When school is in full swing, it’s hard to keep up with everything, especially meals. Dinner has to be fast, and lunch needs to be packed and ready without much thinking. These 29 easy recipes help take the stress out of both by giving you one meal that works for two. Each one is quick to make, simple to clean up, and still tastes good the next day. They’re the kind of meals that make school weeks feel a little more manageable.
Tuna and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spice things up with this bold buffalo chicken salad that’s packed with flavor and crunch. It’s easy to throw together and works just as well for dinner as it does in a lunch wrap or sandwich. This is one of those back-to-school recipes that gives you a full meal now and a no-fuss lunch later.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chicken Tenders
Dig into these crispy homemade chicken tenders that beat anything frozen by a mile. Kids love to dip them, and leftovers go right into wraps or lunchboxes without extra work. It’s the kind of easy back-to-school dinner that also makes packing lunch a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Chicken Tikka Masala
Keep things simple with this creamy and flavorful chicken tikka masala that’s fast to make in the Instant Pot. Serve it with rice or flatbread and save the rest for a quick lunch that doesn’t feel boring. This recipe is a smart pick for back-to-school weeks when time is short and meals have to do double duty.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Try a lighter dinner with this spinach and parmesan quinoa that’s packed with flavor and still fills you up. It’s great hot or cold and takes only a few steps to make. For busy school nights and next-day lunches, this recipe helps keep things healthy and easy.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Whip up this fast tuna and tomato pasta when there’s no time to think, but dinner still needs to happen. It uses pantry staples and tastes great cold or warm, which makes it perfect for lunch too. It’s one of those back-to-school meals that saves time without cutting corners.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Crock Pot Tortilla Soup
Toss everything in the slow cooker and come back to this hearty tortilla soup full of chicken, tomatoes, and just the right amount of spice. Top it with your favorite extras like chips or cheese, then save a few servings for later. This is a go-to back-to-school dinner that gives you lunch without more effort.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Tortilla Soup
Honey Glazed Chicken
Make dinner simple with this sticky-sweet honey glazed chicken that uses only a few pantry ingredients. It’s great with rice or veggies and still tastes good cold the next day. This back-to-school recipe helps stretch one easy meal into two solid ones.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Warm up with this cheesy tortellini soup loaded with tender chicken and a light broth that comes together fast. It’s easy to make using store-bought ingredients and reheats well for lunch. This is the kind of recipe that makes school nights easier and mornings less stressful.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Meatballs and Sauce
Roll up a quick dinner with these tender meatballs cooked fast in the Instant Pot and covered in rich tomato sauce. They’re perfect over pasta or in a sandwich and hold up well for next-day meals. This is a smart back-to-school dinner that keeps the lunchbox full too.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Shake up burger night with these easy turkey burgers seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, and simple pantry spices. They’re done in no time and still taste great cold, so they work for lunch the next day too. This back-to-school recipe keeps everyone fed without making an extra mess.
Get the Recipe: Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Asian Glazed Salmon
Fire up dinner fast with this sticky-sweet glazed salmon that cooks in no time and keeps well for later. It has a bold flavor from soy sauce and honey, and still tastes great cold in a lunchbox. For school nights that feel rushed, this is a solid recipe that works for two meals.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Caprese Panini
Toast up this warm and gooey sandwich made with mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil pressed between crispy bread. It comes together quickly and stays tasty even when packed cold for lunch. This is one of those school-week meals that pulls double duty without much trouble.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Get cozy with this rich broccoli cheddar soup that comes together fast thanks to frozen broccoli and your Instant Pot. It’s warm, cheesy, and makes enough to feed everyone now and again tomorrow. School nights feel easier with meals like this that don’t need a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Tomato Lime Chicken
Just toss a few things in a pan and let this chicken soak up bright tomato and lime flavor while you take care of other things. It’s great in bowls, wraps, or salads and still works the next day with no extra effort. This is a back-to-school dinner that keeps things quick and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Chicken Curry
Make this rich and flavorful chicken curry in one pan using things you already have in your pantry. Spoon it over rice at night and enjoy the leftovers as an easy lunch the next day. For busy school weeks, this is one of those recipes that makes two good meals without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Let your slow cooker handle dinner with this garlic-packed pork that turns out juicy and full of flavor. Serve it in tacos, sandwiches, or over rice, and save what’s left for later. When school’s in full swing, this kind of recipe helps take one more thing off your plate.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Stir together this quick tuna salad with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a no-cook meal that brings big flavor. Eat it in a sandwich, wrap, or just with a fork, then save the rest for lunch. It’s one of those simple school-night recipes that keep your schedule in check.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Creamy Pea Pasta
Toss together this creamy pasta with frozen peas and simple pantry staples when you need something warm and fast. It feels like comfort food, but takes hardly any time to make and reheats well. This is a back-to-school dinner that gives you lunch, too, without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Chicken Taco Wraps
Roll up these chicken taco wraps using rotisserie chicken and a few toppings for a dinner that needs no cooking. They’re easy to grab the next day for lunch and don’t get soggy. For school nights when you’re short on time, this one checks every box.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Tomato Soup
Blend up this rich and smooth tomato soup fast using your Instant Pot and a few pantry staples. It tastes great on its own or with grilled cheese and packs well for school lunches in a thermos. This is a simple back-to-school recipe that brings comfort without much cooking.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Cook up this juicy lemon garlic chicken in your Instant Pot when you need dinner fast and full of flavor. The mix of citrus and garlic makes it taste fresh without needing a lot of ingredients or time. It’s an easy school-night recipe that also makes lunch better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Crockpot Chili
Let this hearty chili bubble away in your slow cooker while you handle homework, laundry, or whatever else comes up. It’s packed with beans, meat, and flavor and tastes even better the next day. Recipes like this are perfect when you want dinner and lunch without double the work.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Use your Instant Pot to make this creamy risotto with peas and lemon that doesn’t need constant stirring. It’s light, bright, and filling enough for a complete meal that feels like comfort food. This one saves time on school nights and still gives you lunch without starting over.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Crisp up these quick tortilla pizzas in your air fryer using whatever toppings you already have on hand. They’re fun to make with kids, need almost no cleanup, and still taste good later. This is a back-to-school dinner that doubles as lunch or even a fast after-school bite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Toss together this crunchy chicken salad with a bold, spicy dressing that holds up well in the fridge. It’s a strong dinner on its own and still tastes great the next day with no soggy mess. Meals like this help keep things moving when school nights feel too short.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Cook this one-pan chicken and orzo dish with herbs, feta, and lemon for a meal that’s filling without feeling too heavy. It makes enough for dinner and still tastes great cold or reheated in a lunchbox. For busy weeks, recipes like this save time without giving up on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Honey Habanero Tacos
Mix up these sweet and spicy tacos fast using ground meat and a few pantry staples you already have. Serve them in tortillas for dinner and use the leftovers for taco salad or wraps the next day. This back-to-school meal is fast, flexible, and never boring.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Toss beans, spices, and pork into the slow cooker for a dinner that’s packed with flavor and cooks while you handle the rest of your day. It’s filling and warm with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Leftovers reheat well for lunch and save you time all week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Sear this salmon in one pan with a creamy sauce made from garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for a quick and easy dinner. Serve it over noodles or rice, then save the extras for lunch that still tastes good cold. When school nights get busy, this is a meal that feels special without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon