17 Quick School Night Dinner Ideas To Ease Back Into The Semester

You might not want to believe it, but it's happening! Summer is quickly coming to an end and the kids are back in school. This means it's time to break the Instant Pot and slow cookerout of hibernation for easy plan-ahead meals.

It can seem impossible to whip up healthy and delicious meals on busy weekdays, and for those afternoons where it just doesn't happen (hey, no judgment), having a collection of quick and easy dinner recipes up your sleeve is crucial. That's why we're hooking you up with these tempting 15-minute back-to-school dinners that will totally save you and the fam, now that you're juggling all those after-school activities.

Brit + Co

Quick & Delicious Elote

Your regular grilled corn gets an upgrade when you add mayo, garlic powder, cheese, and cayenne powder. Add a squeeze of lime and this 15-minute dinner will become a weeknight staple. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Watermelon-Peach Chilled Soup

When the heat of summer is still going strong, cool off with this soup recipe that features watermelon, peaches, cucumber, and lime juice. It's hydrating, refreshing, and will taste amazing after a long day at your desk (or at school). (via Brit + Co)

Girl Gone Gourmet

15-Minute Spinach Pancetta Penne

Everyone loves a wholesome plate of pasta for dinner, especially once temps start to drop, and this dish delivers that in a snap with leafy greens and mouthwatering pancetta. Add some Parmesan cheese on top for good measure. (via Girl Gone Gourmet)

Wholesome Yum

Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Mustard Cream Sauce

Serving tender chicken breasts smothered in a tangy mustard cream sauce on a busy weeknight sounds like it would require some time travel, but this recipe gets it done so you can feed your clan and enjoy some down time. No need to pick one or the other. (via Wholesome Yum)

Wry Toast

Easy Rosemary Garlic Beef Skewers

Paired with a tangy yogurt sauce, these juicy and tender beef skewers let you embrace the grill while hooking you up with a fuss-free dinner that is *perfect* for weeknights. Pair with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, and red onions for a mix of flavors and temperatures. (via Wry Toast)

Healthy Nibbles

Honey Garlic Shrimp

Shrimp takes no time to cook and it tastes too good to pass up, therefore incorporating it into more weeknight meals is a must. This sweet and garlicky dish does it just right, and goes great on top of rice or noodles. (via Healthy Nibbles)

The Mediterranean Dish

Baked Salmon with Garlic Cilantro Sauce

This salmon might look elaborate, but the herbaceous and flaky fillet is ready to dig into in minutes. Keep this recipe in your back pocket because if you make it once, you're going to want to make it again. (via The Mediterranean Dish)

Pickled Plum

Balsamic Chicken

Toss this chicken into a finger-lickin' marinade of balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard before heading into work to set yourself up for a 15-minute wonder that calls for only seven ingredients — then high-five yourself. (via Pickled Plum)

Anna Banana

Lemon Pappardelle with Basil and Kale Pesto

We will eat pasta at any meal, any day of the week. Ribbons of pappardelle are smothered in an earthy basil and kale pesto that brings you a plateful of freshness. Our favorite part about this dish is that you get big flavor with little effort. (via Anna Banana)

Pickled Plum

Chicken Piccata

This lemony and briny Italian classic is crave-worthy and can be made on a weeknight, hassle-free. Serve it with a side salad to cut back on your cooking time. (via Pickled Plum)

My Gorgeous Recipes

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry with Noodles

The next time you want stir-fry, skip the takeout. This beef and broccoli dish is packed with a variety of healthy goodies and tons of flavor, and you can make it in less time than it'll take you to hop in the car and pick up! That's a win-win if you ask us. (via My Gorgeous Recipes)

Sprinkles & Sprouts

Quick and Easy Maple Glazed Pork Chops

These sweet and salty glazed chops are worthy of Sunday dinner, but with minimal ingredients and the fact that you only need 15 minutes to make them, why not bring the recipe to your weeknights? Splurge on good maple syrup. It's worth it. (via Sprinkles & Sprouts)

Whitney Bond

Buffalo Taco Shrimps

No matter how busy your weekdays look, you can still honor Taco Tuesday with these easy peasy buffalo shrimp tacos. One of our favorite combos is buffalo and ranch, so feel free to drizzle a bit of the white stuff on top. (via Whitney Bond)

Rasa Malaysia

Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak

Most people save their steak for special dinners or date night, but when you can bring a tender, garlicky, and buttery slab of beef to your table in 15 minutes, well that’s a special occasion within itself. (via Rasa Malaysia)

Culinary Hill

Chicken Scallopini

This dish is sure to become a weekly staple in your home. Despite it's luxurious name, it's a one-skillet recipe that'll be ready in no-time. Cue the delectable lemony sauce and tender chicken please! (via Culinary Hill)

Half Baked Harvest

15-Minute Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles

Getting kids to eat their veggies can be a little tricky but there are always ways around that. This quick garlic butter ramen noodle dish is infused with fresh basil, soy sauce and *gasp* shredded zucchini. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Feel Good Foodie

Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs

It's hard to resist a tender and juicy chicken dinner, especially when it doesn't take a long time to prep and cook. With a mix of seasonings like onion powder, paprika and cumin, pan seared chicken thighs are sure to become a highly requested meal. (via Feel Good Foodie)

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This article has been updated.