15 New And Easy Back-To-School Meals That’ll Become Part Of Your Weeknight Rotation Forever

    Somedays your brain is just too fried to cook 😵‍💫 (pun intended). Don't worry, I've got ya covered with these super easy meals.

    Krista Torres
    by Krista Torres

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Whether you're busy because you're working all the time, you're a parent, or simply because you would rather not spend hours in the kitchen, these minimal-effort meals are about to make cooking easier for you! I'm Krista, and I started making "zero eFFFort" meals because I am a mom who works full-time — turns out a lot of people like them, so I am going to share some of my most popular staples so far this year. Here we go...

    NOTE: I will share the video recipe so you can watch along/see if it entices you, and share a breakdown of the ingredients and the full recipe in print below.

    1. Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

    This first recipe is one people say is great for meal prepping — and I totally agree. Bust out the Crock-Pot, here's how you make it!

    Screenshot of Krista's TikTok
    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    1 pound chicken
    1/3 cup honey
    1/4 cup soy sauce
    1/4 cup tomato paste + splash of sesame oil
    Minced garlic as desired
    Crushed red pepper as desired
    Freshly ground ginger as desired
    1/2 TBSP brown sugar

    Add honey, soy sauce, tomato paste, sesame oil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper, ground ginger, and brown sugar in a Crock-Pot and slow cook for two to three hours. Shred chicken, serve over rice, and enjoy!

    This recipe is the definition of DUMP DINNER. It takes no prep, and all you have to do is wait for it to bake!

    Screenshot from Krista's Instagram
    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    1 jar of marinara
    1 pound of chicken breast tenders
    Basil
    Salt + pepper Minced garlic Shredded mozzarella cheese

    Pour half a jar of marinara into an oven-safe dish, and place boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders on top. (Important: Don't do large chicken breasts because they won't fully cook.) Pour the remainder of the marinara on top and season with basil, salt, pepper, and freshly minced garlic. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Serve over buttered noodles if you want!

    Even though this next one has the most ingredients out of all of my recipes, it truly is really easy — and I feel I need to include it because it's always a hit!

    Enchilada stew
    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    1 22-ounce can of green enchilada sauce
    1 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes + green chilies
    1 cup salsa verde
    Cumin as desired
    Garlic powder as desired
    Chili powder as desired
    Onion powder as desired
    Salt + pepper as desired
    1 package of frozen corn
    1 5-ounce container Greek yogurt
    1/2 block cream cheese
    1 cup Instant or Minute Rice
    Fiesta blend shredded cheese as desired

    In a slow cooker, you are going to add three boneless skinless chicken breasts — or you can do chicken breast tenders. Then, dump in a can of your favorite green enchilada sauce, a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (I use Rotel), and one cup of your favorite salsa verde salsa. For the seasonings, add your desired amount of cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on high for two hours. After two hours, shred the chicken and add in half a block of cream cheese (I use light cream cheese), one small container of plain Greek yogurt (five ounces), a bag of frozen corn (or however much you like), shredded fiesta blend cheese to your liking, and about a cup of Minute rice — use the instant rice or it won't cook thoroughly! Mix all around and cook one hour longer.

    *Someone had a suggestion to swap out the cream of chicken soup instead of cream cheese if you prefer!

    Even if you HATE instant ramen, you have to try this one. It tastes homemade, and I make it in, like, 10 minutes!

    Instant ramen
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    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    Packet of ramen
    Olive oil
    Sweet chili sauce
    Soy sauce
    Sriracha
    Green onions
    Red pepper flakes
    Eggs or choice of protein

    Boil the block of ramen according to packet instructions (any flavor you want). Then, heat about olive oil over medium heat and add in minced garlic, your desired amount of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and Sriracha. Add in the packet of seasonings that come with the ramen and some of the pasta water from the ramen. When the noodles are done, add them in, and mix. Top with diced green onions, red pepper flakes, and soft-boiled eggs or your choice of protein!

    This one is super fun to make with your kids! You use the bottom of a cup to create a thick crust, and it's adult-approved, too!

    Mini Deep Dish Pizzas
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    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    Can of biscuits
    Garlic butter
    Marinara sauce
    Your favorite pizza toppings
    Lots of mozzarella

    Lay biscuits out on a baking dish and use the bottom of a cup to create a deep center. Brush melted garlic butter over the dough. In the center, put marinara, peppers, pepperonis, or whatever pizza toppings you like. Top with shredded mozzarella and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10–15 minutes.

    Even people who aren't fond of soup love this recipe — it is great with turkey or ground beef!

    Turkey chili
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    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef)
    1 can Southwest-style corn
    1 can drained chili beans
    1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies
    Frozen chopped onions and bell peppers
    Half a block of softened cream cheese
    1 cup beef broth of chicken broth
    Shredded nacho-style cheese and sour cream for topping

    Brown and drain one pound of ground turkey (or ground beef) and over medium heat add in beef (or chicken) broth, a packet of taco seasoning, one can of Southwest-style corn, one can of drained chili beans, and one can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, and frozen chopped onions and bell peppers. Cover and cook on low. After 10 minutes, add in half a block of softened cream cheese. Top with sour cream and shredded cheese and enjoy!

    This one-pot recipe levels up some frozen dumplings, and it was actually a suggestion from a viewer that I tweaked a bit, and a lot of people have since added their own spin!

    Dumpling soup
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    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    1 TBSP minced ginger
    4 cloves minced garlic
    5-6 cups chicken stock
    4 TBSP soy sauce
    1/2 bag of shredded carrots
    Green onions (optional)
    Your favorite frozen dumplings!

    Put the broth and soy sauce in a pot, bring to boil, and then add in sautéed garlic and ginger. Add in the rest of the ingredients and cook on medium-low for about 20 minutes or until the dumplings are done! Add spinach for extra health!!!

    With this recipe, you can get breakfast ready for the whole week in one fell swoop! Just freeze and reheat.

    Homemade Breakfast Uncrustables To-Go
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    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    Bread
    Eggs
    Fully cooked sausage patties (or ham)
    Cheese slices

    Use a cup to cut a circle out of each slice of bread. Layer the cheese, meat, and scrambled eggs on half of them. Use the rest of the circles of bread to create a top layer and seal all around the edges with a fork. Pop in toaster oven or freeze and reheat in the microwave.

    9. Creamy Slow Cooker Rice, Chicken, and Veggies

    This is a Crock-Pot dinner that doesn't take all day to bake — it is ready in an hour and a half; it's perfect if you gotta go run some quick errands while it's cooking!

    Creamy Slow Cooker Rice, Chicken, and Veggies
    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    1 cup Knorr chicken-flavored rice
    1/2 cup chicken broth
    1 can cream of chicken
    1 pound chicken breast tenders
    1 bag frozen veggies of your choice

    In a slow cooker, add one cup of Knorr chicken-flavored rice, one cup of chicken broth, one can of cream of chicken soup, and one pound of chicken breast tenders. After one hour, add in the bag frozen veggies of your choice sand cook for 30 minutes to one hour longer.

    10. Air Fryer Cheeseburger Eggroll Wraps

    @callmekristatorres

    If your kid is always starving after school, I got you with this EASY SNACK 😋 #afterschoolsnack #easyrecipe #airfryerrecipes #eggrollsrecipe

    ♬ for food - Tonydrumer

    Now this one can be a meal served with a salad — or if you have a growing teen like me, it can just be a snack, haha! The best part about this recipe is older kids can make these themselves (my son does)!

    Air Fryer Cheeseburger Eggroll Wraps
    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    Ground beef — as much as you want
    Eggrolls wrappers
    Shredded cheese
    Garlic powder
    Onion powder
    Brown sugar
    Paprika
    Salt + pepper

    Brown ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Put a small amount of meat and shredded cheese onto each eggroll wrapper and wrap it like a burrito. Use tongs to place in air fryer and spray with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for eight minutes, flip each one, and bake for three more minutes.

    11. One Pan Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

    This one truly is versatile as a party dip — or a full-blown meal. It is creamy, a little spicy, and so delicious!

    One Pan Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    1 block softened cream cheese
    Diced green chilies
    1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
    Shredded rotisserie chicken
    Garlic powder
    Onion powder
    Salt + pepper
    6-8 large jalapeños, diced and deseeded
    Shredded cheddar cheese
    Cooked bacon, crumbled

    Mix together softened cream cheese, diced green chilies, heavy whipping cream, rotisserie chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, salt + pepper. Place mixture in oven-safe fish and top with sliced jalapeños, diced. Add shredded cheddar cheese and cooked bacon on top. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

    So a lot of people think chicken wings are hard to make, but I am here to tell you they are not! This super easy recipe can be made in the oven — or air fryer as one person suggested.

    Extra Crispy Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    1 cup flour
    1/4 cup cornstarch
    Smoked paprika
    Garlic salt
    Chili powder
    Salt + pepper
    Chicken wings
    BBQ sauce
    Honey

    In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic salt, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Coat each chicken wing with flour mixture and set on a greased oven-safe baking tray or on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 475 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, flip, and bake an additional 15 minutes at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from oven and toss in a combination of your favorite BBQ sauce mixed with honey.

    This tried and true chicken spaghetti is also great in the oven if you don't want to use a slow cooker!

    chicken spaghetti
    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    1 pound thinly sliced chicken breast
    1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies
    1 can cream of chicken and herb soup
    1 packet of Italian dressing seasoning
    Freshly minced garlic
    Shredded cheddar jack cheese
    2 large scoops sour cream
    Spaghetti

    In a slow cooker, add chicken breast, diced tomatoes and green chilies, cream of chicken and herb soup, Italian dressing seasoning, and minced garlic. Cover and cook on high for two hours. Shred chicken, add in shredded cheese, sour cream, and cooked spaghetti noodles. YUM!

    This chicken dish can be made with egg noodles for a chicken noodle bake or biscuits so it's more like chicken and dumplings! This one always gives people the nostalgia.

    Chicken bake
    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / instagram.com

    1 bag of frozen veggies of your choice
    Diced onions
    1 TBSP butter
    Shredded rotisserie chicken
    2 cans cream of chicken soup
    3/4 cup chicken broth
    Garlic powder
    Onion powder
    Salt + pepper
    Canned biscuits

    In a pan over medium heat, sauté diced onions in butter. Once translucent, add in bag of frozen veggies. After veggies cook for about 5 minutes, add in shredded rotisserie chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, salt + pepper, and cream of chicken soup. Pour mixture into oven-safe dish and place biscuits on top. Bake at 385 degree Fahrenheit for 15–20 minutes or until biscuits cook thoroughly.

    15. Giant Quesadilla Dinner

    And this last one is super fun to make! It is a giant taco/quesadilla twist that can be made in a cinch!

    Giant Quesadilla Dinner
    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    INGREDIENT LIST + RECIPE

    @callmekristatorres / tiktok.com

    6 burrito-sized tortillas
    1 pound ground beef
    1 packet taco seasoning
    1 red bell pepper
    Shredded Mexican-style cheese
    2 TBSP melted butter

    Brown ground beef with a packet of taco seasoning. Place tortillas over an oven-safe pan and add cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, and chopped red bell pepper on top. Place two tortillas on top of the mixture and fold over, sealing with melted butter (see video for a how-to). Put parchment paper on top, cover with another baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15–20 minutes.

    If you have an easy, go-to weeknight meal to share, let us know in the comments, and come join us on TikTok and Instagram for more easy recipe ideas! ❤️