20 Back To School Dinners Under 30 Minutes

School nights call for dinners that are fast, filling, and kid-approved. We’ve got homework at the table, after-school activities, or just need something that doesn’t take all evening.

I have a whole section of quick recipes, and these back-to-school recipes hit the sweet spot: on the table in under 30 minutes without a sink full of dishes.

You will find pasta recipes, meals with ground beef and chicken, noodles or rice, casseroles, and one-pot dinners – all taste great, not boring, and will be perfect for busy moms! No shame in making these meals on a lazy day, as well!

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Skip the Chinese takeout tonight with this simple recipe! Noodles get tossed with beef in a sweet-savory soy glaze for a 20-minute meal. Great when you need what to make with a pound of ground beef but want it to feel takeout-style.

Get the recipe: Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Pesto Pasta

This 5-ingredient pasta al pesto uses tender pasta tossed with homemade basil pesto, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes for extra crunch. It’s a light dinner idea ready in 20 minutes that you can eat warm or cold. Perfect for warm fall nights when you want something healthy, cheap, and packed with flavor.

Get the recipe: Pasta al Pesto

One-Pan Skillet Lasagna

If you love lasagna but don’t want to spend time layering everything, try this recipe! All the flavors of classic lasagna cook right in a single skillet with noodles, marinara, ground beef, and gooey cheese. It’s ready in half an hour and feels like a win for weeknights when you want some comfort food.

Get the recipe: Skillet Lasagna

Chicken and Gravy

Home-cooked classic, chicken and gravy is not only a quick dinner, but also super affordable! Juicy chicken simmers in a creamy homemade gravy that’s rich but still comes together quickly on the stovetop. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice.

Get the recipe: Chicken and Gravy

Senate Bean Soup

This classic, hearty soup features ham, white beans, and potatoes in a savory broth that simmers until thick, creamy, and flavorful. Budget-friendly and perfect for leftovers. A traditional pick for fall soups that delivers on both comfort and substance.

Get the recipe: Senate Bean Soup

Teriyaki Burgers

A new favorite for those who love to make homemade burgers. Juicy burgers with a sweet teriyaki glaze and pineapple for a tropical twist. Cheap, fun 30-minute dinner idea for grilling nights. Kid-friendly and fast to make.

Get the recipe: Teriyaki Burgers

Avocado Chicken Salad

One of my favorite salad ideas for lunch prep and light dinners! Smooth and chunky, Avocado Chicken Salad blends ripe avocado with tender shredded chicken. Red onion and lime juice add a fresh, zesty flavor. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Get the recipe: Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

Panda Express Chow Mein – Copycat Recipe

Noodles, cabbage, celery, and soy sauce stir-fry into a fast copycat of the takeout favorite. Perfect for weeknights when you want something quick but different from the usual chicken and pasta routine.

Get the recipe: Panda Express Chow Mein – Copycat Recipe

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo – from Olive Garden

Restaurant-style food at your table with no big effort. Chicken Fettuccine with Alfredo sauce is a universally loved dish so it will be perfect for nights when no one knows what they want to eat for dinner.

Get the recipe: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Oven Chicken Kabobs

Chunks of juicy chicken with simple seasonings and herbs cooked in the oven until tender in just 20 minutes! No grill required, and cleanup is a breeze.

Get the recipe: Oven Chicken Kabobs

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

If you are not on the noodles team, rice is a great ingredient for quick dinners. And if you have an Instant Pot, school nights can be an easy task, too. This one-pot meal cooks chicken, rice, and veggies together under pressure for a complete dinner in about 25 minutes. Ideal for nights when you want something filling but don’t want to babysit the stove.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Cornflake Fried Chicken

Roll chicken pieces in crushed cornflakes for an extra crunchy texture, then bake up in about half an hour. It’s a family-friendly dinner that skips the deep fryer but keeps the crisp in every bite. Kids absolutely LOVE this recipe!

Get the recipe: Cornflake Fried Chicken

Hawaiian Fried Rice

This is a perfect recipe to use leftover rice. Toss it with ham, pineapple, veggies, and soy sauce for a colorful, sweet-and-savory fried rice. It’s a fun twist that makes great use of fridge staples and hits the table in no time.

Get the recipe: Hawaiian Fried Rice

Korean Beef Bowl

Ground beef cooks with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then gets spooned over rice with a sprinkle of green onions. It’s a flavor-packed choice that proves ground beef recipes for dinner don’t have to be heavy.

Get the recipe: Korean Beef Bowl

Maple Glazed Salmon

Healthy dinners are also possible in under 30 minutes (or you can marinate it)! Roast salmon fillets in the oven with a sticky-sweet maple glaze that caramelizes in minutes. It’s healthy, fast, and a nice change from the usual chicken/beef rotation.

Get the recipe: Maple Glazed Salmon

Cream Cheese Pasta

Some picky eaters want plain pasta; make it a bit elevated with this quick recipe. This pasta dish uses a quick cream cheese-based sauce that turns silky and rich in just a few minutes. It’s the ultimate weeknight rescue when the kids are starving and you need dinner now.

Get the recipe: Cream Cheese Pasta

Panko Chicken Tenders

Crispy baked chicken tenders coated in panko breadcrumbs come out golden in under 25 minutes. Perfect for dipping and guaranteed to win with kids (and grown-ups).

Get the recipe: Panko Chicken Tenders

Tuna Salad with Egg

Classic and satisfying, this tuna salad combines flaked tuna with chopped hard-boiled eggs for a rich, creamy texture. It’s full of flavor, easy to make, and perfect for sandwiches or lettuce wraps to make for a light meal.

Get the recipe: Tuna Salad with Egg

Taco Casserole

A base of tortilla chips or tortillas holds spiced beef, salsa, beans, and cheese in this oven-baked taco night twist. Perfect if you’re asking what to make with a pound of ground beef that still feels like a party.

Get the recipe: Taco Casserole

One Pot Lasagna Soup

All the flavors of lasagna—beef, noodles, marinara, and ricotta—come together in this bold, brothy version of the Italian favorite. One pot, no layering required. A dum and go twist on a timeless crowd favorite recipe that you can make for dinner party or family gathering.

Get the recipe: One Pot Lasagna Soup

These 20 back-to-school dinners prove that fast, flavorful meals are totally possible—making weeknight dinners stress-free and family-approved.

---

---