Back-to-school means packed schedules and tired families. The last thing you want is a fight over dinner. Here’s the solution: 23 easy meals that are quick to whip up and delicious enough to please everyone at the table. With these recipes, you can spend less time cooking and more time catching up with your crew after a busy day.

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Skip the greasy takeout and endless menus. This Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl brings the flavors of your favorite Asian dinner right to your table. Tender chicken stir-fried with crisp veggies and savory seasonings lands on a bed of fluffy rice. It’s a healthier, fuss-free option to win over hungry students after school, and requires minimal cleanup for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Ditch the delivery fees and forget about crowded pizza places. These Cheesy Stuffed Shells are a delicious and satisfying alternative. Packed with savory goodness, these vegetarian shells are sure to become a new family favorite. Plus, they’re easy enough for even the littlest sous chefs to help prepare, making dinner time a fun family activity.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Lemon Garlic Chicken

The afternoon homework grind can leave everyone drained. This Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken is the answer. Tender chicken infused with zesty lemon and fragrant garlic creates a flavorful and satisfying meal in no time. It’s a quick and easy weeknight win that injects sunshine onto your dinner table, even on the most hectic of days.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken

Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Afternoons spent juggling school pick-up and extracurricular activities can leave you short on time. This kid-friendly Tuna and Tomato Pasta is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Packed with protein and ready in about 25 minutes, it’s a simple meal the whole family can help prepare. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get some extra protein into your little learners before their evening activities.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Reheat memories and leftovers with this Chicken Tortellini Soup. Tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and flavorful broth come together for a satisfying and comforting meal. Leftover rotisserie chicken makes it even easier, and the cheesy tortellini adds a fun twist that kids will love. It’s a great way to use up leftovers after a weekend roast chicken, and create a cozy atmosphere on a busy school night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Southwest Tortilla Pie

This Southwest Tortilla Pie is a layered dish featuring rotisserie chicken, black beans, corn, and zesty spices, all nestled between crisp tortillas and topped with melted cheese. It’s a fun and flavorful way to explore new cuisines with your family, and it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner after school activities. Plus, the leftovers can be easily packed for lunches throughout the week, making it a meal-prepping dream for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie

Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker magic turns a busy school week into a delicious breeze with this Pulled Pork recipe. Succulent and juicy pork is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or sliders – the ultimate comfort food for nights when everyone needs a pick-me-up. Plus, it cooks all day in the slow cooker while you tackle other errands, leaving you with minimal prep and a flavorful meal ready for hungry students.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup can be enjoyed as a light appetizer or a hearty main course. Packed with chicken, beans, and corn, it’s a quick and easy weeknight meal with a Mexican twist. After a long week of tests and projects, this soup is a fiesta in a bowl that will warm everyone up and leave them feeling satisfied, perfect for a cozy night in before the next school week begins.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Pizza Rolls

Pizza night gets a fun twist with these Pizza Rolls. Filled with rotisserie chicken, spinach, cheese, and sauce, all wrapped in a fluffy, cinnamon-infused dough, they’re a delicious and unexpected dinner option. These are like mini pizzas packed with flavor and fun, perfect for a weeknight dinner that the whole family can enjoy, even after a busy school day. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time for a stress-free weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Chicken and Dumplings

Tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and savory broth come together for a heartwarming and comforting meal, made even easier with leftover rotisserie chicken. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a hectic week and create lasting memories around the dinner table, even on the busiest of school nights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast Recipe

This Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast Recipe is a slow-cooker dream come true. The meat cooks to tender perfection, resulting in a flavorful roast that’s perfect for serving with mashed potatoes or vegetables for a comforting and easy weeknight dinner. Throw everything in the pot before the morning rush, and let the slow cooker work its magic while you tackle the day’s tasks. Come dinnertime, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying meal ready with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast Recipe

Bacon Egg Salad

Crispy bacon adds a salty crunch and a burst of savory flavor that complements the creamy egg mixture perfectly. It’s a quick and easy way to fuel your student for dinner, and requires minimal prep work.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad

Chicken Fried Rice

Leftover chicken night can be a celebration, not a bore. Breathe new life into that leftover rotisserie chicken with this Chicken Fried Rice recipe. It’s a quick and easy way to whip up a flavorful and filling stir-fry loaded with fluffy rice, tender chicken, and your favorite veggies. Plus, it’s a great way to clean out the fridge before the next grocery run, making it a budget-friendly and weeknight dinner win!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Honey Glazed Chicken

School nights can feel like a neverending to-do list. This Honey Glazed Chicken is your shortcut to dinnertime zen. Imagine juicy chicken pieces caramelized in a sweet and sticky glaze – it’s finger-lickin’ good, without the greasy takeout vibes.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken

Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Skip the takeout menus and forget about greasy delivery. This Mexican Skillet Quinoa is a fiesta in a single pan. Packed with protein-rich quinoa, black beans, corn, and all your favorite taco toppings, it’s a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor. Plus, it’s a healthy and vegetarian option that everyone can enjoy, making it a perfect post-activity refuel after school sports or clubs.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

This Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole is your hero. It’s like a big hug in a baking dish – fluffy rice, seasoned ground beef, and melty cheese all baked together until bubbly and golden. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, meaning minimal cleanup for you. It’s the perfect answer to busy weeknights, and trust me, this cheesy goodness will have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Forget slaving away in the kitchen – weeknights call for shortcuts! These Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas are your ticket to a flavorful Mexican fiesta. It’s perfect for celebrating a school win, a relaxing weeknight dinner, or those nights when everyone needs a taste of comfort food after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups

Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups come to the rescue! Imagine all the cheesy, meaty goodness of lasagna, rolled up into bite-sized perfection. They bake up in just minutes, so you can enjoy a classic comfort food without the usual wait. Plus, they’re fun and easy for little hands to help assemble, making them a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups

Grown-Up Mac and Cheese

It’s a creamy, grown-up version with rich, sharp cheese and savory bits of bacon and tomato. It’s the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in after parent-teacher conferences, feeling a little more sophisticated but still totally satisfying for everyone at the table. Plus, it requires minimal prep work and cooks up quickly, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese

Pizza Pot Pies

Leftover chicken night can be a fun and delicious adventure. Turn leftover chicken into a comforting dinner with these Pizza Pot Pies. Filled with melty cheese and your favorite pizza toppings, all encased in a flaky crust, these individual pies are a fun and delicious way to use up leftovers. Plus, they’re portion-controlled, making them a perfect way to avoid overeating after a busy school day. They’re easy to assemble and bake up quickly, requiring minimal effort for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies

Tomato Basil Bisque

The end of summer can bring a touch of melancholy. This Tomato Basil Bisque is a taste of summer in a bowl, perfect for chasing away those back-to-school blues. Tangy tomatoes and aromatic basil come together for a comforting meal ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a light and flavorful way to ease into the school year, and it’s sure to bring a taste of summer sunshine to your dinner table on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Cashew Chicken

Crispy chicken gets tossed with a sweet and savory sauce, then mingles with a handful of crunchy cashews for a textural explosion in every bite. It’s the perfect no-fuss dinner to whip up after a long day of school routines, and the sweet and savory combo is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Rich, creamy, and packed with tender broccoli florets, this soup is a hearty and satisfying meal in a flash. The magic of the Instant Pot means dinner is ready in no time, leaving you more energy to help with homework or cuddle up for a good book. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra veggies for your little learners.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup