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    Home » Dinner

    17 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

    Sep 15, 2017 · by Kate Kasbee · Modified: Aug 1, 2024

    When is the last time you sat down to eat dinner as a family? As a kid in the 90s, I remember pausing my homework or coming in from playing outside to sit around the kitchen table with my parents and sister every night. These days, it seems like everyone’s after-school schedules are so packed with activities that it’s hard to coordinate a time to eat together. Does this ring true for anyone?

    Back-to-school is a time of transition for pretty much everybody. Even if you don’t have kids, you can feel the shift in energy. It’s getting dark earlier, which makes the days seem shorter. Chilly evenings hint at the first signs of fall. Oh, and Kohl’s already has Christmas décor on sale (what the heck?!) When you get home from work, it’s tempting to settle into the couch, pour a glass of wine, and order a vegan pizza. Or, if you’re like me, eat an avocado, some trail mix, and a spoonful of peanut butter and call it dinner.

    While I’m all about taking shortcuts in the kitchen, eating bits and pieces from my fridge is only going to cut it for a day or two before I start craving an actual meal. When I do, I look for simple vegan recipes that don’t require a million ingredients or several hours of my time. As we all adjust to a new season and a new school year, I wanted to share some easy back-to-school dinner recipes you can make with a handful of ingredients and prep in 30 minutes or less.

    I promise, there are no complex recipes in this roundup. These dishes are super hearty and comforting, quick to make, and sure to please everyone at your dinner table. Bonus: a lot of them pack great in a lunchbox the next day!

    (If you want to jump right in, here are the recipes).

    Plantain & Roasted Red Pepper Quesadillas | Well Vegan
    Homemade Spaghetti O’s | Strength & Sunshine
    Vegan BBQ Chickpea Burgers | Sipping on Soy
    My Best Vegan Mac ‘n Cheese with Broccoli | Happy Healthy Life
    Vegan Cauliflower Leek Casserole | Vegan Family Recipes
    Vegan Pumpkin Chili | Veggies Save the Day
    Mediterranean Pasta with Roasted Peppers & Artichokes | Veggie Inspired
    Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa Bowl | Where You Get Your Protein
    Vegan Chickpea Taco Salad | Wee Little Vegans
    Vegan Butter Chicken | Broke Foodies
    Lemon One Pot Pasta | V. Nutrition
    Vegan Tom Kha Gai Ramen | Rabbits and Wolves
    Easy Vegan Buddha Bowl | Beautiful Ingredient
    Rosemary Mushroom Tart | Vegan Family Recipes
    Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf | Strength & Sunshine
    Vegan Chick’n & Spinach Pizza | Sipping on Soy
    Vegan Pulled Portobello Tacos | Elephantastic Vegan

    17 Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

    Plantain & Roasted Red Pepper Quesadillas | Well Vegan

    back-to-school dinner recipes this recipe

    Homemade Spaghetti O’s | Strength & Sunshine

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Vegan BBQ Chickpea Burgers | Sipping on Soy

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    My Best Vegan Mac ‘n Cheese with Broccoli | Happy Healthy Life

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Vegan Cauliflower Leek Casserole | Vegan Family Recipes

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Vegan Pumpkin Chili | Veggies Save the Day

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Mediterranean Pasta with Roasted Peppers & Artichokes | Veggie Inspired

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa Bowl | Where You Get Your Protein

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Vegan Chickpea Taco Salad | Wee Little Vegans

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Vegan Butter Chicken | Broke Foodies

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Lemon One Pot Pasta | V. Nutrition

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Vegan Tom Kha Gai Ramen | Rabbits and Wolves

    back-to-school dinner recipes

    Easy Vegan Buddha Bowl | Beautiful Ingredient

    Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

    Rosemary Mushroom Tart | Vegan Family Recipes

    Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

    Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf | Strength & Sunshine

    Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

    Vegan Chick’n & Spinach Pizza | Sipping on Soy

    Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

    Vegan Pulled Portobello Tacos | Elephantastic Vegan

    Back-to-School Dinner Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Maria

      September 22, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      I need all of these in my life as soon as possible! Loving the look of that Buddha bowl in particular - I always love simple and nourishing meals like that. Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Katie Koteen

        September 24, 2017 at 12:29 pm

        Bowls are our go-to and we always love new combos!

        Reply
    2. kelly smith

      September 21, 2017 at 4:32 am

      wow, here is a good list for a lunchbox. I am daily confused what I make but now I am free for some days. thanx for share this.
      http://kitchentuts.com/

      Reply

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