Back-to-school season is an exciting time, but it can also make evenings feel extra busy. Between school, homework, activities, work, and everything else that comes with a new school year, figuring out what to make for dinner can become one more thing on your already-long list.
A little meal prep ahead of time can make those busy evenings much easier. You don’t have to spend your entire Sunday cooking meals for the week. Even a few simple preparations can save you time and make getting dinner on the table much less stressful.
Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time
One of the easiest ways to make weeknight dinners faster is to prepare ingredients ahead of time. Spend an hour or so on the weekend washing and chopping vegetables, cooking a batch of rice, or preparing potatoes for the week.
You can also cook a large batch of chicken and use it for several meals. Shredded chicken is especially handy for tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, salads, casseroles, and soups.
Grate cheese, wash fruit, portion snacks, and prepare anything else your family uses regularly. Having these items ready to grab can make both meals and school lunches easier.
Let the Crock Pot Make Dinner
Crock pot meals are perfect for busy school days because you can get dinner started in the morning and come home to a meal that’s ready to finish and serve.
Try meals like:
- Crock pot shredded chicken
- Beef roast with potatoes and carrots
- Chicken taco filling
- Pulled pork
- Chili
- Chicken and rice soup
- Beef stew
- Salsa chicken
For even easier mornings, assemble your crock pot ingredients the night before and store them in the refrigerator. In the morning, all you have to do is put everything into the crock pot and turn it on.
Make a Few Freezer Meals
Freezer meals can be a lifesaver on those nights when you simply don’t have the time or energy to cook. Make a double batch of meals such as lasagna, enchiladas, baked pasta, chili, or casseroles and freeze one for later.
You can also freeze cooked taco meat, shredded chicken, homemade meatballs, and soups in meal-sized portions.
Keep Easy Dinner Shortcuts on Hand
Don’t be afraid to take a few shortcuts. Keep things like frozen vegetables, canned beans, pasta, tortillas, shredded cheese, and jarred sauces in your pantry and freezer.
Having a few easy ingredients available means you can quickly turn leftovers into an entirely new meal.
Plan Simple Meals for Busy Nights
Finally, remember that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. Some nights, grilled cheese and tomato soup, breakfast for dinner, sandwiches, or tacos are exactly what your family needs.
The goal isn’t to make the perfect meal every night. It’s to make your evenings a little easier. With a little preparation and a few dependable meals in your back pocket, you can spend less time worrying about dinner and more time enjoying your family during the busy school year.
