Posted by Tastefully Simple on July 24, 2020
To all of the busy mamas out there: this one is for you.
Maybe you already know what “back to school” will mean for you and your kids this fall. Maybe you have no idea, and you’re stressed even thinking about it.
Here in Minnesota, we’re still waiting to learn whether our kiddos will be back in the classroom, distance learning or trying some kind of combination of the two. But no matter what, life will get a whole lot busier.
I know we can’t help all of you with 4th grade math or those 7th grade science projects. But when it comes to quick and delicious dinners that your family will love? We’ve got you covered.
12 Back-to-School Weeknight Dinners
1. Magic Chicken (11 Ways). On Sundays, make a big batch of juicy, perfectly seasoned Magic Chicken in your slow cooker that you can grab out of your freezer all week long – perfect for chicken flatbreads, quesadillas, casseroles, wraps, you name it.
See how – including 11 ways to use it for busy weeknights.
2. One-Skillet Mama Mia Lasagna. Forget boxed dinners. You can make your own homemade skillet from scratch in only 30 minutes, bubbling with savory marinara, Italian spices and melty mozzarella.
This recipe is one of my family’s all-time faves! Serve it with a tossed salad and garlic breadsticks.
3. Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs. Easy. Delicious. Done. So succulent and tender, these chicken thighs are baked with a hint of honey, Dijon and rustic herbs.
Bake in the oven as directed, or cook low and slow for 5-6 hours in your slow cooker.
4. Sausage Pizza Tacos. Tacos? Pizza? Welcome to the best of both worlds. This kid-friendly favorite is on the table in only 25 minutes, too.
Tip: For a lighter variation, you can substitute ground turkey in place of pork sausage.
5. Savory Boneless BBQ Pork Chops. So simple, smoky, and delicious. Perfect for late summer and fall, these lip-smacking BBQ chops are ready in minutes on the grill.
Serve ‘em with sweet corn-on-the-cob, fresh fruit or cheesy potatoes on the side.
6. Tropical Teriyaki Burgers. Want to break out of your burger routine? Try these juicy Asian-inspired burgers, topped with smoky-salty bacon, sweet pineapple and melted Swiss.
At our house, we like to pair them with sweet potato waffle fries and fresh veggies.
7. Easy Chicken Burrito Skillet. All the flavors of a chicken burrito – in a skillet! This one-dish dinner is loaded with tender chicken, pinto beans, tomatoes, tortilla strips and shredded cheese.
8. Asian Pork Roast. Let your slow cooker do all the work with this tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork, slow-simmered with garlic, honey and soy sauce. So good with rice, mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.
By the way, any leftovers also make great shredded pork sandwiches.
9.Easy Chicken Noodle Soup. Homemade chicken soup – in only 30 minutes!
Brimming with juicy chicken, egg noodles, celery and carrots, this five-star recipe tastes like it has simmered on your stovetop all day. But it’s so easy to make!
10. Grilled Honey Teriyaki Chicken Tenders. Marinated with light coconut milk, lime juice and teriyaki sauce, these easy chicken tenders win over kids and grown-ups alike.
Tip: the marinade and dipping sauce work perfectly with pork chops, too.
11. Cheesy Chicken Bake. The ultimate creamy, cheesy, comfort food.
Plus, this twist on traditional mac-and-cheese is ready in less than 30 minutes.
12. Mama’s Meatball Subs. And last but not least, try these saucy meatball subs, loaded with savory marinara and melted provolone – all on toasted hoagie buns.
Meat:
Sauce:
Bread:
Bake:
BOOM:
Whatever “back to school” means this fall, you’ve got this … and you’ll be ready with 12 days of delicious dinners, easy as A-B-C!
– Jen