Meal Prep Tips for Families Getting Back Into the School Routine
Back-to-school season can throw even the most organized households into chaos. Between school schedules, after-school activities, and trying to remember who needs a lunchbox and who’s buying from the cafeteria, figuring out what’s for dinner can feel like just another stressor.
But here’s the good news: meal prep doesn’t have to mean spending your entire Sunday in the kitchen or cooking every meal from scratch. With a few simple strategies, you can feed your family well and still have time (and energy) left over for yourself.
Here are my favorite meal prep tips for easing back into a school routine — without losing your mind.
1. Pick 5 Go-To Dinners You Can Put on Repeat
Let’s keep it real: you don’t need 30 new dinner ideas every month. What you do need are about five reliable, kid-friendly meals you can rotate through on busy weeks. Think of them as your “Weeknight Lifesavers.”
Some of our favorites:
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Tacos (use gluten-free tortillas, ground turkey or beef, and homemade guacamole)
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Spaghetti (gluten-free pasta, jarred marinara, ground beef or lentils, plus a bagged salad)
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Burgers (on gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps, with baked sweet potato fries)
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Grilled Chicken with Veggie Sides (pair with a microwaveable rice pouch and a salad kit)
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Breakfast for Dinner (eggs, gluten-free waffles or toast, fruit)
The beauty of these meals is how easy they are to customize and make healthier — without the kids even noticing.
2. Stock Up on Shortcuts You Feel Good About
Frozen veggies, pre-chopped produce, rotisserie chicken, and bagged salad kits are not cheating — they’re smart. Keep a few of these on hand so you can throw a balanced meal together in 20 minutes or less.
*Tip: Keep homemade guacamole, salsa, or hummus in the fridge to instantly boost flavor and nutrients in any meal.
3. Double It & Freeze It
When you do cook a full dinner, make double. Freeze half for a future night when you just can’t. Soups, chili, spaghetti sauce, meatballs, taco meat, and casseroles all freeze really well.
*Think of it as “Meal Prep Insurance” — your future self will thank you.
4. Prep Just the Components
If full meal prep sounds overwhelming, start by prepping the basics:
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Grill or bake a batch of chicken breasts
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Chop veggies for snacking or stir-fries
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Cook a big pot of rice or quinoa
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Portion out snacks or fruit
Mix and match these throughout the week to save time and mental energy.
5. Make a Weekly Menu — But Keep It Flexible
Use a simple whiteboard, planner, or app to jot down what meals you’ll make each night. But give yourself permission to swap nights or skip a recipe if something comes up (because it will). The goal is to reduce decision fatigue, not lock yourself into a rigid system.
6. Involve the Kids (Even Just a Little)
Let your kids help choose meals from your list of go-to dinners, or let them build their own taco or burger plates. When they’re involved, they’re more likely to eat what’s served — and it gives you a few minutes to breathe while they feel like mini chefs.
Final Thought
Getting back into a school routine is hard enough — feeding your family shouldn’t feel like a second full-time job. With a handful of go-to meals, a few smart shortcuts, and a loose plan, you’ll feel more prepared and a whole lot less stressed.
And remember: cereal for dinner is always better than drive-thru when you’re really in a pinch. You’ve got this!
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I don’t know about you, but the summer is a complete whirlwind for me. It’s a joyful, chaotic rollercoaster of late sunsets, pool days, spontaneous lake trips, and the glorious freedom of not having a schedule. I love being able to run off for a weekend adventure, hang out with family, or sign the kids up for fun camps without worrying about early mornings or rigid routines. But as much as I thrive on that flexibility, I’ve learned that my kids and I do better with structure. After too many screen marathons and pajama-clad afternoons, I start to feel like their brains are slowly melting — and mine’s not far behind. The freedom is fun, but it’s also exhausting. There’s little quiet time, no personal space, and I’m in full-on mommy mode 24/7, listening for any suspicious silence or emergencies that could mean something just exploded. It’s a double-edged sword, which is why I’m more than ready for a fresh routine when school starts. (more…)
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Chocolate Sweet Potato Bundt Cake
Gluten-Free/Plant-Based/Vegan/Dairy-Free
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