35 Back To School Dinner Recipes

The kids are back to school and I just have one question - what am I gonna cook for dinner?! I've rounded up 35+ Back to School Dinner Recipes for those busy weekday evenings when my kids come home hungry and we have activities and sports to get to!

It's time for the kids to go back to school which, in our house, feels bittersweet. On one hand, it really is nice getting extra time together and I know that will be hard to come by soon. On the other hand, I think we are all ready for a bit more of a routine. That means earlier bedtimes, morning routines, and back to a more structured meal plan! I wanted to round up our favorite Back to School Dinner Recipes in one place, because I know I'm not the only one feeling a little lost when it comes to meal planning.

All of these recipes are easy, have parts that can be prepped ahead of time, and so delicious. Oh and there's a special slow cooker section at the bottom because let's be honest, the slow cooker is a school night life saver!

Poultry

Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls - skip the greasy takeout and make chicken teriyaki at home! It uses pantry staples and you can prep the rice in advance to save time.

Turkey Sloppy Joes - one of my kids favorites! I like to make a double batch and freeze the leftovers.

Egg Roll in a Bowl - this one is so good topped with a fried egg and the crispy wonton strips.

Italian Chicken Sausage Quinoa Skillet - chicken sausage is a staple in our house, and it is so good in this quinoa skillet with Italian flavors.

One Skillet Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice - if there's cheese and rice, my kids are in! Bonus that this dish has broccoli!

Instant Pot Chicken Taco Rice Bowls - anyone else love their Instant Pot on busy weeknights? This recipe is an entire dinner made in the Instant Pot, which makes cleanup easy, too.

Fried Buffalo Chicken Tacos - if you're a fan of buffalo chicken, you're gonna love this one!

Curry Chicken Rice Bowls - these do require some prep with the veggies, so if you want to save time and make this a quicker weeknight meal, chop the veggies and make the sauce ahead of time. These are great to meal prep for lunches, too.

Turkey Taco Spaghetti Casserole - ahhh two of my favorite things - tacos and pasta! All in one delicious casserole. Make two and freeze one for later! I freezer pre-baking it so once it is thawed, I can bake it and its warm and cheesy!

Beef

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef - my kids love this BBQ beef so much. I serve it on buns with some roasted vegetables and tots.

Homemade Beef Taco Seasoning - skip the store-bought and make your own! So much tastier.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs Easy Freezer Meals

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs - this is from my freezer meal series but you can make this the day-of, too! It's great served with some rice and steamed broccoli.

Creamy Beef Taco Soup - I make this soup multiple times a year - top it with all the fixings like sour cream, avocado, more cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and chopped green onions!

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole - tater tot hot dish but make it even better? MMKAY done!

Slow Cooker Beef Chili - my all-time favorite chili recipe!

Pork

BBQ Pork Taquitos - a great use for leftover pulled pork!

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers - we love this one in the summer and winter! In the summer I serve on buns like a sausage and peppers brat and in the winter I like it served with some rice and steamed or roasted broccoli for a cozier meal.

Sheet Pan Cajun Sausage and Vegetables - one of my husbands favorites - he loves the cajun seasoning. Bonus that it's all made on one sheet pan!

Seafood

Blackened Salmon Tacos - we love, love, love these salmon tacos! Prep the seasoning ahead of time to save time, but otherwise these salmon tacos cook super quickly!

Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon and Veggies - another sheet pan recipe FTW!

Greek Salmon Salad - this salad is so full of flavor and great for an easy healthy dinner. Prep the salad dressing ahead of time to save time!

Pasta

One Pot Taco Macaroni - cheesy macaroni full of taco flavorings - you just can't beat it. Oh wait, it's also all made in one pot. YEAHHH!

No Boil Baked Rigatoni - a baked pasta that you don't have to pre-cook the pasta! True story: I made this dish 3 times in one week when I first made it. That's how much we love it! This dish is SO full of flavor and my kids gobble it up every time.

Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi - seems fancy but is crazy easy! Make this for the mushroom lovers in your family.

Vegetarian Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti - there's a reason this baked spaghetti is called "million dollar"! Be your own hero and assemble this baked spaghetti the day prior so all you have to do is pop it in the oven!