Start the year off right with these 52 easy back-to-school dinner ideas that even picky eaters will love.
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There is no question that once August and September roll around, life can get slightly more stressful as we try to juggle everything that comes with a new school year. Days start to get busier as the school calendar starts to fill with after-school practices, activities, homework, appointments, and everything else.
So, we start searching for super simple recipes that we know our kids will like. And, if you have picky eaters like I do, you know how challenging it can be to find effortless meals that require minimal prep and basic ingredients that will make everyone happy.
That is why I decided to gather up some quick and easy back-to-school dinner ideas for busy nights when you are trying to navigate this new daily routine. As a mom, I know how stressful this time of year can be and I wanted to help lessen the overwhelm that this new season can bring.
You will find kid-friendly dinners that include quick one-pot meals, kid-approved crockpot recipes, and hearty casseroles for chilly fall nights.
Also, if you use theme night dinners to plan your meals there are ideas for taco night and pizza night. Enjoy!
52 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Ideas
Find easy, frugal, and delicious back-to-school dinner ideas that everyone will love. These no-fuss family dinners include family-favorite ground beef recipes, flavorful chicken dinner ideas, comforting soup recipes, and more.
1
The Cookin Chicks
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls
These Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls require only a few simple ingredients and are packed with flavor! Each crescent roll is stuffed with shredded chicken, cheese, and seasonings! Topped with a creamy, cheese sauce…this chicken rolls recipe is one you don’t want to pass up!
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2
Simply Made Eats
Easy Cheeseburger Bowls (Deconstructed Burgers)
These Cheeseburger bowls are the perfect back to school dinner! A family favorite & everyone can pick their own toppings.
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3
In the Kids’ Kitchen
Taco Pizza with Crescent Dough
Make pizza night a breeze with this easy taco pizza recipe that uses crescent dough for a fluffy crust! Easy and cheesy!
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4
A Cedar Spoon
Easy Chicken Sliders
Easy Chicken Sliders are a great way to use up leftover chicken. Made with shredded chicken, cheese, red onion, dijon mustard, and spices that are sandwiched between slider buns and heated. They are perfect for busy school nights.
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5
The Soccer Mom Blog
Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
This Cheeseburger Pasta combines creamy mac & cheese with juicy burger flavor for an easy 30-minute one-pot meal and comfort food the whole family will enjoy!
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6
The Forked Spoon
Garlic Butter Pork Chop Recipe (Ready in Just 15 Minutes!)
Juicy garlic butter Pork Chop Recipe with golden seared edges is ready in just 15 minutes, making them perfect for a back-to-school dinner for picky eaters. Enjoy this delicious and tender pork chop recipe with all your favorite side dish recipes for a fast and flavorful meal the whole family will love.
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7
Busy Little Chefs
Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Crispy and easy, this baked chicken nuggets panko recipe is just as good as fast food versions, yet healthy too.
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8
Life Around The Table
Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup
Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup is an instant comfort food classic & easy to get on the table in under an hour!
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9
Little Nomads Recipes
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup as a dip is sensational and easy to make! Crafted with fresh tomatoes, basil, cream, and olive oil, this soup is aromatic and fresh. It's perfect for dipping a buttery, golden Gouda grilled cheese sandwich.
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10
The Cooking Duo
Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread Recipe
Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread combines the classic flavors of sloppy joes with the rich taste of garlic bread. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party snack.
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11
Little Black Skillet
Cast Iron Chicken Parm
Your family will love this cast iron chicken parm recipe! Breaded chicken breasts are covered in marinara and cheese. What could be better?
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12
Tiffany Does It All
Easy Dinner Idea BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are not only incredibly fast to prepare but also a family favorite. This simple weeknight dinner option is ideal for nights when you're pressed for time but still want to offer a wholesome and fulfilling meal.
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13
Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Chicken Potato Bake
This chicken dinner comes together quickly, using just a handful of ingredients. It's a quick and easy back to school dinner that kids will eat without complaining.
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14
The Fresh Cooky
Easy Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes (Ground Beef)
These easy sloppy joes are so easy to make using affordable ingredients. It's an easy back to school dinner that will be loved by all. The ultimate comfort food.
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15
Home Time Activities
Leftover Hot Dog Fried Rice Recipe - Kids Gobble It Up
This is an easy leftover hot dog recipe. We love making hot dog fried rice because it turns leftovers into a tasty dinner that kids love.
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16
Love From the Oven
Lasagna Roll Ups
Do you love lasagna but hate all the work that goes into making it? Well these adorable baked lasagna rollups are just what you need! They not only look amazing, they taste amazing!
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17
Garlic All Day
One Pot Garlic Sausage Pasta
This recipe has got it all: al dente pasta and juicy chunks of Italian sausage, swimming in a rich scratch-made tomato sauce. A one pot that kids will love!
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18
Lauren Fit Foodie
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole with Biscuits (Kid-Friendly!)
Pizza night just got even easier! This Pizza Casserole with Biscuits is the ultimate, weeknight dinner that's super easy, high protein and kid-approved! It only requires 6 simple ingredients and is a mess-free way to enjoy all your favorite pizza flavors in one easy dish!
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19
Shortcut Chicken Parmesan Bake
This shortcut chicken parmesan bake uses frozen chicken tenders for a super easy weeknight casserole that everyone will enjoy.
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20
Powell Family Cooking
3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla Recipe
Learn how to make the best 3 Ingredient Cheese Quesadilla recipe. This delicious and quick quesadilla is perfect for family cooking and beginners.
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21
Quiche My Grits
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
Back to school means it's time for Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes! They're quick, easy and delish.
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22
Baking Beauty
Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
Spicy pepperoni and gooey cheese come together in this pizza pasta. It tastes just like pizza and is a real family favorite in this house.
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23
Spoons of Flavor
Cheesy Ramen Noodles
This cheese ramen is ready in just 5 minutes making it perfect for a quick and easy meal. It uses 4 simple ingredients and is hearty, filling, and delicious. Both adults and kids will enjoy this.
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24
Small Town Woman
Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti pie is a tasty and fun twist on a classic dish with tons of flavor and simple ingredients. It's a perfect school night dinner idea your kids will love!
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25
Layered Nacho Casserole
This easy and frugal casserole has layers of tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, salsa and shredded cheddar cheese.
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26
On My Kid's Plate
Hawaiian Roll Pizza Sliders (Oven or Air Fryer!)
These fast and easy pizza sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are so gooey and delicious and are a hit for any party or a school night dinner idea. Gooey mozzarella cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and just the right amount of pepperoni on soft rolls, these pepperoni pizza sliders are so tasty!
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27
The Clean Eating Couple
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner you’ll love. Packed with broccolini, tomatoes and pesto - it’s healthy and delicious!
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28
CopyKat Recipes
Hashbrown and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf with Gravy
Fill those back-to-school tummies with this delicious recipe! Stuffed Meatloaf with Gravy is a delicious and comforting dinner. It’s the best meatloaf stuffed with cheese and hash brown potatoes.
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You May Like:
- 30 Easy 30-Minute Dinners for Busy Weeknights
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29
Love Bakes Good Cakes
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas are a simple and delicious dinner that's perfect for busy school nights. An easy recipe for chicken quesadillas with a kick!
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30
Salt & Lavender
Crockpot Beef Stew
This slow cooker beef stew is an easy-to-make family-friendly meal with everyday ingredients to warm you up on chilly fall school nights.
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31
Shugary Sweets
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole is an easy chicken dinner packed with cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and cheese.
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Love all things buffalo chicken? Find 38 Easy Buffalo Chicken Recipes that are perfect for school night dinners.
32
Princess Pinky Girl
Walking Tacos
Walking tacos are all of your favorite taco ingredients piled into a bag of chips (we love Doritos or Fritos!) Everyone will love this easy back-to-school dinner idea!
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33
Flavor Mosaic
Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna, made with cheese tortellini pasta, is a perfect back-to-school dinner for busy weeknights when you don't have time to make traditional lasagna from scratch.
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34
Brooklyn Farm Girl
Slow Cooker Meatballs with Spaghetti
Enjoy these easy-to-make Slow Cooker Meatballs cooked in tomato sauce served with spaghetti for a simple school night dinner.
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35
365 Days of Baking and More
Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe
Make this easy Chicken Nachos Recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. You can never go wrong with tortilla chips covered in shredded chicken, cheese, and delicious toppings!
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36
Practically Homemade
Easy Weeknight Chili Tater Tot Casserole
This Easy Chili Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect weeknight family dinner idea.
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37
Wholesome Yum
Best Burger Recipe (So Juicy, Grill Or Stovetop)
You will love this homemade juicy burger recipe that makes the best burgers, thanks to 2 simple secret ingredients.
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38
Baking Mischief
American Goulash
You will love this classic American goulash recipe. Perfect for family dinners, it's an easy one-pot meal made with ground beef and macaroni pasta in a tangy red sauce and covered with cheddar cheese.
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39
Spaceships and Laser Beams
Taco Spaghetti
Taco spaghetti is a delicious weeknight dinner recipe full of seasoned meat, tomatoes, cheese, and Mexican-inspired flavor.
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40
Valerie’s Kitchen
Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos (Recipe + Video)
This Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos recipe is such a flavorful dish. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners this fall.
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41
Crayons and Cravings
Best Crockpot Chili Recipe
Try this easy, filling, and delicious crockpot chili recipe. It's the perfect comfort food for family dinners on chilly nights.
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42
Bowl of Delicious
Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple
This sweet and sour chicken recipe is an easy Chinese stir-fry with bell pepper and pineapple that your whole family will love.
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43
Saving Dessert
Meatball Sub Sandwiches
Easy, cheesy, and delicious, homemade Meatball Sub Sandwiches are sure to satisfy everyone. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner idea.
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44
Little Sunny Kitchen
The Best Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Easy Chicken Stuffing Casserole made without condensed soup is a delicious and easy family favorite dinner recipe.
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Recommended:
- 85 Easy Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas
- Best 20 Minute Meals for Busy Weeknights
- 26 Quick and Easy Pork Recipes
- 42 Quick 15-Minute Dinner Ideas
45
Kitchen Gidget
Buffalo Chicken Calzones (spicy, cheesy hot pockets!)
Buffalo Chicken Calzones are spicy and cheesy calzones that are easy to prepare and a must-try if you love buffalo chicken.
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46
The Gunny Sack
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini is an easy crockpot recipe that will become a favorite family dinner!
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47
Plowing Through Life
Stromboli Recipe
This semi-homemade Farmhouse Stromboli Pizza is a quick and easy family dinner idea everyone will enjoy!
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48
Kristine's Kitchen
Chicken Enchilada Casserole (4 Ingredients!)
This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is cheesy, comforting, and delicious! It’s super simple to make and perfect for busy weeknight weeknights.
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49
The Bitter Side of Sweet
Pepperoni French Bread Pizza
Try this super easy pepperoni french bread pizza that takes just 15 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner idea kids (and adults) will love!
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50
Joyfully Mad
Easy Beef Taco Soup
Make this Easy Beef Taco Soup for a quick, healthy dinner for the whole family. This delicious soup can be prepped in under 10 minutes!
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51
Kylee Cooks
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe- ready in 20 minutes!
A delicious and cheesy broccoli cheddar soup, perfect for family dinners when the weather gets chilly.
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52
Dinner Mom
Crock-Pot Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses
You won’t believe how easy it is to make crock-pot baked ziti with 3 cheeses. An easy and delicious weeknight dinner.
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Find 200 quick and easy recipes for busy weeknights for easy meal planning.
Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Find easy breakfast ideas for kids and grab-and-go breakfasts for teens. As well, as mix and match lunch ideas (includes a free printable) and snack ideas for kids including air fryer after-school snacks.
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