35 Brilliant Back-To-School Recipes That Work Even on the Busiest Weekdays
The first day of fall 2024 is September 22nd, which means soon, school is officially back in session! Gearing up for the hustle-and-bustle of life and getting back into our routines can be tough, but family meals around the table are still on our calendars. When you're sending your kids off to school, you'll need all the recipe inspiration you can stomach through five days a week. No worries, we're excited to share the 35 best back-to-school recipes for tasty morning rush breakfasts, school lunches, weeknight dinners and even snacks to get you through the week.
Related: 13 Back-to-School Snacks For the BEST Year Ever
Some of my favorite memories from childhood are the meals my mama would make during the week. From on-the-go breakfast bites, to fun and interactive lunches and approachable dinners that were so simple in preparation, but never lacked love, creativity and flavor. Who remembers sharing their lunch box creations around the table at school with friends? I sure do. My mama always packed the best and most impressive meals and would leave a sweet handwritten note in my lunchbox.
The Best Back-to-School Recipes
I've gathered some of the best back-to-school recipes that hold true nostalgia to the meals we craved and loved as kids. If you are into freezer-friendly meals for breakfast and dinner, there's plenty in this roundup to stock up your fridge. You'll also find creative ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into your meals and will have your family racing to the dining table each day. I've even sprinkled in modern recipes that are one pot, sheet pan and Instant Pot friendly. Most importantly, these budget-friendly recipes will not take hours to prep or prepare.
Related: 16 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Budget Friendly
Now, grab your calendar and let's start planning! These recipes are listed in no fancy order, but be sure to click through till the very end, I promise it'll keep getting better. Remember, there are so many recipes ranging from breakfast and lunch, to snack and dinner ideas. And this roundup has got you covered for at least one month.
Parade
It’s hard to believe that the new school season is almost here. While you’re still getting back into the swing of things, slow cooker chicken recipes can make pulling dinner together a breeze.
Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Burritos
Johnsonville
These Tater Tot Skewers are the ultimate after-school munchie solver (or a fun Friday morning breakfast!) And when paired with chives and sour cream, you can’t go wrong in the supreme snack department.
Get the recipe: Sausage Tater Tot Skewers
Grandbaby Cakes
If you craved the originals as a kid, you will love this amazing homemade version which is almost just as easy to make!
Get the recipe: Homemade Pop Tarts
Grandbaby Cakes
This Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe is filled with fluffy eggs, irresistible bacon, garlicky greens, hearty hash browns and cheese! You can even make it ahead to serve for brunch!
Get the recipe: Easy Breakfast Cassserole
Grandbaby Cakes
If your kids love fish sticks, definitely make them this perfectly Crispy Baked Fish Sticks Recipe! They are crunchy and flavorful with tender fish right inside! Irresistible.
Grab the recipe: Crispy Baked Fish Sticks
Grandbaby Cakes
Dessert for breakfast is a dream come true thanks to this Peach Oatmeal that tastes like peach cobbler! Full essential vitamins, fiber and protein, this recipe is a healthy, delicious way to mix up your morning routine.
Get the recipe: Peach Oatmeal
Related: I Tried Patti LaBelle's Wicked Peach Cobbler Recipe
Celebrating Sweets
These Healthy Sloppy Joes are made with lean ground beef and hidden veggies. This is a healthy and flavorful take on the classic sandwich.
Get the recipe: Healthy Sloppy Joe's
Seasoned To Taste
Learn how to make dragon roll sushi bowls at home! This deconstructed version is filled with homemade sushi rice, shrimp, cucumber, jalapeno, avocado, mango and crunchy onion. For sauce lovers, drizzle with two homemade sauces; spicy mayo and eel (unagi) sauce. No sushi rolling skills needed, fill your bowl and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Dragon Roll Sushi Bowl
Joy Food Sunshine
This Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal is the perfect make-ahead or meal prep breakfast recipe! It's made with 10 ingredients in 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Nibble and Dine
This easy chicken enchiladas recipe can be made in only about 30 minutes, and only using the stove top! Chicken skillet enchiladas are a great weeknight dinner recipe when you're in a hurry and don't want to heat up the oven!
Get the recipe: Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Make Ahead Meal Mom
Made with baked eggs, melted cheese and various breakfast meats on hearty English muffins, these make-ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches are easy and delicious!
Get the recipe: Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
The Travel Palate
You’ll love how simple breakfast can be with this instant pot steel cut oatmeal recipe. In about 30 minutes you’ll have a filling and healthy breakfast the entire family can enjoy!
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
Razzle Dazzle Life
One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese made with ground beef, robust seasonings, and cheesy pasta. It is the perfect solution to a quick weeknight meal.
Get the recipe: One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
Sense and Edibility
Peach frozen yogurt pops are a creamy and quick way to get the day started. Packed with nutritious yogurt, fruit and granola- you have everything you need.
Get the recipe: Peach Frozen Yogurt Breakfast Pops
The Kitchen Girl
Taco Pasta is a mouth-watering, one-pot Mexican pasta made for Instant Pot or stove. Juicy beef, black beans, and pasta are taco-seasoned, cheese-covered, and ready in 30 minutes!
Get the recipe: Taco Pasta
Britney Breaks Bread
Easy Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is a classic recipe that's a perfect weeknight dinner! It's cheesy, delicious, and so easy to make!
Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Simply Staci
A classic comfort food casserole your family will love! It has a layer of ground beef mixed with a creamy veggie sauce and topped with crispy Tater Tots and melted cheddar cheese.
Get the recipe: Tater Tot Casserole
Good Food Baddie
Fluffy breakfast egg muffins filled with peppers, spinach, sausage, salsa, and cheese! They are perfect for meal prep or a delicious grab-and-go breakfast! This easy 20-minute recipe is Keto-Friendly and Gluten-Free!
Get the recipe: Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins
Related: The Queen Elizabeth-Approved Way to Make Scrambled Eggs
Heal Me Delicious
These Chicken Nuggets are quick, easy and so delicious. Made with ground chicken and crispy pork panko, they’re crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Get the recipe: AIP Chicken Nuggets
Cook at Home Mom
This healthy baked salsa chicken recipe is a delicious and complete meal, made in just one dish with almost no prep work! It’s incredibly easy to make, with only a few simple ingredients from the fridge and pantry!
Get the recipe: Baked Salsa Chicken and Rice
Food Meanderings
These Healthy Pizza Dippers are quick and easy to make with 2 ingredient dough (Greek yogurt and flour). They can be made ahead, frozen, heated or eaten cold, making them the perfect lunch box meal because they are ready to eat. You can serve them with different dips and as an after school or game day snack!
Get the recipe: Homemade Pizza Dippers
Sweet Tea and Thyme
Ham and Egg Breakfast Quesadillas are a delicious quick and easy, freezer friendly, on-the-go breakfast that the whole family will love.
Get the recipe: Ham and Egg Breakfast Quesadilla
Big Delicious Life
A quick and easy, one pan dinner that’s on the table in 20 minutes!
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Fresh April Flours
Whole wheat muffins made with shredded zucchini and pureéd pumpkin, sweetened with mashed bananas, applesauce, and minimal sugar. Suitable for toddlers, children, kids, big kids, and adults!
Get the recipe: Toddler Muffins
Britney Breaks Bread
These healthy and delicious Apricot Coconut Cashew Butter Bars are packed with wholesome ingredients and tons of flavor. They're crunchy, naturally sweet, and are perfect for a quick breakfast or on the go snack!
Get the recipe: Apricot Coconut Cashew Bars
Make Ahead Meal Mom
Homemade uncrustables are a quick, freezable, kid-friendly option for easy school lunches! They are always a hit with the littles, and they also work great for car trips, vacations, picnics, and other events! You control the ingredients, and they generally come out cheaper than their store-bought counterparts!
Get the recipe: Homemade Uncrustables
My Kitchen Serenity
Taco Meat Pinwheels are easy to make and great for meal prep! Add chips, guacamole, and fresh fruit for a delicious lunch.
Get the recipe: Taco Pinwheels
My Organized Chaos
With shredded chicken, smokey BBQ sauce, crispy bacon and Monterey jack cheese, this Skillet Monterey Chicken makes for a delicious and simple one-pan meal that everyone will love.
Get the recipe: Skillet Monterey Chicken
Katie Bird Bakes
This honey almond granola is subtly sweet, crunchy, gluten-free, and the perfect small batch homemade granola recipe to keep on hand.
Get the recipe: Honey Almond Granola
On Ty's Plate
Instant Pot Chicken Cheesesteak Subs are super quick and uber delicious. This is the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Cheesesteak
Sims Home Kitchen
Kick-off Meatless Monday with this delicious, creamy mushroom spinach and sun-dried tomato pasta! This vegetarian-friendly pasta is filled with flavor that will leave you wanting more. Make in just 30 minutes for lunch or dinner.
Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Sun Dried Tomatoes Spinach Pasta
Paleo Low Carb Kate
This budget-friendly recipe will save you loads of time and is paleo, low-carb and whole-30 friendly so those with food sensitivities can also enjoy with the rest of the family!
Get the recipe: Juicy Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
The Recipe Well
This easy Chicken Ramen Stir Fry transforms instant ramen noodles into a balanced meal your entire family will love. Using shortcut ingredients like coleslaw mix and a simple homemade sauce, this meal comes together in just 25 minutes!
Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Killing Thyme
This quick and easy recipe for healthy sweet and sour chicken skips the batter and deep fryer so you can enjoy this takeout guiltlessly!
Get the recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Cooking with Kim
These easy baked french toast muffins are so simple and easy to make. These muffins include the same classic ingredients as their pan fried counterpart, however just baked in the oven. With so much flavor baked into these muffins, you’ll definitely be making more!
Get the recipe: French Toast Muffins
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