10 Simple Dinners That Will Help You Survive Back-to-School Chaos

The first few weeks of back-to-school season can feel like running a marathon you didn’t train for. You don't have to resort to takeouts just to get through the week. These simple dinner ideas are designed to be fast and stress-free! You’ll find sheet-pan meals, skillet dinners, and make-ahead options that can handle the busiest schedules! Consider this your go-to playbook for getting dinner done during the chaos.

Creamy Tomato Sausage Pasta

Tan bowl with tomato and sausage pasta on gluten-free rice noodles topped with green onions and spoon in the bowl — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

An irresistible, creamy, one-pot sausage dish! This tomato sausage pasta is a 30-minute weeknight meal recipe that no one can refuse. Naturally dairy-free and made with gluten-free noodles this one-pot meal will become a family favorite!

Get the recipe: Creamy Sausage Pasta

Chicken Teriyaki and Broccoli Skillet

White bowl with teriyaki chicken pieces and broccoli with chopsticks beside it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A 15 minute dinner perfect for busy weeknights. This chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet combines bite-sized, tender chicken cooked in a homemade, gluten-free teriyaki sauce. A dinner recipe perfect for busy moms. To learn more: Teriyaki Chicken Skillet

One Pot Dairy-Free Alfredo Pasta

Black pot with chicken alfredo with sundried tomatoes in it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

An easy pasta recipe made in under thirty minutes. This creamy, dairy-free chicken one pot alfredo pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. Whipped up with a blend of coconut milk and gut-healing broth, this recipe makes an easy weeknight dinner. To learn more: Dairy-Free Alfredo

Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas

Beef fajitas in tomato sauce with peppers in a black slow cooker. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

The perfect recipe to come home to! These slow cooker beef fajitas are delicious no matter how you serve them. Made with homemade, healthy fajita seasoning and simmered all day in a savory blend, these steak fajitas are a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand!

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas

Gluten-Free Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs

Gluten-free meatballs on rice with bell peppers with chopsticks being held over the bowl and teriyaki sauce and a linen behind it — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A 30-minute, weeknight dinner, this easy, gluten-free meatball recipe is perfect for busy nights. These dairy-free meatballs are tender, simple, and flavorful. Furthermore, they're topped with a sticky, homemade teriyaki sauce! To learn more: Teriyaki Meatballs

Korean Beef

a skillet of cooked korean ground beet and broccoli — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A savory dinner that comes together in 25 minutes, this Korean ground beef and broccoli recipe is great for busy weeknights.. To learn more: Korean Beef

Garlic Teriyaki Steak Bites

Teriyaki steak bites in a cast iron pan with leeks on top on a blue linen.. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender juicy steak and a savory, slightly sweet teriyaki sauce. These garlic teriyaki steak bites are a tasty way to enjoy steak. Serve them as an appetizer or whip them up as part of your weekly meal prep, these steak bites (that are made in just 20 minutes!) are always a hit. Plus, they’re made in just one skillet! To learn more: Teriyaki Steak Bites

Easy Honey Garlic Crockpot Chicken

Paleo honey garlic chicken shredded on white rice in a bowl. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender, juicy bites of shredded chicken simmered in a paleo honey garlic sauce. This 5 ingredient crockpot chicken makes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Juicy Chicken Taco Skillet

Cooked chicken skillet, with cheese, pepper, avocado and cilantro on it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Juicy pieces of chicken coated in a homemade seasoning before being sauteed sticky in your favorite barbeque sauce. This chicken taco skillet hits the dinner table in just 30 minutes and makes for a delicious, simple weeknight meal.

Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Taco Skillet

Mini Meatloaf and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sheet pan barbecue meat loaves with roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A delicious weeknight dinner you can meal prep in advance! This gluten-free mini meatloaf and veggies recipe is the perfect sheet pan dinner to whip up for busy nights. Roasted sweet potatoes, crisp broccoli and savory meatloaf all in one bite.

Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Mini Meatloaf Sheet Pan Dinner