23 Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas For Back To School

This post shares 23 easy weeknight dinner ideas for back to school

 

With school back in full swing I’m willing to bet you’re exhausted. Making dinner adds just another layer of stress to your evenings on top of meal planning and grocery shopping. Quick and easy dinners are the way to go so I’m here to share my favorite easy weeknight dinner ideas to help save you turning this back to school transition period and beyond!

 

1. Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps

 

 

Ready in as little as 30 minutes these cheesy garlic chicken wraps are delicious and simple to make

 

You’re able to change up the type of cheese depending on your family’s preferences 

 

Serve with a side of air fried French fries and some cut up veggies and you have yourself the perfect weeknight dinner

 

2. Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan

 

 

Sheet pan meals make dinner incredibly easy and cut down on how many dishes you wash at the end of the night – bonus!

 

This Hawaiian chicken meal is fantastic with chicken breast, pineapple, red onion, and a beautifully sweet sauce

 

Serve with some white rice ( or coconut rice) and your vegetable of choice!

 

3. Creamy Tortellini Carbonara 

 

Any type of pasta dish is going to be your best friend when it comes to an easy weeknight dinner

 

We love to buy the packs of cheese tortellini from Costco and freeze it to use for meals just like this one

 

Combine the cheese tortellini with the creamy delicious sauce, bacon, and even a loaf of garlic bread if you’re feel extra fancy

 

4. Taco Macaroni and Cheese

 

One pot meals are the hero of weeknight dinner struggles and for good reason

 

This recipe is for when taco night meets pasta night and it’s the perfect combination of both

 

You’re able to customize depending on your families preferences as well! I know some kiddos can be picky

 

5. Chicken Ramen

 

 

During the chillier seasons or during a rainy day in the Summer we love to make this chicken ramen

 

Using simple ingredients we usually have on hand (minus the bok choy) this is a fabulous meal that my kids love

 

You can improvise with the veggies to use up what you have in the fridge. We will often throw in veggies like carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc

 

6. Smash Burger

 

 

Who doesn’t love a crispy burger!? It’s great when you aren’t able to use your outdoor BBQ or don’t have one!

 

Using a blackstone, cast iron skillet, or just a pan you can create these deliciously thin and crispy burger patties

 

Be sure to add on the special burger sauce!

 

7. Sheet Pan Pizza

 

 

Did you know how quick and easy homemade pizza can be? I know it seems daunting but follow this recipe and you are set!

 

Your local grocery stores often carry ready made pizza dough making it even easier for you

 

You can make it on a sheet pan or we often make them in pie pans so each person can make a personal sized pizza and put whatever toppings they like

 

8. Beef and Broccoli 

 

 

Forget take out and make this tasty Asian dish in your own home!

 

Made with either noodles or rice thinly sliced steak and tender broccoli with a delicious quick and easy sauce

 

Ready in just 20 minutes! What more can you ask for. Serve with a side of crispy spring rolls

 

9. Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

 

 

These roasted bell peppers are stuffed full of yummy ground beef, rice, and cheese

 

You’re getting your protein, carb, and veggie all in one compact dish

 

Serve with a side salad or even a second carb like roasted potatoes and veg! You can certainly eat this alone as it has everything you need for a complete meal

 

10. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

 

 

So many restaurants make delicious lettuce wraps but I recently figured out they are just as good at home and super quick to make

 

 

Another 20 minute recipe because they are the BEST after a long day and you need to get dinner on the table before heading out for after school activities

 

 

These are fantastic on their own or we like to serve them with some spring rolls and pan fried gyoza for an appy style meal

 

 

If your kids aren’t a big fan of the lettuce wrap we have done theirs in a tortilla or over white rice

 

 

11. Homemade Chicken Tenders

 

 

Hands down the most kid-friendly meal has to be chicken fingers so let’s make some homemade ones

 

These are as easy as it gets to make with only a handful of ingredients and a recipe for homemade honey mustard dip – yum!

 

With this recipe there is an option for frying, air frying, and baking whichever works best for you and your family

 

12. Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches

 

 

Once a month in our household we do breakfast for dinner and my kids love it

 

We will often change it up switching between a sweet and savory meal and breakfast sandwiches is a great option

 

Serve with fresh fruit and a side of hash browns and you have yourself a delicious dinner

 

13. Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake

 

 

Here is a great sweet breakfast for dinner option also using croissants plus some decadent chocolate of course

 

With this meal I would pair it with fresh fruit and protein of your choice we often swap between sausages and bacon

 

This isn’t the healthiest meal ever so that’s why we will only do it every second month but we all look forward to it

 

14. One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken and Vegetables

 

 

The bright citrus flavor of lemon combined with aromatic herbs creates a lively taste that everyone will enjoy

 

This classic meal is ready in under an hour and is both healthy and tasty

 

Pair with a starch such as rice pilaf, roasted baby potatoes, or mashed potatoes

 

 

15. Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

 

 

 

With the weather cooling off these warm and toasty comfort foods are some of my favorites

 

Chicken and dumplings is a savory soup with chicken and vegetables cooked in broth with either noodle-like or fluffy biscuit dumplings

 

The smell of onions, celery, and carrots cooking in butter is my absolute favorite and brings me back to my culinary school days

 

16. Homemade Hamburger Helper

 

 

This homemade version of the classic is ready in just 35 minutes and made in one skillet!

 

Everything you love about the boxed version but take it up 10 notches! Pairs perfectly with some crispy garlicy Texas toast or garlic knots

 

17. Chicken Enchiladas with Corn Tortillas

 

 

With just 7 ingredients plus your toppings you can make this authentic Mexican dish you and your family will love

 

Jarred sauce helps simplify this dish however, there are tons of homemade recipes you can find online

 

Be sure to use corn tortillas as they provide tons more flavor than flour tortillas

 

18. Creamy Crack Chicken Gnocchi

 

 

Gnocchi is one of my favorite pasta dishes especially when it is as creamy and indulgent as this one

 

 

Homemade gnocchi isn’t as difficult as you might think and it is well worth it to make from scratch

 

 

Ready in as little as 30 minutes this pasta is sure to impress your whole family

 

19. Spaghetti and Meatballs

 

 

Spaghetti and meatballs is a weekly recipe in our house and you all know why

 

 

It’s incredibly fast and easy to whip up a tomato sauce and you can absolutely use a store bought sauce in a pinch

 

 

20. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 

 

Your slow cooker is your best friend when you want dinner on the table in a hurry after work

 

We love a set it and forget it kind of meal which is definitely this pulled pork recipe 

 

Put the pork shoulder in the slow cooker before work and once you’re home shred it, add some BBQ sauce, put it on a bun and top it with some crunch slaw

 

 

21. Easy Chicken Tacos

 

 

If tacos aren’t on a regular rotation in your home then what are you doing!?

 

Every Tuesday we do some sort of Mexican dish whether that be tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and we switch between chicken, beef, and pork as well

 

Any type of taco can be easily made in 30 minutes and the kids as thrilled as they can create their own meal

 

22. Chicken Pot Pie

 

 

You would be hard pressed to find a more warm and comforting meal than chicken pot pie

 

I chose this recipe in particular as I enjoy the crustless more as it is more leftover friendly with it not being soggy

 

I like my crust to be crisp and with other recipes that wasn’t the case! We eat ours with crusty biscuits and we love it

 

23. Meatball Subs

 

 

One of the ultimate comfort foods and something fast and simple to make!? Sign me up!

 

If you are feeling ambitious you can make the meatballs yourself (highly recommend) however, frozen meatballs will work just the same

 

Serve with a side salad to have some balance or you can also do fries and veggies

 

 

 

Conclusion: Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love

I hope our list of easy weeknight dinner ideas helped relieve some of the weekly stress you feel when it comes to meal planning. I know I have felt burnt out or straight up bored of our meal rotation and need some help sometimes. Feel free to let me know your favorites!