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If your weeknight dinners have turned into a mad dash between homework and soccer practice, these back to school dinner recipes are about to save your sanity! Inside you’ll find sheet pan meals, one skillet dinners, and cozy casseroles, all ready in about 30 minutes with just a few dishes to clean up after.
Back to school season hits different every year. One day you’re on the back deck grilling without a care in the world, and the next you’re hearing about a project that’s due the next morning as you rush out the door for soccer practice. These are the dinners that get my family through it – easy prep, minimal clean up, no complaints.
1
Korean BBQ Sloppy Joes
Sweet, savory, and just a little spicy, this sloppy joe gets piled high on a toasted bun and is ready in 20 minutes flat. Bold Korean BBQ flavors make it feel like a real upgrade from the classic version.
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2
Lazy Enchiladas
Lazy enchiladas are exactly what they sound like. Frozen taquitos get you a saucy, cheesy enchilada dinner on the table even on the most brutal weeknights. It went viral for a reason, and once you try it, you'll get why people are still making it.
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3
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Egg noodles, tender chicken, and veggies all baked together in a creamy sauce, this one is pure comfort food in casserole form. It's thick and hearty, and somehow gets my kids to eat their peas and carrots without a fight. Exactly the kind of cozy dinner everyone needs after a long day.
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4
Ground Beef Orzo Skillet
Ground beef and tender orzo come together in one skillet with a rich tomato cream sauce, ready in about 30 minutes. My whole family loves this one, and the cleanup is about as easy as it gets.
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5
Sheet Pan Chicken & Potatoes
This one has all the flavor of a classic roasted chicken dinner without the fuss. A simple garlic butter sauce coats the chicken and potatoes, and everything roasts on one pan in about 30 minutes. That leaves plenty of time to survive homework hour.
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6
Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
When a plain Tuesday needs a little more personality, this one skillet dinner delivers. Andouille sausage, rice, peppers, and tomatoes all cook together and soak up bold Cajun seasoning. It's hearty and brings some real excitement to the weeknight table.
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7
Baked Chicken Meatballs
These are my go to for surviving the school week. Ground chicken, Parmesan, and pantry spices bake up tender in just 12 minutes. Toss them in bowls, stuff them in wraps, or serve over pasta. Double the batch and freeze half so future you already has dinner handled.
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8
Sheet Pan Meatloaf Dinner
Mini meatloaves roast right alongside potatoes and broccoli, so the whole dinner comes off one pan. That sweet and savory sauce on top is hard to resist, and it's done in a fraction of the time a regular meatloaf takes.
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9
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and sharp cheddar all melted into a golden tortilla, ready in about 25 minutes. Dip them in ranch and the whole table is happy, no convincing required.
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10
Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Real chunks of white meat chicken and canned biscuits come together in one pot for old school comfort food in 30 minutes. It tastes like it simmered all day, but you barely had to think about it.
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