25+ THIRTY MINUTES WEEK NIGHT MEALS

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25+ THIRTY MINUTES WEEK NIGHT MEALS – School starts back for my boys on August 5. That’s way too early. We didn’t have enough Summer? Did you?

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Try one of these savory 30 minute dinner recipes. Get a savory, hearty meal on the table in a flash. Easy 30 minute meals to the rescue!

I know it’s different around the country. Generally, we get out the third or fourth week in May and typically start back the first or second week in August. The kids get about eight weeks off. When I was in school, we got 12 weeks off! My boys are envious of that. That’s about the only thing they’re jealous of, though; they can’t imagine life without the Wii, DS, or Pokémon! Sometimes I tell them I didn’t have cable TV and cartoons only played on Saturday mornings just to really freak them out!

So, school starts back, and all heck breaks loose! Ballgames, homework, projects, scouts, fundraising (bleck :p, fundraising! – I wish I had a dime for every dollar I fundraised for someone else!! I need to fundraise for myself!!) Ok, sorry, so I put together these recipes (and they’re not from Rachael Ray!) for your busy week nights. I hope this helps ease the transition back to school!

25+ THIRTY MINUTES WEEK NIGHT MEALS

If you’re a mom with a little one starting school for the first time, you may want to read these posts. Mom’s Survival Guide to Back to School I and Mom’s Survival Guide to Starting School II

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20 Minute One Pot Pasta Carbonara

20 Minute One Pot Pasta Carbonara

20 Minute One Pot Pasta Carbonara is the easiest and quickest weeknight dinner that you’ll ever make. The pasta cooks quickly and the entire dish is made in one pot. This pasta is creamy and satisfying.
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20 Minute Pork Chop Rice One Pot Recipe

20 Minute Pork Chop Rice One Pot Recipe

A mouth-watering and satisfying meal ready in less than 30 minutes. Your family will love this hearty 20 Minute Pork Chop Rice One Pot Recipe and you’ll enjoy the short prep time and easy clean-up.
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One Pot Cheese Chicken Pasta Manwich

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta | 30 Minute Meal

Why do I love this One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta? Let’s see, it’s one pot, it’s cheesy, it’s pasta, it’s ready in 30 minutes and it’s delicious!
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meatball sandwich

Nashville Hot Chicken Meatball Sandwich

Nashville Hot Chicken Meatball Sandwich is sweet, spicy, and full of flavor. This meal also takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is hearty and satisfying.
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Mongolian Beef Meatballs are hearty, satisfying, and ready in a mere 15 minutes making them an ideal choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

Mongolian Beef Meatballs

Hearty and satisfying, Mongolian Beef Meatballs, is comfort food at its best. Easy to prepare and versatile, Cooked Perfect Frozen Meatballs can be prepared in minutes by adults and children alike. 
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Tex Mex Skillet Pasta

Tex Mex Skillet Pasta

Tex Mex Skillet Pasta is a new family favorite recipe. Not only is it tasty and filling, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
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Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Healthy, delicious, easy salad!
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Steak Bites

Jefferson Place Steak Bites

Jefferson Place Steak Bites, or simply Steak Bites, are savory bites of hearty heaven! They take just minutes to prepare and my whole family loves them!
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Steak Sandwich

Steak Sandwich

Steak Sandwich recipe has perfectly seasoned grilled steak and is topped with the most delicious toppings.
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A Grand Escape Steak Sandwich on a hoagie roll filled with sliced steak, green bell peppers, mushrooms, and melted cheese is served on a white plate. The words "steak escape Steak Sandwich" are written above the sandwich.

Grand Escape Steak Sandwich

This Grand Escape Steak Sandwich has thinly sliced beef is cooked to perfection, melty cheese, peppers, onions, seasonings, and sauces.
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Southwest Chicken Wraps are full of nutrients and flavor. An easy recipe that starts with leftover chicken.

Southwest Chicken Wraps

Southwest Chicken Wraps are full of nutrients and flavor. An easy recipe that starts with leftover chicken. Corn, black beans, lettuce, and tomato and a special sauce round out this delicious meal.
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New Orleans Sausage Shrimp Crawfish Pasta

New Orleans Sausage Shrimp Crawfish Pasta

New Orleans Sausage Shrimp Crawfish Pasta recipe has just the right about of cajun spice. It’s full of crawfish, shrimp, and sausage.
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New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Pasta Recipe

New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Pasta Recipe

New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Pasta Recipe is spicy and filling. Garlic, Worcestershire, butter, and cream make this indulgent sauce that smothers large shrimp and al dente pasta.
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Shrimp Vegetable Fried Rice

Shrimp and Vegetable Fried Rice

Shrimp and Vegetable Fried Rice a healthy, satisfying and economical meal that’s ready in a flash!
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A Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwich with lettuce, tomato slices, and sauce on a sesame seed hoagie roll, served in a basket with extra sliced tomatoes in the background.

Shrimp Po’ Boy

This sandwich is full of bold flavor and spice! Shrimp Po' Boy easy, tasty, and a lighter version of the New Orleans popular sandwich recipe.
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Country Club Sandwich recipe kicks up the traditional deli sandwich with fresh, wholesome and minimally processed ingredients.

COUNTRY CLUB SANDWICH RECIPE

This sandwich is perfectly simple and easy to make but packs a punch of flavor!
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Spaghetti Carbonara Shrimp

Shrimp Spaghetti Carbonara + Wine Pairing

Simply divine Shrimp Spaghetti Carbonara is light and tasty with buttery noodles and succulent shrimp. It’s delicious, one of my all-time favorites and completely comfort food at it’s best.
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Jamaican jerk fish tacos.

Caribbean Jamaican Jerk Fish Tacos with Lime Crema

Spicy, sweet, and super flavorful, Caribbean Jamaican Jerk Fish Tacos with Lime Crema, are easy, delicious, and bursting with a complex mix of flavors.
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Fish Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa

Fish Tacos with Mango Avocado Relish

Fish Tacos with Mango Avocado Relish can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Healthy never tasted so good.
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Walking Tacos

Walking Tacos

Tacos with all the ingredients contained in a bag of chips! Kid favorite!
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Avocado Filled Canned Tuna Ceviche Salad

Avocado Filled Canned Tuna Ceviche Salad

Avocado Filled Canned Tuna Ceviche Salad a lighter lunch option that's full of nutrients and flavor. It's a simple, healthy, and low calorie lunch recipe.
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Bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich with an everything bagel on cutting board

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

1 egg 1 slice cheese 1 (or 2 or however many you want) slices of bacon salt and pepper to taste 1 slider bun (or small hamburger bun)
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Breakfast Sandwich

Boy Scout Campout Bacon Hash Brown Breakfast Sandwich

Recipe: Boy Scout Campout Bacon Hash Brown Breakfast Sandwich is a big, bad breakfast sandwich with all your favorite breakfast foods in one convenient, hand-held package!
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Low Calorie Breakfast Sandwich

Low Calorie Breakfast Sandwich

Quick, easy, healthy breakfast in just 7 minutes!
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A close-up of a breakfast sandwich cut in half, showing layers of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and bread—perfect inspiration for homemade freezer breakfast sandwiches—served on parchment paper on a white plate.

Make-Ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches for Busy Mornings

These are the easiest way to simplify busy mornings. A little prep time gives you a hot breakfast that's ready whenever you need it. Keep a batch in your freezer for workdays, school mornings, weekend trips, or anytime you want a filling breakfast without extra effort.
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Pepperoni and Salami Stromboli Recipe

PEPPERONI AND SALAMI STROMBOLI RECIPE

Pepperoni and Salami Stromboli Recipe is basically a rolled-up pizza. It's quick and easy to make and great for fast dinners and less messy than pizza slices for parties.
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Turkey Strawberry Brie Sandwich with Balsamic reduction

Turkey Strawberry Brie Sandwich

Turkey Strawberry Brie Sandwich topped with a rich balsamic reduction. It's mouth-watering & simple. This sandwich is easy to make, but the flavors and textures give it a gourmet flare. It's sure to become your favorite!
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Salami Pepperoni Ham Ranch Melt Sandwich

Deli Meat Ranch Melt Sandwich

A steaming hot sandwich with gooey cheese oozing out. Pan sauteed pepperoni adds a crisp texture. Smothered with ranch dressing. Easy, hearty, delicious 15-minute meal.
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Hamburger Hobo Dinner Foil Pack recipe for camping or cooking at home your prep-ahead meal is all in one pack with little to no cleanup.

BURGER HOBO DINNER FOIL PACK

Burger Hobo Dinner Foil Pack recipe, whether you are camping or simply cooking a dinner at home your prep-ahead meal is all conveniently in one pack with little to no cleanup.
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Italian sausage mac and cheese with spinach cooked in a red skillet.

CREAMY TUSCAN ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA

Creamy Tuscan Italian Sausage Pasta is a warming and cozy pasta dish with Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach smothered in a rich, creamy sauce.
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A baked pasta casserole with rotini, ground meat, cheese, and chopped green onions in a white dish with a wooden spoon. Plates and a fork are in the background.

Amish Country Casserole

This hearty casserole is made with pantry ingredients and is easy on the wallet.
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50 Comments

  1. Yes, August 5th is way to early!! I officially go back to work at my school tomorrow, so I do feel your pain. Thank you for these simple dinner ideas. I certainly need some ideas to help make my nights easier too!!

  2. This is a great round-up, Paula! While I have no children to send to school (apparently it’s a stressful as well as blissful time of the year for moms? hehe) I have myself to gear up for the internship which starts in 3 weeks. I’m not going to have as much time to cook as I do now so I’m def going to check out some of these recipes! Thank you!

  3. What a great roundup! Perfect for the start of the fast approaching school year 🙂
    I wanted to invite you my weekly linky party, Share Your Stuff Tuesdays at: Hope to see you there!

    1. Thanks goes to you guys!! Awesome recipes from everyone! And, btw, I don’t know how you do all that you do with little ones!!!

  4. That is too funny. ..my kids reacted the same way when I told them about (that exact way) how we grew up! I love the format you used for all of these fabulous and fast recipes. Thank you for including my Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. (= Pinning and sharing!

    1. Carrie, it was so much quicker to put together. I was anxious to see if readers like it, but it’s had tons of views so I don’t think it bothers them.

  5. Great round-up of fantastic dinner ideas, Paula! A great answer to the question – what’s for dinner?? Thanks for sharing – pinning and buffering! Have a great Tuesday!

    1. Thank you Cindy! I have to have my dinners planned once school starts and things get crazy :/ stresses me if I don’t.

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