Easy Back to School Dinner Ideas

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, the hustle and bustle of busy evenings begins anew.

 Between homework, extracurricular activities, and family commitments, finding time to prepare healthy, delicious dinners can be a challenge. 

That’s why we’ve curated a collection of easy back-to-school dinner ideas that are not only quick to make but also nutritious and satisfying. 

Whether you’re looking for simple one-pot meals, quick stir-fries, or fun taco nights, these recipes will help you streamline your dinner routine and keep everyone happy at the table. 

Say goodbye to the stress of planning and cooking, and say hello to delicious meals that the whole family will love!

1

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole

Photo Credit: happyfamilyrecipes.com

This easy dinner recipe for Bubble Up Pizza Casserole only needs 6 ingredients!

The biscuits ‘bubble up’ while baking to make a perfectly fluffy, soft, and pizza flavored filled casserole with two types of cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.

2

One Pot Taco Spaghetti

Photo Credit: midwesternhomelife.com

One Pot Taco Spaghetti is an easy 30-minute dinner recipe that combines the delicious flavors of tacos and spaghetti.

The perfect alternative to traditional Taco Tuesday!

3

Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

Photo Credit: easyfamilyrecipes.com

Baked chili cheese dogs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! When you bake chili dogs in the oven, magic happens—they taste warm, fresh, and extra delicious.

Your family will love customizing their chili cheese dogs with their own favorite toppings, and you’ll love how easy it was to put together this kid-friendly dinner.

4

Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes

Photo Credit: delightfulplate.com

Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes comes together in under 30 minutes, with everything cooked in just one pan.

Seared beef cubes and potatoes in a garlicky butter and soy-based sauce might actually please everyone.

5

No-Boil Lasagna

Photo Credit: savaskitchen.com

Easy no-boil lasagna made with beef, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and super convenient oven-ready noodles.

Enjoy all the flavors of traditional Italian lasagna with minimal time and effort.

6

Pepperoni Pizza Pockets Recipe (Mini Calzones)

Photo Credit: www.masalaherb.com

If your family loves pizza, these are for you! Handheld foods are just so fun, and you can even make these ahead and to take on the go.

Fill them with your favorite pizza toppings and watch everyone happily munch away.

7

Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Photo Credit: theforkedspoon.com

Made with bone-in or boneless pork chops and seared until golden, then simmered in the most delicious 5-ingredient honey garlic sauce.

These are an incredibly easy weeknight dinner recipe that takes about 15 minutes to make.

8

Cheese Stuffed Shells {Olive Garden Copycat}

Photo Credit: thesassyfoodie.com

Giant pasta shells stuffed with three kinds of cheese, on top of rich marinara and doused in creamy alfredo sauce.

It’s amazing enough for special occasions, but simple enough for any weeknight.

9

Grinder Sandwiches

Photo Credit: summeryule.com

These viral Tik Tok Italian grinder sandwiches are made with crusty bread and packed with deli meat, cheese, for a truly delicious hoagie, sub, hero, or whatever they’re called in your region.

10

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo (Panera Copycat)

Photo Credit: www.sweetteaandthyme.com

This rich and creamy chicken alfredo tortellini tastes just like (or even better than!) the now discontinued Panera Bread version.

Made with a homemade alfredo sauce, this easy weeknight copycat recipe is kid-friendly comfort food done right.

11

Tortilla Pizza

Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com

All you need to make this budget-friendly dinner are tortillas, shredded cheese, pizza sauce, and your favorite toppings.

You can easily keep these ingredients on hand for a quick meal any night of the week.