Back-to-school season brings a whole new level of chaos: sports practice, parent-teacher meetings, church, and somehow everyone still needs dinner. If your evenings feel like a race, you’re not alone and these kid-approved weeknight meals are here to make dinnertime one less thing to worry about.
These recipes are quick, budget-friendly, and my son, the picky-eater, tested:
Taco Tuesday
Brown ground turkey or beef ahead of time. Thaw the meat, add your seasoning, and set up a DIY taco bar with shells, shredded cheese, lettuce, and salsa.
Ravioli Bake
Layer frozen ravioli, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella in a casserole dish. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Easy prep, easy cleanup.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders
Add chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, and a splash of broth to your crock-pot before work. Cook on low 6–8 hours. Shred and serve on mini buns.
Breakfast for Dinner (one of my family’s favorites)
Scramble eggs, toast frozen waffles, cut fresh fruit, and microwavable sausage or turkey links.
One-pot Turkey Taco Mac
Brown ground turkey, add taco seasoning, salsa, uncooked macaroni, and water or broth. Simmer until pasta is cooked, then stir in cheese. Bonus: Stir in corn or black beans for extra nutrients.
Rotisserie Chicken Everything and Anything
During school, we pick up a rotisserie 1-2 times a month because you can do so many things with it. I will remove the chicken and put in a sealed container in the fridge ahead of time. Toss it with a salad. Add it to quesadilla shells. Make homemade chicken salad. Add cream cheese and buffalo sauce for a buffalo chicken dip. Opportunities are endless and everyone can eat it differently.
Flat Bread Pizzas
Top mini pizzas with pizza sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings the family wants. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Tortellini Soup
Cook your favorite cheese tortellini with spinach and a splash of cream. Add rotisserie chicken for more protein. You can also drain and add them to the pasta sauce with ground turkey for extra protein.
