These fantastic back to school recipes are a great way to start the school year with easy sheet pan dishes, one pot meals and family favorites like cheeseburger pasta, bagel dogs and chicken and rice casserole.

Get the school year off to a good start with quick and easy dinners that the whole family will love.

A group of fantastic back to school recipes like Mexican casserole, slow cooker Salisbury steak and slow cooker beef stew.

At the end of every summer I start counting down the days until the kids are back in school. However, when they are back in school I have to get used to brand new schedules. School nights means busier nights as the kids start up their extracurricular activities and want help with homework.

Easy back to school recipes are a must this time of year. No one wants to come home from a busy day to have an even busier evening, and then still worry about what to make for dinner.

These 40 back to school recipes should help you out tremendously. Many can be prepped and stored in the freezer until you are ready for them, which makes things a lot easier. Just don’t forget to pull them out to thaw.

There are a lot of slow cooker meals that you can prepare early and will be hot and ready at dinner time. Other recipes are quick and easy, require minimal ingredients and can be made with just a few dishes. These recipes will help you save time without sacrificing flavor.

One pot meals and sheet pan dinners are my go-to for the beginning of the school year. They make life easier while getting used to a new schedule. Give these back to school dinners a try and leave any other ideas you have in the comments below!

40 Back to School Recipes

A group of images of fantastic back to school recipes like bacon wrapped meatloaf and cheeseburger pasta.
A bacon wrapped meatloaf with a slice out of it, on a serving platter.

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

This bacon wrapped meatloaf is ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, then covered in bacon slices and baked until golden brown. A unique twist on the classic recipe that will earn you rave reviews!
Get the Recipe
Bagel dogs served with ketchup and mustard on the side.

Bagel Dogs

This recipe for bagel dogs is made with homemade bagel dough which is wrapped around hot dogs and baked to golden brown perfection. A great snack or meal that the kids will absolutely love!
Get the Recipe
Bacon wrapped stuffed chicken breast on a sheet pan with roasted potatoes.

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast (One Pan Meal)

This recipe for bacon wrapped stuffed chicken breast with roasted potatoes is a quick and easy one pan meal that's sure to please any crowd! The chicken is stuffed with an incredible combination of three cheeses, garlic and herbs.
Get the Recipe
A skillet of baked chicken parmesan with crispy chicken breasts, marinara sauce and melted cheese.

Baked Chicken Parmesan

This baked chicken parmesan is golden brown crispy chicken breasts smothered in marinara sauce and melted cheese. A lighter take on the classic chicken parmesan that tastes like something you’d get in a restaurant!
Get the Recipe
Calzone halves stuffed with sausage, peppers, cheese and pepperoni.

Calzone Recipe

This homemade calzone recipe is a mixture of sausage, pepperoni and bell peppers, all baked inside pizza dough with plenty of melted cheese. Calzones are the perfect food for a party, they’re hand held, hearty and totally delicious.
Get the Recipe
Balsamic chicken thighs with roasted potatoes and asparagus.

Balsamic Chicken

This balsamic chicken is chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory glaze and roasted to perfection along with potatoes and asparagus. An easy one pan meal that’s sure to please the whole family!
Get the Recipe
A plate of buffalo chicken sliders layered with lettuce, tomato and ranch.

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These buffalo chicken sliders are warm sandwiches filled with shredded buffalo chicken, ranch sauce, lettuce and tomato. The ultimate party snack!
Get the Recipe
Cheeseburger casserole with ground beef and pasta, topped with melted cheese, bacon and tomatoes.

Cheeseburger Casserole

This cheeseburger casserole is ground beef, bacon, macaroni and plenty of cheese, all baked together to perfection. A quick and easy dinner option that's always a hit with both kids and adults!
Get the Recipe
A pan of pasta with ground beef, onion, pasta shells, cheddar cheese and bacon.

Cheeseburger Pasta

This cheeseburger pasta is a hearty recipe of ground beef, shells and cheese in a savory tomato sauce, topped off with bacon and pickles. All the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger in a comforting pasta dish!
Get the Recipe
An image of a pan of chicken and rice casserole.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This classic chicken and rice casserole recipe is a one pan meal that’s full of tender chicken and creamy rice, all baked together to perfection.
Get the Recipe
A group of images of family favorite and easy meals like ham and cheese sliders and hamburger casserole.
A spoon serving up a portion of cheesy chicken broccoli casserole.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

This chicken broccoli casserole is a one pot meal with sauteed chicken, rice, broccoli florets and cheese, finished off with a crunchy topping. A comfort food classic that's quick to make and always gets rave reviews!
Get the Recipe
A stack of chicken taquitos with a drizzle of sour cream and pico de gallo topping.

Chicken Taquitos (Baked or Fried)

These chicken taquitos are stuffed with seasoned shredded chicken and cheese, then baked or fried to crispy perfection. Serve these taquitos with your favorite dipping sauces for a fun party snack or meal!
Get the Recipe
A skillet of chili mac topped with melted cheese, diced tomatoes and minced onion.

Chili Mac

This one pot chili mac is a blend of ground beef, macaroni, beans, tomatoes and spices, all topped off with plenty of melted cheese. An easy dinner option that’s family friendly and on the table in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe
Cornflake chicken on a serving plate, garnished with fresh parsley.

Cornflake Chicken

This recipe for cornflake chicken is strips of chicken breast coated in seasoned crushed cornflakes and baked to crispy perfection. These chicken fingers are easy to make and are a big hit with both kids and adults!
Get the Recipe
This recipe for fried shrimp tacos is a pile of crispy shrimp that's layered with cilantro lime cabbage slaw and avocado relish then stuffed inside warm flour tortillas. It's a quick and easy meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant! #ShrimpItUp ad

Fried Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Relish

This recipe for fried shrimp tacos is a pile of crispy shrimp that’s layered with cilantro lime cabbage slaw and avocado relish then stuffed inside warm flour tortillas. It’s a quick and easy meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant!
Get the Recipe
A sheet pan of Greek chicken and potatoes with garlic, herbs and lemon.

Greek Chicken and Potatoes

This Greek chicken and potatoes is a one pan meal with marinated garlic and herb chicken and tender potatoes, all roasted to golden brown perfection. A super easy dinner for a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe
Ham and cheese sliders on a serving plate, garnished with parsley.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These ham and cheese sliders are Hawaiian rolls topped with plenty of sliced ham, swiss cheese and an onion poppy seed butter, then baked to gooey perfection. The ultimate party snack to feed a crowd!
Get the Recipe
A spoon serving up a portion of hamburger casserole made with pasta and melted cheese.

Hamburger Casserole

This hamburger casserole is ground beef and mushrooms in tomato sauce, tossed with pasta and topped with melted cheese. A comfort food classic that's great for feeding a crowd, and can be easily customized to your tastes!
Get the Recipe
Italian chicken with a parmesan crust, along with roasted potatoes and parsley.

Italian Chicken

This Italian chicken is coated in a crispy parmesan crust and baked to perfection along with potatoes. An easy sheet pan dinner that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe
Ham casserole with egg noodles and broccoli, topped with melted cheese.

Ham Casserole

This ham casserole is egg noodles, broccoli and diced ham in a creamy sauce, all topped with cheese and baked to golden brown perfection. A comfort food classic that's the perfect way to use up leftover ham!
Get the Recipe
A group of family favorite recipes like shrimp chow mein, slow cooker beef stew and one pot chicken and shrimp gumbo.
A plate of Mexican casserole with layers of meat, tortillas and cheese.

Mexican Casserole

This Mexican casserole is made with ground beef, tortillas, vegetables and cheese, all layered together and baked to golden brown perfection. A quick and easy dinner for busy weeknights!
Get the Recipe
This recipe for moo shu chicken is a quick and easy dinner option that tastes so much better than take out! NewComfortFood AD

Moo Shu Chicken

This recipe for moo shu chicken is a quick and easy dinner option that tastes so much better than take out!
Get the Recipe
This one pot chicken and shrimp gumbo is a healthy and easy meal that's ready in just 30 minutes!

One Pot Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo

A one pot gumbo full of shrimp, chicken, sausage and vegetables that’s ready in 30 minutes. 
Get the Recipe
This One Pot Oven Chicken and Rice Bake combines chicken with creamy parmesan rice and butternut squash for a complete healthy meal with less dishes to clean.

One Pot Chicken and Rice Bake

This one pot chicken and rice bake combines chicken with creamy parmesan rice and butternut squash for a complete healthy meal with less dishes to clean. 
Get the Recipe
A spoon serving up a portion of pizza casserole.

Pizza Casserole

This pizza casserole is pasta simmered in tomato sauce with pepperoni, sausage, olives and bell peppers, then topped with cheese and baked to golden brown perfection. A family friendly dinner option that always gets rave reviews!
Get the Recipe
Shish kabob made with beef, peppers and onions on a serving plate.

Shish Kabob Recipe

This shish kabob recipe features tender marinated beef, peppers and onions, all skewered together and grilled to perfection. Shish kabobs are a quick and easy meal option that can also be cooked in the oven during cooler weather months.
Get the Recipe
A dish of baked salsa chicken topped with cheese and sour cream.

Salsa Chicken

This salsa chicken is chicken breasts coated in taco seasoning, salsa and cheese, then baked to perfection. A quick and easy meal that the whole family is sure to love.
Get the Recipe
A pan of shrimp chow mein noodles with vegetables.

Shrimp Chow Mein (One Pot Meal)

This recipe for shrimp chow mein is a quick and easy one pot meal with plenty of stir fried shrimp and vegetables tossed with noodles and a simple sauce.
Get the Recipe
A bowl of slow cooker beef stew with meat, carrots, potatoes and peas.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This slow cooker beef stew is loaded with chunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots and peas. It’s a hearty and comforting one pot meal where the crock pot does all of the work!
Get the Recipe
Slow cooker beef stroganoff with chunks of beef, mushrooms and egg noodles topped with parsley.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

This slow cooker beef stroganoff is tender beef, mushrooms and egg noodles, all tossed in a savory creamy sauce. An easy crock pot dinner that’s pure comfort food!
Get the Recipe
A group of easy dinner dishes like slow cooker chili, Spanish chicken and vegetable lasagna.
Slow cooker carnitas tacos filled with meat, onions and cilantro.

Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

These slow cooker carnitas tacos are tender chunks of pork cooked in a crock pot, then stuffed into warm corn tortillas with red onion and cilantro. An easy and authentic meal that's even better than what you would get at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe
A bowl of slow cooker chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and green onions.

Slow Cooker Chili

This slow cooker chili is a blend of beef, beans, tomatoes and spices, all simmered together in the crock pot for a rich and hearty dish. Crock pot chili is perfect for parties and any occasion where you need to feed a crowd!
Get the Recipe
Slow cooker mac and cheese topped with parsley, with a serving spoon in it.

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

This recipe for slow cooker mac and cheese is a blend of tender pasta with two types of cheese and plenty of seasonings, all cooked together to creamy and cheesy perfection. It's the easiest crock pot macaroni and cheese ever!
Get the Recipe
Slow cooker pulled pork on a hamburger bun, served with french fries.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This slow cooker pulled pork is coated in a homemade spice rub, then simmered in the crock pot until tender. Shred the meat and add BBQ sauce, then dinner is ready to serve!
Get the Recipe
Slow cooker salisbury steak with mushroom gravy and onions.

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

This slow cooker salisbury steak recipe is made with tender beef patties topped with mushroom gravy. Classic comfort food that’s super simple to make!
Get the Recipe
Slow cooker sloppy joe on a bun served with fries and pickles.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

These slow cooker sloppy joes are made with ground beef, tomato sauce, brown sugar and spices, all cooked to savory perfection. An easy crock pot meal that’s kid friendly and perfect for serving a crowd.
Get the Recipe
Spanish chicken thighs with chorizo and potatoes.

Spanish Chicken

This Spanish chicken is spiced chicken thighs roasted with potatoes, bell peppers and chorizo. A simple and satisfying one pan meal that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant!
Get the Recipe
A stromboli recipe with pepperoni, ham and cheese wrapped up in pizza dough and baked.

Stromboli Recipe

This stromboli recipe is tender dough stuffed with tomato sauce, cheese and Italian meats, then baked to  golden brown perfection. It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe
Taco sliders with salsa and guacamole on the side.

Taco Sliders

These taco sliders are sandwiches stuffed with taco meat and cheese, then brushed with garlic butter and baked to perfection. Serve with salsa and guacamole for a party snack that will earn rave reviews.
Get the Recipe
A slice of vegetable lasagna topped with melted cheese and parsley.

Vegetable Lasagna

This vegetable lasagna is layers of noodles, veggies, marinara sauce and three different kinds of cheese, all baked to golden brown perfection. A vegetarian main course option that's perfect for feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe

Save yourself time and effort with these fantastic recipes. Your family will love these amazing meals and you will love how much easier these recipes make your life. Give them a try today!

Hello! I’m Sara!

Learn more about Sara

Related Posts

Free Bonus

5 Secrets to Meal Planning + Free Toolkit!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. This is a fantastic list of recipes, there are just so many I want to try! I think I’ll start with the one pot shrimp chow mein, I love an easy prep and easy clean-up kind of meal!

  2. There are so many great recipes here. My family loved the cheeseburger pasta and I can’t wait to try some more of these. Thank you!

  3. These are all so awesome and cozy and perfect for weeknights. Who wouldn’t want to dive into one of these (or all of these, really) after a long day at school or work? Bookmarking this!

  4. Wow, what a great list! This is actually what I am looking for this. I’m already on a hunt for dinner suggestions because school starts back next week. Between all of the kids different after-school activities. I’m going to check these out.Thanks for sharing these recipes.

  5. Back to school days can become hectic and crazy for parents and it’s nice to have dinner ideas that they can easily make! These all sound delicious and they’re recipes that the kids will enjoy eating!