Back to school season is often synonymous with new habits, busy days, and a quickened pace. After the holidays, you have to resume the path to work, school, and daily activities while finding time to prepare tasty meals for the whole family. And when you get home late, the desire to spend hours in the kitchen isn’t always on the agenda. The big question then returns every evening: what’s for dinner?
To help you regain a routine without sacrificing indulgence, we’ve selected 20 easy meal ideas for the back-to-school season. Simple, quick and economical recipes, perfect for preparing an easy weeknight dinner after a busy day. Pasta, rice, potatoes, seasonal vegetables, meat, fish but also vegetarian alternatives, this selection brings together a variety of plates to avoid cooking the same thing every day.
Whether you’re looking for a quick meal idea, an easy recipe for the whole family, a budget-friendly dish or simply inspiration to plan weekly menus, you’ll surely find what you’re looking for among these recipes. Most are made with everyday ingredients and don’t require special equipment or hours of prep.
These easy back-to-school recipes are ideal for planning your meals in advance and thus saving time during the week. A chance to enjoy tasty homemade dishes, even when days are busy! Without further ado, discover our 20 ideas for simple, quick, and indulgent meals to start the back-to-school period right!
Stir-Fried Rice with Vegetables and Eggs
Stir-fried rice with vegetables and eggs is one of the simplest recipes to adopt for a weeknight. Ready in just 15 minutes, economical and cooked in a single pan, this dish allows you to recycle leftover rice and vegetables that linger in the fridge. You can vary the recipe endlessly according to what you have at home!
Pasta with Zucchini Cream and Parmesan
For an easy and flavorful family meal, these pasta with zucchini cream and parmesan are an excellent option. It’s a 20-minute recipe that lets you cook a seasonal vegetable in a creamy and comforting sauce for about €2 per person!
One-Pot Pasta with Mushrooms and Parmesan
Not in the mood to dirty several pots after a long day? This one-pot pasta is for you! The pasta, mushrooms, and sauce cook all in the same pot. In just 20 minutes, you get a creamy, comforting meal with very little washing up.
Pasta with Chicken and Mustard
Chicken and mustard pasta belongs to those simple and quick recipes that we always return to. Easy to prepare with everyday ingredients, they make a quick and hearty meal ideal for the whole family. One of our favorite easy recipes to remake without delay!
Broccoli, Cheddar and Ham Pasta Bake
To get vegetables onto reluctant eaters, go for this pasta bake with broccoli, cheddar and ham! Delicious, family-friendly and comforting, it can easily find a place in a back-to-school menu when you’re looking for a simple dish that pleases everyone while being complete and balanced.
Stir-Fried Rice with Chicken and Mushrooms
With rice, chicken and mushrooms, here is a complete dish that ticks all the boxes of a good weeknight dinner! This easy and economical fried rice comes together quickly and helps diversify meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
Express Pasta Alla Norma
Heading to Italy with this express pasta alla norma! Eggplants, tomatoes, and pasta come together in a vegetarian dish full of sunshine and flavors. An ideal meal to prepare a simple, indulgent, meat-free dish for the back-to-school season.
Pasta Bake with Tuna and Tomato
The tuna pasta bake with tomato sauce is a reliable choice for an easy-to-prepare family meal. With accessible and affordable ingredients, this generous recipe lets everyone enjoy a comforting and economical dinner without difficulty.
Easy Chicken Pad Thai
Want to switch from traditional ham pasta? This easy chicken pad Thai adds a touch of exotism to the week’s menu while remaining easy to make at home. A good way to vary quick and family-friendly meal ideas.
Potato and Mushroom Gratin
As autumn approaches and temperatures gradually drop, comforting dishes are returning to our tables. This potato and mushroom gratin is a generous and convivial recipe, perfect for improvising a warm weeknight dinner with family or friends.
Creamy Pasta with Chorizo and Mushrooms
For evenings when you want to treat yourself, you simply can’t resist these creamy pasta with chorizo and mushrooms! Ready in no time, they pair a creamy sauce with generous and bold flavors to create a comforting, fuss-free dinner.
Mushroom and Spinach Quiche
Quiche is the best ally for the back-to-school season (and beyond)! It can be made ahead and can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it very practical for taking leftovers to work the next day. This spinach and mushroom version, served with a green salad, is perfect for a simple and indulgent family meal.
Crispy Chicken Wraps with Yogurt Sauce and Crudités
Wraps are perfect when you’re looking for a quick-to-make and customizable meal idea. Stuffed with crispy chicken, veggies, and a very tasty yogurt sauce, they let you assemble a fresh and light lunch or dinner, while remaining hearty and indulgent.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables
Even after the return to routine, those beautiful September days still make you crave fresh and sunny plates. This Mediterranean pasta salad with grilled vegetables lets you enjoy the last summer flavors while preparing a complete meal that’s easy to bring to the office or for one last picnic.
Cheese Pasta Bake
When time is short, generous recipes based on simple ingredients are always welcome. This cheesy pasta bake is an easy and economical meal idea, perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Carrot Gnocchi: Quick and Affordable
With only a few affordable ingredients, these carrot gnocchi allow you to prepare a unique meal without breaking the budget. A simple, quick, and economical recipe especially interesting to vary the week’s meals!
Vegetarian Chickpea Curry
For a meat-free option, this vegetarian chickpea curry is particularly handy! Ready in 20 minutes, economical and full of flavor, it makes an excellent idea to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into your back-to-school menus.
Cheese and Mushroom Gratin
Gratins are truly indispensable options when you need an easy-to-prepare recipe for several people without spending hours in the kitchen. This version with pasta and mushrooms is a very generous and comforting dish, ideal for weekday dinners.
Croque-Monsieur with Raclette Cheese and Mushrooms
For a quick and ultra-indulgent dinner, the croque-monsieur is hard to beat! This twist on the classic features a melty raclette cheese filling that flows generously. A perfect easy meal idea for a relaxed movie or TV night!
Pasta with Zucchini Pesto
We end our selection today with a simple vegetarian recipe that lets summer linger a little longer. Zucchini pesto provides an original and colorful sauce for pasta and transforms a few basic ingredients into a quick, indulgent, and very easy-to-prepare meal. It can be varied with bacon bits or salmon for a complete plate!
