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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    If You Forgot School Starts Tomorrow, These 20 Recipes Save the Day

    Published: Aug 24, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    That back-to-school rush always sneaks up so fast, and suddenly it’s time to scramble for meals again. If you forgot school starts tomorrow, don’t stress, there are plenty of quick, tasty recipes that make life easier. Think simple dinners, easy lunches, and even snacks that will keep everyone fueled without draining your energy. A little planning (and the right dishes) will make the first day run a whole lot smoother.

    Back-to-School Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

    A chicken and hashbrown casserole with a wooden spoon.
    Back-to-School Chicken Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    When school sneaks up on you, this creamy, cheesy chicken hashbrown casserole with a crunchy cornflake topping is the lifesaver dinner you need tonight.
    Get the Recipe: Back-to-School Chicken Hashbrown Casserole

    Set-It-and-Forget-It Pork Chops

    Mushroom soup and rice with a slow cooker pork chop on a plate.
    Set-It-and-Forget-It Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    These slow-cooked pork chops in creamy mushroom sauce practically make themselves while you focus on school-night chaos—dinner’s ready when you are.
    Get the Recipe: Set-It-and-Forget-It Pork Chops

    Easy Broccoli Chicken Divan for Busy Nights

    Chicken Divan over egg noodles.
    Easy Broccoli Chicken Divan for Busy Nights. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Loaded with chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce, this shortcut casserole is exactly the kind of quick fix you need on a back-to-school evening.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Broccoli Chicken Divan for Busy Nights

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers That Cook While You’re Out

    Three stuffed bell peppers, inspired by classic 1980s recipes, two red and one orange, filled with rice and topped with shredded cheese and chopped fresh herbs, served on a light-colored plate.
    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers That Cook While You’re Out. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These stuffed peppers with sausage and rice simmer away while you’re at work or school pickup, so dinner’s hot and ready when you walk in the door.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers That Cook While You’re Out

    Quick-Fix Southern Broccoli Casserole

    A plate of creamy broccoli casserole, a classic from old school meals, topped with melted cheese and crushed crackers, served on a light grey plate with a fork beside it on a white surface.
    Quick-Fix Southern Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

    Cheesy, comforting, and topped with crunchy crackers, this broccoli casserole is the kind of no-fuss dish that saves back-to-school weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: Quick-Fix Southern Broccoli Casserole

    Dump-and-Go Chicken Chili

    A person holds a blue bowl of creamy chicken chili, a favorite among slow cooker recipes, topped with shredded cheese, corn, and herbs and garnished with a lime wedge. A spoon rests in the bowl, with fresh cilantro in the background.
    Dump-and-Go Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Just toss the ingredients into the crockpot before heading out—this creamy chicken chili will be ready to feed hungry kids after school.
    Get the Recipe: Dump-and-Go Chicken Chili

    Make-Ahead Pulled Pork Sandwiches

    A close-up of a pulled pork sandwich on a soft bun, topped with creamy coleslaw.
    Make-Ahead Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Photo credit: Laurens Latest.

    Perfect for hectic school nights, this pulled pork can be made in advance and reheated for sandwiches that come together in minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Pulled Pork Sandwiches

    Back-to-School Taco Soup

    Three bowls of crockpot taco soup.
    Back-to-School Taco Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With beans, beef, and ranch flavor, this dump-and-go taco soup is the ultimate school-night solution when time is short and tummies are rumbling.
    Get the Recipe: Back-to-School Taco Soup

    Cheesy Taco Casserole Kids Love

    A spoon removing a scoop of cheesy taco casserole.
    Cheesy Taco Casserole Kids Love. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Layers of beef, tortillas, and gooey cheese make this taco casserole a guaranteed hit on a night when everyone’s starving after school activities.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Taco Casserole Kids Love

    Weeknight Beef Carnitas Tacos

    Two beef tacos on a platter.
    Weeknight Beef Carnitas Tacos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Just 15 minutes of prep gives you slow-cooked beef tacos that are ready when homework’s done—perfect for ending a school day on a delicious note.
    Get the Recipe: Weeknight Beef Carnitas Tacos

    Cheesy Tex-Mex Squash Bake for Busy School Nights

    A serving of cheesy casserole topped with sour cream and chopped green onions sits on a dark plate next to a fork. The dish, ideal for Cinco de Mayo recipes, features melted cheddar cheese and visible slices of jalapeño.
    Cheesy Tex-Mex Squash Bake for Busy School Nights. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This easy Tex-Mex squash bake is cheesy, spicy, and ready fast—perfect for when you forgot school starts tomorrow and need a quick dinner solution.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Tex-Mex Squash Bake for Busy School Nights

    Set-and-Forget Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy

    A plate of slow cooker pot roast with gravy, garnished with carrots, mushrooms, and potato chunks. A small dish of extra gravy lies in the background on a gray napkin. The meal is served on a white plate against a light blue surface.
    Set-and-Forget Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic—this hearty pot roast with mushroom gravy is back-to-school comfort food made simple.
    Get the Recipe: Set-and-Forget Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy

    Creamy Chicken Bake That Feeds the Whole Family

    A serving spoon in a casserole dish of million dollar chicken.
    Creamy Chicken Bake That Feeds the Whole Family. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This creamy chicken casserole is rich, cheesy, and topped with a buttery cracker crust—an easy dinner win when school sneaks up on you.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Bake That Feeds the Whole Family

    Effortless Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    A serving of coq au vin
    Effortless Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    A cozy French chicken stew made easy in the slow cooker—fancy enough to impress, but simple enough for the night before school starts.
    Get the Recipe: Effortless Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    One-Pot Southwest Chicken & Rice Dinner

    Southwest chicken and rice in a pot with a spoon.
    One-Pot Southwest Chicken & Rice Dinner. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This one-pot chicken and rice casserole is colorful, cheesy, and quick—perfect for feeding hungry kids before the first day of school.
    Get the Recipe: One-Pot Southwest Chicken & Rice Dinner

    Slow Cooker Beef Puttanesca Pasta

    A plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, pieces of meat, capers, and olives, served in a white bowl.
    Slow Cooker Beef Puttanesca Pasta. Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Rich tomato sauce with beef, olives, and capers slow-cooks to perfection—just boil pasta and dinner is ready the night before school starts.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Puttanesca Pasta

    Cheesy Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake

    A spoon in a dish of baked pasta with cheese on top.
    Cheesy Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This cheesy chicken ranch pasta bake comes together fast with pantry staples—easy comfort food when you’re scrambling for back-to-school dinners.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.
    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Classic chicken noodle soup, slow-cooked with veggies and tender chicken—perfect for an easy, wholesome dinner before the school rush begins.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Family-Friendly Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole

    A bite of chicken casserole on a fork.
    Family-Friendly Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This creamy chicken noodle casserole is cheesy, comforting, and topped with a crunchy crumb layer—an easy meal for busy school nights.
    Get the Recipe: Family-Friendly Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole

    Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy

    A close-up of mashed potatoes topped with a creamy mushroom gravy, sliced mushrooms, and chopped chives on a white plate.
    Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Juicy pork chops slow-cooked in creamy mushroom gravy—an easy set-it-and-forget-it dinner for the night before school kicks off.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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