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60 Easy Back to School Dinner Ideas
Back to school season is here, which means we need some easy back to school dinner ideas. We know how chaotic it can get for families with packed schedules (I’m right in the thick of it with you).
Between juggling school, work, extracurricular activities, and homework, finding time to cook dinner can feel like an impossible task. But fear not, because we’ve got you covered with a collection of 30 minute or less back-to-school meal ideas.
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What makes a good Back to School Dinner recipe?
When it comes to back-to-school meal ideas, simplicity is the key!
Look for recipes that are quick to make and require minimal prep time (30 minutes or less, unless they use a slow cooker). One-pot wonders and sheet pan meals are lifesavers – they save you from doing a ton of dishes!
Opt for ingredients you already have in your pantry or can easily grab from the store.
Don’t forget to use any leftovers. If you made pumpkin muffins and have canned pumpkin leftover, try this Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo (20 Minute Recipe).
Think hearty and nutritious meals that keep you full after dinner and fueled for any extracurriculars you may have.
Oh and don’t forget to add some fun – kids of all ages love colorful and creative dishes! Or enjoying their favorites: quesadillas, grilled cheese, etc. Another great idea is this loaded sloppy joe fries recipe.
Remember, a good back-to-school meal idea is all about making your life easier while keeping those tummies happy.
School Night Dinner Supplies
For quick meals, having the right supplies can make all the difference! Here are some essential supplies that will help you whip up delicious dishes in no time:
Kitchen Gadgets
Skillet
Sheet Pan
Slow COOKER
INSTANT POT
CONTAINERS
- Non-stick skillet or frying pan: Perfect for sautéing veggies, making omelets, or cooking up stir-fries without sticking. We personally love our cast irons.
- Sheet pan: Great for sheet pan meals, roasting veggies, and baking proteins with minimal cleanup.
- Parchment Paper: Line your pans with this for simple clean up.
- Instant Pot or pressure cooker: Cooks meals in a fraction of the time, ideal for soups, stews, and tenderizing meats.
- Sharp knives: A must-have for quick and precise chopping, slicing, and dicing.
- Cutting board: Protects your countertops and makes meal prep a breeze.
- Prep containers: Store your leftovers or use these for your pre-made sides.
School Night Meal Must Have Ingredients
- Pre-cut and frozen vegetables: Saves time and ensures you always have veggies on hand. You can either wash and chop your veggies when you get home from the store or buy them that way.
- Canned beans and legumes: Convenient and budget-friendly protein source for salads, wraps, and quick pasta dishes.
- Cooked grains: Pre-cooked rice, quinoa, or pasta can be a lifesaver for speedy meals.
- Sauces and condiments: Keep a variety of sauces and dressings to add flavor without much effort.
- Canned tuna or salmon: Instant protein boost for salads or sandwiches.
- Eggs: Versatile and quick to cook, whether scrambled, boiled, or in an omelet. Breakfast for dinner is always a favorite.
- Pre-packaged salad greens: Ready-to-go salads for a quick and healthy side.
- Herbs and spices: Elevate the flavors of your dishes without adding extra time.
- Garlic and ginger paste: Convenient and saves time on mincing fresh garlic and ginger.
Having these foods on hand will make it easy to throw together a delicious and satisfying meal, even on the busiest days!
15 Minute or Less School Night Dinner Ideas
Need a 15-minute meal idea? These fast dinner ideas are perfect for those busy days when time is tight, but you still want to treat yourself to a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Coconut Lime Chicken Skewers
Get a taste of the tropics with these grilled coconut lime chicken skewers! Tender chicken marinated in a flavorful coconut lime sauce and grilled to perfection. Serve with your favorite side dishes for a delicious and easy summer meal. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, and outdoor gatherings.
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Honey Ginger Pork Bites
You'll love this quick and easy honey ginger pork bites recipe. Crispy yet tender pork chops glazed in a sweet and spicy honey ginger sauce. Best yet – it only takes 15 minutes to make!
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Teriyaki Beef and Noodles
Enjoy a delicious homemade teriyaki beef and noodle stir fry, ready in just 15 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
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Turkey Club Wrap
Deli turkey, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, and Homemade Ranch make this Club Turkey Wraps a hit for school and office lunches.
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Easy Rotisserie Chicken Tacos Perfect for Meal Prep | Randa Nutrition
These quick and easy rotisserie chicken tacos are the perfect way to use up chicken leftovers or serve up a simple meal prep for the week!
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Cast Iron Stuffed Crust Pizza – Coach Chef Kim
Here is an easy-to-make snack dish that you can try, especially if you are a pizza fanatic. This is stuffed crust cast iron pizza.
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Rice and Bean Tostadas ~ This Wife Cooks
Layers of Tex-Mex toppings on crisp tortilla shells. Kids and adults love this easy and simple handheld dinner!
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Air Fryer Kielbasa (Polish Sausage)
If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, Air Fryer Kielbasa with potatoes and peppers is the answer! From start to finish, it’s ready in less than 15 minutes using only 4 ingredients.
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Drunken Salmon in 15 Minutes Recipe – Simply Stacie
Drunken Salmon is quick, easy and ready to eat in about 15 minutes! Salmon fillets are cooked on the stovetop in a savory beer sauce.
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15-MInute Pesto with Tortellini and Chicken | Carrots & Cookies
This easy and absolutely delicious pesto tortellini meal will be your new ‘go to’ for busy weeknights that your kids will be raving about!
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Mexican Fiestada Pizza Recipe – Healthy Kids Recipes
This easy Mexican fiestada pizza recipe is like tacos and pizza combined! An easy weeknight meal than can be made in less than 30 minutes.
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5 Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
5-ingredient Instant Pot mac and cheese is an easy mac and cheese recipe that’s made with 5 ingredients and takes 20 minutes to make.
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Chicken Hummus Naan Wraps
An easy chicken wrap recipe you can throw together in just 15 minutes for a quick & healthy dinner or lunch. Featuring simple ingredients like shredded chicken, hummus, chopped fresh veggies, a homemade red wine vinaigrette, and crumbled cheese all piled onto a piece of soft & chewy naan bread (Indi…
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Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên)
This Vietnamese fried rice, or cơm chiên, is my absolute favorite! It’s quicker than waiting for takeout and completely customizable with any of your favorite add-ins. It is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be
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Baked Chicken Tacos
These baked chicken tacos are an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will LOVE! It has a saucy chicken filling and cheesy topping!
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30-Minute or Less Back to School Dinner Ideas
We’ve handpicked a variety of mouthwatering recipes that are not only quick to prepare but are tried and tested.
Say goodbye to dinnertime stress and hello to more quality moments with your loved ones.
Whether you’re craving comforting pasta, sizzling stir-fries, or cheesy casseroles, these back to school dinner ideas and recipes will surely delight your taste buds without being stuck in the kitchen.
Some of our 30-minute meal favorites:
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Baked Bruschetta Salmon
- Quick Thai Curry Chicken Recipe
- Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
Spicy Vodka Pasta with Chicken
Upgrade your pasta game with Gigi Hadid's spicy vodka pasta recipe, with added chicken and broccoli. This easy-to-make dish features al dente pasta in a creamy tomato sauce infused with garlic, red pepper flakes, and vodka.
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Air Fryer Pineapple Chicken
Skip the takeout and enjoy an easy and delicious stir fry made in your air fryer! Tender chicken, pineapple chunks and red peppers are tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce and served over rice.
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe is freaking delicious. The cajun-spiced chicken, creamy cajun tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese blend perfectly with the smoked paprika and lime juice for a zesty kick. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's the perfect recipe to satisfy your hunger.
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Honey Buffalo Chicken
You won't believe the dinner magic you can whip up in just 30 minutes with these oven-baked Honey Buffalo Chicken bites – a sweet, spicy, and caramelized delight that'll have the whole family asking for seconds. Just add a side of vibrant broccoli and peppers, and you've got a wholesome, flavorful feast that turns an ordinary evening into something special.
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Taco Tortellini Skillet Recipe with Ground Beef
Jazz up your dinner routine with this quick and easy Taco Tortellini Skillet recipe. Made with ground beef, this meal is ready in 20 minutes and only has 4 steps cooking a hearty family meal has never been this effortless!
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Greek Spaghetti
This quick and easy Greek spaghetti recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Made with grape tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese, and flavorful herbs, you'll have a fresh and flavorful dinner on the table in no time.
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Penne Pomodoro
In this Penne Pomodoro, al dente penne pasta is coated in a homemade tomato and basil sauce for a quick and easy meal everyone will love.
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California Chicken Salad
This California Chicken Salad features a creamy Greek yogurt dressing and grapes, cashews, and celery that add great texture and flavor.
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Homemade Hamburger Helper
Get ready for the best one-pot weeknight pasta dish! This cheesy, creamy, and easy recipe is ready in 30 minutes, tastes better than the box, and will be your new go-to weeknight meal.
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Chicken Shawarma Wraps
These chicken shawarma wraps are super quick, super easy and PACKED with gorgeous Middle Eastern flavours. Juicy, charred chicken thighs are piled onto soft flatbreads with lots of crunchy veggies and delicious sauces for a wonderful weeknight winner.
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Roasted Gnocchi With Veggies and Sausage – Love from the Table
Roasted gnocchi with veggies and sausage is a simple and delicious sheet pan meal that is perfect for the busy weeknights. With only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep, this easy meal will be on the table in no time!
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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe #paleo
This Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is loaded with nutrition and has all the flavor of Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, but comes together in just 30 minutes and has much fewer carbs!
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The Ultimate Turmeric Black Pepper Chicken – Bless This Meal
Easy turmeric black pepper chicken with juicy tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and a rich black pepper sauce. Make this easy restaurant inspired dinner in just 30 minutes. It’s incredibly sticky, crispy, sweet, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Texas Toast Sloppy Joes
Texas toast Sloppy Joes is an easy weeknight recipe made with garlic Texas toast and traditional sloppy Joe mixture.
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Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli – The Short Order Cook
This 30-minute recipe for sheet pan buffalo chicken & broccoli is dinner lifesaver. The sweet & spicy sauce on crispy nuggets is the best.
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Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs
These Mediterranean chicken meatballs are a great 30 minute meal that is packed with flavor. Paired with couscous, rice, or hummus for a healthy and delicious weeknight meal. Great for meal prep!
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Sausage and Peppers
Sausage and Peppers is a quick, easy meal that is full of flavor! Can be served over pasta and rice or in a hoagie bun with cheese on top.
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Cajun Chicken And Rice
You’ll just LOVE this flavour packed Cajun chicken and rice recipe. You can have our spicy chicken rice recipe on the table ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.
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Ground Beef Burrito Skillet
Ground beef burrito skillet has all of the flavors of a ground beef burrito in an easy, one-skillet dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
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Taco Casserole Recipe
Taco Casserole – A fun twist on Taco Tuesday! This easy casserole has all the ingredients we love about tacos, baked together in one convenient baking dish – quick to make and quick to clean up!
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Instant Pot Meatballs with Marinara (Best Recipe Ever) | Randa Nutrition
This is THE BEST recipe for Instant Pot meatballs in a homemade marinara sauce that’s quick and easy. Cook this healthy comfort food in no time flat.
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Ground Beef Sliders
For a snack they’ll want to stack, whip up these Ground Beef Sliders for your next game day party! You’ll just need 30 minutes and some simple ingredients. It’s Party Time! Nothing says “party” like a good appetizer. Inspired by sloppy joes, these Ground Beef Sliders with Garlic Aioli are the perfec…
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Addictive Garlic Noodles Recipe
This umami-packed recipe for garlic noodles is super quick and incredibly tasty. Definitely a recipe you’ll want in your regular rotation!
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Salmon Tacos with Slaw – Fit Mama Real Food
Taco Tuesday just got really special with these salmon tacos with slaw. These chili and coconut aminos salmon tacos add a fresh flavor.
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Sausage Gnocchi with Creamy Tomato Sauce & Spinach – Bites with Bri
This one pan Sausage Gnocchi with Creamy Tomato Sauce & Spinach is about to become your new favorite lazy weeknight meal. It is so simple, but loaded with flavor. Plus it takes less than 30 minutes to make!
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Korean Spicy Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) | Mikha Eats
Convert hardcore carnivores with this cheap and healthy Korean Spicy Braised Tofu recipe that’s so good – they’ll forget about the meat!
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Honey Butter Chicken (30-Minute Recipe!)
This easy and simple honey butter chicken is crispy, sweet, juicy, and tender, and comes together in 30 minutes!
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One-Pot White Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese
This Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe is the best! Perfectly creamy, it comes together in ONE pan for a great weeknight dinner option.
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Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice
Instant Pot pork chops and rice is a 30-minute, one-pot meal the whole family will love! So easy to make with just a few ingredients. Get the full recipe at UrbanBlissLife.com.
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Caprese Pasta
This Caprese pasta uses ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil to create a tasty pasta dish based on the delicious flavors of a Caprese salad. This 30-minute recipe is served warm for an easy, comforting meal.
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Skillet Ranch Chicken Fajitas
Ranch Chicken Fajitas are made in one skillet pan on the stove top! Chunks of seasoned chicken, onion, and bell pepper with ranch.
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Creamy Spinach Pasta (Vegan Option) | Gluten Free Stories
This Creamy Spinach Pasta is rich, satisfying, savory, comforting, very simple to make, tummy-friendly, and just so delicious!
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Instant Pot Ramen Stir Fry with Chicken and Broccoli
We love this Instant Pot Ramen Stir Fry with Chicken and Broccoli because it is full of flavor and healthy ingredients that are both filling and nutritious.
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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp | The EASIEST 7-Minute Coconut Shrimp Recipe you’ll ever make!
Looking for an easy coconut shrimp recipe? This simple, healthier air fryer coconut shrimp comes together in just 7 minutes in the air fryer!
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Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe (20 minutes!)
This easy cashew chicken is definitely better than take-out and ready in just 20 minutes. Make the best stir-fry chicken with roasted cashews, onion, red peppers, all coated in a sticky soy sauce. I’ve shared my easy Easy Keto Teriyaki Chicken and Keto Orange Chicken recipes, and ever since, you’ve…
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Honey Teriyaki Chicken {So Easy}
Honey Teriyaki Chicken! Chicken breast is cooked until tender in a simple, homemade teriyaki sauce made with honey.
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Cheeseburger Quesadillas
Cheeseburger Quesadilla – a 30-minute meal merging burger flavor with quesadilla crunch. Seasoned beef, cheese, pickles, and special sauce between two buttered tortillas.
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Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
5 Ingredients and less then 30 minutes to make this Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is a recipe that you will love just as much as the kids do.
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Neapolitan Layered Pasta Bake
Want a quick and easy supper recipe? This Neapolitan Layered Pasta Bake fits the bill and is delicious to boot! Vegetarian or meat-added variations.
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Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers (Healthy and Easy) | Randa Nutrition
This recipe for ground chicken stuffed peppers is an easy and healthy dinner idea made with simple ingredients. Perfect for meal-prep!
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Apricot Glazed Chicken
apricot glazed chicken is a quick and easy meal ready in under 20 minutes. Only five ingredients and it’s gluten free and paleo friendly.
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Dairy-Free One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
Dairy-Free One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that can be made in 30 minutes. Get the full recipe at UrbanBlissLife.com.
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Easy Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls With Cream Cheese Recipe
This easy chicken stuffed crescent rolls with cream cheese recipe is the perfect quick casserole dinner your family will love.
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Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
This Creamy Chicken Enchilada soup is warm, slightly spicy, and so comforting. It’s packed with veggies and chicken in a creamy tomato broth.
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Back to School Casserole – The Cookin Chicks
This Back to School Casserole is quick to prepare, packed with flavor, and family approved! Everyone in my family raves about this dish!
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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
This Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is creamy, comforting, takes only 20 min to make, and is made with simple and easily accessible ingredients.
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Loaded Veggie Nachos
Making loaded veggie nachos has never been easier! Layers of chips, melty cheeses, and the best toppings come together to make the perfect side dish or
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