Italian-inspired dinner.
- Yields: 4
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
Hamburger Steak with Creamy Mushroom Gravy
Treat your family to this delicious Hamburger Steak with Creamy Mushroom Gravy! The rich, savory gravy paired with juicy hamburger steak creates a satisfying and comforting meal.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
Taco Spaghetti
This irresistible One-Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe fuses the classic flavors of tacos with the convenience and texture of Italian spaghetti noodles for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes!
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Servings: 5
Ingredients
- lean ground beef
- olive oil
- white onion
- garlic
- jalapeño
- tomato paste
- chili powder
- salt
- Mexican oregano
- ground cumin
- Ground black pepper
- Rotel
- spaghetti pasta
- beef broth
- Colby jack cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- Mexican crema
American Goulash Recipe
American Goulash is an easy, one-pot, classic comfort food made with ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles. Enjoy year-round, and delicious leftover, this irresistible Goulash Recipe is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters!
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Servings: 8
Ingredients
- olive oil
- yellow onions
- green bell pepper
- garlic
- salt
- ground black pepper
- ground beef
- Italian seasoning
- Worcestershire sauce
- tomato paste
- tomato sauce
- diced tomatoes
- bay leaves
- low-sodium beef broth
- elbow macaroni – uncooked
- cheddar cheese
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Stuffed Zucchini Boats, a delicious and satisfying low-carb meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with flavor and nutrients, this dish comes together in just five minutes of prep time and cooks in under 30 minutes.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 38 mins
- Servings: 3
INGREDIENTS
- butter
- red onion
- garlic
- chicken breasts
- pasta sauce
- mozzarella
- zucchini
- parmesan cheese
- parsle
- Salt and Pepper
Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs
Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs are so easy to make using a seasoned ground chicken mixture and then simmered in a homemade sweet and savory sauce. Serve over rice for a super simple 30 minute meal.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Servings: 15
INGREDIENTS
MEATBALLS
- ground chicken
- panko
- egg
- green onion
- fresh garlic
- fresh ginger
SAUCE
- soy sauce
- brown sugar
- water
- rice vinegar
- sesame oil
- fresh garlic
- fresh ginger
- cornstarch
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
A flavorful and easy pasta dish, this Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake is the solution to comfort food any night of the week. This recipe comes together quickly, using all your favorite ingredients!
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Servings: 6 – 8
Ingredients
- dry ziti pasta
- salt
- broccoli florets
- Alfredo sauce
- cooked chicken
- shredded mozzarella cheese
Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake
Prepare this Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake in under 10 minutes and then sit back and let the oven do all the hard work. Minimal effort with high returns!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Servings: 5
INGREDIENTS
- Olive Oil
- Chicken Thighs (Bone in, Skin on)
- Chorizo
- Sweet Potato
- Red Onions
- Red Bell Peppers (Capsicum)
- Smoked Paprika
- Dried Oregano
- Lemon
Air Fryer Fish Fingers
Air fryer fish fingers are the ultimate in crispy, golden deliciousness, cooked to perfection right in your air fryer. Who doesn’t love a good fish finger?
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS
- cod fillets
- all-purpose flour
- eggs
- panko breadcrumbs
- seasoned breadcrumbs
- paprika
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- cooking spray
Big Mac Tacos
Although these Big Mac tacos are based on a virtual TikTok trend, they’re here to stay! These small, bite-sized tacos cook up in just a few minutes in a hot pan. Add a slice of cheese, your favorite toppings, and a drizzle of homemade burger sauce to make them taste just like a Big Mac burger with a healthier spin!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Servings: 4 smash burger tacos
For the Smash Burger Tacos
- lean ground beef
- flour tortillas
- Salt and pepper
- American cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Minced white onion
- Dill pickle slices
- Tomato slices (optional)
For the Big Mac Sauce
- unsalted cashews
- water
- tomato sauce
- Dijon mustard
- diced pickles
- pickle juice (from the pickle jar)
- lemon juice
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- paprika
- salt and pepper
Chicken Crescent Rolls
These Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls require only a few simple ingredients and are packed with flavor! Each crescent roll is stuffed with shredded chicken, cheese, and seasonings!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Servings: 8
Ingredients
- chicken
- mozzarella cheese
- cream of chicken soup
- milk
- crescent rolls
- garlic powder
- Oregano
Ravioli Lasagna Casserole
This Ravioli Lasagna recipe is made with layers of frozen cheese ravioli in place of the usual lasagna noodles. It’s a delicious and easy alternative to a traditional lasagna and makes the perfect easy weeknight meal!
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Servings: 8
INGREDIENTS
- ground beef
- garlic
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- spaghetti sauce
- square frozen ravioli
- mozzarella cheese
- chopped parsely
Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole is an easy, cheesy, delicious ground beef skillet dinner loaded with Mexican beefy taco flavor that your whole family will love!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- oil
- onion
- green bell pepper
- garlic
- ground beef
- salt and pepper
- taco seasoning
- red salsa
- tomato paste
- corn
- black beans
- green chilies
- long grain white rice
- beef broth
- shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
