30 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Back-to-school season is here-and with it comes the never-ending question: "What's for dinner tonight?" These 30 easy back-to-school dinner recipes are made for busy weeknights, with quick skillet meals, one-pot dinners, sheet pan recipes, slow cooker favorites, tacos, pasta, and more.

Three-panel image showing Back to School Dinner Recipes: tacos with guacamole and sour cream, a pulled chicken sandwich with slaw, and a rice bowl with chicken, pineapple, and cilantro.

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You'll find longtime reader favorites like my 15 Minute Chicken and Broccoli recipe and one pot Ground Beef and Broccoli Pasta that practically makes itself, along with newer dinners like Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and Mediterranean Ground Turkey Skillet to keep your weeknight rotation fresh.

Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

The best back-to-school dinners are quick, easy to prepare, family-friendly, and low on cleanup. Look for 30-minute meals, one-pan and one-pot recipes, slow cooker dinners that can cook while you're busy, and flexible meals like tacos and bowls that everyone can make their own.

A white plate with white rice topped with tender Chicken and Broccoli pieces in savory brown sauce, with chopsticks and a small bowl in the background.

15 Minute Chicken and Broccoli

Chicken and Broccoli is a super quick and easy, utterly delicious one skillet dinner recipe that's ready in under 15 minutes. No need for takeout, it's a simple recipe with mostly pantry ingredients.

Simple Chicken and Broccoli recipe

A pot of One Pot Pasta with broccoli, cherry tomatoes, ground meat, mushrooms, parsley, and shredded cheese, all mixed together with a wooden spoon inside.

Easy One Pot Pasta with Ground Beef and Broccoli

This easy One Pot Pasta recipe with ground beef and broccoli is for those nights when dinner needs to be quick and easy. As in, almost hands-free. And family-friendly too.

Easy One Pot Pasta with Ground Beef and Broccoli

Closeup view of sheet pan chicken fajitas with peppers, kale, black beans, and lime wedges.

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are an easy 30-minute dinner with seasoned chicken tenders, peppers, onions, black beans, and kale, served with a creamy lime yogurt sauce.

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

A Skillet Taco with cooked ground meat, beans, melted cheese, diced peppers, green onions, and jalapeño slices in a skillet, surrounded by bowls of chips, tomatoes, salsa, green onions, and tortillas.

One Pot Skillet Taco Recipe

An easy one-pan taco skillet dinner made with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, peppers, and melty cheese. Serve with tortillas, chips, or your favorite taco toppings for a quick weeknight meal or game day favorite.

One Pot Skillet Taco Recipe

Sheet pan Hawaiian chicken thighs baked with chopped red onions, red and yellow bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and fresh parsley, served alongside a bowl of white rice.

Easy Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

This easy Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan dinner is made with chicken thighs, pineapple, red onion, and bell pepper roasted in a sweet-savory Hawaiian-style sauce. It's a simple one-pan meal that's perfect for weeknights.

Easy Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

A bowl with naan, quick chicken shawarma, rice, fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, dill, yogurt sauce, and a side of green olives on a wooden tray.

Quick Chicken Shawarma Bowls

Quick Chicken Shawarma Bowls are a fast, skillet-style take on classic shawarma, made with warmly spiced chicken, rice, and fresh toppings. Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy bowl dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or casual entertaining.

Quick Chicken Shawarma Bowls

Baked chicken and rice with zucchini slices, cherry tomatoes, and fresh thyme in a white casserole dish.

One Pan Chicken and Rice with Zucchini

Discover a flavorful one-pot chicken and rice recipe with zucchini, tomatoes, & drizzled with a zesty hot honey sauce. Easy and delicious!

One Pan Chicken and Rice with Zucchini

Mexican Lasagna in a cast iron skillet with piece missing

Mexican Lasagna Skillet Casserole

Mexican Lasagna Skillet is a Southwestern-inspired casserole made up of layers of tortillas, cheese, and taco meat. Simple, packed with flavor, and delicious!

Mexican Lasagna Skillet Casserole

Three hard-shell tacos in a dish, topped with lettuce, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole-a perfect addition to your Back to School Dinner Recipes.

Quick and Easy Oven Baked Chicken Tacos

"This cheese and bean stuffed, rotisserie chicken baked tacos will have your people asking for seconds."

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A white oval plate with stir-fried noodles, sliced mushrooms, red bell peppers, and snow peas, garnished with green onions, and served with chopsticks. Small bowls of chili flakes, peppercorns, and sauce are nearby on a marble surface.

Quick and Easy Lo Mein Recipe

Make a delicious and easy weeknight dinner with this quick Lo Mein recipe. Flavorful and satisfying, it's made with simple ingredients like soy sauce and your favorite veggies.

Quick and Easy Lo Mein Recipe

Baked Fish on a sheet pan with vegetables, fresh herbs, and salt and pepper ready for serving.

Oven Baked Fish Recipe

This easy recipe for Sheet Pan Baked Fish with Vegetables is a perfect quick and healthy dinner served with snow peas, potatoes & zucchini.

Oven Baked Fish Recipe

A baking dish filled with cheese-topped enchiladas garnished with fresh herbs, surrounded by wooden utensils, onions, chili peppers, and parsley on a wooden table.

Easiest Chicken Enchiladas Ever with Leftover Chicken

Do you ever need a quick and easy recipe using leftover chicken? This is a favorite and the Easiest Chicken Enchiladas Ever! No dipping tortillas in sauce, simple ingredients, simple prep. Easy weeknight dinner!

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Side view of Crockpot Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin served over coconut rice with cilantro and jalapenos in a white pasta bowl

Crockpot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork

This Crockpot Pineapple Pork Tenderloin is an easy 3-ingredient slow cooker recipe made with pineapple, teriyaki sauce, and tender pork. With just 5 minutes of prep, it's an easy sweet-and-savory dinner for rice bowls, tacos, sliders, and more.

Crockpot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork

Oval platter with chopped lettuce, chicken, black beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, and cilantro-this chicken taco salad recipe is served with a creamy dressing on the side.

15 Minute Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

This 15 Minute Chicken Taco Salad recipe is a quick and hearty dinner made with cooked or rotisserie chicken, crisp lettuce, black beans, corn, avocado, cheese, and an easy salsa ranch dressing. Fresh, colorful, and packed with taco flavor!

15 Minute Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

Front view of Buffalo Chicken Sliders on a bun with coleslaw and Ranch dressing

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders are the answer to easy, delicious food your people will love. It's tender, mouthwatering, slow cooked chicken tossed in a tangy flavor-packed sauce, and served on buttery toasted buns.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Instant Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

This Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is an easy pasta dish and family favorite dinner. A blend of lean ground beef, macaroni, chili beans, tomatoes, and spices. And, of course, melting cheddar cheese. An easy dinner to table meal in around 15 minutes, give or take a few.

Instant Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

15 Minute White Bean Soup with Garden Vegetables

You say… "15 minutes for a warm and yummy White Bean Soup?" I say, "Yes!" Any day of the week!

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Square image of Mediterranean Ground Turkey Skillet in a white bowl with fresh spinach and lemon slices.

Mediterranean Ground Turkey Skillet Recipe

This quick, one-pot Ground Turkey Skillet with rice, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is great for weeknight dinner or meal prep!

Mediterranean Ground Turkey Skillet Recipe

A cast iron skillet filled with baked Skillet Mac and Cheese, topped with cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and shredded cheese, sits on a marble surface next to plates and a striped napkin.

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes and Zucchini

This creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes and Zucchini is an easy 30-minute dinner made with tender macaroni, summer vegetables, and a smooth cheddar and Parmesan cheese sauce.

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes and Zucchini

Bowl of Instant Pot Turkey Chili with Sour Cream and Cilantro

Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili

If you're looking for a healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili recipe, this is one you have to try! We've fallen in love with the robust flavors expected in a great chili, yet still quick and easy to make any day of the week. And, best of all, healthy!

Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Square image of homemade Teriyaki Chicken Pizza with fresh chopped green onions, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes for serving.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Pizza

"This Teriyaki Chicken Pizza is loaded with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, spring onions, crispy bacon, and melty mozzarella cheese. All topping that distinctively sweet yet savory teriyaki sauce we love."

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Side view of Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese on a white plate

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese: Easiest Comfort Food Ever

Fast food can be tempting on busy weeknights. I promise -- this is fast food made simply at home -- and quicker than driving through the takeout window!

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Three soft Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos on a wooden tray, each filled with lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and sour cream, served with a bowl of chopped tomatoes and fresh cilantro on the side.

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos

Whether you have tacos in mind or burrito bowls or even quesadillas -- this versatile slow cooker beef does double and triple duty for weeknight dinners!

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos

Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder

An under 30-minute favorite soup -- made super easy in the Instant Pot or stovetop. A simple comfort classic.

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Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes

"It's sigh-worthy comfort food at all levels. Fluffy russet potatoes, perfectly seasoned bbq sauce, cheese, sour cream… It's, well, perfect."

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Easy Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Pasta Soup

"Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Pasta Soup has become a delicious weeknight mainstay in our kitchen. Everyone seems to love this soup! It's quick and simple, packed with veggies, and simmered in a fragrant herb and spice broth."

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Closeup Bowl of Chicken Pot Pie in Brown Bowl

Comfort Food Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

"Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie is rich and creamy comfort food heaven. With all the flavors you love in a chicken pot pie, with very little effort. Ready when you are, easily made from scratch. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners."

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Easy Southwestern Chicken Quinoa Bake with Spinach

"When it comes to easy weeknight dinners, this Southwestern Chicken Quinoa Bake with Spinach is the best! Loaded with healthy nutrients and protein, not to mention incredible Southwestern flavor, it's a family favorite every time it shows up on the dinner table."

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Side view of sloppy joe on whoe grain bun on a wooden serving plate.

A Most Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipe

"Perfect for Friday nights, when you're feeding a crowd, or busy nights when you need something easy."

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Top view of Chicken Burrito Bowl with Rice and Parsley

Quick Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

This Instant Pot Burrito Bowl is a 20-minute, one-pot dinner that is incredibly delicious. Mexican spices blend to cook tender, pull apart chicken with black beans, corn, and rice... in one irresistible bowl.

Quick Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

A pot of creamy taco pasta with ground meat, chopped red peppers, and parsley garnish, placed on a wooden surface with bell peppers and a patterned cloth nearby.

One Pot Taco Pasta Recipe

This creamy and delicious Taco Pasta Recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner in just 30 minutes. It's a hearty one-pot meal packed with all your favorite taco flavors.

One Pot Taco Pasta Recipe

Back to School Dinner FAQs

What are the best back-to-school dinners for busy weeknights?

The easiest school-night dinners are recipes that require minimal prep and cleanup, such as 15-minute meals, sheet pan dinners, one-pot pasta, skillet meals, tacos, and slow cooker recipes. Keeping a few different types in your weekly rotation makes it easier to choose a dinner that fits the time you have that evening.

What are the best back-to-school dinners to make ahead?

Casseroles, pasta bakes, soups, chili, shredded slow cooker meats, skillet meals, and many bowl-style dinners are especially good for prepping ahead. You can also save time by chopping vegetables, cooking grains, or preparing sauces earlier in the day or over the weekend.

How can I make weeknight dinners easier during the school year?

Choose a few dependable cooking methods rather than planning something completely different every night. A simple weekly rotation might include a quick skillet dinner, sheet pan meal, pasta night, slow cooker dinner, and tacos or bowls. Keeping pantry staples for several favorite recipes on hand also makes last-minute dinners much easier.

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