Back-to-school season comes with packed schedules, quick dinners, and the daily question of what to pack for lunch. These 23 easy meals help make things a little smoother by handling both dinner and tomorrow’s lunch at the same time. Each recipe is simple to make, easy to reheat, and friendly for even the pickiest eaters. When the days feel long, these are the meals that keep things moving without extra work.
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Try something new on burger night with these easy turkey patties packed with garlic, soy sauce, and a little crunch from slaw. They taste just as good cold the next day, so you don’t have to cook again for lunch. It’s a smart recipe to keep around when school starts and everyone needs fast, filling meals.
Get the Recipe: Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Caprese Panini
Melted mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil turn this simple sandwich into a quick dinner that feels special. It only takes a few minutes to make and holds up great in the fridge. Make a few extra and you’ve got an easy lunch ready to pack in the morning.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Chicken Curry
This creamy curry is made with pantry ingredients and comes together fast in one pan. It’s rich and full of flavor, and you can spoon it over rice or eat it as-is. Cook once and save the rest for a ready-to-go lunch the next day when mornings feel rushed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Cacio e Pepe
This cheesy black pepper pasta uses just a few ingredients but tastes like something much fancier. It’s ready in minutes and makes a big batch without any effort. It’s a great dinner when school nights feel short and you want leftovers that are easy to warm up.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Let the slow cooker do the work with this garlicky pork that turns out tender every time. It’s great for tacos, sandwiches, or rice bowls and makes enough for a few extra meals. When the school schedule gets busy, recipes like this help keep dinner and lunch simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork
Chicken Tenders
These homemade tenders are crunchy outside, juicy inside, and way better than frozen ones. They’re fun to dip and still taste great the next day in wraps or lunchboxes. Make a double batch and school week lunches are one less thing to worry about.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Honey Glazed Chicken
This sticky, sweet chicken cooks fast and uses pantry staples like honey and soy sauce. It pairs well with rice or veggies and holds up well for leftovers. Make it on a weeknight and pack it for lunch before you even wash the dishes.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This creamy soup is warm, cheesy, and comes together fast with frozen broccoli and shredded cheddar. It’s the kind of dinner that’s cozy without being a hassle. Pack up the leftovers in a thermos and you’ve got lunch that’s already done.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Asian Glazed Salmon
This salmon has a sweet and tangy glaze that makes it feel like more than a weeknight dinner. It cooks in minutes and still tastes great the next day, hot or cold. Recipes like this are good to keep when school starts and time feels short.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This soup is packed with chicken, cheesy pasta, and just enough broth to make it comforting but not too heavy. It’s easy to throw together using store-bought tortellini and leftover chicken. It’s one of those dinners that’s great now and even better reheated for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Tikka Masala
This chicken tikka masala cooks fast in the Instant Pot and still brings all the creamy, rich flavor. It goes great over rice or with flatbread and makes a dinner that feels satisfying without taking all night. When school starts back up, this one earns a spot on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
Creamy Pea Pasta
This creamy pasta is simple, quick, and full of peas that add a little color and sweetness. It’s a solid choice when dinner needs to happen fast and you don’t want to think too hard. Leftovers reheat well and make an easy lunch that still tastes good.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
This no-fuss pasta uses tomatoes and ricotta to make a soft, creamy sauce that comes together fast. It only needs a few ingredients but still tastes like real comfort food. School nights go smoother when dinner is this easy and lunch is already covered.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Italian Meatball Soup
This hearty soup is loaded with meatballs, pasta, and veggies in a rich tomato broth. It’s filling without being too heavy, and it’s easy to pack for school lunch the next day. Recipes like this make weeknights easier when everything else feels nonstop.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Let the Instant Pot do the work on this saucy, pull-apart BBQ chicken that works in sandwiches, wraps, or rice bowls. It makes a big batch that’s easy to stretch over a few meals. Cook once, and you’ve got both dinner and lunch checked off the list.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
This crunchy, spicy chicken salad is tossed with veggies and a bold dressing that doesn’t get soggy. It keeps well in the fridge, which makes it easy to grab and pack the next day. Recipes like this help make school weeks feel a little less rushed.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Crockpot Chili
This slow cooker chili is loaded with beans, meat, and flavor and needs almost no hands-on time. It’s warm and filling, and the leftovers are even better the next day. This is a solid meal to keep in rotation when your family needs dinner and lunch from one cook.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Honey Habanero Tacos
These tacos bring a sweet kick of heat and come together fast with ground meat and pantry spices. They’re great for taco night but even better when packed up for lunch the next day. It’s a fun twist that helps break up the week when school is in session.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Meatballs and Sauce
These meatballs cook fast in the Instant Pot and get smothered in rich tomato sauce that’s good on just about anything. They’re great over pasta at night and perfect for sandwiches the next day. Make a big batch and you’ve got two meals with one recipe.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Tomato Soup
This simple tomato soup blends up fast in the Instant Pot and tastes just right with grilled cheese or crackers. It’s easy to reheat and packs well in a thermos for school. Dinner and lunch don’t have to be hard when you’ve got this one in your back pocket.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
This quick pasta dish mixes canned tuna, tomatoes, and pasta for a fast meal that’s still satisfying. It’s great warm or cold and doesn’t need much cleanup. When school starts, this is an easy one to make and pack for tomorrow without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
This risotto cooks in the Instant Pot and turns out creamy with just the right amount of lemon and peas. It tastes bright and fresh but still fills you up like a full meal. Leftovers reheat well, so it’s a smart one to double when the week gets busy.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Mix canned tuna with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a fast salad that’s full of flavor and takes no time to prep. It works on its own or stuffed in sandwiches or wraps. When everything feels rushed, recipes like this help you keep lunch and dinner on track.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes