These back to school recipes are a great way to get the school year off to a good start! There are tons of ideas from skillet meals to pasta dishes to chicken dinners which means mealtime will never be boring. Many of these meals are one pot or ready in less than 30 minutes.
It’s been a long summer hasn’t it? Now, it’s almost time to get ready for the back to school season. This also means busier nights as the kids start up their extracurricular activities. 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 it out to thaw. One pot meals and 30 minute meals are my all time go-to for the beginning of the school year. It seems to make life easier while getting used to the new schedule again. Give these back to school dinners a try and leave your ideas in the comments below!
40 Back to School Recipes
- Ham and Cheese Stromboli
- Simple Jerk Chicken
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Paprika Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Cheesy Sausage Zucchini Rice Skillet
- 20-minute Garlic Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein
- Spicy Italian Panini
- Crockpot Kid Friendly Turkey Chili
- Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken
- Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
- Easy Chicken Gyros
- Spicy Ginger Szechuan Beef
- Chicken Ratatouille
- Instant Pot Five Cheese Ziti
- Tuscan Garlic Chicken
- Spaghetti Tacos
- Sloppy Joes
- One Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta
- Skinny Skillet Lasagna
- Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Florentine
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
- Spicy Fish Tacos Bowls
- Skillet Cheesy Tuna Pasta
- Pasta Salad
- Garlic Yogurt Baked Chicken
- Swedish Meatballs
- One Skillet Sausage White Bean Gnocchi
- Cucumber and Avocado Sandwich
- Chicken Shawarma Quinoa Bowls
- Salsa Chicken
- Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna Rolls
- Rice Casserole
- Lemon Chicken Asparagus
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Tin Foil Sausage & Veggie Jambalaya
- Chicken Shawarma Naan Salad
- Moo Shu Chicken
- Fried Shrimp Tacos
This post was originally published on September 23, 2016 and updated on July 19, 2018 with new content.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Wow, what a great list! I see so many tasty things that my family would love to it.
Terri Beavers says
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 have to plan ahead and find easy meal recipes. I’m going to check these out, they all look and sound divine.
Kate | Life of a Ginger says
Dinner can be a constant struggle for us. Thank you for sharing all of these recipes! I can’t wait to test some out.
Chubskulit Rose says
Back to school phrase makes me cringe lol. I will have to register the kids soon and shop for things. These recipes would come in handy.
Terri Steffes says
Whoa! That’s a lot of great recipes! I am overwhelmed as to where to start to dig in! Thanks for this great list.
GiGi Eats says
You seriously made my day! I love when I start to see BACK TO SCHOOL things because um, I ADORE FALL and that just means, FALL WILL BE HERE SOON!!! Also, 1000% checking out the chicken shawarma!
Heather says
Wow, what a collection! I almost licked the screen. Can’t wait to try that jerk chicken to start.
Jeanette says
So many amazing recipes I need to pin. I love this roundup! Especially the great sandwich ideas. I always love making a good old fashion sandwich!
Karen Morse says
Going back to school can mean busy days and nights for the whole family! I think having meal plans and dinner ideas will make it so much easier! Loving these recipes!
Lisa says
Gosh these look great! I like how easy they are to create, going to line our back to school meal planning soon! Thanks for sharing these recipes
Glenda Cates says
These recipes will give us something new to create for dinner and allow us to spend more time together as a family.
wendy says
These recipes all look great. I need to get busy with more meal planning with school in mind. We get very busy and the worst part of my day is figuring out what’s for dinner on the fly.
Sarah Bailey says
Now this is an amazing list of dinner ideas! I have to admit I need to sit and go through them all one by one and save some to make for myself!
Lisa says
What a fantastic collection of meals for back to school. I’m putting them on the menu and getting things planned out. Thanks!
Tammy says
Awesome list. I must try a few of those noodle recipes.
Jasmine Eclipse says
I am SO pinning this. There are so many drool-worthy recipes in here! I’m not going back to school, nor do I have children yet, but these are perfect for ME! Thank you!!
Amber Myers says
Oh man, I’m already hungry, and looking at these photos made my stomach growl. I’d be happy with any of these dishes! I’ll be trying some out for sure.
candy says
It soon will be that time of year for more hearty meals being fixed. Pasta is always a hit and a cheap way to feed a family. Skillet meals are great one mess clean up.
Greg says
Great list! They look like a lot of fun recipes!
Beatrice says
These all look so good! Not sure which to try first!