This collection of family-favorite recipes will score an A+ when it’s time to head back to school! It includes easy main dishes, simple sides, yummy snacks, and sweet desserts, and each one is quick, simple, and totally delicious.
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Make Dinner Time Special Again
As the hustle and bustle of a new school year kicks into gear, finding the time for a wholesome family dinner can feel like an uphill battle. But there’s magic in those moments when the whole family gathers around the table, sharing stories of their day. For the kids, a delicious meal is more than just sustenance; it’s a comforting end to a day of learning and adventure.
School Night Dinner Recipes
As the back-to-school season rolls in, many families are looking for simple, no-fuss main dishes. With these easy solutions, dinner time can be more about connecting with family and less about extensive meal preparation. Plus, I’m all about budget-friendly family meals that also make great leftovers for lunch the next day!
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, made with ground beef, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, has a deep rich flavor that tastes like it's been simmered for hours. This is not your average "easy recipe" for spaghetti sauce! It's thick, meaty, made in about an hour, and is terrific served with pasta and warm bread for a meal that will soon become a staple for your family.
Oven Fried Chicken (Crispy And Juicy)
Learn how to make crispy, succulent chicken in the oven, without sacrificing flavor or texture! This simple recipe for Oven Fried Chicken is a winner on busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want delicious fried chicken without a lot of work.
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Sliders
With only 5 ingredients, Mississippi Chicken cooked in the slow cooker is tender, juicy, and packed with spicy flavors. When this mouthwatering chicken is turned into sliders, with melted cheese then you've got something irresistible for a weeknight meal. This scrumptious recipe is great to serve as an appetizer, for parties, and perfect for game day!
Easy Crock Pot Beef Roast Recipe
With just a few minutes of prep, you can make this simple slow cooker pot roast recipe with amazing results! Thanks to the crock pot, it's fall-apart, tender, flavorful, and juicy. This is comfort food done right.
Easy Cheesy Chili Mac (One Pot Recipe)
This Easy Chili Mac recipe combines thick and flavorful chili with homemade macaroni and cheese, a classic mashup that’s sure to warm you from the inside out! This comfort food meal will become a family favorite that's made in just one pot in about half an hour.
Easy Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Make the VERY BEST hot dogs ever in the air fryer! Cooked in less than 10 these hot dogs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and nestled in a toasted bun. This fast, easy way to serve up a family favorite treat is great whether you are feeding a couple of people or a crowd.
Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup is the ultimate combination of flavor and convenience! It's loaded with all your favorite taco flavors in a rich, comforting soup. It's a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed year-round, whether you're hosting a casual dinner party or craving a cozy meal.
Best Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is so easy to make! Roasted chicken that's tender and juicy on the inside, with crispy skin, is totally irresistible. This guide for making the BEST whole chicken in the air fryer is one you'll use over and over again!
Hamburger Hobo Dinner Foil Packs
Hamburger Hobo Dinners cooked in foil packs are downright delicious! Whether you're cooking this meat and potato dish on the grill, a campfire, or the oven, these flavorful packages are sure to be hit with your family and friends. Foil pack dinners are destined to become one of your favorite ways to cook since they are easy to make, can be prepared in advance and as a bonus, clean up is virtually nonexistent.
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
Chicken Thighs cooked in the crock pot make a mouthwatering recipe that's perfect for a busy weeknight or lazy weekends! Juicy chicken coated in a thick rich sauce flavored with garlic, honey, and soy sauce is a slow cooker hit.
Sheet Pan Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this sweet and savory Sheet Pan Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe is a game-changer for busy home cooks! Treat yourself to a meal that's as easy to make as it is delicious to eat!
Best Roast Beef And Cheese Sliders
These roast beef and cheese sliders are crazy delicious and super easy to make! Savory roast beef and melty cheese wrapped up in sweet Hawaiian rolls and then baked in a buttery sauce are absolutely irresistible. They are the perfect party food and a welcome sight on the dinner table.
Easy And Delicious Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
Make the best Oven Baked BBQ Chicken with this easy 4-ingredient recipe! The chicken is moist and juicy with a sweet BBQ glaze that is so good you won't believe it was made in the oven.
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-inspired meal that's easy to make and perfect for busy days. This hands-off cooking method makes tender, juicy chicken that's slow-cooked in Mariana sauce and then finished with a topping of rich shredded cheese. Serve it over pasta for a one-pot dish everyone will love after just one bite!
Best Side Dishes To Make For Your Family
Side dishes at back-to-school dinners are the unsung heroes of the meal. They jazz up our plates with colors and flavors and are also our secret weapon for sneaking in extra nutrients. Making kid friendly recipes is easier than you think, plus, whipping up these sides can be a fun family activity—a perfect time for some giggles and stories.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Make the BEST Baked Potatoes ever in the Air Fryer! These potatoes are tender and flakey on the inside with an amazing super crispy skin. Keep them simple with butter, salt, and pepper or load them up with your favorite toppings for a side dish that's outstanding.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Beautiful, glazed carrots with honey and butter are easy to make yet special enough to make a statement on any holiday table! They are so hard to resist, you'll make them all year round.
Easy Everyday Green Salad
My recipe for Everyday Green Salad is fresh, simple, and quick! It's made in about 5 minutes with my homemade vinaigrette and goes with just almost everything. What a delicious way to get more greens into your life.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
These fries are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and when you add in a spicy dipping sauce, you've got a match made in heaven.
Buttermilk Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
These flavorful cheddar biscuits are such a versatile side with their flaky layers and cheesy goodness. Once you take them out of the oven and experience their mouthwatering aroma, you'll know that you've created something truly special. Bring on the YUM!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is made with crispy bacon, tender pasta, sharp cheese, sweet peas, and a cool ranch dressing, coming together to create the BEST pasta salad ever! You can never have too many salad recipes in your recipe box, and this one is an all-time favorite.
Easy Crock Pot Baked Beans
Slow-Cooked, sweet and savory baked beans with brown sugar and bacon is a side dish recipe that's pure perfection! For any cookout, barbecue, or summer party, these Easy Crock Pot Baked beans will be a hit.
Sunshine Fruit Salad (Fresh And Easy)
Put a little sunshine into your life with this simple, fresh salad. Use your favorite seasonal fruit, pour on the honey cinnamon dressing, and you're ready for a delicious treat perfect for serving any time of the year.
Instant Pot Garlic and Herb Rice
Garlic and Herb Rice is full of amazing flavor and is a terrific side dish that can be served any time of year.
Southern Fried Corn Recipe
Buttery, Fried Corn is a classic Southern side dish that's a pure delight. It's simple, made in minutes with fresh corn, and is destined to shoot to the top of the list of your favorite recipes after the first time you make it!
Southern Style Green Beans
Tender, flavorful, and steeped in tradition, Southern Style Green Beans are a down-home delight that's easy to make! Fresh green beans cooked with bacon and just the right amount of seasoning is the perfect side dish for any meal.
Creamy Stovetop Cheese Tortellini
Cheesy tortellini tossed in a creamy garlic and herb sauce is an easy-to-make recipe that will complement any meal! Whether served as a hearty main dish or a side for steak, chicken, or pork, Creamy Stovetop Cheese Tortellini is always a favorite.
Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
There's no better way to cook carrots that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside than in the air fryer. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, then finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, Air Fryer Roasted Carrots make a terrific side dish or snack.
Easy Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Oven roasted broccoli turns our tender with little crunchy bits of Parmesan and toasted breadcrumbs that make it a veggie everyone will love!
Roasted Potato Pesto Salad
Warm, luscious potatoes infused with pesto and fresh herbs topped off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese…friends, this is potato salad done right. This recipe is an excellent choice for serving at parties, potlucks, or dining outside since it doesn't contain ingredients that need to be refrigerated.
Easy Yummy Snacks
Snacks during the back-to-school season? They’re the trusty sidekicks every student needs! They’re not just fillers between meals; they’re moments of delight and quick recharges in a student’s hectic day. So, as we gear up for another school year, let’s give a nod to those grab-and-go goodies that keep our learners smiling and energized.
Perfectly Popped Stove Top Popcorn
Learn how to make the best stove top popcorn using this simple process, that uses just three ingredients and one pot! Skip the microwave and make tender, fluffy, perfectly popped popcorn every time.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a cross between a soft, moist, chewy oatmeal cookie and your favorite chocolate chip cookie! This simple recipe combines the classic flavors of oatmeal and chocolate into a convenient bar, perfect for snacking, as a dessert, and great for feeding a crowd.
Best Homemade Baked Cheese Sticks With Marinara
Cheese sticks at easy to whip up in no time along with a little dipping sauce.
Easy Homemade Granola
This Easy Homemade Granola is perfect for a simple, satisfying breakfast recipe! Packed with wholesome ingredients like certified gluten-free oats, crunchy nuts, and a touch of natural sweetness, this granola is delicious and incredibly nutritious.
Best Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Cream cheese sausage balls are a delicious, easy-to-make appetizer that can be served on any occasion. Adding cream cheese takes this classic recipe to a whole new level, making these sausage balls the all-time best!
Ranch Dill Pickles (TikTok Recipe)
Ranch Dill Pickles have been blowing up the internet! Turn a jar of dill pickles into something ridiculously good with a packet of ranch seasoning mix. For snacking, appetizers and a must for any summer cookout or party.
Baked Pepperoni Dip
Baked Pepperoni Dip is full of gooey cheesy goodness, with all the amazing flavors of pepperoni pizza! Whether you’re entertaining friends, hosting a game-day party, or celebrating the holidays, this crowd-pleasing hot dip is always a favorite.
Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Parmesan and house seasoning turn store bought puff pastry into cheese straws that are perfect as an appetizer or along side soups or salads
Spicy Ranch Crackers (No Bake Recipe)
Crunchy, and full of savory flavors, Spicy Ranch Crackers are not your average snack! Saltines are transformed into an absolutely addictive snack with just four ingredients. This no-bake recipe with big, bold flavors and a bit of heat is super simple to make.
Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
Morning Glory Muffins are loaded with carrots, coconut, walnuts, apples, and zucchini, along with just the right amount of spice and are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, cookouts and family gatherings.
Chocolate Caramel Pretzels
Pretzels drizzled with buttery caramel sauce and rich, dark chocolate are turned into the perfect combination of sweet and salty! Add in a pinch of flakey sea salt and you've got a 4-ingredient, no-bake treat that everyone will love.
Sweet Treats For Back To School
Ah, sweet treats for back-to-school! They’re the delightful little pick-me-ups that bring joy to those bustling school days. It’s not just about the sugar rush; it’s the love and warmth that comes with every bite. So as the new school year dawns, let’s celebrate with some treats that remind our kiddos there’s always a sweet side to education!
Monster Cookies
Monster Cookies are quick and easy to whip up, and with a hint of peanut butter and chocolate chips throughout, everyone will love them! This cookie recipe has the perfect ratio of M&M's to dough, so you get lots of sweet bursts with every bite.
Easy Bread Pudding Recipe
This Bread Pudding recipe is rich, sweet, and so easy to make! Warm on the inside with a crispy topping, it makes a fantastic dessert topped with a scoop of ice cream. It's a great addition to a breakfast buffet and perfect for a lazy weekend brunch.
Glazed Orange Muffins
Glazed Orange Muffins are a sweet way to brighten your day! Made with fresh orange juice and zest, they're tender and soft with just the right amount of sweetness. These scratch-made muffins are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
Blueberry Bread With Lemon Glaze
Loaded with juicy blueberries and topped with a bright, sweet glaze, this quick bread recipe is a welcome treat any time it's served. Blueberry Bread with Lemon Glaze makes a great grab-and-go breakfast and is perfect to serve with coffee for an afternoon snack.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a cross between a soft, moist, chewy oatmeal cookie and your favorite chocolate chip cookie! This simple recipe combines the classic flavors of oatmeal and chocolate into a convenient bar, perfect for snacking, as a dessert, and great for feeding a crowd.
Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza
Craving the nostalgic taste of a cinnamon dessert pizza from your favorite pizza delivery joint? I've got you covered with this simple recipe made with buttery pizza crust, brown sugar, and cinnamon. If that was not enough, I've topped it with a sweet vanilla glaze that makes each slice irresistible!
Easy Creamy Chocolate Dip
Creamy, dreamy, light, and fluffy is what Chocolate Dip is all about! This decadent treat whipped up in less than 15 minutes is great served with fresh fruit, cookies, or your favorite salty snack.
The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodle cookies are a classic that are as fun to eat as they are to make.
Rocky Road Candy Clusters
Ready in just minutes, these Rocky Road Candy Clusters are the perfect no-bake treat to satisfy any sweet tooth. This addictive candy is filled with walnuts, marshmallows, and butterscotch chips, making it a terrific party snack, homemade gift, or quick dessert.
Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins with Lemon Glaze
This easy, baked-from-scratch recipe makes the BEST Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins that have a pop of fresh lemon flavor. Soft, tender muffins loaded with juicy blueberries topped with a sweet lemony glaze are everyone's favorite homemade treat!
Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers (Easy Puff Pastry Cookies)
Palmiers, elephant ears, or angel wings, it doesn't matter what you call these sweet, flaky cookies, you'll be smitten after just one bite! They are super easy to make with just four ingredients and are baked to golden perfection in about 10 minutes.
Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread made with warm spices and sweet apples layered in between buttery dough is a recipe sure to become a family favorite.
Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These infamous Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are crispy on the outside with a deliciously soft and gooey center and a beautiful powdered sugar top! They are rich, extra chocolaty and I promise you'll love every fudgy bite.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are big, chewy, and bursting with peanut butter flavor! Perfectly baked with oatmeal, butter, cinnamon, and an extra helping of peanut butter, these cookies are seriously delicious.
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
