Back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of year, as kids settle back into classes, homework, and after-school activities, and parents revamp schedules to accommodate. So, your family is going to need delicious, fast, and easy meals that will satisfy everyone in your crew.
And since no one will have the bandwidth to make yet another series of decisions, we’ve pulled together a full month of complete back-to-school dinner menus to get you through the first 31 days with your sanity intact.
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Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken and Potatoes
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Set this meal up right when the kids get home from school at 3 p.m., and by 6 p.m., you’ll have a delicious and hearty meal the whole family will love. It’s full of family-friendly ingredients including chicken, potatoes and a creamy ranch sauce. “Fantastic,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “This doesn’t last long in our house.”
Garlic Cream Sauce Over Chicken Breasts
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
A quick 5-minute cream sauce turns this simple weeknight meal into something seriously special. Double up the sauce recipe to make enough to drench some spaghetti noodles and steamed broccoli for a complete meal that does not skimp on flavor. “It’s a staple in my home,” said one Allrecipes member. “A most delicious chicken dish, yet to be beaten,” said another.
Mom’s Fabulous Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Crust
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
If making pastry from scratch keeps pot pies off your weeknight menu, you will love this casserole version, which uses a store-bought biscuit dough crust. With protein, veggies, starch and dairy all in one 9×13 dish—you have a wonderful meal without breaking a sweat or breaking out the rolling pin. Feel free to use frozen mixed vegetables to make this even faster.
Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
If pot roast and mashed potatoes sound like a Sunday meal that needs tending, welcome to this back-to-school version. Add some baby potatoes to the slow cooker and you’ll have a special meal that comes together with only 20 minutes of prep time in the morning. “This is literally the only recipe I use now for this meal,” says an Allrecipes member.
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meatloaf
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
The Crock-Pot might not be the traditional way to cook meatloaf, but there are plenty of reasons to try the slow cooker—it’s easy, quick, and delicious. Throw together a quick pack of instant potatoes and a bag of microwavable steamed green beans and you have a nostalgic dinner with minimal clean up.
Grandma Pizza
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Don’t save pizza just for takeout, it’s actually super simple and quick to make at home—and it will taste better too. This one includes a yeasted potato dough, but you can always use fresh-from-the-deli dough, or pick up a container in the frozen section of your supermarket. “The combination of mozzarella and parmesan did wonders flavor-wise,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “The dollops of the sauce made the overall presentation so appealing.”
Chicken, Sausage, Peppers, and Potatoes
Sheet pan suppers make everything easier on the cook in your house. This one has the bonus of both chicken and sausage, so there is something for even the pickiest eater in your family. Toss in some broccoli if you want to get in a little more green during dinner time. “Every time I make this all that can be heard is the clinking of forks against plates,” said one Allrecipes member. “Combine this with a nice fresh loaf of bread and you’re fairly close to nirvana!”
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas With Rice and Beans
If your family loves Taco Tuesdays, they are going to be all over Fajita Fridays. This calls for a sheet pan version for minimal muss, and a terrific baked rice and beans side dish that is both healthy and delicious. Leftovers of the chicken and vegetables can be chopped up and stirred into leftover rice for an all-in-one dish that makes a great packed lunch the next day.
Simple Hamburger Stroganoff
Jen Causey / Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle
Stroganoff always feels fancy, and the usual recipes are special occasion expensive, calling for pricey tenderloin. This is a weeknight stroganoff, perfect for after a sports practice. “Delicious flavor,” said an Allrecipes reviewer. “Reminds me of the stroganoff my Papa used to make and haven’t been able to exactly recreate his ‘a little of this, a little of that, and a heaping amount of love’ style of cooking.”
Easy Caramelized Onion Pork Chops
AllRecipes/Qi Ai
“The meat was so tender and juicy and full of flavor it was unbelievable,” said one Allrecipes member who made the dish. “I’m glad I have leftovers.” Serve this with your family’s favorite side dishes (may we recommend Glazed Carrots or Twice Baked Potatoes) for a hearty dish that will feed the whole family, with plenty left over for tomorrow’s lunch.
Firehouse Chili and Cornbread Casserole
“Everyone knows that firefighters make the best chili—many using a recipe very similar to this—and the only way I know how to make that chili even better is by topping it with a cheesy cornbread crust,” says Chef John, who developed this recipe. “The cornbread crust is relatively sweet, which of course pairs perfectly with that spicy, meaty, savory chili.”
Best Tuna Casserole
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
This super easy take on a tuna noodle casserole is a reminder that it is a classic for a reason. “This is the only tuna casserole I’ll make and my whole family loves it!” raved one Allrecipes member. “I double the amount of peas, onion, and tuna, otherwise it’s just too much noodle for my taste, but it’s a great, easy, cheap meal!”
Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Your slow cooker takes the heavy lifting off your shoulders with this barbequed chicken. It can be served on buns for sandwiches, with a bag of chips and some raw veggies for snacking, for a complete meal that practically cooks itself.
Barbie’s Tuna Salad
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
This beloved tuna salad recipe has over 1,500 5-star ratings on our site. Serve it over greens, in a pita pocket, or between toasty slices of bread. Make a bunch to pack for lunch the next day—great for parents or kids!
Ginger Veggie Stir Fry With Rice
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
A vegetarian take on takeout night at home, this dish is so delish no one will miss the meat. But if your family insists, pick up a rotisserie chicken, or some shrimp cocktail (hold the cocktail sauce) for some easy serving. Don’t forget to serve alongside rice—cooking it in the microwave makes cleanup a breeze.
Maid-Rite Sandwiches
Getty Images
Serve these Midwestern sandwiches with some pickles on the side and frozen sweet potato fries for a delish midweek meal.“I have looked for a good recipe for Maid-Rites and haven’t found one that is spot on until now,” said one Allrecipes review. “I added a couple of cloves of minced garlic and some chopped green pepper. Perfect! My husband raved!”
Cowboy Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
A yummy spin on the classic Midwestern dish, the Cowboy Casserole is comfort foot at its best. Packed with tender sirloin, flavorful pork sausage, lots of veggies, and a creamy sauce, it’s sure to be a hit for even the pickiest eater. Plus, it takes only 20 minutes of active cooking time to come together.
Awesome Baked Sea Scallops
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
You may not think of scallops as a speedy weeknight dish, but with this recipe it is! Serve with some quick roasted brussel sprouts and speedy cous cous that come together in the amount of time it takes for the scallops to bake. “This is a terrific recipe,” said one Allrecipes member. “I followed it exactly, maybe a bit more butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.”
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Photographer: Brie Goldman / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Instant mashed potatoes and frozen mixed vegetables make this Easy Shepherd’s Pie extra easy. “My husband requested Shepherd’s Pie, which is not usually one of my favorites,” said one reviewer. “I tried this recipe and we both loved it! I also added onions while cooking the ground beef. Definitely a keeper.”
Chili Dog Mac and Cheese
Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Addelyn Evans
“This chili dog mac and cheese combines two of my favorite things to eat—chili dogs and mac and cheese,” says Chef John, who created this recipe. “It manages not to taste all that much like either one, while being wildly successful at being stupendously delicious.”
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Pop the ingredients in the slow cooker before dropping the kids off to school and this delicious meal will be ready by dinnertime. “Great recipe,” said one Allrecipes member. “My family can’t get enough. With a dollop of sour cream and a couple of slices of avocado on top served with Italian bread or corn bread—yum!”
Best Grilled Cheese
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Can’t get more classic than this! Whip up this fancy grilled cheese (nicknamed “Grilled Cheese of the Gods”) while heating a can of tomato soup and you’ll have dinner together in a snap. “This sandwich blew my husband’s mind,” said an Allrecipes member. “He will not stop talking about it. I showed him how to make it and now it’s all he eats. Good with any cheese inside.”
Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
No one will believe this chicken pot pie only has five ingredients—we won’t tell! Prep takes only minutes, and it bakes in about 30 minutes for a super speedy but tasty midweek dinner. “This is a favorite comfort food of mine,” said one Allrecipes member. “I love the simplicity of it and the heartiness.”
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
It’s breakfast for dinner, but even better. This delicious breakfast casserole is made with hash brown potatoes, green onions, and cheese. It’s as easy to put together as it is to enjoy. Allrecipes Editor Bailey Fink suggests cooking the sausage and green onions in a cast-iron skillet, and use that to bake the casserole instead of a baking dish.
Chopped Greek Chicken Sandwich
Photographer: Will Dickey / Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle
Bright and fresh, this Chopped Greek Chicken Sandwich brings the best of a tasty Greek Salad and puts it in sandwich form. “The flavor was fantastic,” said one reviewer. “The leftovers are going to be eaten as a salad. Very flavorful and is going into my keepers.”
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Allrecipes / Qi Ai
Skip the dredging station and use chicken nuggets or tenders in the air fryer instead. The Bang Bang sauce elevates the chicken sandwich from basic to fabulous, perfect for toppings with your favorite add-ons. Your kids will love this one!
Stick of Butter Smothered Pork Chops
Peyton Beckwith
This creamy, dreamy weeknight meal only takes five minutes of prep, but the results taste like you’ve been in the kitchen all day. If your family isn’t a fan of pork, we also have the chicken, beef, and shrimp varieties of this delicious dish.
Caramelized Tennessee Onion Tortellini
Peyton Beckwith
“Amazing,” said one Allrecipes member. “Deliciousness to the ultimate degree!” Another stated that this dish is “sweet, spicy, umami, and salty, it delivers it all in a nice saucy package! The cheeses cut through the sweetness of the onions without cutting out their flavor, the pasta helps to balance everything together. Just wonderful!”
Okonomiyaki-Inspired Crispy Rice
Robby Lozano / Food Styling: Julia Levy
This is a delicious one-pan meal that can use up both leftover rice and leftover vegetables. If you’ve never tried Okonomiyaki, it’s a deeply satisfying egg dish that’s reminiscent of a loaded frittata—but with delicious, savory add-ins and just enough egg to bind it all together. Give this a try and watch it become your family’s new favorite meal.
Pesto Chicken Caprese
Photographer: Jacob Fox / Food Styling: Sammy Mila / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali
Our test kitchen said this dish “comes out wonderfully moist and flavorful” and that “tomato slices add a nice acidity to the chicken breasts and melted mozzarella on top is the perfect finish.” Add some Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread on the side for a quick and delicious midweek meal.
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Sandwiches
Peyton Beckwith
These messy but delicious slow cooker chicken sandwiches are a dream. With some chicken breasts and broth, lots of great herbs, some sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan—you know this is going to be delicious. Serve on toasted buns, with a side of rice, on top of mashed potatoes, or atop a bed of spinach greens.
