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 tasty 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 teamed up with my food blogging buddies to bring you 45 Easy Peasy Back To School Dinners.
I asked my fellow food bloggers to share with me their top back to school meals – these are all tried and tested crowd pleasers by people who really know how to create great food, but who also know the trials and tribulations of crazy busy weeknights. I’ve divided them into sections (One Pots, Easy Pasta Dishes, Slow Cooked, Super Speedy 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!
…and if you make one of these recipes please do let me know how it goes – fingers crossed you will find some fab meals to add to your weeknight repertoire 😀
One Pots
Chicken Jambalaya
Prep 15mins, Cook 35mins, Total 50mins
Recipe by Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen
Get the recipe => Chicken Jambalaya
One Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken Rice and Beans
Prep 10mins, Cook 35mins, Total 45mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => One Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken Rice and Beans
Sausage and Red Lentil Casserole
Prep 10mins, Cook 50mins, Total 1h
Recipe by Recipes Made Easy
Get the recipe => Sausage and Red Lentil Casserole
Easy One Pot Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Prep 10mins, Cook 30mins, Total 40mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Easy One Pot Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Eat Your Greens One Pot Pasta
Prep 5mins, Cook 10mins, Total 15mins
Recipe by Tinned Tomatoes
Get the recipe => Eat Your Greens One Pot Pasta
Quick and Easy Chicken Curry
Prep 5mins, Cook 30mins, Total 35mins
Recipe by Hijacked by Twins
Get the recipe => Quick and Easy Chicken Curry
Easy Pasta Recipes
Best Spaghetti with Meatballs
Prep 10mins, Cook 20mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by My Gorgeous Recipes
Get the recipe => Best Spaghetti with Meatballs
Easy Sicilian Style Tuna Pasta
Prep 10mins, Cook 10mins, Total 20mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Easy Sicilian Style Tuna Pasta
Tomato and Chorizo Pasta
Prep 10mins, Cook 20mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Searching for Spice
Get the recipe => Tomato and Chorizo Pasta
Wholewheat Fusilli Pasta with Garlic, Courgettes and Pecorino Cheese
Prep 5mins, Cook 15mins, Total 20mins
Recipe by Honest Mum
Get the recipe => Wholewheat Fusilli Pasta with Garlic, Courgettes and Pecorino Cheese
Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
Prep 5mins, Cook 25mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by My Gorgeous Recipes
Get the recipe => Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
Gargano Pasta with Spinach and Blue Cheese Sauce
Prep 0mins, Cook 10mins, Total 10mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Gargano Pasta with Spinach and Blue Cheese Sauce
Easy Chicken Bolognese
Prep 5mins, Cook 25mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Easy Chicken Bolognese
Slow Cooked Dinners
Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie
Prep 5mins, Cook 7h, Total 7h5mins
Recipe by Baking Queen 74
Get the recipe => Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie
Slow Cooked Chilli Beef
Prep 15mins, Cook 3h, Total 3h15mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Slow Cooked Chilli Beef
Slow Cooker Veggie Sausage, Mushroom and Chickpea Stew
Prep 10mins, Cook 5h, Total 5h10mins
Recipe by Tinned Tomatoes
Get the recipe => Slow Cooker Veggie Sausage, Mushroom and Chickpea Stew
Slow Cooked Anchovy, Beef and Bean Stew
Prep 5mins, Cook 3h15mins, Total 3h20mins
Recipe by Recipes from a Pantry
Get the recipe => Slow Cooked Anchovy, Beef and Bean Stew
Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken Sliders
Prep 5mins, Cook 4hmins, Total 4h5mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken Sliders
Slow Cooker Three Bean Chilli
Prep 10mins, Cook 4h, Total 4h10mins
Recipe by Recipes from a Pantry
Get the recipe => Slow Cooker Three Bean Chilli
Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
Prep 15mins, Cook 5h, Total 5h15mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
Chicken and Squash Curry
Prep 15mins, Cook 1h30m, Total 1h45mins
Recipe by Lost in Food
Get the recipe => Chicken and Squash Curry
Soup
No Fat Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
Prep 5mins, Cook 3h, Total 3h5mins
Recipe by Fuss Free Flavours
Get the recipe => No Fat Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
Creamy Vegan Carrot, Parsnip and Ginger Soup
Prep 10mins, Cook 55mins, Total 1h5mins
Recipe by Le Coin de Mel
Get the recipe => Creamy Vegan Carrot, Parsnip and Ginger Soup
Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup
Prep 10mins, Cook 30mins, Total 40mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup
Butternut Squash, Chilli and Coconut Milk Soup (Vegan)
Prep 10mins, Cook 20mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Butternut Squash, Chilli and Coconut Milk Soup (Vegan)
Chunky Leek and Vegetable Soup
Prep 10mins, Cook 20mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Intolerant Gourmand
Get the recipe => Chunky Leek and Vegetable Soup
Carrot, Ginger and Cauliflower Soup with Spiced Coconut Bacon
Prep 10mins, Cook 35mins, Total 45mins
Recipe by Modern Food Stories
Get the recipe => Carrot, Ginger and Cauliflower Soup with Spiced Coconut Bacon
Leftovers Meals
Leftover lamb Ragu
Prep 5mins, Cook 25mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Leftover lamb Ragu
Chicken and Mushroom Pasta Bake
Prep 5mins, Cook 30mins, Total 35mins
Recipe by Intolerant Gourmand
Get the recipe => Chicken and Mushroom Pasta Bake
Leftover Roast Beef Chilli
Prep 10mins, Cook 20mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Leftover Roast Beef Chilli
Allergy Safe Cottage Pie
Prep 10mins, Cook 35mins, Total 45mins
Recipe by Intolerant Gourmand
Get the recipe => Allergy Safe Cottage Pie
Leftover Turkey (or Chicken), Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Prep 10mins, Cook 20mins, Total 30mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Leftover Turkey (or Chicken), Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Traybakes
Chicken and Asparagus Traybake
Prep 15mins, Cook 25mins, Total 40mins
Recipe by Recipes Made Easy
Get the recipe => Chicken and Asparagus Traybake
Cod and Chorizo Traybake
Prep 5mins, Cook 45mins, Total 50mins
Recipe by Jo’s Kitchen
Get the recipe => Cod and Chorizo Traybake
Sausage, Squash, Apple and Sage Traybake
Prep 15mins, Cook 45mins, Total 1h
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Sausage, Squash, Apple and Sage Traybake
Baked Pork Loin Chops with Carrots and Cheesy Crust
Prep 10mins, Cook 1h15mins, Total 1h25mins
Recipe by Jo’s Kitchen Larder
Get the recipe => Baked Pork Loin Chops with Carrots and Cheesy Crust
Sticky Harissa Chicken Traybake
Prep 10mins, Cook 50mins, Total 1h
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Sticky Harissa Chicken Traybake
Roast Chicken Legs with Onion and Marrow
Prep 10mins, Cook 30mins, Total 40mins
Recipe by Eat Allergy Safe
Get the recipe => Roast Chicken Legs with Onion and Marrow
Super Speedy Suppers
Easy Vegan Quinoa and Cheese Patties
Prep 10mins, Cook 10mins, Total 20mins
Recipe by Yumsome
Get the recipe => Easy Vegan Quinoa and Cheese Patties
Easy Lamb Fajitas
Prep 10mins, Cook 10mins, Total 20mins
Recipe by Easy Peasy Foodie
Get the recipe => Easy Lamb Fajitas
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Prep 5mins, Cook 15mins, Total 20mins
Recipe by Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen
Get the recipe => Sweet and Sour Chicken
5 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup
Prep 0mins, Cook 5mins, Total 5mins
Recipe by Free From Farmhouse
Get the recipe => 5 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup
Sticky Ginger Beer Pork Medallion Strips
Prep 5mins, Cook 10mins, Total 15mins
Recipe by Foodie Quine
Get the recipe => Sticky Ginger Beer Pork Medallion Strips
Cheesy Tuna Pasta
Prep 5mins, Cook 15mins, Total 20mins
Recipe by Fab Food for All
Get the recipe => Cheesy Tuna Pasta
Sicilian Pasta Salad
Prep 15mins, Cook 10mins, Total 25mins
Recipe by Tin and Thyme
Get the recipe => Sicilian Pasta Salad
Pin 45 Easy Peasy Back to School Dinners for later
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Linkies
I am linking this up to Brilliant Blog Posts, Cook Blog Share, Cook Once Eat Twice and Recipe of the Week.
Choclette says
30th August 2017 at 1:38 pmPlenty 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
30th August 2017 at 4:04 pmGood luck with the move, Choclette; hope everything goes smoothly. What’s the new job? xx
Eb Gargano says
30th August 2017 at 4:05 pmThanks 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
30th August 2017 at 2:55 pmI’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
30th August 2017 at 4:07 pmAw, thanks Jo and thanks for contributing! Hope you find some new family favourites 😀
Nat @ Intolerant Gourmand says
30th August 2017 at 3:07 pmWhat a fantastic collection of recipes!! Thank you so much for including some of mine, honoured to be amongst fab Foodies! x
Eb Gargano says
30th August 2017 at 4:08 pmAw, thanks Nat – so many fab recipes because so many fab contributors! Thanks for sharing your recipes with me 🙂
Nico @ yumsome says
30th August 2017 at 4:06 pmWhat a great round-up Eb, thanks so much for including my quinoa patties! Have shared! xx
Eb Gargano says
30th August 2017 at 4:09 pmThanks Nico – a pleasure to include your lovely quinoa patties. I do so love and quick and easy recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing!! Eb x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
30th August 2017 at 5:31 pmWhat a great round up Eb. Thank you for including my curry. I will definitely be pinning a lot of these meals x #CookBlogShare
Eb Gargano says
30th August 2017 at 6:10 pmThanks sweetie – and thanks for contributing! Eb x
Jo says
30th August 2017 at 6:23 pmwhat a great post eb. Thanks for sharing too. What a great inspiration. Now i’m hungry!
Eb Gargano says
30th August 2017 at 6:39 pmThanks Jo! Collating this post made me seriously HUNGRY!!! Eb x
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
30th August 2017 at 9:11 pmThis 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
31st August 2017 at 9:51 amThanks 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
30th August 2017 at 9:44 pmWow 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
31st August 2017 at 9:53 amThanks 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
30th August 2017 at 10:39 pmHuge 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
31st August 2017 at 9:56 amI 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
30th August 2017 at 11:04 pmTotally loving all these recipes, I’m positively drooling! Thanks for including my Cheesy Tuna Pasta;-)
Eb Gargano says
31st August 2017 at 9:58 amI know!! Imagine how much drooling I did compiling this!! A pleasure to include your lovely recipe…such a good one for a busy weeknight 😀 Eb x
Corina says
31st August 2017 at 6:27 amLovely selection of recipes Eb! I’m tempted by so many of them. Thanks so much for including my chorizo pasta x
Eb Gargano says
31st August 2017 at 9:59 amI know…me too!! A pleasure to include your lovely recipe…I do so love tomato and chorizo pasta…it’s one of our family’s favourites too! Eb x
Corina says
3rd September 2017 at 6:44 amAnd thanks so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Eb Gargano says
4th September 2017 at 9:27 amA pleasure as always! Xx
Nina says
31st August 2017 at 7:34 amSuch a great round up! These recipes look so delicious!! can’t wait to try some of them out 🙂 xxx
Eb Gargano says
31st August 2017 at 9:59 amThanks Nina…aren’t they just? I got very hungry compiling this!! Eb x
Honest Mum says
31st August 2017 at 8:14 pmWhat an amazing post bursting with beautiful, flavoursome dishes! Thanks so much for including me here! Off to share this on my FB page x
Eb Gargano says
31st August 2017 at 8:27 pmAw, thanks sweetie and thanks so much for contributing and sharing!! Xx
jacqui says
1st September 2017 at 12:18 pmOh 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 including a couple of my recipes too and thank you for linking up to this weeks #CookBlogShare
Eb Gargano says
1st September 2017 at 6:17 pmThanks Jacqui! Yes indeed…always nice to have an extra bit of inspiration for easy midweek meals…and so many fab contributors!! A pleasure to include your lovely recipes 😀 Eb x
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
2nd September 2017 at 6:35 pmSuch 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
4th September 2017 at 9:24 amThanks Angela! I am very familiar with those kind of evenings…hence why I created this roundup!! Eb x
Balvinder says
4th September 2018 at 2:57 pmThis post will be so helpful.
Eb Gargano says
5th September 2018 at 11:01 amYay! So pleased you found it useful. Let me know what you make! Eb x
Mandy says
4th September 2018 at 4:33 pmWhat 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
5th September 2018 at 11:05 amAren’t they just fab? So much inspiration. And all so easy and family friendly. Perfect for busy weeknights! Eb x
Corina Blum says
4th September 2018 at 9:56 pmSuch lovely ideas in here and thank for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice! I especially like the look of that gorgeous chicken and squash curry by Lost in Food! It would certainly be a brilliant recipe for leftovers, as would most of these!
Eb Gargano says
5th September 2018 at 11:10 amI know!! There are so many lovely ideas – it makes me so hungry ever time I look at this post!! And yes, so many suitable for batch cooking – perfect for busy school nights!! Eb x
jacqui says
5th September 2018 at 12:44 pmwhat a great idea to share again this is such a useful round up
Eb Gargano says
6th September 2018 at 10:41 amThanks Jacqui! Eb x
Renu says
5th September 2018 at 2:30 pmWhat an amazing post…delicious collection of recipes
Eb Gargano says
6th September 2018 at 10:42 amThanks Renu! Eb 🙂