Back-to-school nights are hectic, and figuring out what to make for dinner shouldn’t add to the chaos. You need meals that are quick, easy, and won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. We’ve rounded up a bunch of no-fuss recipes that are perfect for those crazy evenings when you’ve got homework to help with and bedtime battles to win.
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
This ground beef pasta comes together in under 30 minutes with whatever pasta you’ve got on hand. It’s quick to make but tastes like you’ve been at it all day.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
A one-pan wonder with ground beef and sweet potatoes that’s great for meal prep. Bonus: leftovers are just as good the next day, so no one’s complaining.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Burger Bowls
All the burger fixings you love, minus the bun. This recipe includes a homemade special sauce that’ll have you questioning why you ever settled for drive-thru.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Five ingredients, one creamy pasta dish. Bucatini cacio e pepe is your go-to when you want something that’s easy on the wallet but tastes like you splurged.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
One sheet pan, no stress. Chicken, sweet potatoes, and caramelized pecans come together for a dinner that’s ready before you even realize you’re hungry.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Steak and shrimp fajitas without the restaurant price tag. Cooked on one pan and on the table in under 20 minutes, this is weeknight magic at its best.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Forget takeout. This slow cooker honey garlic chicken with pineapple is easier, healthier, and tastes better than what the delivery guy’s bringing.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Brussels Sprouts Pasta
A 25-minute pasta that combines Brussels sprouts, bacon, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s quick, easy, and just fancy enough to make you feel like you’ve got it together.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Cheddar Chicken Bake
Got leftover rotisserie chicken? Turn it into this cheddar chicken quinoa bake for a simple, no-brainer dinner that’s perfect for those busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Garlic chicken bites, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers all in one pan and ready in 20 minutes. This is dinner done right without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Ground Beef Stir Fry
One-pan ground beef stir fry with fresh veggies and a garlic ginger sauce. It’s faster and way better than anything you’d get from the corner takeout spot.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Taco Tuesday just got easier. This Mexican ground beef skillet with taco seasoning is a flavorful 30-minute meal that’s as easy as it gets.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms stir-fried in an Asian-inspired sauce. It’s quick, easy, and better than anything from a box.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage come together in this easy 30-minute skillet dinner. With tons of texture and a light sauce, this meal is anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Pesto Salmon
Pesto salmon bakes up in under 25 minutes with just five ingredients. Simple, fast, and perfect for those nights when you need dinner to practically make itself.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken is your weeknight hero. Chicken breasts baked with salsa, corn, and cheddar, all done in less than 30 minutes. Your family will be asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Pecan crusted chicken with a honey dijon yogurt sauce that’s so good, it’ll be requested on repeat. Crunchy, flavorful, and ready to impress even on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.