It’s what’s long awaited by parents and dreaded by students, the phrase that looms over the last weeks of August…BACK TO SCHOOL!!!! And for many, back to work, back to campus, back to real life. Instead of mourning the end of summer, look forward to opening your lunch bag at school or work and seeing any one of the goodies in this Back to School Menu! In this roundup, I included some of my favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes for when you have a lot on your plate, or if you just want some tasty meals!
Breakfasts for brain power.
The most important meal of the day, serve it up your way! Breakfast is such a versatile meal, you can go sweet or savory. Here are some great breakfast options that will set you up for an amazing day!
Cheesy Scramble with Bacon & Berries
This right here is a well-balanced breakfast. If you want perfectly cooked bacon, try Crispy Sheet Pan Bacon!
The grocery list.
- 6 slices CRISPY SHEET PAN BACON
- salted butter
- large eggs
- sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 ripe avocado
- everything bagel seasoning
- fresh blackberries (or your berries of choice)
Ricotta Banana Muffins with Oat Crumb
Make a batch of muffin batter the night before school and pop your muffins in the oven first thing in the morning. Enjoy with a glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee (maybe not the kids)!
The grocery list.
- old fashioned oats
- whole wheat flour
- cinnamon
- butter
- bananas
- eggs
- ricotta
- brown sugar
- granulated sugar
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- kosher salt
Maple Glazed Apricot Pancakes with Maple Yogurt
These are yummier than your average pancakes. Pair yummy with an amazing an easy premade pancake mix and you have breakfast in a flash. Eat a stack of these fruity maple pancakes for a great start to your day!
The grocery list.
- One Mighty Mill Pancakes
- 4 apricots
- maple syrup
- plain greek yogurt
Berry Granola
Homemade granola is the best kept secret until now. No more need for the store-bought when fresh made is not only amazing but easy. Mix this Berry Granola with yogurt, milk or top a smoothie with it for some CRUNCH!
The grocery list.
- old fashioned oats
- steel cut oats
- pumpkin seeds
- hazelnuts
- almonds
- cardamom
- maple syrup
- olive oil
- coconut sugar (or light brown sugar)
- pure vanilla extract
- egg whites
- flaky salt
- freeze-dried berries (a mix of all three or just one favorite flavor strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Cinnamon Sugar Zucchini Muffins
I included another muffin recipe because it’s too good not to make. Use up the last of your summer zucchini to make these moist and fluffy muffins!
The grocery list.
- olive oil
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- buttermilk
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- salt
- zucchini
- ground cinnamon
Lunch packed with love.
When I was a kid, it was always exciting to open up my lunchbox each day and see what I would be eating that day. It was usually pb&j, but hey, there’s a reason it’s such a common lunch: it’s easy to make and travels well. Those are two key things to keep in mind when packing food for lunch.
Pesto Avocado Turkey Sandwich
Pesto takes any sandwich and instantly brings it to the next level. This Pesto Avocado Turkey Sandwich is filling and perfect fuel for a long day.
The grocery list.
- oven roasted turkey breast
- provolone cheese
- sourdough bread
- homemade or store-bought basil pesto
- avocado
- fresh spinach
Sourdough Sprout Chicken Sandwich
This Sourdough Sprout Chicken Sandwich is essentially a leftover sandwich. Get creative and use leftovers to make an innovative sandwich!
The grocery list.
- sourdough bread
- 1 avocado
- chive cream cheese
- alfalfa sprouts
- deli chicken breast
Smoky Flat Iron Steak Salad
Sandwiches are the easiest thing to pack for lunch, but salad is a close second! Make sure you use an airtight container to avoid leakage.
The grocery list.
- salted butter
- olive oil
- sweet onions
- kosher salt
- granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
- chipotles in adobo
- maple syrup
- balsamic vinegar
- garlic, grated
- oregano
- cumin
- Flat Iron Steaks
- lime
- toasted sesame oil
- lime juice
- fish sauce
- garlic, grated
- black pepper
- english cucumber
- mini heirloom tomatoes
- edamame
- green onions
- fresh mint leaves
- cilantro leaves
- Romaine or little gem lettuce
- avocados
Easy weeknight dinners.
They key word is EASY. I know how hard it can be to get yourself to make dinner after a long day, whether you’re feeding multiple people or just yourself. Hopefully, these quick yet delicious recipes will help preserve your evening so you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen.
Spicy Ale Chicken Taquitos
This dinner is going to be a family favorite in no-time. The best part is you can prep the chicken the day before and then wrap it up into these taquitos the next night. Two dinners for the price of one!
The grocery list.
- SPICY ALE PULLED CHICKEN + 1/4 cup Spicy Ale Sauce (from the recipe)
- cream cheese
- sharp cheddar cheese
- sour cream (plus more for serving)
- green onions, chopped (plus more for serving)
- flour tortillas (or corn, CAUTION: they break as they bake)
- jalapeno
Cast Iron Zucchini Lasagna
Just as rich and saucy as classic lasagna, this healthier version is a great way to integrate vegetables into your meals!
The grocery list.
- zucchini
- kosher salt
- olive oil
- ButcherBox ground turkey
- fresh basil
- garlic powder
- fresh oregano
- pasta sauce
- whole-milk ricotta cheese
- fresh parsley
- mozzarella, shredded
- grated parmesan cheese
- minced garlic
- lemon juice
- egg
- black pepper
Chicken Marbella with Apricots & Olives
The combination of sweet and salty in this dish will make this your new favorite dinner dish. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that can be thrown together the night before or the morning of.
The grocery list.
- minced garlic
- dried oregano
- kosher salt
- pepper
- red wine vinegar
- bay leaves
- pitted prunes
- dried apricots
- green olives (stuffed or not)
- white wine (or chicken stock)
- maple syrup
- capers
- ButcherBox chicken thighs
- fresh parsley
Dutch Oven Chipotle Chicken
Another amazing dinner recipe that can double as meal-prep. the flavors are bold and the portions are big. Make your life a little easier with a two-for-one deal!
The grocery list.
- olive oil
- poblano pepper
- bell pepper
- onion
- ButcherBox chicken breast (or thighs)
- salt
- pepper
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- enchilada sauce
- minced garlic
- chipotles in adobo
- bay leaves
- cilantro
- Avocado
- lime
- white rice
Chicken & Rice Enchilada Bake
Make this dish for dinner and then reward yourself with leftovers for lunch. This recipes packs the flavor and makes heaps! It’s my absolute favorite for meal-prep because it reheats so well and almost gets better as the days pass.
The grocery list.
- olive oil
- ButcherBox chicken thighs (boneless / skinless), cubed
- salt
- cracked black pepper
- smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- zucchini
- sweet onion
- jasmine (or basmati) rice
- bulgur
- chicken bone broth
- creamed corn
- enchilada sauce
- sharp cheddar
- jalapeno
- Avocado
Cotija Sprout Slaw
- brussel sprouts
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- cotija cheese
Now that I’ve bestowed upon you this arsenal of back to school time recipes, you’re ready to handle any obstacle that you cross paths with. Good luck and enjoy!
Lastly, if you make this Back to School Menu, be sure to leave a comment! Above all, I love to hear from ya’ll and do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of your dayyyummm good recreations is my favorite!
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