It’s back to school time! While we transition from summer to school, don’t forget where school smarts really begin: at the dinner table. You know that distracted, space cadet feeling you get when a busy afternoon has rushed by and you’ve either forgotten or run out of time to grab a power meal? Your kids feel the exact same way at school if they haven’t been properly nourished…and in turn, school performance and grades suffer. Ack!
Eating nutritious, balanced meals is key to our kiddos’ success in the new school year, and providing them with great examples for what it truly means to eat a balanced meal is uber important, as you won’t be able to keep an eye on them when they’re eating at school.
Meal planning is exhausting, so we’ve taken the hard work out of it for you! Check out 10 well balanced back to school dinner recipes and meals you can whip up in no time. With tried-and-true recipes from our Mom Squad, dinner will be a hit, night after night! Wth 2 whole weeks’ worth of complete dinners hitting all the most important food groups for growing bodies (protein, vegetables, grains, fruits, and dairy), keeping your kiddos full and fed will be a breeze!
Back-to-School Dinner #1: Teriyaki Tyson® Fun Nuggets and No-Fry Pineapple Fried Rice
Tyson® Fun Nuggets pack the protein with a store-bought teriyaki sauce dipper (even better, you know your kids will actually eat all of them). Serve with no-fry fried rice (it’s baked!) packed with veggies and pineapples (be sure to make a bunch…leftovers are delish!), and Minty Melon Kebabs for dessert.
Back-to-School Dinner #2: Open Face Cheesy Roast Beef and Veggie Melts
Serve these yummy hot sandwiches with a tall glass of milk and raw veggies with your kiddo’s favorite dip. For dessert, these berry-perfect ice pops are chock-full of fruit and dairy.
Back-to-School Dinner #3: Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with Portabella, Avocado, and Zucchini Fries
Homemade fish sticks and baked veggie fries that your kids can help dip and bake make a fun, eat-with-your-hands dinner. Serve with fruit salad and a glass of milk.
Back-to-School Dinner #4: Cheesy Baked Spinach Mac & Cheese
Cheese and spinach deliver much needed protein for growing brains and bodies! Mac and cheese is virtually everyone’s favorite, making this recipe a weekday superstar! Serve this cheesy baked spinach mac & cheese with an extra dose of veggies on the side – corn on the cob is an easy favorite – and sub whole grain pasta for an extra punch of fiber. For dessert, whip up chocolate covered frozen bananas (that your kids can make!).
Back-to-School Dinner #5: Easy Cheesy Chicken Potato Enchiladas
Potatoes and cheese provide kid-friendly protein, and this kid-friendly recipe for enchiladas takes just 30 minutes to make. Serve with a green salad and your kiddo’s choice of dressing, a mixed fruit salad and a glass of milk.
Back-to-School Dinner #6: Tyson® Fun Nuggets and Perfectly Grilled Veggies
Here’s a little secret to getting kids to eat simple grilled veggies – toss them in Italian dressing before throwing them on the grill. The result is a zippy flavor kids love! Get our favorite recipe here. Pair the veggies with Tyson® Fun Nuggets for a crunchy and wholesome protein boost, and your kiddo’s favorite flavor of store-bought hummus to dip. Round out this Mediterranean meal with whole-wheat pita pockets on the side, and frozen Greek yogurt with berries for dessert.
Back-to-School Dinner #7: Baked Eggs in Pasta Nests
Eggs aren’t just for breakfast! This Baked Eggs in Pasta Nests recipe has all the flavors reminiscent of your kids’ favorite spaghetti carbonara but cuts WAY back on the fat and time prep. Serve with steamed peas and a little butter (or toss them right on top of the pasta).
Don’t forget dessert! Easy baked apples are healthy enough to eat every day. Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and scoop out the core from the top of the apple. Be careful not to take the whole core out (as you’ll fill it). Fill the core with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and a tablespoon of butter. Bake 15 mins, and serve warm.
Back-to-School Dinner #8: The Best & Easiest Crispy Salmon You’ll Ever Make
Finding a fresh cut of fish is the key to making fish a kid-friendly food…after all, most object to fish being “fishy”…and of course, the fresher the fish, the less fishy it is! This Crispy Salmon recipe is a simple and hands down favorite fish recipe, simple enough to eat every week. Serve it with chopped up cucumbers and tomatoes tossed in Italian dressing and brown rice. For dessert, chocolate banana milkshakes!
Back-to-School Dinner #9: Tyson® Fun Nuggets with Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli
Serve up protein-packed, all natural Tyson® Fun Nuggets with this easy-peasy roasted cauliflower and broccoli recipe (if you’ve given up on broccoli and cauliflower with your picky kids, try again with this recipe—they’ll love it!). Serve with whole grain rolls, and for dessert, vanilla yogurt topped with granola, bananas and chocolate chips make an easy, quick and complete meal.
Back-to-School Dinner #10: Spaghetti and Quick & Easy Tender Turkey and Meatballs
We’ve never met a wee one who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs! This turkey meatball recipe is an all-time favorite of ours. Toss it with whole wheat spaghetti, and cook zucchini, squash, and bell peppers right into the sauce. Serve with milk and whole grain bread with garlic butter. For dessert, broiled carmelized pineapple is an extra special sweet treat!
Get more awesome, healthy back-to-school recipes even the pickiest of eaters will devour at Tyson.com.
This post was sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc
