Get ready for the back-to-school season with these easy and delicious dinner recipes. Discover quick and wholesome meal ideas to simplify your evenings and bring your family together.

The back-to-school season is upon us, bringing with it the hustle and bustle of busy schedules and endless to-do lists. One challenge that often arises is preparing wholesome and satisfying dinners that everyone enjoys. We have our go-to easy weeknight dinners, but I put together another list of healthy recipe ideas for back-to-school season that are easy to prepare.

Check out the ideas below and please share your favorites in the comments section – I’m always looking for new ideas!

Easy Back To School Dinner Recipe Ideas

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas: A quick and colorful option, sheet pan chicken fajitas are a great way to incorporate lean protein and a variety of vegetables into your dinner. Toss sliced bell peppers, onions, and chicken strips in a flavorful blend of spices and olive oil. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender. Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, and your favorite toppings – guacamole, of course!

• Fitnessista Recipe: Jackfruit Carnitas Burrito Bowl

2. One-Pot Pasta Primavera: Simplify your dinner routine with a one-pot pasta primavera that’s bursting with fresh flavors. Combine pasta, colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, and peas, along with a creamy sauce made from a mixture of chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Cook everything in a single pot for easy cleanup, and you’ll have a creamy and satisfying dinner ready in no time.

• Fitnessista Recipe: Dairy-Free + Gluten-Free Tuna Casserole

3. Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Tofu: For a vegetarian-friendly option, whip up some stir-fried rice noodles

Are you tired of the same old boring meals? I totally hear you and I believe that eating healthy should never be a snooze fest. So, let’s go on a flavor-filled journey and discover how to make healthy eating fun and exciting. Get ready to satisfy those cravings guilt-free!

Get Creative: Making Healthy Eating Fun

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. It’s time to unleash your creativity in the kitchen and explore new flavors and ingredients.

Experiment with colorful fruits and vegetables, try different cooking methods, and spice up your meals. If you’re feeling stuck on ideas, have like 135+ amazing ones in the Guiltless Recipe ebook for you to try!

Guiltless Indulgences: “Junk Food” Made Healthy

Who says you have to give up your favorite indulgences? We’ve got your back with our Guiltless recipes like this amazing chicken pesto pizza!

We’ve taken classic “junk food” favorites and transformed them into nutritious, guilt-free delights. From our protein packed peanut butter cups to our chicken and avocado burri

Sharing a roundup of some of my favorite Amazon finds (and some of the fails!) from recently. Affiliate links are included below, which enable me to earn a small kickback that I use to keep the lil blog running. Thank you so much to those of you who shop my links!

Hi hi! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful day so far! Thank you so much for your excitement about Vitality! I can’t wait to get started together on the 28th. Check out the details here! 

For today’s post, I wanted to share some recent Amazon finds. Amazon has been crushing the game lately, and they have so many cute things for the transition from summer to fall. I’ve also found some new back-to-school essentials that we’ve been loving lately, and also some fails in the mix.

Here are some of the things I’m loving right now:

Amazon Faves August 2023

This set

While this set is a little on the summery side, I can get away with tying a sweater around my shoulders for the next couple of months here in Tucson. They also have it in black, which is super cute with a high bun and some low-top sneakers.

This necklace

I’ve been wanting a tennis necklace for a while, but didn’t want to spend the money on a real one. I wanted something I could wear every day without worrying about it getting lost or breaking. This one was highly recommended in a Facebook group that I’m in, so I decided to go for it since it was only $35. I LOVE it. It’s sparkly and decent quality, plus I can wear it every day.

This two-piece sweater set!!

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I’ve been making peaches and cream oatmeal all summer long; filled with soft pecans and sweet peaches, this is a memorable breakfast. I save a couple of peaches to make this oatmeal almost every time I buy fresh peaches.

And if you dare to top your oatmeal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this really might be the best oatmeal you’ll ever eat. We aren’t new to the ice cream and oatmeal combination over here. 

If you haven’t tried ice cream with your oatmeal yet, you are missing out on some serious awesomeness for your breakfast! While it may sound a little crazy at first, I figure that a small scoop of ice cream has to be comparable to a spoonful of sugar and a splash of milk, right? If I’m wrong, just don’t tell me.

Oatmeal and Peaches

Peach oatmeal is pretty amazing on its own though, so feel free to skip the ice cream and eat it plain. Or top it with a pat of butter and a sprinkling of brown sugar.

Like the blueberries and cream oatmeal I’ve raved about in the past, this oatmeal is pretty awesome with a drizzle of cream as well.

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The BEST Caprese Salad with Pistachios

The BEST caprese salad with pistachios recipe is right here! There’s nothing like finding a good recipe for fresh from the garden tomatoes.

This caprese salad is so light and refreshing and oooooooooohhhhhhhh so wonderful during the summer when you can pick the tomatoes straight from your garden. I had no idea tomatoes could even be that delicious until I tried my first homegrown tomato. It’s like a totally different thing. Am I right, gardeners?!

We love pistachios too and threw some on top of this pretty salad one night and we both found ourselves digging for the pistachios which could only mean one thing, they were meant to be. That added crunch is molto buono!

Recommended Equipment

• Tomato Knife
• Cutting Board

Before You Begin…

Slice your tomatoes nice and thick! I love a meaty bite of garden fresh tomato! And slice your mozzarella into thick slices too.

What is a Caprese Salad?

Caprese salad is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and sweet basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil.

Ingredients for Caprese Salad

Have I ever told you we love caprese salad? No? Well, we do. Like, a lot. Especially when it has a really nice balsamic vinegar (not the cheapest no name stuff at the store). And even more so when it’s the best caprese salad with pistachios. Here is everything you will need…

• Tomatoes: heirloom or vine ripe tomatoes
• Mozzarella: it has to be fresh!
• Pistachios: shelled and either lightly salted or no salt added
• Basil: fresh leaves only
• Olive Oil: you’ll only need a drizzle but a good quality oil will make all the difference
• Balsamic Vinegar: go for a higher quality vinegar or even a balsamic glaze
• Salt and Pepper: just for a little extra flavor

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

What Kind of Mozzarella is Best for Caprese Salad?

You absolutely have to use fresh mozzarella to get the full caprese experience! The part skim or low moisture mozzarella, while cheaper, is saltier and won’t grab on to the flavors like fresh mozzarella does. You can get the fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) if you want, but we love the big hunks of a block of fresh mozz.

If you absolutely need a substitute, then burrata will be your best bet.

What Type of Tomatoes are Best for Caprese Salad?

If you have access to fresh tomatoes straight from the garden, then go with those! Get some at a farmers market or maybe your neighbor! They just can’t be beat!

If store bought is your only option, then go with vin