Back-to-school season means busy afternoons, homework, sports and figuring out what to make for dinner. These back-to-school dinner ideas are made for hectic school nights, with simple ingredients and family-friendly meals everyone can enjoy. You’ll find easy one-pot dinners, air fryer favorites, casseroles, slow cooker meals and plenty of kid-friendly comfort food (which, by the way, are some of MY own favorites!).
What Makes a Good Back-to-School Dinner?
The best school-night dinners are easy to prepare, use everyday ingredients and don’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. One-pot meals, air fryer recipes, casseroles and slow cooker dinners are especially helpful on nights when homework, sports and activities make dinner time hectic.
Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs
These juicy air fryer chicken legs are seasoned with a simple blend of spices and ready in about 25 minutes. They’re easy, inexpensive and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Crispy and Juicy)
These mouthwatering, crispy chicken wings are herb-crusted and cooked to perfection in your air fryer in under 25 minutes. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
Best Damn American Goulash
American Goulash is a classic, cozy medley of ground beef, elbow pasta, and tomatoes, jazzed up with peppers and onions and tasty seasonings. It’s a simple, one-pot comfort dish that’s perfect for feeding hungry tummies.
Instant Pot Easy Chili Mac
I love this one SO much! A delicious, full-flavor chili mac that is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal for the whole family.
Best Damn Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Chicken, peppers and onions roast together on one pan with a simple homemade fajita seasoning. It’s an easy family dinner with minimal prep and cleanup—just add warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Best Damn Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Creamy, cheesy buffalo chicken topped with crispy tater tots makes this an easy dinner the whole family will dig into. It’s simple to put together and packed with all those classic buffalo chicken flavors.
Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Tender, juicy, homemade buttermilk chicken tenders with a golden, crispy breading, cooked to perfection in your air fryer.
One-Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce: Comfort Food Made Easy
This easy recipe for one-pot pasta with meat sauce is classic comfort food made easy. Use just one pot to make the most delicious, homemade pasta meal that the whole family will love!
Best Damn Sloppy Joes
Easy recipe for homemade Sloppy Joes is loaded with awesome flavors and uses simple ingredients to make this family favorite!
Best Damn Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Homemade mac and cheese doesn’t get much easier than this! Everything cooks right in the Instant Pot for a creamy, cheesy family favorite that’s ready in about 20 minutes.
Bonus: Best Damn Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Tender, succulent and juicy pulled pork made to perfection in your slow cooker. Made with a simple dry rub and slow cooked in a savory mix to create the most delicious homemade pulled pork.
Kenneth Hebert says
Definitely the best damn goulash ever!