Back to school doesn’t mean you have to resort to frozen fish fingers and oven pizza – here are 45+ Easy Peasy Back To School Dinners (that’s more than one for every day in September!) to help you make and eat delicious home-cooked food – even on a busy weeknight!
Summer is pretty much over (sob) and it’s back to school and back to crazy busy weekdays (and often even crazier weekends), packed with clubs, sports, playdates, homework… and the age old dilemma of what to have for dinner!
Many of my mummy (and daddy) friends… and quite often my non-parent friends too, come to think of it, tell me that coming up with interesting, but quick and easy meals to make on a busy weeknight evening is one of their most hated tasks… Of course they want to eat delicious, nutritious food… but coming up with ideas that are doable around work and family commitments is tricky.
Well, if this drives you slightly bonkers too, then fret no longer… I have exactly what you need – I’ve pulled together this collection of 45+ Easy Peasy Back To School Dinners to help you out. These recipes are all tried and tested, kid-approved dinners which are totally doable – even on those crazy busy weeknights!
I’ve divided them into sections (One Pots, Easy Pasta Dishes, Slow Cooked, Soup, Leftovers, Traybakes, Under 30 Minutes etc.), so you can find exactly what you are looking for and I’ve noted the prep and cook times, so you can easily find a recipe that perfectly fits the time you have!
If you make one of these recipes (or, even better, discover a new family favourite!) I’d love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below or via social media. I’m on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
One Pots
One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake
Get the recipe => One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
One Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken Rice and Beans
Get the recipe => One Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken Rice and Beans
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Easy One Pot Sausage Casserole
Get the recipe => Easy One Pot Sausage Casserole
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy One Pot Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Get the recipe =>Easy One Pot Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
One Pot Tuna Pasta Bake with Broccoli and Sweetcorn
Get the recipe => One Pot Tuna Pasta Bake with Broccoli and Sweetcorn
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Chicken Biryani
Get the recipe => Easy Chicken Biryani
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Easy Pasta Recipes
Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Get the recipe => Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Easy Sicilian Style Tuna Pasta
Get the recipe => Easy Sicilian Style Tuna Pasta
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Tomato, Pepper and Chorizo Pasta
Get the recipe => Tomato, Pepper and Chorizo Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Hidden Vegetable Ratatouille Pasta
Get the recipe => Hidden Vegetable Ratatouille Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Sweetcorn Pasta
Get the recipe => Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Sweetcorn Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Easy Quorn Bolognese
Get the recipe => Easy Quorn Bolognese
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Easy Tomato Pasta
Get the recipe => Easy Tomato Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Super Simple Macaroni Cheese
Get the recipe => Super Simple Macaroni Cheese
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Easy Chicken Bolognese
Get the recipe => Easy Chicken Bolognese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Slow Cooked Dinners
Slow Cooked Chicken Bhuna
Get the recipe => Slow Cooked Chicken Bhuna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1h 30 minutes (longer if using a slow cooker)
Total time: 1h 40 minutes (longer if using a slow cooker)
Slow Cooked Chunky Beef Chilli
Get the recipe => Slow Cooked Chunky Beef Chilli
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours (longer if using a slow cooker)
Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes (longer if using a slow cooker)
Easy Hungarian Beef Goulash
Get the recipe => Easy Hungarian Beef Goulash
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours (longer if using a slow cooker)
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes (longer if using a slow cooker)
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders
Get the recipe => Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Slow Cooked Beef and Pumpkin Chilli
Get the recipe => Slow Cooked Beef and Pumpkin Chilli
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours (longer if using a slow cooker)
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes (longer if using a slow cooker)
Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
Get the recipe => Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup (Vegan)
Get the recipe => Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup (Vegan)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Easy Peasy Vegetable Soup (Vegan)
Get the recipe => Easy Peasy Vegetable Soup (Vegan)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup
Get the recipe => Creamy Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Butternut Squash, Chilli and Coconut Milk Soup (Vegan)
Get the recipe => Butternut Squash, Chilli and Coconut Milk Soup (Vegan)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Leek and Potato Soup (Vegan)
Get the recipe => Easy Leek and Potato Soup (Vegan)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Easy Tomato and Red Lentil Soup (Vegan)
Get the recipe => Easy Tomato and Red Lentil Soup (Vegan)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Leftovers Meals
Leftover lamb Ragu
Get the recipe => Leftover Lamb Ragu
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Leftover Chicken and Egg Fried Rice
Get the recipe => Leftover Chicken and Egg Fried Rice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Leftover Roast Beef Chilli
Get the recipe => Leftover Roast Beef Chilli
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta
Get the recipe => Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff
Get the recipe => Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Leftover Turkey (or Chicken), Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Get the recipe => Turkey (or Chicken), Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Traybakes
Peri Peri Chicken Traybake
Get the recipe => Peri Peri Chicken Traybake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Easy Sausage Traybake
Get the recipe => Easy Sausage Traybake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Sausage, Squash, Apple and Sage Traybake
Get the recipe => Sausage, Squash, Apple and Sage Traybake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Sticky Chicken Traybake
Get the recipe => Sausage, Squash, Apple and Sage Traybake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Sticky Harissa Chicken Traybake
Get the recipe => Sticky Harissa Chicken Traybake with Chickpeas and Kale
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Mexican Chicken Traybake
Get the recipe => Mexican Chicken Traybake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Easy Sausage and Sweet Potato Traybake
Get the recipe => Easy Sausage and Sweet Potato Traybake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Get the recipe => Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Under 30 Minutes
Easy Prawn Jalfrezi
Get the recipe => Easy Prawn Jalfrezi
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Lamb Fajitas
Get the recipe => Easy Lamb Fajitas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Easy Pork Stroganoff
Get the recipe => Easy Pork Stroganoff
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Easy Chicken and Chorizo Risotto
Get the recipe => Easy Chicken and Chorizo Risotto
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Beef Enchiladas
Get the recipe => Easy Beef Enchiladas
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala
Get the recipe => Easy Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Chicken, Chorizo and Chickpea Stew
Get the recipe => Easy Chicken, Chorizo and Chickpea Stew
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Peasy Chilli Con Carne
Get the recipe => Easy Peasy Chilli Con Carne
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Easy Chicken, Red Lentil and Coconut Curry
Get the recipe => Easy Chicken, Red Lentil and Coconut Curry
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
If you enjoyed this roundup…
…then you might also enjoy these:
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Linkies
I am linking this up to Cook Blog Share.
Choclette says
Plenty to keep us all going there. I may not be going back to school, but I am moving house and starting a new job, so I’ll definitely need lots of easy peasy dinners to keep me going over the next month or so.
Nico @ yumsome says
Good luck with the move, Choclette; hope everything goes smoothly. What’s the new job? xx
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Choclette – hope you find plenty here to keep you going and good luck with the house move and new job! Eb x
Jo Allison - Jo's Kitchen Larder says
I’ve pinned and bookmarked your fabulous post on my desktop too so that I can refer to it when in need of quick and delicious dinner inspiration. It will be oh so handy 🙂 Thanks for including my recipe! x
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Jo and thanks for contributing! Hope you find some new family favourites 😀
Nat @ Intolerant Gourmand says
What a fantastic collection of recipes!! x
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Nat 🙂
Nico @ yumsome says
What a great round-up Eb! Have shared! xx
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Nico. I do so love and quick and easy recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing!! Eb x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
What a great round up Eb. I will definitely be pinning a lot of these meals x #CookBlogShare
Eb Gargano says
Thanks sweetie! Eb x
Jo says
what a great post eb. Thanks for sharing too. What a great inspiration. Now i’m hungry!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Jo! Collating this post made me seriously HUNGRY!!! Eb x
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
This roundup reminds me that you can still feed the eyes while feeding the belly—even on crazy-busy school nights! These are all just gorgeous. I’m definitely pinning them to try in the coming weeks!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Michelle – and so true! I’m firmly of the belief that busy week nights does not have to equal bad food! Eb x
Lucy says
Wow what a great resource Eb, I know all my mum friends will love this. Pinned to my back to school recipes board, 🙂
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Lucy and thanks for sharing! It came about because so many of my mum friends told me how much they hated having to come up with interesting family friendly meals every evening. I’m hoping this will help lots of people. 😀 Eb x
Rebecca says
Huge MASSIVE round up Eb, some fab ideas here to help me out of the weekday rutt just need to order the ingredients for delivery and Bob’s your Uncle! …actually he’s Ian!
Eb Gargano says
I know Rebecca… have trouble doing things by halves…it was originally going to be 30, but there were just too many good recipes I wanted to include! Eb x
Camilla says
Totally loving all these recipes, I’m positively drooling!
Eb Gargano says
I know! Imagine how much drooling I did compiling this!! Eb x
Corina says
Lovely selection of recipes Eb! I’m tempted by so many of them. x
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Corina! Eb x
Corina says
And thanks so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Eb Gargano says
A pleasure as always! Xx
Nina says
Such a great round up! These recipes look so delicious!! can’t wait to try some of them out 🙂 xxx
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Nina…aren’t they just? I got very hungry compiling this!! Eb x
Honest Mum says
What an amazing post bursting with beautiful, flavoursome dishes! Off to share this on my FB page x
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks sweetie and thanks so much for sharing!! Xx
jacqui says
Oh My this is one of the most useful recipe round ups I’ve seen. Who doesnt want easy peasy mid week meals – Yep everyone !
Its a lovely round up Eb with some fantastic recipes. I am sure I will be coming back to it again and agin when I’m lacking inspiration.
Thank you for linking up to this weeks #CookBlogShare
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Jacqui! Eb x
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
Such a useful roundup Eb., it’s perfect for those busy weekday evenings where I feel to meet myseld going backwards!
Angela x
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Angela! I am very familiar with those kind of evenings…hence why I created this roundup!! Eb x
Balvinder says
This post will be so helpful.
Eb Gargano says
Yay! So pleased you found it useful. Let me know what you make! Eb x
Mandy says
What a brilliant collection of recipes – just what we need at this time of year. I really need to get back into meal planning, it’s totally slipped over the summer.
Eb Gargano says
Aren’t they just fab? So much inspiration. And all so easy and family friendly. Perfect for busy weeknights! Eb x
Corina Blum says
Such lovely ideas in here and thank for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Corina! Eb x
jacqui says
what a great idea to share again this is such a useful round up
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Jacqui! Eb x
Renu says
What an amazing post…delicious collection of recipes
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Renu! Eb 🙂
Louise says
Some great ideas here Eb, Thanks! Will be coming back for ideas over the next few weeks. #cookblogshare
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Louise 😀
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
Lots of great ideas here for easy midweek meals even if you don’t have school kids Thank You
Eb Gargano says
Aw, that’s great to hear! Eb 🙂
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
So many delicious quick and easy dinners!
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Cat! Eb 🙂
Nickki says
So many delicious meal ideas here – you would never be stuck on what to have for dinner!
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Nickki 😀