Getting dinner and lunch done in one shot is the kind of win every busy day needs. These 21 easy dinners are filling, tasty, and pack up great for school lunches the next day. You won’t need to wake up early or scramble to throw something together before the bus comes. Just cook once, eat twice, and take one more thing off your plate this school year.
Meatballs and Sauce. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
When dinner needs to happen fast, this tuna and tomato pasta comes through with big flavor and no stress. It uses pantry ingredients and tastes just as good cold the next day, which makes it great for leftovers. This is one of those easy back-to-school recipes that covers both dinner and lunch without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Bacon Egg Salad
This egg salad gets a crispy, salty boost from bacon and still keeps that familiar flavor everyone loves. It’s quick to mix and works well in wraps, sandwiches, or just spooned onto crackers. For back-to-school weeks, this recipe makes life easier by knocking out lunch while you’re still finishing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Honey Glazed Chicken
This sticky-sweet chicken only needs a few pantry staples and doesn’t take much time to cook. It’s tasty with rice or veggies and still works cold for a quick lunch the next day. This back-to-school recipe stretches one easy meal into two, which is a win when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken Taco Wraps
These chicken taco wraps use rotisserie chicken and a few toppings for a dinner that needs zero cooking. They’re great right away and hold up well for next-day lunches that don’t get soggy or fall apart. For busy school nights, this is a back-to-school dinner that checks all the boxes and saves time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Tomato Lime Chicken
This flavorful chicken cooks in one pan with tomato and lime while you take care of everything else on your to-do list. It works in bowls, salads, or wraps and still tastes good the next day without needing much effort. This is a fast and fresh back-to-school recipe that turns dinner into lunch with no extra work.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Meatballs and Sauce
These tender meatballs come together fast in the Instant Pot and get covered in a rich tomato sauce. They’re perfect over pasta, in subs, or packed up for lunch without falling apart. This is a smart back-to-school recipe that gives you dinner now and leftovers that actually get eaten.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Lemon Garlic Chicken
This juicy lemon garlic chicken gets cooked fast in the Instant Pot and brings bold flavor with just a few ingredients. It’s perfect with rice or tucked into wraps for a second meal the next day. When the school week gets hectic, this recipe keeps dinner easy and lunch simple.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Shredded BBQ Chicken
This saucy shredded chicken cooks in the Instant Pot and turns out tender enough for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls. It makes a big batch that lasts through a few lunches without tasting boring. For back-to-school weeks, this is the kind of dinner that pulls its weight and makes lunch feel like less work.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
The slow cooker does the heavy lifting for this juicy garlic pork that’s packed with flavor and easy to serve. Use it in tacos, rice bowls, or sandwiches, and still have plenty for leftovers. This is one of those back-to-school dinners that gives you lunch without needing anything fancy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Caprese Panini
This sandwich brings melted mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil together between slices of crispy, toasted bread. It’s quick to put together and tastes just as good the next day, even if you pack it cold. This is the kind of easy back-to-school recipe that makes dinner and lunch feel simple.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Cacio e Pepe
This pasta only needs noodles, cheese, and pepper, but still feels like a full meal that doesn’t take much work. It makes enough to feed everyone and reheats well for a no-fuss lunch later. For busy school nights, this is a smart back-to-school meal that covers two meals without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Crockpot Chili
This hearty chili simmers away in the slow cooker while you handle homework, chores, or whatever else the night brings. It’s packed with meat and beans and tastes even better the next day. This is a back-to-school recipe that helps you make one big meal that stretches into lunch without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
This crunchy salad comes together fast with bold flavor and a spicy dressing that holds up in the fridge. It’s filling enough for dinner and still tastes good the next day without getting soggy. For back-to-school nights, this recipe helps make both meals feel easy and fast.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This cheesy soup gets its rich flavor from broccoli and melts together quickly in the Instant Pot. It makes enough to serve everyone at dinner and still have leftovers ready for the next day. This back-to-school recipe works well when you want something warm, filling, and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Chicken Curry
This easy chicken curry cooks in one pan using pantry staples and still brings deep flavor. It’s great spooned over rice and makes a second meal without needing anything extra. During back-to-school weeks, this is the kind of recipe that saves time and makes cleanup easier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
This creamy risotto cooks in the Instant Pot, so there’s no need to stir and babysit it at the stove. It’s light but filling and has a fresh flavor that makes dinner feel special without extra steps. For school nights, this is a smart back-to-school recipe that saves time and still leaves leftovers for tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Italian Meatball Soup
This soup is full of pasta, meatballs, and veggies swimming in a rich tomato broth that tastes like it took all day. It fills everyone up and still works great for lunch the next day. When school is back, this is one of those dinners that keeps things simple while making lunch less of a chore.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Lemon Butter Pasta
This creamy pasta comes together fast with just butter, lemon, and a few pantry ingredients. It’s rich but light and works well with leftover chicken mixed in for a little extra. For school nights, this is one of those back-to-school dinners that also makes lunch a no-brainer.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Asian Glazed Salmon
This sticky-sweet salmon uses soy sauce and honey for a bold flavor that cooks quickly and doesn’t need much cleanup. It tastes great warm for dinner and holds up cold for tomorrow’s lunch. For busy back-to-school nights, this recipe gives you two solid meals without wasting time.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Buffalo Chicken Salad
This salad brings heat and crunch with buffalo chicken and fresh veggies that hold up in the fridge. It’s easy to throw into wraps, sandwiches, or bowls for dinner and lunch without much extra prep. For back-to-school days, this is a simple recipe that works twice without getting boring.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Poached Orange Salmon
This salmon cooks gently in orange juice for a light, bright flavor that still fills you up at dinner. It’s great over salad or rice and keeps well in the fridge for another meal the next day. When school nights are packed, this back-to-school recipe helps make both meals feel like less work.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon