38 Back to School Dinners that are Quick and Easy

It’s always handy to have some delicious recipes up your sleeve for those hectic school nights. Nobody wants to deal with complex meals when the kids are back in school, which is what makes these back to school dinners so great. They’re all easy to make, kid friendly, and many can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. Sure, the occasional restaurant or takeout meal is nice, but these simple dinners are a lifesaver for busy parents!

General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

General Tso shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish which you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. It offers sweet, tangy and savoury flavours, along with a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: Easy General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Many easy garlic tomato shrimp scampi recipes call for wine, but do you really need to add it? Is there a wine substitute you can add to this seafood pasta dinner recipe instead? The following recipe proves you don’t need to add wine for a delicious shrimp and tomato dish served with pappardelle pasta.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Kale Skillet

Turkey is paired with sweet potatoes, garlic, shallot, lime, cheese, and more, for this super-simple turkey skillet dinner. You only need one pan to make it, which makes it perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Kale Skillet

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Looking for a hassle-free dinner recipe that requires minimal prep? Try this delicious BBQ chicken flatbread that bakes in the oven for a crispy crust and melty toppings! With a pre-made flatbread base and simple BBQ chicken toppings, this recipe is both easy and satisfying, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Pizza Sliders

Everyone will rave about these incredibly delicious pizza sliders. They’re everything you love about sliders and pizza. Great comfort food!
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Easy Pink Pasta

This pink pasta sauce isn’t just easy to make with alfredo sauce and tomatoes. It’s delicious and turns your spaghetti a shade of pink!
Get the Recipe: Easy Pink Pasta

Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl

This Chili’s copycat chipotle chicken fresh Mex bowl is bursting with amazing Tex-Mex flavors like Mexican rice, chicken, spices, beans, avocado, and more. It’s the perfect dinner option for fans of burritos or rice bowls looking for something easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl

Meatball Marinara Subs

Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs – a satisfying comfort food that’s perfect for lunch or busy weeknights. These sandwiches are far tastier than the fast-food version and are sure to please anyone, regardless of their Italian heritage.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs

Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets

Unsloppy joes biscuit pockets are a delicious take on classic sloppy joes. Basically, these are not so sloppy sloppy joes for when you want all the flavour without the mess! These manwich sandwiches are easy to make with Pillsbury biscuit dough and ground beef in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets

Salt & Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Rather than ordering salt and pepper pork chop bites from the local Chinese takeout, why not make your own gluten free pork chop recipe instead? The Asian salt and pepper seasoning adds so much flavour and you can make this dish as spicy as you dare!
Get the Recipe: Salt & Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Hot Italian Sliders

Looking for a game day appetizer, simple funeral sandwiches or backyard picnic party ideas? If so, these easy baked Italian sliders might be ideal. The mini Italian sandwiches boast meats and cheeses, a zesty mayo and sweet Hawaiian rolls.
Get the Recipe: Hot Italian Sliders

Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Grab some steaks and Asian seasonings, along with some fresh vegetables, and you can rustle up authentic beef yaki udon in less than 30 minutes. It’s an easy udon recipe which is sweet, aromatic and utterly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Instant Pot BBQ chicken French bread pizza is a super-easy 20 minute meal which I just know you’re going to love. Barbeque French bread pizza offers a change of pace from traditional pizza recipes and combines the deliciousness of baguette bread with some wonderful toppings.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Swedish Meatballs

Try making these delicious copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs at home and enjoy the same great taste as the ones you find in the store.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Gochujang chicken is sweet, spicy and very savoury. It’s a typical Korean inspired stir fry which looks so appetizing served in butter lettuce leaves with rice and Korean garnishes.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl – 15 Minute Meal

A quick egg roll recipe is great for making a side dish but pork egg roll in a bowl is a complete meal by itself. You won’t believe how quick and easy this is.
Get the Recipe: Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl – 15 Minute Meal

Creamy Meatball Stew

Treat your taste buds to a creamy meatball stew. This Swedish meatball dish is easy to prepare and it’s been a staple in many households for years because it’s so delicious.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Meatball Stew

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Try this taco macaroni and cheese, which combines the best of both worlds with Mexican and Italian flavors in every bite. With a cooking time of just 30 minutes in a single Dutch oven, this dish is perfect for those cooler months when you’re in the mood for something hearty and warming.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Crispy Turkey Tacos

A delicious alternative to beef tacos would be these crispy turkey tacos which are bursting with flavor. This turkey taco recipe is a quick and easy dinner idea that you will love. This will become one of your favorite quick dinner recipes!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Turkey Tacos

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Honey Walnut Shrimp

This Panda Express honey walnut shrimp copycat recipe coats crispy deep-fried tempura shrimp in a tantalizing sweet and savory sauce that’s served with candied walnuts. This will become one of your favorite quick dinner recipes!
Get the Recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

This bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish that’s made with thick pasta, two types of cheeses, and two other easy ingredients! Ready to enjoy in just 25 minutes from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Tortellini Alla Panna

Tortellini alla panna is a simple, mouthwatering Italian pasta dish that covers store-bought tortellini in a homemade creamy parmesan sauce! Take your first bite of this incredible dinner recipe in just over 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Alla Panna

Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Cheesy bacon hasselback chicken recipe is so good! Combining chicken with cheese, bacon, spinach, herbs, and spices, this creamy bacon chicken is low in carbs but high in flavour.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap – Tik Tok Recipe

Discover how to fold a tortilla for this special Tik Tok wrap hack. It’s one of the most delicious recipes you can make with ground beef and a tortilla wrap. Use a large flour tortilla if you’re ravenously hungry or smaller tortillas if you prefer. This is a genius way to enclose ground meat, shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes and more in wraps.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap – Tik Tok Recipe

One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

This easy taco pasta is wonderful for dinner and it’s one of the best skill pasta dinner ideas I’ve found. Beef, onion and garlic are dominating flavours in this creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Butter Herb Shrimp Pan Seared Pork Chops

Pan seared pork chops make a wonderful dinner. But if you want a ‘surf and turf’ twist on easy pork chops, considering adding shrimp! There are many meat dishes which also include seafood.
Get the Recipe: Butter Herb Shrimp Pan Seared Pork Chops

Mexican Spaghetti

This easy Mexican spaghetti is a delicious one-pot meal of noodles cooked in a tomato sauce with beef, poblano peppers, and shredded cheese. It’s a fun way to put a spin on traditional spaghetti by adding Mexican flavors.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Spaghetti

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Do you have a hankering for comforting classic lasagna but don’t want all the fuss? Then this easy skillet lasagna recipe is for you. In a mere 30 minutes, you can have comforting cheese lasagna for you and your family. A great weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Lasagna

Beef Taco Salad Bowls

Making homemade taco salad bowls is so easy and they’re perfect for holding this family-favorite taco salad including seasoned ground beef, black beans, cheese and more! Everything is topped with a creamy lime-cilantro dressing that’ll have everyone finishing their salad!
Get the Recipe: Beef Taco Salad Bowls

Parmesan Pesto Crusted Salmon Fillets

Fish comes out perfect when you’re using the air fryer and parmesan pesto crusted salmon fillets are no exception. This is a simple air fryer salmon recipe which includes parmesan, garlic and homemade pesto.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Pesto Crusted Salmon Fillets

Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

If you’re looking for a flavorful Mexican inspired dish, try making Air Fryer Fiesta Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Seasoned with cumin, salt, pepper, and margarita mix, the chicken is stuffed inside poblanos and topped with pico de gallo, sour cream, and cotija cheese, creating a delicious blend of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Air Fryer Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This air fryer bruschetta stuffed chicken breasts recipe infuses chicken with the best Italian flavours. Chicken, tomatoes and provolone cheese pair up beautifully in this easy chicken recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Italian Minestrone Soup

An authentic Italian minestrone soup recipe is always worth knowing. The nutrient-packed combination of beans, pasta and seasonal vegetables means every spoonful is a great flavour experience.
Get the Recipe: Italian Minestrone Soup

Herb Grilled New York Steak

Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just want a treat, grilled New York steak is hard to beat! Just imagine steak with bacon and scallions. The aroma, the juicy meat, the side dishes… this is one meal you will never get tired of.
Get the Recipe: Herb Grilled New York Steak

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole

This fiesta chicken pasta casserole bake features a delicious blend of chicken, corn, black beans, and Mexican-inspired seasonings. Whether you’re using a rotisserie or leftover chicken, this southwest-style casserole will surely become a family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole

Chopped Italian Sandwich

A chopped Italian sub is sure to satisfy even the strongest hunger pangs. This Italian bread sub with deli meats, cheese, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, and more make a great lunch. Add this to your list of stress-free recipes.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Make this hearty and soul-warming Chicken Noodle Soup in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot! There is nothing like a steaming bowl of tender chicken strips, egg noodles, and hearty veggies in a flavorful broth to keep your whole family warm and toasty on a cold winter night!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup