5 Expert Tips for Back-to-School Weeknight Dinners

by HexClad Cookware

Busy parents know that some advice isn’t helpful. For instance, suggesting that you make customized dinners for each of your picky kids is—shall we say—not exactly welcome.

The way to deal with picky eaters is not to become a short-order cook, says HexClad recipe developer Lauryn Tyrell. Her back-to-school weeknight dinner motto? “Ask for forgiveness, not for permission.”

With that spirit in mind, Tyrell shared her expert tips to navigate through the busy few weeks at the start of the academic year (involving as little clean-up as possible). Whether you live somewhere where there’s already a chill come September or it’s still blazing hot, these tips will help you get dinner on the table in minimal time and (here’s hoping) minimal complaints from your fellow eaters.

1. HELP KIDS FEEL IN CONTROL

To avoid becoming a short-order cook, Tyrell suggests making a single meal for the whole family. But what’s a parent to do when a tantrum is on the horizon because they just don’t want to eat it? Answer: Go with customizable meals that offer kids a way to engage in making their own dinner. Whether that’s mini pizzas made on the HexClad Pizza Steel that everyone can top to their or rice paper rolls that can be stuffed and assembled with just the right ratio of tuna to rice to avocado, kids are more likely to enjoy their food when they feel in control, Tyrell said.

2. GRILLING IS GREAT

When school is back in session, Tyrell suggests leaning heavy on grilling. “With a gas grill, It’s a much cleaner way to get to dinner,” she said. Her approach? A grilled protein like steak, chicken, or fish on one side, veg in the HexClad BBQ Grill Pan, and supplement with rice or salad that’s easy and fast to pair with the grilled elements. The result? Dinner is on the table with fewer pots and pans.

Chicken and Veggies in a BBQ Grill Pan on the grill

3. ONE-POT PASTA = GOLD

“I love a good pasta,” said Tyrell. She suggests throwing in a handful of vegetables as the pasta finishes boiling and draining it all together. Then, return the pasta to the pot and add in a sauce like pesto, marinara, or ragù. Bulk it up with already cooked protein like sausage or chicken, or leave it simple.

4. LEAN ON SOUPS AND BRAISES

While a soup, braise or chili might take a little bit longer to make, if you live somewhere cold, these are weeknight gold. “A one-pot soup or braise can really take you through the week,” said Tyrell. Make a pot of your favorite weeknight chili that can turn into loaded baked potatoes later in the week or chili cheese fries after school on Friday. A braise like pot roast can become meat to stir into easy one pot pastas or a weeknight casserole later in the week. Or, if you want to truly do yourself a favor, double the batch and freeze half for a week down the line when you really need it.

Weeknight chili in a bowl with toppings around it

5. WHEN IN DOUBT: TACOS

If you need a meal that can be done in 15 minutes and is both cheap and delicious, Tyrell recommends making crispy shell tacos. Yes, the kind that comes in a box with the spice packet.

“I’ve never met a kid that doesn’t love them,” said Tyrell. She’ll cook ground turkey or beef in a large skillet with the spices, then crisp the shells in the oven for 5 minutes at 350ºF. As with the customizable meals, kids can get excited about stuffing their taco shells with meat, shredded lettuce, grated cheddar or crumbled cotija, chopped tomatoes, avocado slices and a drizzle of crema (or yogurt thinned with some water).

14 BACK-TO-SCHOOL DINNER IDEAS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE FALL