35 Easy Dinners Every Busy Mom Needs for Hectic Weeknights

Summer dinners should be easy, light, and full of flavor, especially once school’s back in session. Our collection of easy back-to-school recipes is here to help. We’ve put together a variety of simple and delicious meals that are perfect for warm evenings.

These recipes are designed to be quick and straightforward, allowing you to enjoy more time outside and less time in the kitchen. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or a casual get-together with friends, these summer dishes will make mealtime enjoyable and stress-free.

Tuna Noodle Casserole with Crushed Potato Chips

Tuna Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our Tuna Casserole is a fantastic choice for a quick, comforting meal that the whole family will love. Its creamy, hearty goodness is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs are all about making comfort food simple. With just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker, you can have tender meatballs in a rich, creamy sauce that’s sure to please everyone. Whether you’re serving them over potatoes, noodles, or with a side of veggies, this dish makes family dinners easier and more delicious.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Our Million Dollar Chicken Casserole is the perfect dish for a cozy night in. This creamy, cheesy chicken casserole, topped with a buttery crunch, is easy to prepare and sure to please.

Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken and Noodle Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our Chicken and Noodle Casserole is an easy, family-friendly dish that brings comfort to the dinner table. With its creamy sauce, cheesy goodness, and crunchy cracker topping, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Walking Taco Casserole

This Walking Taco Casserole is a nostalgic and easy dinner that brings all the fun of walking tacos into a simple, delicious bake. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to be a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Crockpot Salisbury Steak recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak! Tender beef patties simmered in rich mushroom gravy with simple ingredients. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

A plate of sesame chicken garnished with spring onions.

Try our savory Sesame Chicken recipe for a comforting and flavorful meal. Prepare it easily and enjoy the taste at home.

Get the Recipe: Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

15-Minute Korean Beef Bowl

Korean Beef Bowl recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Discover an easy twist on the classic Korean beef bowl recipe. This ground beef dish combines rich flavors of aromatic spices into a flavorful meal.

Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Beef Bowl

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole combines savory beef and a sweet cornbread topping in one easy dish. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner

Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

These Crockpot Chicken Fajitas are a perfect weeknight dinner. We combine juicy chicken, colorful peppers, and a zesty seasoning mix. Just set it and forget it!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Enjoy the comforting flavors of Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup with tender chicken, hearty veggies, and crispy tortilla strips.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hawaiian Chicken

Get a taste of the tropics with this easy Hawaiian Chicken recipe. It’s a simple, delightful meal that’s packed with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken

Crockpot Crack Chicken

Indulge in this Crockpot Crack Chicken recipe, featuring tender chicken, creamy Ranch, crispy bacon, and melted Cheddar. A delightful, family-friendly meal awaits!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Crack Chicken

Crockpot Beef Stew

Crockpot Beef Stew is the kind of recipe that makes life easier. It’s comforting, easy to put together, and fills your home with wonderful smells. Plus, with the leftovers, you’ve got a head start on another delicious meal later in the week.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef Stew

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole is a delicious and comforting one-dish meal with chicken, rice, and veggies in a creamy sauce.

Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole

Easy Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

Beef Enchilada Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, it’s a recipe that delivers big on comfort and taste.

Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

One Pot Spaghetti

One Pot Spaghetti is an easy, flavorful dinner made with ground beef, marinara sauce, and pasta all cooked together. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Get the Recipe: One Pot Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Meatballs

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Meatballs are an easy, flavorful meal made with frozen meatballs and a creamy, spiced sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Meatballs

Smash Burger

Whip up a delicious Smash Burger in just 20 minutes! Crispy edges, juicy centers, and customizable toppings make them a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Smash Burger

Easy Tarragon Chicken

Tarragon Chicken recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Tarragon Chicken is a recipe that brings together the best of comfort food and refined flavors. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for a family dinner, and has a richness that feels indulgent without being overly complicated. This dish is sure to be a hit, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion.

Get the Recipe: Easy Tarragon Chicken

Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Skip the takeout and make this easy slow cooker meal! Tender beef and steamed broccoli are drenched in a thick, flavor-filled sauce that will have you coming back for seconds. This is a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Easy Big Mac Casserole with Tater Tots

Big Mac Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Making this Homemade Big Mac Sauce at home gives you all the flavor you love with the convenience of your own kitchen. It’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile, perfect for burgers, fries, and more. It’s a great way to take a meal from basic to next-level!

Get the Recipe: Easy Big Mac Casserole with Tater Tots

Sausage Casserole

This Sausage Casserole is a hearty one-pot meal with sausage, beans, and veggies simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for an easy dinner.

Get the Recipe: Sausage Casserole

White Chicken Chili

Creamy, spicy, and flavorful, this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is perfect for those cool days when you need a bowl of comfort.

Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Air Fryer Salmon Recipe with a Garlic Lemon Marinade

Air Fryer Salmon Recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in our simple Air Fryer Salmon recipe, perfect for busy days. Discover the scrumptious flavors of air-fried salmon.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon

Schnitzel with A Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A plate of chicken with mushrooms and lemon wedges. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Jaegerschnitzel is a classic German comfort food. Breaded pork cutlets (Schnitzel) topped with a rich, creamy mushroom bacon sauce.

Get the Recipe: Schnitzel With A Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken lettuce wraps with rice and peppers. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

Korean inspired gochujang chicken is a delicious stir fry recipe with sweet and spicy sauce. Gochujang paste gives this Korean stir fry its distinctive flavor. So if you’re in the mood for something Asian, give this recipe a try. It’s certainly bursting with flavors.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Bacon Steak Wraps With Blue Cheese Dressing

A wrap with meat and vegetables on a plate. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

Bacon steak wraps, made with chuck steak and a homemade blue cheese dressing, are hearty, rich, and delicious. If you’re wondering what to put in a steak wrap, I recommend bacon, blue cheese crumbles, and fried onions! You will love this delicious lunch recipe.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Steak Wraps With Blue Cheese Dressing

Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef

This easy recipe for delicious Zucchini Boats with Spiced Ground Beef and Rice is the perfect way to make use of your fresh garden zucchinis.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner full of fresh tomatoes and basil, pasta, balsamic vinegar and topped with seasoned chicken.

Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Cobb Salad With Garlic Cilantro Dressing

A good recipe for Cobb salad is always worth getting excited about. I love to make this recipe using leftover ham and serve it with a dairy-free ranch dressing. You will just love this homemade ranch dressing which is the perfect addition to this filling dinner salad.

Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad With Garlic Cilantro Dressing

Greek Chicken Burgers

Up your grilling game with our delicious Grilled Greek Chicken Burgers. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, these juicy patties are a hit.

Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Burgers

Grilled Steak Tacos With Corn Salsa

Grilled Steak Tacos with Cucumber and Corn Salsa are the perfect summer dinner. Spicy skirt steak topped with the freshest cucumber and grilled corn salsa.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Tacos With Corn Salsa