All of my best back-to-school dinner ideas are just what you need to get back into the swing of busy weeknight family meals. From simple and easy one-pot meals to tasty casseroles, these recipes are simple to prepare and always delicious. Who knows, you may even find a few new family favorites!
If you're getting ready for school to start back up, see my collection of school lunch ideas.
Jump to:
- 1. Chili Dog Casserole
- 2. Crockpot Creamy Salsa Chicken
- 3. Taco Pasta
- 4. Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- 5. Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- 6. Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
- 7. Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
- 8. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
- 9. Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
- 10. Cabbage and Noodles
- 11. American Chop Suey
- 12. Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops
- 13. Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- 14. BLT Sandwich
- 15. Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
- Tips For Making Back-To-School Dinners Easier
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 15 Best Back-To-School Dinner Ideas: Crockpot Creamy Salsa Chicken +More!
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
While most of us don't enjoy a summer break, the work week gets more hectic when the kids return to school! Luckily, you don't have to settle for fast food or takeout to try and pull off a wholesome and delicious family meal.
Below are a few of my family's favorite weeknight dinner recipes that are a breeze to throw together. Everything can be made with simple and relatively inexpensive ingredients, and most importantly, they're super tasty.
1. Chili Dog Casserole
This kid-favorite casserole features hotdogs, fluffy crescent rolls, chili, and cheese! It's a combination that they already know is delicious, and it's ready to eat in just 30 minutes!
2. Crockpot Creamy Salsa Chicken
Slap this creamy salsa chicken in a tortilla with your favorite taco toppings or burrito fillings, and call it a night! You can even use your air fryer to quickly whip up some crispy tortilla chips to serve on the side (or to scoop the salsa chicken directly into your mouth)!
3. Taco Pasta
Now you can enjoy taco night and pasta night at the same time! This flavor-packed pasta dinner features tender pasta shells, perfectly seasoned taco meat, corn, beans, and cheese!
4. Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
This super easy spaghetti casserole tastes like a million bucks, and it's a great way to use leftover spaghetti! It includes a savory meat sauce, plenty of tasty noodles, and tons of rich and creamy cheese.
5. Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
I love a 'set-it-and-forget-it' recipe, and this crockpot chicken enchilada casserole was instantly devoured. Layer the ingredients in your crockpot before work and go about your day knowing dinner is taken care of.
6. Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
There's no shame in tossing a few frozen burger patties in your air fryer! They crisp up on the outside slightly but still stay tender and juicy. All you need is the buns and your favorite burger toppings!
7. Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
No kid is disappointed when they hear pepperoni pizza casserole is on the menu tonight! Tender egg noodles, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and cheese come together to make one simple yet totally tasty comfort food!
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
8. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
I love a recipe where everything can be baked together on one pan because it makes prep and cleanup so much easier! These shrimp fajitas bake the protein and veggies all in one pan, then all you have to do is supply the flour tortillas and enjoy!
9. Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
Chicken spaghetti is a childhood favorite of mine, and the taste has stood the test of time because my daughter loves it too! It's rich and cheesy, with tender chunks of chicken, juicy tomatoes with chiles, and plenty of noodles.
10. Cabbage and Noodles
Cabbage and noodles might sound simple, and that's because it is! Caramelized onions and crispy bacon give loads of flavor to the more mild-tasting cabbage, and then everything is tossed with noodles to create a satisfying and delicious dish!
11. American Chop Suey
This classic combination of seasoned ground beef, al dente macaroni noodles, and savory tomato sauce is a long-time favorite for busy families. I like to serve mine with a quick side of air fryer garlic bread to sop up all the extra sauce!
12. Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops
Perfectly cooked pork chops slathered in a rich and creamy mushroom sauce made from cream of mushroom soup. It's delicious enough to serve any day of the week, plus this pork dinner is ready in just 30 minutes!
13. Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
These juicy burger steaks in a savory mushroom brown gravy are absolutely delicious with a side of easy Instant Pot mashed potatoes! The gravy works for the potatoes, too, so you can throw everything together and dig in!
14. BLT Sandwich
When you don't have it in you to turn on the oven, a stacked BLT sandwich is always an easy, stress-free option. Use some perfectly ripe and juicy tomatoes, crisp, fresh lettuce, and thick-cut bacon, and watch your family savor every bite.
15. Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
This copycat hamburger helper beef stroganoff is just as easy as the boxed stuff you remember from childhood, except it has way better ingredients! It's a delicious one-pot meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes.
Tips For Making Back-To-School Dinners Easier
I've put together a few of my top tips to help you plan your weeknight dinners.
- Cook in batches. Go ahead and double or triple your recipes so that you can store the leftovers for later.
- Make one-pot meals. These recipes are easy to make and have barely any cleanup afterward.
- Prepare your ingredients in advance. Wash, chop, and portion out your ingredients ahead of time. Keep them stored in airtight containers or Ziploc bags so you can quickly throw together meals during the week.
- Experiment with leftovers. Instead of eating leftovers as-is, try making them into new recipes. For example, a rotisserie chicken can become shredded chicken tacos and cooked rice can be turned into a quick batch of fried rice. I love cooking leftover recipes so much that I call them 'planned-overs'!
- Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot. These kitchen appliances are fantastic for busy families! You can prepare ingredients in the morning, set the cooker, and come home to a hot meal.
- Freezer-friendly meals. Prepare and freeze meals that reheat easily, like my classic lasagna, soups, or hearty casseroles.
I wish you a great first day of school from my family to yours! Tell me about your favorite after-school recipes in the comment section below so I can try them too!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card
15 Best Back-To-School Dinner Ideas: Crockpot Creamy Salsa Chicken +More!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts (boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- 24 oz chunky salsa
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (optional, shredded)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- To begin, lightly spritz a large crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add 2 lbs chicken breasts to the bottom of the crockpot and top them with salt & pepper.
- Pour 24 oz chunky salsa and 8 oz cream cheese over top of the seasoned chicken.
- Cook on high for 3-3½ hours or on low for 6-8, or until chicken is cooked through (160°F/71°C internal temp) and shreds easily.
- Shred the chicken using 2 forks to pull it apart, then stir into the cheesy sauce mixture. *You may need to mash any pieces of cream cheese remaining.
- Add optional 1 cup cheddar cheese and cover (leave on the warm setting) until melted, about 10-15 minutes. Stir to finish melting if needed.
- Serve immediately or leave on warm to serve later.
Notes
- If you’d like to cut down on calories, you can opt for using low-fat cream cheese.
- Sometimes chicken that is just thawed, or packed with a lot of water, can result in a really watery base. Remove the cooked chicken and strain off some of the excess water. Return the chicken to your slow cooker and proceed as instructed above.
- Use for tacos, quesadillas, taquitos, burritos, nachos, and more!
- To store: Keep leftover crockpot creamy salsa chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Reheat your chicken either in the microwave, back in the slow cooker on low, or in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Nutrition
Originally published August 19, 2023
Updated April 29, 2024, fixed grammar and formatting
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