13 Quick Back-To-School Dinner Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Back-to-school season is already a hassle, so we rounded up some kid-friendly recipes to help with meal prep. These quick back-to-school dinners will keep the entire family happy with delicious classics. We've even included a few recipes with clever twists to please the grown-up palate. Whatever your schedule is like, these quick back-to-school dinners can be ready in an hour or less. We've got your weeknight dinner menu covered with these quick recipes.

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Shrimp Fried Rice

Fresh green beans and shrimp combine for an easy weeknight dish. Store the leftovers in the fridge for a quick lunch later on. This skillet dish comes together in 30 minutes.

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02 of 13

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

Your kids will love this combo dish of their two favorite meals, and you'll love that you can make it ahead and store it until it's time to dig in. This dish will be your new go-to weekday meal with only seven ingredients. Turkey pepperoni helps avoid a greasy appearance.

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03 of 13

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ham and Cheese Sliders are a classic dish for any day of the week. Baking these sandwiches in one pan makes cleanup a breeze. Pair with a side of veggies for a simple weeknight dinner.

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04 of 13

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

Your kids won't even know they're eating veggies in this warm, creamy broccoli-cheddar soup. In 30 minutes, you'll have a velvety and smooth meal, ideal for chilly evenings. Top it off with some croutons for added crunch.

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05 of 13

Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese

You can't beat a creamy mac and cheese recipe. This one even has a surprise ingredient: butternut squash. This recipe combines a classic comfort dish with fresh autumnal flavors.

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06 of 13

Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

Crispy, poppable, and ready in just 30 minutes. You'll never pan-fry shrimp again after trying this recipe. To avoid soggy fried shrimp, toss some breadcrumbs into the oil—this helps the shrimp get brown and crispy without steaming.

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07 of 13

Sheet Pan Meatloaf

Start with a layer of panko crumbs on the bottom of the sheet pan. Next, evenly press the meatloaf mixture. Top with the brown sugar and ketchup mixture and bake.

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08 of 13

Chicken And Drop Dumplings

Move over chicken noodle soup. There's a new recipe in town. This dish will be your favorite go-to dinner with under an hour of prep and cooking time.

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09 of 13

Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

After just about 15 minutes in the air fryer, these chicken fingers are golden and delicious. Pro Tip: Let them cool for five minutes before serving.

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10 of 13

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Southern Living Grilled Cheese cooked and ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Some nights call for the easiest of meals. Pair this classic grilled cheese with tomato soup for the ultimate comforting dinner.

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Pizza Pepper Poppers

Small and customizable, these pizza pepper poppers are a fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen. Hollowed pepper boats leave plenty of space to fill with your favorite pizza toppings. Chopping the toppings into smaller pieces will help fit more into each pepper.

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Chicken Fries

These chicken fries are so easy to make and get their crunch from cornflakes. We serve these strips alongside a homemade honey mustard dressing but feel free to get out all your favorite dips.

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Bacon Pancakes

On busy weeks when the whole family needs a little comfort, there's nothing quite as satisfying as breakfast for dinner. This bacon pancakes recipe takes the best of Saturday morning brunch and condenses it into one delicious Monday-night meal. Serve with cold milk and lots of syrup.

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13 Quick Back-To-School Dinner Recipes

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