31 Fast Dinners You Can Pull Off Before the Backpack Parade Hits the Door

I will concede that the moments immediately prior to the arrival of the children is arguably the most ungraceful part of my day. There is the compulsion of my own hunger as well as that of the children, then there is the dreaded homework mood, followed by loud unzipping of big backpacks, and my own little panic as I try to decide whether ‘dinner’ is going to be something real or just a miserable bowl of cereal.

These are the meals I reach for when time is tight. But I still want everyone to eat. I want them to eat something warm and satisfying. No pep talk is necessary. There are just a few easy shortcuts to implement, and with a hot pan and some determination, we can pull this off.

1) Tacos With Rotisserie Chicken

I keep a grocery-store rotisserie chicken from my mental “break glass in case of Tuesday” cabinet. Shred the meat and heat the tortillas on the burner or a dry skillet. Then throw in the slaw bag and your choice of salsa. If you have a lime, use it; if not, don’t worry, no one’s gonna call the cops. Dinner that looks like you had a plan, even if you didn’t.

2) Sheet Pan Sausage

Slice pre-cooked sausage, toss it with peppers and onions, and roast it hard enough for the edges to become charred and sweet. If I have any leftovers, I enjoy serving it over rice, or if I’m feeling nice, I like to put it into rolls. The best part about this is that the oven does the hard work for you while you try to not clock watch. Plus, fewer dishes to wash, which is very calming in its own way.

3) Pesto Pasta

This is the one I make when I can literally feel the school bus. Cook the pasta and add the frozen peas in for the last minute. Drain the mix, and add jarred pesto with a bit of the pasta water to combine. This is a pantry meal, but the addition of grated Parmesan makes it feel fancier. Some kids might eat the bright green veggies but others might need more convincing; just give them extra cheese and that’s mission accomplished.

4) Breakfast Scramble

What I really like about this hack is that eggs have a very unprejudiced movement. Scramble them soft, add shredded cheese, and incorporate leftover vegetables or deli ham if you have some on hand. It is even more praiseworthy toast effort if you butter the toast while it is hot. I have combined this with sliced apples and labeled it balanced – and for most people I think it probably is.

5) Quesadillas with black beans

A quesadilla is merely cheese enclosed in a tortilla. Take crisp and golden, followed by soft corn and black beans (also known as the non-perishable variety) and cheese and then congregate at the skillet. Once again, they will be dispersed for the purpose of salsa and/or plain yogurt dipping. If you are as fortunate as I am to have a hot pan, do not stray far from the burning quesadilla; it is only seconds away from perfection and seconds away from complete and total quesadilla destruction.

6) Garlic Shrimp Dinner

Causal shrimp. Sauté with garlic and either butter or olive oil. Include lemon and serve over microwave rice or instant couscous. Bagged salads make it seem like you have your life together. If you have a shrimp-suspicious person in the house, make the shrimp pieces a bit bigger so they don’t sink into the sauce and disappear.

7) Chicken Fajita Bowls

I enjoy cooking with frozen mixed peppers and onions, and I don’t care who knows. Sear sliced chicken, toss in the veg. And add cumin, chili powder, salt, and a little lime juice if you have it. For a fun dinner idea, you can serve it over rice, or get some tortilla chips and scoop it up. The taste is so much better than the effort.

8) Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Some nights I crave a certain comfort that doesn’t involve any mental effort.

Heat good canned tomato soup (or have it doctored with some cream), and prepare a grilled cheese sandwich with any type of bread you may have. Set the stove to medium heat so the cheese has enough time to melt before the bread turns into a rock. This dinner always seems to work some magic on the room, which is nothing short of a miracle.

9) Toasted Tuna Melt

Tuna melts are quick and have that slightly old-school feel, which I like. For the tuna, all you need to do is mix it with mayo and a bit of mustard, spread it on some bread, add a slice of cheese on top and then broil it until the cheese starts bubbling. Keep an eye on it though, mine tends to go from golden to blackened in no time. Slice some veggies or add some pickles and you’ve got a proper meal.

10) Stir Fried Noodles

For a weeknight protein, I need something that is quick to cook and soaks up the sauce well, and ground turkey is perfect. Brown it, add some coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage, followed by some cooked noodles, and top with soy sauce, honey, and ginger if you like. It’s a one pan meal that is super easy and forgiving. If anyone has problems with “vegetables” just chop the cabbage finer and play dumb.

11) Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls

When it’s warm outside or when I’m too lazy to turn on the stove, this is the perfect dinner. Rinse chickpeas, chop cucumber and tomato, add feta and dress with olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper. The side of pita complements the meal, and most find it filling in a satisfying and enjoyable way. No one will argue if you want to add rotisserie chicken to make it heartier.

12) Lemon Tortellini

Refrigerated tortellini is a gift to tired parents. In a pot with boiling water, add some and cook until done. Drain, the mix with butter, lemon zest or juice and spinach to let it wilt. This dish is a good choice for a busy evening because it has a combination of rich and bright flavors. If you don’t have toasted pine nuts, that’s fine too.

13) Salmon Burgers

I enjoy eating frozen salmon burgers and I feel responsible doing it, but it still feels like cheating. To quickly make a sauce, you can bake or pan-sear the fish, and then mix some plain yogurt with dill (or dried dill will work too), salt, and lemon. For extra crunch, sliced cucumber and lettuce will do. If convincing your family to do fish night is hard, sell it as “slider style” and it should be met with much less resistance.

14) Fried Rice

Leftover rice is the secret, but microwave rice works in a pinch, I’ve done this plenty. Prep a hot pan as a starter then proceed to add your premeasured amount of frozen mixed veggies. Once they are adequately done, add in your previously scrambled eggs. To complete this dish, add in some cooked rice and soy sauce, and stir everything together. Drizzling a tiny bit of sesame oil gives the impression that you made more effort than you actually did. Also, this works great to use up miscellaneous cooked chicken or ham.

15) Pita Pizzas

These are so absurdly quick to make and oddly enough, quite enjoyable. Spread jarred marinara on pita or naan, then add cheese and toppings and broil until the edges are crispy. My kids enjoy making their own, which provides me with 4 minutes of silence – priceless. To prevent an after-school hunger riot, keep the toppings simple so the pizza is completed quickly.

16) BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Rotisserie chicken and barbecue sauce. Just throw the sauce on the chicken and heat it up, and you will get an amazing meal instead of two strangers meeting up. Add pickles or slaw if you want some crunch. If your family likes things spicy, then just add some hot sauce, and it will add a lot to the dish.

17) Creamy White Bean Skillet

This meal is so simple and it tastes amazing. Heat up the olive oil and garlic, and then add the canned white beans and the spinach. After that, add a spoonful of cream cheese or some cream, and give it a good mix. It’s great to serve it with some toast so you can scoop it up. It can get pretty messy but that’s the fun part. Don’t be shy when it comes to seasoning.

18) Beef And Broccoli

Thinly sliced beef is a go-to buy for me when the week ahead is looking crazy. Brown it quickly, add a handful of broccoli, and then a quick sauce (soy, a little sugar or honey, garlic, plus cornstarch if you want it thick). Serve it on rice and you are done. If you overdo the broccoli and it turns to mush…good. Kid-friendly tactic.

19) Caprese Omelet

This is the meal I prepare when I want dinner to feel a little fancy, but still need it to be quick. Cook an omelet, tuck in mozzarella and sliced tomato (I quickly warm the tomato so it’s not fridge-cold), and add basil if you have it. Just a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt works wonders here. Accompanied by bread, it is unexpectedly satiating.

20) Turkey Meatball Subs

Buying meatballs from the supermarket can be regarded as a peace treaty. Simmer them in marinara, stuff into rolls. When the cheese is melted, dip the bread in a frying pan, spread on sauce, and place on the cheese. Before you can even set the table, the house will get filled with the glorious aroma of Italian-American food. You’ll probably want napkins, cause this will get messy!

21) Tofu Stir Fry

Some kids might be put off by the thought of eating tofu, but if they try a piece with a few crispy edges, they are way more likely to give it a go. Simply pat it dry, chop it into slices, and sear until crispy, then toss with some chopped up veggies, soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of sweetness. Serve it over rice and top with sesame seeds for a little something extra. This works with chicken too if your family isn’t sold on tofu.

22) Couscous Bowls

Couscous takes about the same time to cook as it takes to search for and find homework. So, if you need something quick, couscous is the way to go. Drizzle warm, olive oil and lemon, chickpeas over the couscous and toss in some chopped cucumber. For most it is ultra light but can be very filling especially if you add some feta. This is always a go to for me on evenings where I don’t want to eat anything too heavy.

23) Upgraded Ramen

I appreciate that instant ramen does not have the best reputation. However, with a few modifications, I think it can be comforting. For example, you could add broth with spinach or bok choy and then add some leftover chicken and a soft boiled egg to the broth. Also, if sodium is a concern, you can just use part of the seasoning packet. I am not here to argue with how people respond or feel with their own bodies. However, it’s nice and relaxing after a long day, and its warmth and speed add to the relaxation.

24) Spinach Ricotta Lasagna

This is the simpler cousin of the lasagna family. No drama and no fuss around the layers. Stir cooked pasta (or broken lasagna noodles) with melted mozzarella. An hour’s worth of time saving is always a bonus! I personally consider brown cheese a gift.

25) Chicken Caesar Wraps

For evenings packed with activities, I tend to choose wraps as my “walking dinner” option. Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing, add sliced chicken (using rotisserie chicken again) and wrap them in tortillas. A couple of croutons inside can provide a fun little crunchy surprise. Smaller wraps are also easier to eat and less likely to burst.

26) Marinara and gnocchi

Gnocchi, whether it be shelf-stable or refrigerated, may not be considered a particularly standard weeknight dinner, but they offer a beautiful way to add variety to your meals as they are quick to cook. To finish, add a generous amount of parmesan and toss the gnocchi in some warm marinara. If you have an extra 5 minutes, you can crisp some parmesan in a pan and it will break into shards for you to use as little pieces of candy. I remember a child describing some sort of puzzle on the playground with unusual and great detail. It was oddly soothing.

27) Loaded Baked Potatoes

Microwave baked potatoes are a lifesaver. Yes, I do understand the oven does make the process a bit better. However, if you heat the air fryer or oven up to a higher temperature, you achieve crispy skins and can do this in no time. If not, I microwave the potatoes to tenderize them, and I may finish the process with the oven. In case you have some chili or broccoli left over, you can put some cheese, sour cream, or yogurt on top. It is warm, filling and can easily be adjusted for picky eaters.

28) Snack Plate Dinner

Some nights I won’t do any cooking, and this is my more polite way of doing that. Put out cheese, crackers, fruit, cut veggies. I bring lunch that includes snacks, and a protein like turkey slices or hard-boiled eggs. I create a picnic atmosphere at my lunch table, even when we are inside. When I have my lunch, I just point to the buffet style lunch I have, and people often join me.

29) One Pan Tuscan Chicken

This is more of a restaurant quality meal than a weeknight meal. Sear the chicken first, and then cook with garlic, and then add cream, spinach, and sun dried tomatoes. I make a lot, and I always have extra sauce left over which is good to add to the rice or pasta. I like to add a salad with this because it is really rich.

30) Taco Soup

Taco soup is one of those meals that is good even when you don’t do a lot of prep. I dump in canned beans, corn, tomatoes, broth, add meat (optional), and season it with taco seasoning. I like to top it with chips and cheese. The leftovers taste even better the next day.

31) Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

At first I didn’t like teriyaki sauce, but now I always have it in the pantry. Sauté chicken, pour in sauce, let it bubble. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli (microwave steamer bags totally count). It hits that sweet-salty comfort zone that most kids know and love. If you want the sauce a little less sweet, add a splash of soy sauce and a touch of ginger.