Simple ‘Back to School’ Evening Meals

Phew, the kids are *almost* back to school and you’re ready for a little extra time to yourself. Hopefully. So, make your life that bit easier with our simple ‘back to school’ evening meals, ideal when you’re all shattered after a busy day, but you still want to enjoy some comforting, homecooked food. Read on…

One-pan Piri Piri Chicken Dinner

Chicken is always a good shout, isn’t it – and a Piri Piri chicken dinner, well that’s a winner (see what we did there?!). Try this one-pan Piri Piri chicken dish for an easy but delicious midweek evening meal and keep the recipe to hand for when you need to reach for a simple meal idea in the future, too.

While it does feature chilli, you can adjust the heat level to suit your family’s tolerance, says BBC Good Food.

Classic Shepherd’s Pie

This classic dish makes a satisfying Sunday lunch, say the Taste site, but we also reckon it’s a good one to have in your back pocket for weeknights too. Containing carrots, onion, celery sticks and more, it’s a great way to ensure your kids are well on their way to getting their 5-a-day. Plus, it’s a taste sensation, as well as being easy to make.

Pancetta and Taleggio Pasta Bake

Warming the heart and filling the stomach, says the delicious.site, this tasty pasta bake is both simple and great, especially as autumn begins to set in. A comforting meal everyone will like, you could make it without pancetta for any non-meat eaters.

The kids will enjoy cooking it with you, too – get everyone involved at teatime by preparing the evening meal together. Try to cut costs by batch cooking, or head to the supermarket at the end of the day, on the lookout for cut-price veg and meat and other staples, to fill out your dish – and your cupboards.

Toad in the Hole

Via the Easy Peasy Foodie site, this easy peasy toad in the hole is perfect for midweek evenings, says the site’s author. Or you could try it as an alternative to your usual Sunday roast – either way, you’ll be glad you opted to cook it.

Everyone likes sausages as well; you could even substitute your usual sausages for a plant-based version, ideal if you want to try a meat-free evening.

The Ultimate ‘Picky’ Tea

Can’t face making a huge family meal? Weather a bit warmer? Go for a failsafe teatime treat: the ultimate picky tea. This can include anything from mini bites like sausage rolls and pork pies to houmous and pitta bread, olives, cheese, meats and sliced egg. It’s a simple meal to throw together and can be enjoyed in the garden (if we have the weather for it) or on a picnic blanket indoors. Kids will love it and so will you – a great evening midweek meal to ease you back into the new school term.

Want more articles like this? Keep an eye on our blog for cooking inspiration, hints and tips.

Until next time…