14 Easy Back to School Dinner Ideas

It’s Back to School time again! If you’re in Indiana, chances are you’re back in the swing of school schedules. Balancing a full schedule of school, work, family, and household obligations is enough and meal planning just feels overwhelming at times.

It isn’t the actual cooking I mind. I love to cook, especially for my family.

It’s deciding what to eat. It’s looking in my pantry and trying to figure out what to do with all the odds and ends I already have. How do I use the same old ingredients in new and exciting ways (or ways my kids will enjoy it too).

I’ve made spaghetti six times this month, what else can I do with ground beef? Can we really serve pizza again tonight?

The Family of Farmers have given me so many great new ideas for freezer meals and instant pot recipes, so I’m excited to share these easy back to school dinner recipes with our readers.

Want a fun twist on pizza? Try the Pepperoni Crescent Roll Calzone or Spaghetti Pizza Casserole.

Want to know what to do with ground beef? You must try the Cheesy Hamburger and Noodle Casserole or Walking Tacos

I know I’ve found a few new ideas for the mealtime rotation. What new meal are you going to try tonight?

Hoosier farming families continue working hard to produce the food you and your family enjoy every day. Thank you to our local soybean and corn farmers for sharing their favorite recipes. You can learn more about Indiana farmers and farming at The Glass Barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. And, sign up for the Glass Barn Sharing The Farm Table newsletter. Each month they will send you delicious, easy recipes to help make mealtime with your family even more tasty.

Easy Pepperoni Crescent Roll Calzones

I’ve always thought there’s not much you can’t do with crescent rolls and that’s the truth. This fun take on a mini-pizza calzone will have the whole family asking for more!

Recipe and photo by www.farmwifefeeds.com

Grilled Cheese and Milkshakes

This meal reminds me of days at the Indiana State Fair. Grilled cheese and milkshakes from the Dairy Barn is in my top 5 fair foods. But it also makes a great quick and easy dinner and the combinations are endless! Add vegetables, add meat, and an egg. Go crazy!

Recipe and photo by www.farmwifefeeds.com

Farmhouse Crock Pot Spaghetti

I’ve mentioned how often I make spaghetti, and you’d think how different could it be in your crock pot? In this recipe the noodles are cooked in the sauce and it it delicious! If you’re looking for a similar recipe that is fast, check out this Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe.

Recipe and photo by plowingthroughlife.com

Spaghetti Pizza Casserole

If you say spaghetti or pizza anything my kids will love it. Sometimes they ask for both and usually I say no. But this casserole makes that possible!

Recipe and photo by plowingthroughlife.com

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese

Another take on the classic grilled cheese and pizza. Another inspiration for something different for dinner.

Recipe and photo by www.farmwifefeeds.com

Cheesy Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Cheesy Hamburger Noodle Casserole reminds me of the old hamburger helper my mom used to make when I was a kid. This delicious meal uses only 5 ingredients  you probably already have in your pantry.

Recipe and photo by www.beyerbeware.net

Cheesy Smoked Sausage Vegetable Casserole

As we get into the cooler months, there’s nothing like a creamy, cheesy casserole to keep you warm and happy. And with a 10 minute prep time, you’ll have lots of time to get cozy.

Recipe and photo by www.farmwifecooks.com

Easy BBQ Meatball Kabob

Meatballs are fun to make and eat. And, kabobs give any meal a festive feel. My kids love picking out veggies and helping to prepare their very own kabobs. But they also love eating food off a stick!

Recipe and photo by www.myfearlesskitchen.com

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

These wings are the perfect treat for dinner anytime of year. We especially love them when it’s too cold to grill, or during the summer when we’re too lazy to pull out the grill!

Recipe and photo by www.myfearlesskitchen.com

Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

These three ingredient pork chops are super simple and very yummy. We preferred them grilled, but in a pinch you can pan fry them about 4 minutes on each side until the internal temp is 145 degrees.

Recipe and photo by www.myfearlesskitchen.com

Easy Ruben Casserole

My husband’s favorite sandwich is a Ruben and he also loves a good casserole. I was worried my kids wouldn’t enjoy the rye bread so I swapped it for sourdough and it was a hit. I might have told them the sauerkraut was a type of noodle.

Recipe and photo by www.theseoldcookbooks.com

Mexican Lasagna

This lasagna is the perfect marriage of some of my family’s favorite meals. I haven’t decided if this is for Taco Tuesday or Spaghetti Saturday, but it will definitely be added to my meal rotation!

Recipe and photo by www.theseoldcookbooks.com

Walking Taco Casserole

Walking tacos are a family favorite for when we go camping but I love the idea of making it into a casserole.

Recipe and photo by www.farmwifecrafts.com

Hamburger Stroganoff

I make a pretty good stroganoff, but it just takes a lot of time, effort, and ingredients. I love that this recipe can be thrown together quickly using items you probably have at home.

Recipe and photo by www.thebackroadlife.com

Thanks again Family of Farmers for saving our dinner time rut. If you’re looking for more recipes and ideas, don’t forget to sign up for the Glass Barn Sharing The Farm Table newsletter.