Back-to-School Dinner Ideas

Five ideas for easy weeknight dinners

School is back in session, which means busyness is back. While summer may have been a little more laidback, if you’re anything like us, you’re trying to get back into the swing of things and one of the things going by the wayside is dinner that doesn’t come from a drive-thru. 

So, if you’re looking for a few dinner ideas that don’t take a lot of time and fit your busy, back-to-school schedule, we’ve got a few ideas! 

Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

We’re a big fan of Robyn Conley Downs’ Real Food Whole Life website, and this casserole is a delicious addition to your dinner rotation. You can use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken to save time and, after that, it’s just a matter of making the sauce, mixing everything together and baking. Add a salad or an easy-to-steam or prepare vegetable, like broccoli or sauteed green beans, and dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes! 

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Crockpot Turkey Meatballs in Marinara

Another of Robyn Conley Downs’ recipes we have on repeat is this easy crockpot recipe for turkey meatballs. You combine ground turkey with spinach and basil (and a few other important ingredients and seasonings) use a cookie scoop to scoop into your crockpot. Then you simply top with your favorite jarred marinara sauce and let the crockpot do the work while you’re working. Serve with prepared pasta or zucchini noodles, a green salad or other vegetable and a hearty bread, and dinner is done! 

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One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

What’s not to like about cheesy, hamburger-y pasta? Add one more point for this recipe: you make the entire thing in one pot! After a long or busy day, the last thing you want to do is come home to make a complicated recipe that involves numerous pots and pans you have to wash and put away later. This recipe, a homemade version of Hamburger Helper, is super quick and budget-friendly.

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Pan Pizza

We often reserve pizza for the weekend, but it’s a dinner crowd-pleaser any night of the week. While it can take a little effort, it’s easy to add to your weeknight rotation with a few tweaks. Find an easy dough recipe that works in a iron skillet or baking sheet. Adjust sauce and toppings to your family’s preferences and use jarred sauces as needed. Freshly grated cheese melts better, but pre-shredded is fine, too! We’re anxious to try a Smitten Kitchen recipe that’s not exactly kid-friendly, but could be adapted as needed. 

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Beef and Broccoli

This Chinese-inspired dish from Gimme Some Oven comes together in one pan, plus it’s flavorful and fast! You marinate flank steak in soy sauce mixture, then stir fry in a hot skillet and set aside while cooking the broccoli. Everything eventually comes back together in the same pot to be tossed and warmed in a simple sauce. Pair with rice or another grain of your choice for an easy, quick dinner option. 

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What are you cooking for dinner? Share your ideas and your favorite quick and easy recipes in the comments!