15 Easy Back to School Dinners That Even Picky Eaters Love

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During the back-to-school season, the last thing you want to do amid all that chaos is spend hours in the kitchen! These easy dinner recipes are sure to be a hit, even with picky kids.

Carrot Lentil Soup Recipe

Orange soup in a bowl with a white swirl.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

This cozy carrot and lentil soup is quick, hearty, and naturally plant based. With a creamy carrot base, tender green lentils, and kale, it’s ready in just 25 minutes, and perfect with buttered bread or crackers.

Get the recipe: Carrot Lentil Soup Recipe

Creamy Dill Chicken

Mashed potatoes topped with chicken in a creamy dill sauce beside carrots on a plate.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This easy one-pan chicken dinner comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients like chicken, onion, broth, cream, and fresh dill. Cooked in a creamy dill sauce, it pairs perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, and your favorite veggies.

Get the recipe: Creamy Dill Chicken

Teriyaki Udon Noodles

A bowl of saucy noodles topped with green onion beside a pair of chopsticks.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

These easy teriyaki noodles feature chewy udon tossed in a flavorful homemade sauce. They come together quickly for a weeknight dinner and pair well with any veggies or protein you like.

Get the recipe: Teriyaki Udon Noodles

Creamy Red Pesto Butter Beans

Red pesto butter beans and rice in a bowl with a black and gold spoon.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Creamy pesto butter beans are cozy, flavorful, and ready in no time. Simmered in a garlicky red pesto cream sauce with onion and tender lima beans, this simple stovetop recipe tastes far more indulgent than the effort it takes.

Get the recipe: Creamy Red Pesto Butter Beans

Sheet Pan Pesto Gnocchi with Sausage

Gnocchi, peas, and sausage on a sheet pan.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This sheet pan pesto gnocchi with sausage makes a flavorful, comforting dinner in under 30 minutes. Roasted gnocchi, onion, peas, and sausage are tossed with pesto and parmesan for an easy one-pan meal everyone will love.

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Pesto Gnocchi with Sausage

Easy Sheet Pan Sliders

Mini burgers stacked in a pile with a bite out of one.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Sheet pan sliders are the easiest way to make burgers for a crowd, with no standing over the stove required. Bake seasoned beef with melted cheese and classic toppings all in one pan, then slice into twelve delicious sliders.

Get the recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Sliders

Lentil Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish with the topping of baked tater tots.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

This hearty veggie and lentil mix is topped with tater tots and baked to crispy, golden perfection. Easy to make in just an hour, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for fall.

Get the recipe: Lentil Tater Tot Casserole

Tomato Tortellini Soup

Tomato soup with tortellini and cheese in bowls.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

With just seven ingredients, this tomato-based tortellini soup comes together in only 20 minutes. Using shortcuts like store-bought tortellini, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning, it’s a quick and comforting homemade dinner.

Get the recipe: Tomato Tortellini Soup

Easy Sausage Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with cooked pasta, spinach, and sausage topped with melted cheese.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This easy sausage pasta bake is comfort food made simple, with tender pasta, savory sausage, and plenty of melted cheese. Best of all, it all cooks together in one dish with no need to pre-boil the pasta!

Get the recipe: Easy Sausage Pasta Bake

Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Broccoli, rice, and chickpeas in a casserole dish topped with green onions.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This one-pan broccoli rice casserole is a cozy mix of tender rice, hearty chickpeas, and fresh broccoli baked in a savory broth. Seasoned with ranch-inspired herbs, it’s an easy comfort meal full of flavor.

Get the recipe: Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Smoky Navy Bean Soup

Bean soup in a bowl.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This smoky navy bean soup is a cozy, flavorful choice for chilly evenings. Made with canned navy beans, fresh veggies, and a hint of liquid smoke, it’s a simple recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

Get the recipe: Smoky Navy Bean Soup

Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce with Chicken and Spinach

Creamy tomato pasta and chicken.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This creamy tomato sauce perfectly coats tender chicken, fresh spinach, and linguine for a rich, comforting pasta dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet flavorful meal.

Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce with Chicken and Spinach

Lima Bean Soup

Vegetable bean soup in a bowl.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

This hearty, one-pot dinner is warm, comforting, and full of flavor. Lima beans and potatoes form a hearty base, simmered in savory vegetable broth and seasoned with dried herbs.

Get the recipe: Lima Bean Soup

No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

A casserole dish and plate with a fork each containing a rice casserole recipe covered in cheese and parsley.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This stuffed bell pepper casserole delivers all the classic flavors of stuffed peppers in an easy, deconstructed style. The no-boil method saves time, making this comforting dinner quick and simple to prepare.

Get the recipe: No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Taco Mac and Cheese

Saucy pasta in a skillet and a bowl topped with a drizzle of white sauce and sliced green onions.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This taco mac and cheese combines creamy, cheesy pasta with bold taco seasoning for an easy, family-friendly dinner. Cooked all in one pot, the pasta soaks up every bit of savory flavor.

Get the recipe: Taco Mac and Cheese

Still hungry? Try this!

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