The Best Back to School Dinners

You can still get a delicious and quick dinner on the table even on busy back-to-school weeknights. This list of the best back to school dinners are family tested and approved, and are all made on a regular basis in my own house. I hope you can find some of your new family favorite dinners!

With the start of a new school year only days away, here is a delicious list of best back to school dinners that will make it easy to still get dinner on the table during busy weeknights. 

I think everybody needs to have a list of family favorite dinners that they can count on for those busy back-to-school weeknights. This is my list and I love sharing with everyone. I truly hope you can find some of your own favorites from this list. 

It’s so important to eat together as family even during the week when things are busy. Maybe everyone can’t be there but that’s ok, sit down with the family members that are and eat together.

These recipes are either easy, dump & go slow cooker recipes, one skillet pan, Instant Pot, or quick and easy 30 minute dinner recipes that use simple ingredients and easy pantry favorites. They’re perfect recipes to get dinner on the table for everyone to enjoy and eat together.

Do you have a tried & true family favorite recipe? Let me know in the comments below.

{click on the title of the recipe name to be taken to the recipe}

Cheeseburger Biscuit Cups

These can be on the table in 30 minutes. A simple mixture of ground beef and some seasonings get piled into a refrigerated flaky biscuit and then topped with cheese. These are so good and the kids especially will LOVE them. I’ve been making these for years and they never fail us.

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Skip the take-out and make your own at home. Chicken gets pre-cooked in a skillet pan and then add it to the slow cooker with an orange sauce and let it cook. When it’s dinner simply cook up some rice and serve. I love making this mid-morning when I have more time and then it’s ready for dinner when we are. 

Root Beer BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

One of our favorite dinners ever. 3 ingredients + some spices is all you need for deliciously tender and flavorful shredded chicken in the slow cooker. Cooks all day and when it’s dinner shred the chicken and serve with some toasted buns. So easy and totally kid friendly too. 

Easy Cheesy Taco Soup

One pot and 30 minutes is all you need for this simple cheesy taco soup. Serve with tortilla chips for the ultimate kid-friendly dinner.

Taco Salad Casserole

Everything you love about a taco but in casserole form! Mixture of meat and spices simmer and then you bake it with an entire bag of crushed tortilla chips. You can’t forget the toppings. Use your favorite taco toppings for a delicious dinner that everyone can customize to how they want.

Oven Baked Honey Lime Chicken Tacos

This meal comes together in a cinch with leftover meat. Or use a rotisserie chicken. Honey lime chicken gets stuffed inside taco shells and then you bake it in the oven. The shells get nice and crispy toasty and the cheese melts. Baked tacos are the best way to eat a taco. 

7 Can Chicken Taco Soup

The rave reviews say it all! You literally open 7 cans and dump into a pot. Dinner is on the table in 30 minutes. This is one of the only recipes I use canned chicken in so trust me when I say that it just works….. so easy and even more delicious. Top with some cheese and tortilla chips and you’re set. 

Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce

You’ll never buy jarred spaghetti sauce after you taste this. Only 30 minutes to the best homemade meaty spaghetti sauce ever. Serve over noodles and with a side of salad of buttery garlic bread. Dinner can’t get more comforting than this!

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

It may not be a “traditional” philly cheesesteak but it’s definitely kid and family approved! Another 30 minute dinner with so much flavor and it cooks up in one skillet pan. 

Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken

Throw everything into the slow cooker in the morning when there is more time and let this cook all day. Tender chicken, vegetables in a flavorful and downright delicious sauce. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions. 

Tortellini Minestrone Soup

A hearty and comforting soup loaded with vegetables and tender cheese filled pasta. Surprisingly, I can get my kids to eat veggies when it’s combined with pasta and cheese. A 30 minute meal that is healthy and oh so comforting. 

Skillet Cashew Chicken

Better than take-out on your dinner table in just 30 minutes! You will love this one. The flavor is sweet and just perfect. Serve over rice and watch the kids go nuts for this flavorful and tender chicken in a sweet sauce. 

Cheeseburger Casserole

A pasta casserole with beef and cheese that tastes like a cheeseburger. This is so kid friendly! 

Green Chili Turkey Tacos

Try this fun and healthier twist to taco night. The turkey meat cooks up in one skillet pan and it has surprise ingredients inside of it that you’ll love. Dinner is ready in 30 minutes with this one! 

French Bread Pizza

Pizza with an easy crust of French bread. Loaded with cheese, pepperoni, some seasonings and parmesan cheese. The edges get crispy and the bread stays soft and thick. If you love thick pizza then this will be an instant favorite. Switch out the toppings for whatever pizza toppings you prefer. 

French Bread Hot Chicken Hoagies

An easy 30 minute meal that is the perfect way to use up leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken. Creamy and so cheesy; this is a kid friendly dinner that is perfect with a side of fruit.

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

Homemade chicken meatballs that are so tender and full of flavor. Simmer them in a skillet pan with a delicious pineapple sauce and serve over rice. 

Skillet Chicken Ranch Fajitas

A fun twist to traditional enchiladas. Cook up some chicken and bell peppers in a skillet pan and then mix in some ranch dressing. It’s a delicious twist to traditional fajitas and it’s on the dinner table in just 30 minutes. 

Creamy Beef Noodle Bake

The #1 recipe on the blog ever since I posted it over 2 years ago. It’s fast, simple ingredients, and loved by everyone. This is my go-to dinner that I know my kids will devour with no complaints. 

Slow Cooker Beefy Nacho Soup

Pre-cook some ground beef in the morning and then dump it into the slow cooker with only a few other ingredients. It cooks all day and is ready at dinner time. We love this flavorful, creamy, cheesy, beefy soup. 

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chili

This is a milder chili that is perfect for the whole family. Full of flavor, beans, veggies, and ground beef. Serve with your choice of toppings and let everyone top their own how they want. 

Skillet Turkey Taco Pasta

Cooks in one pan on the stove top and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Cheesy pasta, meat, and beans make this kid-friendly and they’ll love putting their own toppings on.

Chicken Burrito Skillet

This is one of our top 5 most favorite dinners. Cooks in one skillet pan and it’s ready in 30 minutes. Tender chicken, beans, rice, tomatoes, and lots of cheese make this a family favorite. We love this with green onions, sour cream, and avocado. 

Crispy Southwest Skillet Chicken Burritos

This is a great recipe for leftover rice and chicken. An easy chicken and rice mixture gets rolled inside a tortilla that’s so creamy and cheesy thanks to the sour cream and cheese. Serve with sour cream and guacamole for a fun, kid-friendly dinner. 

Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken

Mix up an easy honey teriyaki sauce and throw it in the slow cooker with some chicken. Let it cook all day and make your house smell ah-mazing. When it’s time for dinner simply cook up some rice and serve. This is so good with that sweet honey teriyaki sauce. Better than any restaurant!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Chop up some veggies in the morning and add it into the slow cooker with some stew meat and a flavorful broth. The longer it cooks the better it gets! Make it in the morning when the kids are off at school and then you have a hearty and warm dinner waiting. 

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry

A skillet pan dinner that takes 30 minutes to make! Full of sweet pineapple, chunked chicken, and lots of veggies. Serve over rice for a deliciously quick dinner that’s also healthy!

Baked Honey Lime Chicken Taquitos

A creamy delicious honey lime chicken mixture gets stuffed inside flour tortillas and rolled up tight. These bake in the oven instead of being fried so they’re a bit healthier than your traditional taquito. Serve with the simple salsa verde sauce and dinner is ready. Kids love this one because they can eat with their hands.

Slow Cooker Creamy Fiesta Chicken

Another one of our top 5 favorite dinners! Chicken, salsa, corn, and beans cook in the slow cooker all day and then you add cream cheese. So much flavor and so creamy and filling. We love it served over rice. It makes a ton so the leftovers are great for quesadillas, nachos, or burritos the next day.

Crispy Baked Lemon Parmesan Chicken

30 minutes and a few minutes is all you need for perfectly crispy coated chicken with loads of flavor. I always serve this with my parmesan roasted potatoes for a healthy dinner that my kids actually love to eat!

Chicken Mexican Haystacks

Creamy chicken cooks in the slow cooker all day for this delicious and simple ingredient dinner. Serve with Fritos corn chips and rice and let everyone create their own rice bowl. 

Santa Fe Chicken Salad Wraps

I love to make the meat mixture ahead of time that way when it’s dinnertime I can just set out all the stuff and let everyone make their own wrap. These are so good with shredded lettuce, avocado, and tomatoes inside. For easy prep use a rotisserie chicken.

Taco Biscuit Bake

Refrigerated flaky biscuits get covered in a tomato taco sauce with beef and then baked in the oven. Top it with shredded lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cheese for a 30 minute dinner that’s a fun twist to tacos. 

Easy Kids’ Favorite Chili

If you’re looking for a mild and sweet chili that appeals to kids then this it! Loaded with flavor but mild enough for the kids. Only some ground turkey plus a few inexpensive ingredients and dinner is done. Kids love this served with Fritos corn chips and sour cream. 

Crispy Baked Caesar Chicken

This crispy baked chicken will remind them of chicken nuggets! Healthy and full of flavor, this crispy baked chicken is always a hit with the kids. Uses only a few ingredients and it can be on the table in about 40 minutes. Most of that is cooking time 🙂 

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Ground chicken and veggies simmer in a super flavorful and homemade sweet teriyaki sauce. Serve over rice for a delicious dinner that uses simple ingredients and it’s on the table in 30 minutes.

Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken

Throw some ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and come back to tender chicken coated in a creamy Italian seasoned sauce. Only a few ingredients and chicken is all you need for this dinner. We love this served over pasta. 

Slow Cooker Sweet Garlic Chicken

Another dump & go slow cooker meal that could not be easier to make. A homemade sauce of garlic, spices, and brown sugar cook with chicken in the slow cooker all day. Prepare some rice before dinner and serve. The sweet flavor of this pleases kids!

Honey Garlic Chicken & Potatoes

A meal in one! Put everything on a cookie sheet and bake it in the oven. Tender chunks of Yukon gold potatoes and sweet and garlicky chicken pieces go perfectly together. 

Turkey Taco Rice Skillet

Combine everything in one skillet pan and cook! All your favorites about tacos in an easy, one pot dinner. Kids will love dipping tortilla chips in this and loading their up with their favorite toppings. 

Pineapple Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I love to prepare this in the morning and have it ready in the fridge. We can all eat together, take it to sports practice and eat there, or everyone can get theirs as they can. It keeps so well in the fridge and it’s loaded with kid favorites like grapes and pineapple. 

Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

In less than 30 minutes, with the help of your Instant Pot, you can have made at home chicken burrito bowls. No need to go out to an expensive restaurant. 

Instant Pot Cashew Chicken

Another Instant Pot favorite at my house. So quick & easy, and that sweet & savory flavor that everyone loves. Including the kids!

(5 Ingredients!) Cheesy Beef & Rice Enchiladas

This is one of my families’ favorite dinners which is a good thing because it’s only 5 ingredients and is a go-to weeknight meal.

15 Minute Turkey BBQ Sloppy Joes

These are a fun flavor twist to traditional sloppy joes! And bonus, they come together in just minutes.

Crock Pot Fritos Taco Bowls

You know those walking tacos that are made in a bag of Fritos chips? Well, this is a crock pot version that gets made into a taco bowl. Perfect for a crowd, gathering, or let it cook in the slow cooker all day and it’s ready at dinnertime. 

Baked Parmesan Chicken

Our favorite way to eat chicken! Bakes on a sheet pan and it’s so creamy and full of flavor. It’s a quick meal that is on the table in just 30 minutes. Serve with a side green salad and dinner is ready. 

One Pan Beef Taco Pasta Skillet

One skillet pan is all you need for this delicious beef taco pasta skillet. Top with some avocado slices and sour cream for an easy tex-mex twist dinner. 

Baked Ground Chicken Tacos

The best way to have taco night! Baking the corn taco shells makes them crispy and toasty, melts the cheese into the meat perfectly. Made healthier with ground chicken too.

Green Chili Chicken & Corn Enchiladas

These enchiladas are quick & easy! Chicken and corn inside a flour tortilla and topped with a creamy green chili enchilada sauce. 

15 minute Beef Teriyaki Skillet

Ground beef simmers with a semi-homemade teriyaki sauce. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions for an easy dinner.

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice 

This one pot dinner is an easy way to get your kids to love broccoli. Covered in cheese with chicken chunks and rice!

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