Quick and Easy School Night Meals

One of my biggest struggles during the school year is getting dinner on the table. I love cooking, but I’m exhausted by the time I get home from school. I needed some quick and easy school night meals so I could get food on the table while still getting my work done and spending time with my family.

Quick and Easy School Night Meals

I get home from school at 4:30 at the earliest. That doesn’t leave much time to prepare a meal – especially on nights the kids have soccer practice or dance rehearsal. I started making my meals over the weekend. That way, all I have to do is pop one in the oven when I get home, and dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes. 

I’ve found lots of great recipes, and I was trying to organize them so I can find them again. They are all pinned to my Pinterest boards, but sometimes it’s hard to find the one I want. I decided to create this post so I have somewhere to locate the recipes, and hopefully it will help other busy teachers, too. 

Just a quick note: Some of these recipes take longer than 30 minutes to cook. I usually bake those items over the weekend and just reheat them during the school week. 

Fish

Roasted Cod on Spinach with Feta, Lemon, and Dill from Seasoned Kitchen

Grilled Cod with Spinach and Tomatoes from Allrecipes 

Cod with Zucchini Noodles from Mary Ellen at Recipes, Food, and Cooking

Herb Butter Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets from Tiffany at Creme de la Crumb

Salmon and Summer Veggies in Foil from Jaclyn at Cooking Classy

One Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Roasted Broccoli from Jaclyn at Cooking Classy

Meat

Turkey Meatloaf with Zucchini and Feta from Tammy at Organize Yourself Skinny

One Pan Healthy Sausage and Veggies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Best Ever (Easy) Baked Meatballs from Jen at Yummy Healthy Easy

One Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken from Danya at Love and Cilantro

Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets from Sara at Dinner at the Zoo

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Foil Packets from Amanda at The Wholesome Dish

Smothered Chicken from Cindy at Bacon, Butter, Cheese, and Garlic

Foil Pack Italian Sausage and Veggies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Mini Garden Turkey Loaves from Beth at Budget Bytes

Pasta

Chicken Tetrazzini from Kristyn at Lil’ Luna

Mac and Cheese from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa

Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta from Sara at Budget Savvy Diva

Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells from Mindy at Coco and Ash

Easy Chicken Alfredo Lasagna from Stephanie at Back for Seconds

The Garlic Parmesan Chicken Lasagna Bake from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum

One-Pot Pizza Pasta from Amanda at Fake Ginger

Creamy Chicken Rosa Bake from Steph at Plain Chicken

One Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta from BuzzFeed

Easy Baked Tortellini from Passion for Savings

Chicken Yakisoba from Beth at Budget Bytes

Chicken Parm Lasagna from Buzzfeed

Casseroles

French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake from Steph at Plain Chicken.

Eggplant and Ground Turkey Casserole from Smart Balance

Dump-and-Bake Cool Ranch Chicken Casserole from Blair at The Seasoned Mom

Ranch Cheddar Chicken Bake from Pillsbury

Tuna Noodle Casserole from Scratch from All Recipes

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake from Jessica at How Sweet It Is

One Pot Pizza Pasta Bake from Chungah at Damn Delicious

Pizza

Barbecue Chicken Pizza from Jamie at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Julia Child’s Eggplant Pizzas from Kalyn at Kalyn’s Kitchen

Grilled Chicken Flatbread from Kraft

Sandwiches

Juciest Turkey Burgers from Lauren’s Latest

Grands Unsloppy Joes from Pillsbury

Garlic Bread Meatball Subs from Ashley at Center Cut Cook

Reuben Sandwich recipe from Holly at Spend with Pennies

Vegetarian

Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe from Whole Foods Market

Ratatouille from Jamie Oliver

Broccoli Cheese Quiche from Lauren at Tastes Better from Scratch

Other Meals

Taco Ring from Christin at Spicy Southern Kitchen

One Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls from Corey at Family Fresh Meals

Southwest Chili with Black Beans and Corn from Lisa at Cooking with Curls

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos from Sara at Our Best Bites

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas from Six Sisters’ Stuff

Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan from Kalyn’s Kitchen

Ranch Chicken Rollup Bake from Pillsbury

Taco Zucchini Boats from Gina at Skinny Taste

Desserts

M&M’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Averie at Averie Cooks

Fresh Peach Crumb Bars from Tricia at Saving Room for Dessert

Strawberries and Cream Gooey Butter Cakes from Amanda at A Few Shortcuts

Smore Banana Boats from Michelle at Crafty Recipes

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake from Tip Hero

Chantal’s New York Cheesecake from All Recipes

Chocolate Chip Brownie Tarts from Jess and Frank at Inquiring Chef

Christmas Cookie Sandwiches from Dana at This Silly Girl’s Kitchen

Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars from Ashton at Something Swanky

Lady Bird Johnson’s Lemon Cake from Estelle at The Maine House

Mixed Berry Crumble Bars from Allison at Celebrating Sweets

Aunt Holly’s Banana Bread at Epicurious

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe EVER from Katrina at Katrina’s Kitchen

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Muffins from Amanda at The Wholesome Dish

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum

Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes from Jessica at The Novice Chef

Watch this video for more easy meal prep tips.

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Freezer meals are another great way to get dinner on the table on a busy school night. Here are some of my favorite freezer meal recipes.

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What Do You Think?

What are your favorite quick and easy school night meals?

Let me know in the comments below. 

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