Back-to-school nights are hectic enough without stressing over dinner. Whether you’re juggling homework, after-school activities, or just trying to keep your sanity, you need quick, no-fuss meals that actually taste good. These easy recipes are here to save the day (and your evening). They’re fast, simple, and perfect for when you just don’t have the time—or energy—for anything complicated.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
No need to order takeout when this honey garlic chicken is a breeze to make in the slow cooker. With its sticky, sweet sauce and pineapple chunks, it’s great for busy school nights.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Blackened Cod
Quick and easy, this blackened cod only needs a few pantry spices and a hot pan. Perfect for when you need a fast, no-nonsense dinner.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
One pan, no mess. This chicken and sweet potato dinner is perfect for those hectic back-to-school nights when you just need something simple.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Pork chops, red cabbage, potatoes, and apples—all cooked on one sheet pan. Quick, easy, and just what you need after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Surf and turf made easy. These steak and shrimp fajitas cook up in under 20 minutes, making them great for a fast weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
These quesadillas are packed with smashed white beans and kale, and oozing with cheddar. A great meatless option that’s easy to whip up on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli
Creamy and cheesy, this lighter spaghetti alfredo with broccoli is the perfect weeknight comfort food without the heavy feeling.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli
Air Fryer Brats
Brats in the air fryer are as easy as it gets. They cook up tender and juicy in under 15 minutes, making them great for quick dinners when time’s tight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brats
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
This cashew chicken skillet is a one-pan wonder with fresh basil and a quick sauce that’s great over rice. Perfect for when you want flavor without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Vegetable Cheddar Quesadilla
Whether you use frozen or fresh veggies, these cheesy quesadillas are an easy, go-to dinner. Just what you need on a chaotic school night.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Cheddar Quesadilla
Cream Cheese Chicken
Bored with your usual dinners? This cream cheese chicken is your new go-to. It’s rich, seasoned with 5 spices, and perfect for shaking up the weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
A 20-minute, one-pan dinner with garlic chicken bites, mushrooms, and peppers. Great for when you need something fast and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan, southwestern-inspired skillet with ground beef and sweet potatoes is great for meal-prepping or a quick weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Stir Fry
A quick ground beef stir fry loaded with fresh veggies and a garlic ginger sauce. It’s great for a fast, flavorful dinner that beats takeout any day.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Healthier Sloppy Joes
These sloppy joes are a lighter take on the classic, using lean ground beef and a flavorful sauce. Great for a nostalgic dinner that’s quick to make.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Taco seasoning and ground beef make this one-pan meal a winner for a busy weeknight. Ready in 30 minutes and great for when you’re craving something quick.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms come together in this quick stir fry. Great for when you need a fast, easy dinner with a bit of flair.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
This ground beef and cabbage skillet is loaded with flavor and texture, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Crunchy, flavorful, and served with a honey dijon yogurt sauce, this pecan-crusted chicken is great for a weeknight meal that feels a little special.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken is the easy dinner you didn’t know you needed. Baked with salsa, corn, and cheddar, it’s great for a quick, crowd-pleasing meal.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Brussels Sprouts Pasta
This 25-minute Brussels sprouts pasta is great for a quick dinner. With just six ingredients, it’s easy to make but still packs plenty of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta
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.
