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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These recipes are amazing! I’ll definitely try these someday. Thanks a lot for sharing!