8 Quick + Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

The back-to-school season can be a hectic time for both kids and parents. Between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the rush of daily life, preparing a healthy and delicious dinner can feel like a chore. Let me help you with these 8 quick and easy back-to-school dinner recipes that will save you time and ensure your family enjoys a delicious meal together.  Check out the 8 recipes below that you have told me are your favorites for busy weeknights!

Tex-Mex Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Taco Sauce

Who doesn’t love a classic, Tex-Mex style ground beef taco? They’re one of the easiest and quickest dinners that the whole family will love, even your picky eaters! These ground beef tacos are filled with deliciously seasoned meat, lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. Plus, they are so much better than the fast-food version, especially when you make homemade taco sauce instead of the store-bought kind. Best of all, this dinner can be on the table in under 20 minutes. This recipe is a staple in my house for busy weeknights! Are you looking for more quick and easy family meals? Check out some of my favorites!

Seriously Easy + Delicious Sheet Pan Nachos

Instant Pot Shredded Taco Chicken

15-Minute Sheet Pan Citrus Mojo Shrimp

Check out this recipe

Garlic Butter Shrimp Fried Rice

This recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp Fried Rice is soooooooo good! I promise this will become your go-to recipe which you can switch up by adding chicken, beef or even veggies. This quick and easy meal is made in one-skillet and can be on the table in under 20 minutes! Fried rice is a great way to jazz up leftover rice. If you don’t have leftover rice for this recipe, you can plan ahead and cook it the day before or you can cook rice and spread it out on a sheet pan to cool quickly. Looking for more quick + easy better-than-takeout recipes? Check out some of my favorites!

Sheet Pan Sticky Chicken + Broccoli

30-Minute Chicken Ramen

Better Than Take-Out Beef Lo Mein

Check out this recipe

5-Ingredient Baked Gnocchi

This recipe for 5-Ingredient Baked Gnocchi feature soft and pillowy gnocchi, gooey cheese, ground beef and marinara sauce. It is so simple and delicious and it comes together in under 20 minutes! Looking for more quick and easy weeknight meals? Check out some of my favorites:

Shrimp Parm + Pasta Bake

Thai Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps

Sheet Pan Greek Vinaigrette Salmon

Check out this recipe

Keto Air-Fryer Salmon + String Beans

This keto meal is so simple and flavorful. First start by making the blackening seasoning (or using one you already have) and then it is just a matter of seasoning the salmon and string beans and popping them in the air fryer. Seriously—this meal is that simple. Serve this meal as-is or with any sides of your choice – Keto- or not! Check out some more of my favorite salmon recipes below:

Sheet Pan Miso Butter Salmon, Asparagus + Sweet Potatoes

Tandoori Salmon + Cucumber Raita

Mediterranean Style Baked Salmon

Check out this recipe

Sheet Pan Zesty Yogurt Chicken + Sweet Potatoes

I love sheet pan dinners like this because they are so easy to make. This Sheet Pan Zesty Yogurt Chicken + Sweet Potatoes creates juicy and flavorful chicken, that pairs nicely with sweet and tender roasted sweet potatoes. The best part is that this meal takes less than 30 minutes to cook in the oven, making it the perfect weeknight meal. I like to serve this meal with a green salad, but it is perfectly fine on its own! Looking for more easy sheet pan recipes? Check out some of my favorites!

Sheet Pan Greek Vinaigrette Salmon

15-Minute Sheet Pan Citrus Mojo Shrimp

30 Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Shredded Taco Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Taco Chicken is a quick and easy meal to make any day of the week. Deliciously seasoned + tender shredded chicken can be served over rice, salad and nachos or stuffed in tacos + quesadillas. The possibilities are endless! The best part is all you have to do is throw all the ingredients in your instant pot and go! Serve with tortillas or rice and your choice of toppings! This will become the recipe you will always keep in your back pocket for a quick and delicious weeknight meal. Looking for more quick + easy recipes? Check out some of my favorites!

30 Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ground Beef Taco Casserole

Thai Ground Pork Rice Bowls

Check out this recipe

Sheet Pan Shrimp Oreganata

This Sheet Pan Shrimp Oreganata is a delicious and easy recipe. Start with jumbo shrimp tossed with a mixture of white wine, lemon juice and garlic, topped with a light lemony breadcrumb and parmesan mixture. Bake for about 10 minutes and you’re done! I serve this with a ton of garlic bread (click HERE for recipe) as well as some pasta and a big salad. For more quick + easy sheet pan meals, check out some of my favorites:

Garlic Cilantro Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon with Cauliflower + Sweet Potatoes

Check out this recipe

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken + the Best White Sauce

This quick and easy sheet pan meal is not only flavorful, colorful and delicious, it is keto as well! It is a perfect dinner to serve any night of the week, and if you’re not following keto, or have family members who aren’t you can make some rice, or roasted potatoes on the side. Leftovers (if there are any) can be served over a nice salad with my favorite Greek Salad Dressing for a quick and healthy lunch. Looking for more sheet pan dinner? Check out some of my favorites:

Garlic Cilantro Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet Pan Shrimp Tostadas + Summer Veggies

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas