3 Easy Meals to Get Back into the Swing of School

It is that busy time of year – the school season! Now that schools are back in session, I am sharing 3 easy meals to get back into the swing of school.

School time affects each family a little differently. If you have young kids who are home for the summer or in daycare, the start of school may be a little bit of a break. As they get older, there are so many extracurricular activities to keep your nights filled. Even empty nesters can feel the heat if they have grandkids involved in activities.  If you or your spouse work in education, there is definitely a learning curve to getting back into the swing of school after the summer break.

It can all get a little nuts, regardless of what category you fall into! Hopefully these 3 easy meals will help you.

3 Easy Meals for Busy Weeknights

1 – 15 Minute Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Meal

I came up with this 15 minute dinner recipe on a night that we were low on groceries and time. I threw together the things I found on hand, and it turned out to be one of our go-to meals on busy nights. This low carb meal is delicious, and you can change it up according to the things your family likes. In other words, use white rice if they don’t like cauliflower.

This delicious meal is a one pot dinner, so you hardly have any mess. It is also a healthy recipe that tastes like comfort food for the whole family!

You can use any variety of ingredients in this easy dinner recipe. These are the ingredients I like to use:

• Frozen/Microwavable Cauliflower Rice
• Canned or Shredded Chunks of Chicken
• Black Beans
• Rotel Tomatoes
• Cilantro
• Sauteed Onions
• Cheddar Cheese
• On occasion, Corn

Click the link here to see the post for the recipe.

Or, here is the Recipe Card.

15 Minute Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Meal

Print

This 15 minute meal is healthy, delicious, and quick to prepare. It is my go-to meal on busy nights.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Bag of Frozen Cauliflower Rice
• 2 Cans of White Meat Chicken (Drained)
• 1 Can of Black Beans (Drained)
• 1 Can of Rotel Tomatoes (NOT Drained)
• 2 T. Olive Oil
• 1 Bunch of Cilantro, Chopped or Cut into small pieces with kitchen scissors
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Salt and Black Pepper, or other seasonings of choice
• Chopped Onion (Optional)

Instructions

1. Follow the package directions and cook the frozen cauliflower rice in the microwave. This usually takes about 5 minutes.
2. While the cauliflower is cooking, add the olive oil to a large skillet and warm on medium-high heat.
3. If you want to add onions to this dish, add them now and cook them until they are tender.
4. Add the beans, Rotel tomatoes, and chicken to the skillet. Stir the ingredients together and continue cooking on medium-high heat.
5. Once the cauliflower rice is finished cooking in the microwave, drain it well and add it to the skillet, stirring it into the mixture well. Continue heating.
6. Add the cilantro to the skillet and stir together. Turn it to medium heat for about 1 minute, remove, and serve.
7. Top the dish with shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy!

2 – Quick and Easy Spanish Chicken and Rice

This is another meal that the entire family enjoys, but it was the kids’ favorite growing up. You can use chicken breasts or chicken strips to make it cook even faster. Top it with sour cream, salsa, and cheddar cheese, and serve it with refried beans. It is a delicious and hearty meal! It’s definitely a family favorite.

Click the link here to see the recipe.

Or see the recipe card.

Spanish Chicken and Rice

Print

This recipe is full of flavor and very versatile. You can add or subtract the ingredients your family enjoys.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts
• Salsa of your choice
• 4-6 T. Butter
• Packaged Spanish Rice
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Spices: Salt, Black Pepper, and any other favorites
• Optional: Cilantro

Instructions

1. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and put 2-4 T. of butter in the baking dish. Add the chicken breasts and season them with salt & pepper.
2. Cover the chicken with salsa and cover with foil. Bake in a 350 degrees preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes. Cooking time will vary according to the size and thickness of the chicken.
3. When there is about 10 minutes cooking time remaining, use kitchen scissors to cut the cilantro directly onto the chicken (optional) and then add the shredded cheese. Cover the dish, and finish baking for the last 10 minutes.
4. While the chicken is cooking, make the rice on the stovetop, following the package directions. Serve the rice on each plate and top with the chicken. You can add more cheese at this point if desired.

Notes

You can also add all of the ingredients except the cheese to a crock pot and cook it on low until the chicken is done. Add the cheese to each individual plate.

3 – Lemon Shrimp Linguini (In the Crock Pot)

This is such a refreshing meal. I normally don’t like a lot of lemon in my food, but this is an exception. In fact, the first time I made this, I started removing the cooked lemon rinds – DON’T remove them! They are delicious!

Since you are cooking it in a crock pot or slow cooker, it does take a little bit longer, but you are not having to do anything. You can go about your business and come back to a ready made meal.

Click the link here to see the recipe.

Or here is the recipe card.

Lemon Shrimp Linguini in the Crockpot

Print

This delicious Lemon Shrimp Linguini is made in the crockpot, so it is super easy!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Lbs. Frozen Shrimp (Not Cooked)
• 1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
• 1 Cup of Chicken Broth
• 1 1/2 Sticks of Butter
• 1-2 Lemons
• Linguini or other Pasta (I used spaghetti.)
• Spices: Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt, & Red Pepper Flakes

Instructions

1. Spray a crockpot well and add the 1st 4 ingredients.
2. Cut the lemon in half, and add the juice to the crockpot.
3. Slice the other half of the lemon and add it to the crockpot.
4. Season well with the spices.
5. Set the crockpot on low and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
6. When the dish is almost finished, boil the pasta according to the package directions, drain the water, and stir into the shrimp.

Products to Help With Mealtimes

Whether it is a new school year, new job, or just the craziness of a weekly schedule, new routines are hard! I am glad there are some time savers and helps for these busy nights. If we use a combination of planning, easy dinner ideas, and a few products, our mealtimes will run much smoother. Take a look at some of these time saving products.

Slow Cooker
Instant Pot
Bento Boxes – For Leftovers

Quick and Easy Tips to Help With Your Weeknight Meals

• Plan out a weekly or monthly menu – See my Monthly Menu for August with more tips here. Try planning on Sundays, before the week really gets started.
• Do a monthly and/or weekly grocery store order to make sure you have all items needed.
• Get your family involved in the planning.
• Make extra portions so you can take it for lunch the next day. Go ahead and pack them into lunch bags or bento boxes as you are putting away the food.
• The best part of mealtime – a family meal together at the dinner table. It has nothing to do with saving time, but everything to do with building relationships.

Other Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners

There are so many ideas in this category. I actually have a whole print out of ideas. Here are a few to get you started:

• Beef Corn Dogs
• Tamale Casserole
• Taco Night or a Nacho Bar
• Baked Potato Bar or Sweet Potatoes – Have everyone’s favorite toppings.
• Fish Sticks
• Spaghetti
• Chili Dogs
• Frito Chili Pie
• Farmers’ Market Chicken
• Rotisserie Chicken
• Frozen Ravioli’s with Spaghetti Sauce
• Taco Salad
• Sloppy Joes
• Smothered Hamburger Steak
• Chicken Alfredo
• Baked Chicken, and all 9 Varieties

If you are in a busy season of life, I hope some of these ideas and easy meals will help you in some way. Share your family’s favorite quick and easy meal in the comments. Together, we will help each other through the craziness of life.

Until next week…

disclosure: affiliate links are used on this page. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Home with Grace and Joy. 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Latest Posts

• The Best Pumpkin Delight Cobbler Recipe
• Life Applications and Lessons from the Book of Philippians Chapters 2-3
• Easy Chalk Paint Projects and Ideas Anyone Can Do
• Life Applications and Lessons from the Book of Philippians Chapter One
• My Favorite Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe