40 Back to School Recipes (2024)

These fantastic back to school recipes are a great way to start the school year with easy sheet pan dishes, one pot meals and family favorites like cheeseburger pasta, bagel dogs and chicken and rice casserole.

Get the school year off to a good start with quick and easy dinners that the whole family will love.

40 Back to School Recipes (1)

At the end of every summer I start counting down the days until the kids are back in school. However, when they are back in school I have to get used to brand new schedules. School nights means busier nights as the kids start up their extracurricular activities and want help with homework.

Easy back to school recipesare a must this time of year. No one wants to come home from a busy day to have an even busier evening, and then still worry about what to make for dinner.

These 40 back to school recipesshould help you out tremendously. Many can be prepped and stored in the freezer until you are ready for them, which makes things a lot easier. Just don’t forget to pull them out to thaw.

There are a lot of slow cooker meals that you can prepare early and will be hot and ready at dinner time. Other recipes are quick and easy, require minimal ingredients and can be made with just a few dishes. These recipes will help you save time without sacrificing flavor.

One pot meals and sheet pan dinners are my go-to for the beginning of the school year. They make life easier while getting used to a new schedule. Give these back to school dinners a try and leave any other ideas you have in the comments below!

40 Back to School Recipes

40 Back to School Recipes (2)

40 Back to School Recipes (3)

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

This bacon wrapped meatloaf is ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, then covered in bacon slices and baked until golden brown. A unique twist on the classic recipe that will earn you rave reviews!

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40 Back to School Recipes (4)

Bagel Dogs

This recipe for bagel dogs is made with homemade bagel dough which is wrapped around hot dogs and baked to golden brown perfection. A great snack or meal that the kids will absolutely love!

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40 Back to School Recipes (5)

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast (One Pan Meal)

This recipe for bacon wrapped stuffed chicken breast with roasted potatoes is a quick and easy one pan meal that's sure to please any crowd! The chicken is stuffed with an incredible combination of three cheeses, garlic and herbs.

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40 Back to School Recipes (6)

Baked Chicken Parmesan

This baked chicken parmesan is golden brown crispy chicken breasts smothered in marinara sauce and melted cheese. A lighter take on the classic chicken parmesan that tastes like something you’d get in a restaurant!

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40 Back to School Recipes (7)

Calzone Recipe

This homemade calzone recipe is a mixture of sausage, pepperoni and bell peppers, all baked inside pizza dough with plenty of melted cheese. Calzones are the perfect food for a party, they’re hand held, hearty and totally delicious.

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40 Back to School Recipes (8)

Balsamic Chicken

This balsamic chicken is chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory glaze and roasted to perfection along with potatoes and asparagus. An easy one pan meal that’s sure to please the whole family!

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40 Back to School Recipes (9)

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

These buffalo chicken sliders are warm sandwiches filled with shredded buffalo chicken, ranch sauce, lettuce and tomato. The ultimate party snack!

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40 Back to School Recipes (10)

Cheeseburger Casserole

This cheeseburger casserole is ground beef, bacon, macaroni and plenty of cheese, all baked together to perfection. A quick and easy dinner option that's always a hit with both kids and adults!

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40 Back to School Recipes (11)

Cheeseburger Pasta

This cheeseburger pasta is a hearty recipe of ground beef, shells and cheese in a savory tomato sauce, topped off with bacon and pickles. All the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger in a comforting pasta dish!

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40 Back to School Recipes (12)

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This classic chicken and rice casserole recipe is a one pan meal that’s full of tender chicken and creamy rice, all baked together to perfection.

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40 Back to School Recipes (13)

40 Back to School Recipes (14)

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

This chicken broccoli casserole is a one pot meal with sauteed chicken, rice, broccoli florets and cheese, finished off with a crunchy topping. A comfort food classic that's quick to make and always gets rave reviews!

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40 Back to School Recipes (15)

Chicken Taquitos (Baked or Fried)

These chicken taquitos are stuffed with seasoned shredded chicken and cheese, then baked or fried to crispy perfection. Serve these taquitos with your favorite dipping sauces for a fun party snack or meal!

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40 Back to School Recipes (16)

Chili Mac

This one pot chili mac is a blend of ground beef, macaroni, beans, tomatoes and spices, all topped off with plenty of melted cheese. An easy dinner option that’s family friendly and on the table in 30 minutes!

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40 Back to School Recipes (17)

Cornflake Chicken

This recipe for cornflake chicken is strips of chicken breast coated in seasoned crushed cornflakes and baked to crispy perfection. These chicken fingers are easy to make and are a big hit with both kids and adults!

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40 Back to School Recipes (18)

Fried Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Relish

This recipe for fried shrimp tacos is a pile of crispy shrimp that’s layered with cilantro lime cabbage slaw and avocado relish then stuffed inside warm flour tortillas. It’s a quick and easy meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant!

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40 Back to School Recipes (19)

Greek Chicken and Potatoes

This Greek chicken and potatoes is a one pan meal with marinated garlic and herb chicken and tender potatoes, all roasted to golden brown perfection. A super easy dinner for a busy weeknight.

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40 Back to School Recipes (20)

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These ham and cheese sliders are Hawaiian rolls topped with plenty of sliced ham, swiss cheese and an onion poppy seed butter, then baked to gooey perfection. The ultimate party snack to feed a crowd!

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40 Back to School Recipes (21)

Hamburger Casserole

This hamburger casserole is ground beef and mushrooms in tomato sauce, tossed with pasta and topped with melted cheese. A comfort food classic that's great for feeding a crowd, and can be easily customized to your tastes!

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40 Back to School Recipes (22)

Italian Chicken

This Italian chicken is coated in a crispy parmesan crust and baked to perfection along with potatoes. An easy sheet pan dinner that the whole family will love!

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40 Back to School Recipes (23)

Ham Casserole

This ham casserole is egg noodles, broccoli and diced ham in a creamy sauce, all topped with cheese and baked to golden brown perfection. A comfort food classic that's the perfect way to use up leftover ham!

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40 Back to School Recipes (25)

Mexican Casserole

This Mexican casserole is made with ground beef, tortillas, vegetables and cheese, all layered together and baked to golden brown perfection. A quick and easy dinner for busy weeknights!

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40 Back to School Recipes (26)

Moo Shu Chicken

This recipe for moo shu chicken is a quick and easy dinner option that tastes so much better than take out!

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40 Back to School Recipes (27)

One Pot Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo

A one pot gumbo full of shrimp, chicken, sausage and vegetables that’s ready in 30 minutes.

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40 Back to School Recipes (28)

One Pot Chicken and Rice Bake

This one pot chicken and rice bake combines chicken with creamy parmesan rice and butternut squash for a complete healthy meal with less dishes to clean.

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40 Back to School Recipes (29)

Pizza Casserole

This pizza casserole is pasta simmered in tomato sauce with pepperoni, sausage, olives and bell peppers, then topped with cheese and baked to golden brown perfection. A family friendly dinner option that always gets rave reviews!

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40 Back to School Recipes (30)

Shish Kabob Recipe

This shish kabob recipe features tender marinated beef, peppers and onions, all skewered together and grilled to perfection. Shish kabobs are a quick and easy meal option that can also be cooked in the oven during cooler weather months.

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40 Back to School Recipes (31)

Salsa Chicken

This salsa chicken is chicken breasts coated in taco seasoning, salsa and cheese, then baked to perfection. A quick and easy meal that the whole family is sure to love.

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40 Back to School Recipes (32)

Shrimp Chow Mein (One Pot Meal)

This recipe for shrimp chow mein is a quick and easy one pot meal with plenty of stir fried shrimp and vegetables tossed with noodles and a simple sauce.

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40 Back to School Recipes (33)

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This slow cooker beef stew is loaded with chunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots and peas. It’s a hearty and comforting one pot meal where the crock pot does all of the work!

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40 Back to School Recipes (34)

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

This slow cooker beef stroganoff is tender beef, mushrooms and egg noodles, all tossed in a savory creamy sauce. An easy crock pot dinner that’s pure comfort food!

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40 Back to School Recipes (35)

40 Back to School Recipes (36)

Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

These slow cooker carnitas tacos are tender chunks of pork cooked in a crock pot, then stuffed into warm corn tortillas with red onion and cilantro. An easy and authentic meal that's even better than what you would get at a restaurant.

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40 Back to School Recipes (37)

Slow Cooker Chili

This slow cooker chili is a blend of beef, beans, tomatoes and spices, all simmered together in the crock pot for a rich and hearty dish. Crock pot chili is perfect for parties and any occasion where you need to feed a crowd!

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40 Back to School Recipes (38)

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

This recipe for slow cooker mac and cheese is a blend of tender pasta with two types of cheese and plenty of seasonings, all cooked together to creamy and cheesy perfection. It's the easiest crock pot macaroni and cheese ever!

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40 Back to School Recipes (39)

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This slow cooker pulled pork is coated in a homemade spice rub, then simmered in the crock pot until tender. Shred the meat and add BBQ sauce, then dinner is ready to serve!

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40 Back to School Recipes (40)

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

This slow cooker salisbury steak recipe is made with tender beef patties topped with mushroom gravy. Classic comfort food that’s super simple to make!

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40 Back to School Recipes (41)

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

These slow cooker sloppy joes are made with ground beef, tomato sauce, brown sugar and spices, all cooked to savory perfection. An easy crock pot meal that’s kid friendly and perfect for serving a crowd.

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40 Back to School Recipes (42)

Spanish Chicken

This Spanish chicken is spiced chicken thighs roasted with potatoes, bell peppers and chorizo. A simple and satisfying one pan meal that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant!

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40 Back to School Recipes (43)

Stromboli Recipe

This stromboli recipe is tender dough stuffed with tomato sauce, cheese and Italian meats, then baked to golden brown perfection. It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes!

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40 Back to School Recipes (44)

Taco Sliders

These taco sliders are sandwiches stuffed with taco meat and cheese, then brushed with garlic butter and baked to perfection. Serve with salsa and guacamole for a party snack that will earn rave reviews.

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40 Back to School Recipes (45)

Vegetable Lasagna

This vegetable lasagna is layers of noodles, veggies, marinara sauce and three different kinds of cheese, all baked to golden brown perfection. A vegetarian main course option that's perfect for feeding a crowd.

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Save yourself time and effort with these fantastic recipes. Your family will love these amazing meals and you will love how much easier these recipes make your life. Give them a try today!

Originally Posted September 6, 2022

Last Updated February 28, 2023

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FAQs

What is a healthy lunch to bring to school? ›

Healthy School Lunch Recipes
  • Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich. 5 mins.
  • Bread with Peanut Butter. 5 mins.
  • No-Sugar-Added Oatmeal Cookies. 1 hr 15 mins.
  • Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap. 10 mins.
  • No-Sugar-Added Vegan Oatmeal Cookies. 1 hr 15 mins.
  • Peanut Butter-Banana Roll-Ups. ...
  • Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies. ...
  • Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up.

What can I make for school lunches? ›

Start off the year with these easy-peasy kids lunch box ideas for even the pickiest of eaters.
  • 1Healthy lunchbox frittata. ...
  • 2Mac 'n' cheese zucchini slice. ...
  • 3Muffin-pan fried rice cups. ...
  • 4Chicken and fennel pies. ...
  • 5Easy vegan choc banana muffins. ...
  • 6Smashed chickpea and vegie wrap with tahini dressing. ...
  • 7Quick and easy pizza muffins.

What meals should everyone know how do you cook? ›

10 Dishes Every Beginner Cook Should Learn
  1. 01 of 10. Cream-Based Soup. Victor Protasio. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Roast Chicken. Julia Hartbeck. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Pizza. Bella Graves. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Pasta Carbonara. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Whole Roasted Fish. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Risotto. ...
  7. 07 of 10. Garden Salad. ...
  8. 08 of 10. BLT Fried Egg-and-Cheese Sandwich.
Feb 1, 2024

What to make for lunch for adults? ›

Quick Homemade Lunch Ideas for Adults
  • Tuna Salad Sandwich. For lunch ideas for adults that don't take much time, a tuna sandwich is your best friend. ...
  • Chicken Salad. If fish isn't your style, make a chicken salad instead. ...
  • Eggplant Sandwich. ...
  • Club Sandwich. ...
  • Chickpea Salad Sandwich. ...
  • White Bean Salad. ...
  • Falafel Pita.
Jan 10, 2024

What is the best food for school? ›

School-age children need to eat foods from all five healthy food groups – vegetables, fruit, grain foods, dairy and protein. Healthy foods have nutrients that are important for growth, development and learning. Limit salty, fatty and sugary foods, low-fibre foods, and drinks with caffeine or a lot of sugar.

What should a 12 year old make for lunch? ›

21 Lunch Recipes Kids Can Make on Their Own
  • 01 of 21. Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap. ...
  • 02 of 21. Apple & Cheddar Pita Pockets. ...
  • 03 of 21. Toaster-Oven Tostadas. ...
  • 04 of 21. DIY Lunch Kits for Kids. ...
  • 05 of 21. Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Sandwich. ...
  • 06 of 21. Tortilla Pepperoni Pizza. ...
  • 07 of 21. PB&J Bistro Lunch Box. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Aug 18, 2020

What can a 15 year old make for lunch? ›

Best recipes for teenagers
  • Stir-fries. When encouraging your teen to cook, the best approach can be to help them organise the ingredients they need – and then take a step back. ...
  • Pizza. Let your teen channel some Neapolitan vibes by making their own pizza from scratch. ...
  • Curry. ...
  • Pasta. ...
  • Bowl food. ...
  • Quesadillas. ...
  • Omelettes. ...
  • Chilli.

What can I make for lunch besides sandwiches? ›

Say goodbye to sad sandwiches with these easy lunch ideas.
  • 1Fast pea and dill fritters with avocado salad. ...
  • 2Maple sweet potato and black bean salad with chipotle dressing. ...
  • 3Chicken and corn quiche. ...
  • 4Greenie zucchini and ham potato patties. ...
  • 5Broad bean falafels with fattoush. ...
  • 6Avocado and salmon rice bowl.

What is the most basic meal to cook? ›

Here are a few simple meals that you might enjoy cooking:
  • Grilled cheese and tomato soup: This classic combination is easy to make and requires just a few ingredients. ...
  • Spaghetti with marinara sauce: This is a simple but satisfying meal that is easy to make in large quantities.
Jan 5, 2023

What's the easiest thing to learn to cook? ›

If you're a beginner cook looking for the perfect starter recipes, check out these three simple yet delicious dishes:
  1. Sausage Carbonara. With just four ingredients, this sausage carbonara recipe couldn't be easier for a beginner chef. ...
  2. Sausage, Potato and Pepper Skillet. ...
  3. Cheesy Broccoli Veggie Tots Casserole.

What is an adult Lunchable? ›

A classic deli meat and cheese lunchable, but the adult version! Ham or turkey paired with cheddar cheese, whole grain crackers, grapes, and cucumbers. 5 from 2 votes. Course: dinner, lunch.

What to put in a healthy lunch box for school? ›

All lunchbox recipes
  • Cheesy coleslaw with wholemeal pitta.
  • Creamy hummus dip with pitta bread and vegetable sticks.
  • Egg mayonnaise and lettuce bap.
  • Hummus and salad wrap.
  • Salmon and salad bagel.
  • Soft cheese and salad sandwich.
  • Spicy chicken and salad wrap.
  • Tuna and bean salad.

How to eat healthy with school lunch? ›

Fruits and vegetables

Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fresh, dried or canned fruits to your children's lunchboxes. Some ideas for lunch-friendly veggies include cucumber slices, celery, carrot or jicama sticks dunked into a low-fat dip or hummus, or a small container of cherry tomatoes or sugar snap peas.

What foods are safe to pack for lunch? ›

Some food is safe without a cold source. Items that don't require refrigeration include whole fruits and vegetables, hard cheese, canned meat and fish, chips, breads, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, mustard, and pickles.

How do you eat healthy lunch at school? ›

Be sure to include a variety of your child's favorite healthy foods. For example, you could pack fresh fruit, baked chips or pretzels, or fresh vegetables with salsa or a low-calorie dip. You might want to pack your child's lunch the night before so that you don't run short on time in the morning.

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