Congratulations, you survived the school holidays! You’ve kept the kids entertained for six weeks but work picks up again and easy dinners are more important than ever. But what’s on the menu? With uniforms clean, school bags packed and routines back in full swing, these quick and easy family dinners are here to save the day. From speedy pastas and comforting traybakes to crowd-pleasing favourites with clever shortcuts, these are the recipes to see you back-to-school.
Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs
This classic spaghetti and meatballs is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food. Beef meatballs are cooked in a rich, tangy tomato sauce with mushrooms, onion and garlic. All served with perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s easy to make at home, and the meatballs and sauce can even be made ahead of time. For variation, sub the beef for chicken or turkey meatballs, and swap the spaghetti for penne or rigatoni. Finish the plates with loads of grated Parmesan and a pile of garlic bread.
Chicken Satay Stir-Fry
Fancy the flavours of Indonesia without leaving the house? This chicken satay stir-fry is a speedy favourite: chicken coated in fragrant seasoning, crisp veg and a sweet-and-spicy peanut satay sauce. It’s ready in just fifteen minutes, perfect for those busy back-to-school evenings when everyone’s hungry and time is short. Simply stir-fry the chicken and veg, pour over the sauce and serve with cooked rice. Finish with a scattering of roasted peanuts for a deliciously crunchy topping.
Air Fryer Spare Ribs
These air fryer spare ribs are a family-friendly fakeaway, with golden-brown ribs coated in sticky homemade barbecue sauce. The air fryer makes them super-easy to cook at home - they’re ready in about forty minutes - and you don’t have to fire up the oven or the BBQ. The tangy sauce combines ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and a drop or two of (optional) hot sauce! It’s also worth making a bit more for extra dipping. Serve the ribs with jacket potatoes and a dollop or sour cream, a side of creamy slaw and grilled corn on the cob for a full-on Southern feast!
Sizzling Steak Fajitas
These sizzling steak fajitas are a brilliant family dinner, with juicy marinated steak, charred peppers & onions, creamy homemade guacamole, and warm tortillas. You can prepare the steak before everyone gets home, which gives the marinade plenty of time to work its magic before everything’s quickly cooked in a hot frying pan or wok. Then all you have to do is build the fajitas at the table with salsa, sour cream and grated cheese, and of course a big bowl of tortilla chips!
Sausage & Mash
Look up ‘ultimate British comfort food’ in the dictionary and you’ll see a picture of sausage and mash! It’s classic roasted sausages, buttery mashed spuds, and sweet onion gravy. Easy to make at home, it comes together with minimal fuss and delivers a proper crowd-pleaser. Serve with peas, cabbage, tenderstem broccoli or blackened green beans for a truly fabulous family feast.
Winter Vegetable Curry
OK, it’s not quite winter yet, but this vegetable curry is an outstanding fast family dinner. Packed with tender vegetables and chickpeas in a tomato, yoghurt and spice-infused sauce, it’s a delicious dish designed to satisfy any appetite. Cinnamon, curry powder, garlic and ginger give it that authentic flavour, it’s easy to make in one pot, and ready in around forty-five minutes. There’s also plenty of scope to sub in whatever vegetables you have to hand. Serve with fluffy basmati rice, a pile of poppadoms, and bowls of chutney.
Pizza Margherita
This classic Margherita is a firm family favourite. It’s a crisp, homemade base, topped with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, olive oil and Parmesan. The dough’s surprisingly easy to prepare, and once risen, the pizza cooks in just fifteen minutes. And of course you can add any toppings you like - roasted veggies, chicken, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, sweetcorn, or even ham and pineapple! Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a real Italian feast.
5-Ingredient Bacon Burgers with Parmesan Popcorn Black-Eyed Peas
We all love a burger and this one’s an all-American superstar! And while this five-ingredient bacon burger might sound a little complicated, in reality these juicy beef & bacon patties are ready in just half an hour. The Parmesan popcorn black-eyed peas are an easy nutty side, and you can serve with a creamy slaw, and crunchy French fries for a midweek dinner that’s sure to brighten the after-school slump.
Salmon Fish Cakes
These family-friendly fish cakes are easy to make and seriously scrumptious! All you need to do is combine the tender flakes of salmon with creamy mashed potato and fresh parsley, coat in flour, and fry until they’re beautifully golden. They’re ready in around forty minutes and are a brilliant way to get everyone enjoying more fish without any fuss. Serve with buttered new potatoes and veg such as peas, broccoli or green beans. If you’ve got the time, you could even whip up Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten’s homemade tartare sauce.
Back To School with Food Network
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Check out our Back to School pages for lots more amazing dinner recipes to get you back in the groove, including banging breakfasts, lunches for school and work that go way beyond sad sandwiches, and some fun after-school cookalongs!
