10 Time-Saving Dinners That Are Perfect for Busy School Nights

Dinnertime doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. With a few smart recipes, you can have wholesome meals ready in a zap! Think sheet pan dinners, one-pot meals, and quick skillet recipes that make cleanup a breeze. These dishes are big on flavor and short on effort, perfect for weeknights when time is tight. They’ll keep the whole family happy without adding extra chaos to your night!

Gluten-Free Chicken and Rice Soup

Chicken and cauliflower rice soup with carrots in a white bowl on a wooden cutting board. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Embrace the cool weather and cozy up with a bowl of this gluten-free chicken and rice soup! Loaded with vegetables, warming broth, and fueling chicken this fall soup recipe is made in just half an hour and warms you up from the inside out. To learn more: Gluten-Free Chicken and Rice Soup

Sheet Pan Steak and Veggie Fajitas

Baking tray with cooked steak, bell peppers, and veggies with a steel bowl of fresh tomatoes in the middle and flour tortillas folded to the side — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

No mess and no fuss! These sheet pan steak fajitas make the perfect weeknight dinner recipe. Made with fresh veggies, lean beef, and homemade fajita seasoning, this easy, healthy dinner comes together in under 20 minutes.

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli

a skillet of cooked korean ground beet and broccoli — Image 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. A budget-friendly twist on the traditional recipe, this ground beef version has the same comforting flavor but with a great price cut.

Get the recipe: Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy pesto pasta in a white bowl with ingredients around it — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

An easy, flavorful dinner recipe made in just 15-minutes. Made with homemade pesto and gluten-free noodles, this creamy chicken pesto pasta makes the perfect weeknight meal.

Get the recipe: Chicken Pesto Pasta

Sheet Pan Sausage and Green Beans

sheet pan with tinfoil with sausages, green beans and cherry tomatoes with pink bowl of sauerkraut beside it — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

An easy sheet pan dinner recipe for busy nights! This sausage and green beans come together in just 30 minutes. Juicy sausage bites covered in a quick honey garlic sauce and paired with whole-30 approved vegetables.. To learn more: Sheet Pan Sausage and Green Beans

Gluten-Free Honey Chicken Thighs

Honey and lemon baked chicken thighs with parsley on top in a baking dish. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these ultra-juicy, honey-baked chicken thighs. Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free this busy weeknight dinner comes together with just a handful of ingredients and makes for a burst of sweetness in every bite.

Get the recipe: Honey Baked Chicken Thighs

Chicken Skewers with Teriyaki Sauce

Three teriyaki chicken skewers on a bed of rice in a white bowl with limes on it and a bowl of limes beside it — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Sweetened with honey, these teriyaki chicken skewers make a tasty gluten-free dinner recipe or easy meal prep idea. Easy to make, this chicken dinner uses a homemade teriyaki sauce to give them their classic flavor. To learn more: Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Teriyaki Broccoli Chicken Skillet

White bowl with teriyaki chicken pieces and broccoli with chopsticks beside it. — Photo 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

Cheesy Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Beef and zucchini casserole topped with zucchinis in a baking dish. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Weeknight dinners just got better with this veggie-packed, high-protein, beef and zucchini casserole. Lean ground beef coated in a rich and creamy tomato sauce spread of zucchini and sweet potato noodles. You can make this dairy-free casserole in advance as well making busy weeknights that much easier. To learn more: Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Creamy Thai Chicken Pineapple Curry

Green chicken curry with pineapple and peppers in a skillet with a wooden spoon beside it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender and juicy bites of chicken simmered in a rich and creamy sauce; this Thai chicken pineapple curry is a comforting weeknight dinner. Ready in just 20 minutes, this green curry uses pineapple for a punch of tropical flavor. To learn more: Thai Chicken Pineapple Curry