Whether it’s homework, science projects, sports practice or the band concert, there’s no shortage of things to do once the school year is in full swing—and the only way to keep up with them all is to make sure everyone in your family is full and fueled. For some of us that means making sure we’ve got a kid-friendly breakfast ready in the morning or filling our little ones’ lunchboxes with the perfect midday meal. For others, it’s all about getting dinner on the table at night. Luckily, you can find everything you need right here, starting with this irresistible, fall-off-the-bone chicken. A dry brine combined with low and slow roasting, produces some seriously succulent and juicy meat. A quick flash under the broiler at the end turns the skin crisp and golden. This dinner takes a bit of time and planning but is pretty hands-off, leaving you plenty of time to tackle some of the other tasks on your to-do list while dinner cooks.

Pasta, milk and cheese all cooked in a single pot may be mac and cheese at its most basic, but this streamlined 3-ingredient version doesn’t skimp on the creamy richness you expect from homemade—and it’s as quick to cook as packaged versions. We experimented with different combinations of dairy to land on our simple formula. For the creamiest results, we like the combination of evaporated milk and American cheese, but you can tweak the recipe by using half-and-half or whole milk if you prefer. Similarly, American cheese gave the dish the creamiest finish, but if you want to vary the flavor you can use half American cheese and half of another good melting cheese—mild Cheddar, Monterey Jack or pepper jack, Colby, Havarti or fontina are all excellent.

Pantry Pasta is the ultimate back-to-school lifesaver, simmering diced tomatoes, olives and artichoke hearts into a fast sauce that gets tossed with pasta, pesto and feta. It comes together in 30 minutes flat, so it's perfect for busy weeknights when homework and schedules take over the kitchen.

Ree Drummond’s slow cooker lasagna is a hearty, hands-off solution for busy school nights—just layer, set and let it cook to cheesy perfection. It’s a back-to-school dinner win that the whole family will love.

Peanut butter and bananas are a classic flavor combination that pairs beautifully. But these banana muffins pack an extra protein punch, thanks to tangy Greek yogurt and peanut butter protein powder in the batter, plus a gooey peanut butter surprise baked into the centers, providing 10 grams of protein per serving. While these muffins add a boost of protein, they shouldn’t be considered a full meal replacement. We recommend pairing with a hard-boiled egg or cup of Greek yogurt for even more protein to keep the whole family going strong.

Salads aren’t known for their keeping qualities, especially when they’re dressed. But we cracked the code on prepping, assembling and even dressing a salad that stays crisp and delicious for up to 5 days—and even gets tastier each day. The key is to use greens that are sturdy, like kale and cabbage, and vegetables that don’t get soggy when dressed, like celery and broccoli. We also added farro for whole-grain nuttiness and hard salami for extra savoriness. Finally, our salad dressing is made by simmering fennel seeds, capers and garlic in rich olive oil and then blending the mixture with red wine vinegar and whole-grain mustard to give each bite of salad a punch of flavor. It's wonderful solo but also delicious served alongside your favorite main course.

This baked ziti is a back-to-school dinner classic, easy to prep, loaded with melty cheese and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd after a long day. It’s comfort food the whole family can dig into.

This hearty bean-and-pasta soup will keep everyone full and warm them up — even on chilly fall nights.

This Lighter Taco Skillet browns seasoned ground turkey with black beans, salsa and chipotle chile then piles it onto charred tortillas with all the fixings like avocado, radishes and queso fresco. It's ready in just 16 minutes so it easily fits into hectic back-to-school evenings.

This recipe can be used to bake one loaf or 18 muffins, so it's easy to portion out for the week — making a healthy, grab-and-go breakfast possible, even on busy school days.

This simple preparation is perfect for a weeknight — just shake and bake!

Here's what to make if you are craving everything an egg roll has to offer: crunchy vegetables, savory pork and a sweet, tangy sauce. Be gentle and slowly fold in the cabbage when you add it to the pan; it will seem full at first but will eventually wilt down. This recipe comes together quickly so be sure to have all the ingredients prepped before you begin.

Your dishwasher will thank you for this easy one-sheet weeknight dinner — no prep bowls needed! Juicy roasted tomatoes and cheesy chicken breasts get a hint of brightness from fresh basil and a balsamic reduction.

Combine all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in this comforting casserole that's easy to throw together — and ready fast.

Sneak a few extra veggies into everyone's supper with this crave-worthy pizza. The crust is made from a mix of cauliflower, cheese and Italian seasonings.

Kids (and kids at heart) will be thrilled to sit down to a dinner of homemade chicken nuggets. And you'll feel good serving them up, knowing that they're made with simple ingredients like chicken breast, egg and seasonings.

These stuffed shells are packed with a spicy spinach and ricotta filling and nestled in a cozy roasted butternut Alfredo sauce for a fall meal you'll make again and again.

With just a little bit of prep work in the morning, you can come home to a warm, comforting, fully-cooked main. All you'll have to do when you're ready to eat chop the pork, reduce the sauce for about 10 minutes and serve.

Fill the cookie jar with everyone's favorite treat: soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies! Pro tip: the darker the sugar you use, the softer your cookies will be.

When you want to make a knockout dinner without dirtying a bunch of pans, this is it. The whole meal — veggies, garlicky shrimp and crusty French bread — comes together on a single sheet pan, so all you have to do is set the table.

Fill an insulated container with a good, old-fashioned favorite. No time to make the stock from scratch? Store-bought works just as well in this recipe.

Sunny uses quick-cooking chicken tenders and store-bought pie crust to save time and effort when making pot pie. The only catch? If you buy frozen pie crust, make you plan ahead — you’ll need to thaw it before you can make this recipe.

Belive it or not, you can make a pancake with just two ingredients. Simply blend one large banana with two eggs to make the easiest-ever batter — that cooks like a dream. If you prefer your pancakes with a hint of spice, a dash of pumpkin pie spice will do the trick.

You can have this creamy and comforting pasta with chicken on the table in just 30 minutes and best of all, it all cooks in one pot — you won't even need to boil water first! It's packed with tender chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onions, and finished off with a creamy tomato sauce.

Cooking meatloaf in a sheet pan cuts down the cooking time dramatically, making this a perfect weeknight dinner. Shaping it thin and flat ensures that you get enough sticky-sweet glaze in every bite.

Looking for a simple dessert that you can make with just a handful of pantry staples? We love making rice pudding in the fall; it's warm, cozy and full of sweet, cinnamon-y flavor.

A flavorful, family-pleasing dinner with just 5 ingredients? This recipe will show you how to whip one up in just 35 minutes.

This bread is chock-full of apples, the perfect way to use up your orchard-fresh fruit after a day of apple picking. When you're making it, use McIntosh— they soften just enough without completely disappearing into the batter.

Broil (instead of boil) gnocchi in this quick sheet pan dinner. Peppers, onions, tomatoes and sausage are the perfect bed for the little potato dumplings, which are crusted with Parmesan and cooked until crispy and tender.

When you need a wholesome breakfast in just 5 minutes, break out your skillet. You can cook eggs and toast together at the same time, getting a filling morning meal on the table fast.

These family-friendly chicken cutlets are easy to make and don't require any special ingredients. Serve with your favorite veggies and you've got a weeknight meal everyone will enjoy.

These homemade scones feature a handful of better-for-you ingredients like whole-wheat flour, oats and real maple syrup, making them the sweet breakfast treat you can feel good about indulging in!

Need a standby one-dish dinner? A hearty casserole never disappoints. This one combines ground beef with savory cheddar and tender egg noodles.

Don't let this impressive puffed pancake fool you; it's easy to make. Plus, it bakes for 20-25 minutes giving you enough time to get everyone's bags packed and ready to go while breakfast is in the oven.

Alton's stovetop version is a cinch to make. Best of all, you only need to dirty one pot to quickly whip up all of that down-home, cheesy goodness.

Meet your new favorite sweet treat. Just a little bit of this edible cookie dough will enhance your ice cream sundaes, milkshakes and even buttered toast. The perfect dessert on a Friday night, to celebrate the weekend!

Why settle for frozen fish sticks when you can make your own from scratch in a matter of minutes? With Ree's easy recipe you can serve a family of 5 in well under an hour.

Anne Burrell's decadent, multilayered lasagna is perfect for a family dinner. Loaded with cheese, zucchini, mushrooms and chunky Italian sausage, this classic dish ensures your daily dose of protein and vegetables.

This simple pork roast makes a great main with whatever sides you're serving up. Plus, it makes 8 servings so you can get ahead; stash the leftovers in the refigerator and use them to make a completley different meal later in the week.

The great thing about this breakfast casserole is that you can prep it the night before, making a fresh-from-the-oven breakfast easy — even on a school day.

Throw together a classic dish of sausage and peppers in a matter of minutes with this easy sheet-pan preparation.

Cut a few carbs by subbing roasted spaghetti squash for pasta in this classic dish. You'll be amazed how satisfying these veggie "noodles" can be — especially when paired with our homemade meatballs. They're tender, juicy and packed with flavor.

Ellie proves that white meat isn't the only good-for-you part of the chicken. She uses bone-in chicken thighs with the skin removed and brushes the meat with a tangy low-fat glaze before baking.

This satisfying meal comes together remarkably quickly. Plenty of garlic plus a hint of brown sugar and red pepper add loads of flavor to boneless breasts. Cooking the chicken in the oven helps keep it tender and juicy.

This decadent cake-for-one is ready in minutes. Simply put your ingredients into a microwave-safe mug, stir and bake. You'll be enjoying warm chocolate cake (and a break from all the back-to-school craziness!) in no time.

Molly's chicken-and-veggie casserole gets a fun topping: frozen, store-bought potato tots!

No one will complain about eating their veggies with this garlicky, cheese-topped pasta. Make it a complete meal by adding some protein: shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked chickpeas both make great options.

Any busy parent will tell you that dinner on one sheet pan is an essential strategy for busy weeknights. Not only can you make just about anything (like this meal of juicy chicken thighs, garlicky veggies and toasty ciabatta bread) but cleanup is a breeze.

These fruity oat bars are perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacking or breakfast on the go.

Rachael uses convenient items, like store-bought chicken stock and biscuit mix, to whip up a comforting dish that’s ready to eat in less than an hour.

These fruit- and nut-packed treats bring the best of both worlds: crispy edges and a soft, chewy center. Perfect for lunchboxes or weeknight dessert.

Shrimp is a great source of protein and cooks up in a flash, making it an excellent choice for weeknight dinners. Here, Ree uses it to make a batch of tacos — that are ready in just 16 minutes.

Send your little ones off to school with more homemade snacks this year; Ina's 5-star granola bars make it easy. Her recipe makes a big batch so you can whip these bars up on the weekend to have on hand for the week ahead.

This simple dinner of barbecue-glazed chicken, Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes is assembled and cooked on just one sheet pan, making it an ideal weeknight meal.

Say so long to plain buttered pasta for dinner — instead, try this vegetable-packed, kid-friendly version. Carrots and cinnamon are zapped with butter, then tossed in cooked pasta for a super speedy weeknight meal. Freeze the butter and just break off what you need. As a bonus, the pasta is school-friendly and can be eaten hot or cold, which makes it perfect for packing in lunch boxes!

You only need 5 ingredients in addition to the chicken (plus a little salt and pepper, of course!) to make this satisfying meal. Just be sure to plan ahead and start cooking a little earlier than usual; roasting a whole chicken usually take an hour or more.