That’s exactly why I put together this list of easy back to school dinner ideas – Not only to help you guys out, but to help myself out too!

These are ten recipes that come together fast, use simple ingredients, and won’t leave you scrambling on a busy weeknight. Whether you need a 20-minute meal or something you can prep ahead, these dinners are here to make the back-to-school transition a little easier on your whole family.

If you like these, be sure to check out my other easy dinner posts: Five Easy Dinner Ideas, Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes, and Easy One-Pot Recipes.

Easy Enchilada Pasta

Creamy Beef Noodles

Easy Monterey Chicken

Slow Cooker Southern Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Loaded Skillet Nachos

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Tacos

White Bean Chicken Soup

Skillet Covered Burritos

Creamy Shrimp & Corn Soup

Easy Chicken Alfredo Sliders

Be sure to check out my other easy dinner ideas:

• Five Easy Dinner Ideas
• Easy Back-to-School Dinner Recipes
• Easy One-Pot Recipes

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE.

You can find ALL RECIPES HERE.

For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

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From all the AI generated nostalgic videos and the Goo Goo dolls music on social media, it’s clear that the decade of TGIF TV, Lisa Frank, and dial-up internet has officially had its cultural comeback. And if TikTok has taught us anything, it’s that nostalgia is a powerful thing, especially when it comes to food.

90’s recipes were simple, crowd-pleasing, and made with ingredients you could find at any grocery store. No fancy techniques, no obscure ingredients. It was just good, comforting food that people actually got excited about.

So in honor of the decade that gave us Spice Girls, blockbuster video nights, and some truly great casseroles, I’m rounding up some of my favorite recipes straight out of a 90s recipe box. Whether these bring back a memory or you’re discovering them for the first time, I think you’re going to love them just as much as we did back then if not even more.

Let’s Start with some 90’s appetizer recipes:

Veggie Squares – These are better than a veggie tray!!!

Cajun 7 Layer Dip – The 7 Layer Dip got a little upgrade with a few cajun additions.

90’s Inspired Dinners:

Sloppy Joes – I remember having sloppy joes on our dinner rotation quite often.

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi – Olive Garden was the place we always went out to eat, and I always got this!!

Crescent Chicken – I love this recipe! It’s an oldie but a goodie!

One Pot Cabbage Casserole – This was one of my first recipes on my blog, and it is still insanely popular!

Copycat Spicy Chicken Romano – Do you guys remember Johnny Carino’s restaurant? This was my favorite dish!

Rice Cooker Jambalaya – While this isn’t your traditional jambalaya, it is great weeknight version!

Baked Enchilada Casserole – What 90’s recipe post would not be complete without a casserole?

90’s inspired breakfast recipe:

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole – I could eat this one for dinner too.

90’s inspired dessert recipes:

Peach Pie Filling Fruit Salad – This was introduced to me by my college roommate’s mom. She made it for us all the time.

Strawberry Daiquiri Pie – Perfect for a 90’s summer!

Chocolate Sheet Cake – I’m sure this goes back way before the 90’s, but a good old chocolate sheet cake had to be included!

Old Fashioned Syrup Cake – This is what my kids would call a “Nauna Dessert” – Nauna is what they call my mom 🙂

Strawberry Wet Cake – I adore this recipe!

Leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite 90’s recipe was!

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!

The post 15 Nostalgic 90’s Recipes appeared first on Diary of A Recipe Collector.

All of these dinner recipes are quick and easy and perfect for busy families. I’ve included a few of my favorites including a few one-pot recipes and a popular slow cooker dinner idea in our house.

Just click on each link and it will take you right to that recipe! Enjoy and let me know what you’ve been making!

Recipes for Your week ahead:

Skillet Covered Burritos

Easy Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Simple Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches

One Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta

Easy Monterey Chicken

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!

The post Five Easy Dinner Ideas appeared first on Diary of A Recipe Collector.

This One-Pot pasta is one of those easy dinner recipes I love to make because it saves the night. I also love how one-pot means way less clean up time! The Cajun seasoning brings that signature kick we love, the cream brings it all together into the most delicious sausage pasta.

If you’re loving one pot dinners like me, don’t miss my One-Pot Cajun Pastalaya, the ever-popular One-Pot Sausage and Red Rice, or my weeknight One Pot Sausage Spaghetti . They all bring that same easy, comforting vibe to your dinner time!

Recommended for this recipe:

Caraway Non-Stick 12 in Skillet

This skillet has become my go-to for many of my one-pot recipes! It is now one of my favorite kitchen items.

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What can be used to substitute Cajun Pork Sausage?

• I know in some parts of the country, smoked sausage can be harder to find.
• You can pretty much use any smoky sausage you’d like. Sausage is unique in that there are many different kinds with many different flavors. That being said, you want to use a flavor you love, because this will flavor your whole pasta.

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Easy Creamy Cajun One Pot Sausage Pasta

Yield: 6 servings

This One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is packed with Cajun flavor, smoky sausage, and a divine parmesan cream sauce. It's an easy dinner that comes together fast with just one pot.

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Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs smoked pork sausage, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
• 32 oz low sodium chicken broth
• 12 oz fettuccine
• 8 oz heavy cream
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, brown sausage.
2. Remove sausage to a bowl and set aside.
3. Add sliced peppers and onions to skillet. Season with creole seasoning. Saute peppers and onions for about 7 minutes.
4. Add sausage back to skillet. Stir to combine.
5. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
6. Once boiling add in fettuccine. I break mine in half. Stir pasta every few minutes as it cooks and liquid is reduced. This takes about 20-25 minutes.
7. Once pasta is cooked, add in heavy cream and stir.
8. Stir in parmesan cheese and serve.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps us keep our blog running efficiently and allows us to create more recipes for you.

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  OXO Good Grips Nylon Spaghetti Server

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Corn, in a tomato broth, seasoned with cajun flavors reminds me of my childhood. This new soup recipe reminds me so much of this Cajun Shrimp and Corn Soup. It was just the kind of soup we always had growing up.

If you’re a fan of a creamier Cajun soup like my Creamy Cajun Chicken Chowder, or heartier baked dishes such as my Cajun Baked Chicken and Rice, this soup fits right in with those flavors — just in a lighter, soup form.

Recommended for this recipe:

6 Qt Dutch Oven

A dutch oven is one of my favorite kitchen items. It’s great for soups, one pot dishes, browning, and sauteing. It goes easily from stove top to oven.

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How to Make this Cajun Chicken and Rice Soup:

1. Chop your chicken, season it, and cook in olive oil. Remove from pot.
2. Saute your veggies and add in corn, beans, and rice.
3. Add chicken back to pot with chicken broth and simmer.
   See full list of recipe ingredients and detailed recipe below.

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Quick Cajun Chicken and Rice Soup

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This quick and easy Cajun Chicken and Rice Soup is packed with chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, and rice, full of Cajun flavor, and a Creole kick.

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut up into 1 in pieces
• 2 tsp creole seasoning, divided
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 11 oz can fiesta corn, drained
• 15 oz great northern beans, undrained
• 15 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1/4 cup rice
• 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth.
• chopped green onions for topping (optional)
• diced avocado for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. In a soup pot or dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium high heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with 1 1/2 tsp creole seasoning and add to pot. Saute for about 15 minutes. Remove from pot.
3. Add 1/2 tbsp olive oil to the pot. Add diced onion, diced bell peppers, and sliced zucchini. Saute for about 5 minutes.
4. Add in drained corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, great northern beans, and rice and stir to combine. Season with remaining 1/2 tsp creole seasoning.
5. Add chicken back to pot. Add in chicken broth and bring to a simmer for about 20 minutes.
6. Serve warm and top with green onions and diced avocado.

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  Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Blue Enamel Dutch Oven (Blue)

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 410Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 1169mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 8gSugar: 7gProtein: 46g

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You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!

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Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes

One Pot Cabbage Casserole

Easy Chicken Tortellini Pasta Bake

Best Protein Pancakes

Low Carb Tuscan Chicken

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!

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I don’t know about you, but we often need easy dinners like this Easy Chicken Spaghetti for busy nights. My kids love a good pasta, and my go-to pasta recipes like Easy Chicken Tortellini Pasta Bake and Easy One Pot Pizza Pasta are some of the favorites around our house.

And isn’t there just something about a yummy creamy pasta dish with some good breadsticks and a salad. My mouth is watering just thinking about this!

Let me show you how to make it!

Recommended for this recipe:

12 inch Oven Safe Skillet

Notes for Chicken in this recipe:

I like to cut up my chicken breasts really small. I find this spreads the protein further in the dish, and it is overall easier to eat. If you don’t have a great deal of time to prep chicken, you can use a rotisserie chicken in this recipe. However, I think cutting up chicken breasts vs deboning a rotisserie chicken may take about the same amount of time.

Other star ingredients in this dish:

1. Pasta – I like to use a THIN spaghetti.
2. Butter and Olive Oil – The butter adds flavor and the olive oil helps give the butter a place to go and not burn.
3. Creole seasoning – Y’all know I’m from Louisiana, and I don’t make a dish without this stuff. This is my favorite brand. You can use a seasoned salt if you can’t find creole seasoning.
4. Creamy Components – Low Sodium Cream of Chicken, sour cream, half and half – I usually go with full fat on the sour cream and half and half, but you can cut back on some calories using the reduced fat versions.
5. Shredded Colby Jack Cheese – I cannot emphasize enough…shred your own cheese! It makes such a huge difference! I love this shredder. My 11 year old is the designated cheese shredder in our house!
6. Grated Parmesan – I like to buy mine in the specialty cheese section of the grocery store.
7. Italian bread crumbs – This step is for that crispy topping that adds the most delicious touch to the recipe.
8. Fresh Italian parsley – This adds a bit of extra freshness to the topping!

This is such an easy weeknight recipe your family will enjoy! Be sure to check out my favorite Busy Week Dinners too!!

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Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta

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Ingredients

• 8 oz thin spaghetti
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts, diced into small 3/4 in pieces
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
• 1 10 oz can low-sodium cream of chicken
• 8 oz sour cream
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 8 oz shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Fill a pot with hot water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add spaghetti and cook for 7 to 8 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350.
3. In a large oven safe skillet,* melt butter and olive oil over medium high heat.
4. Season chicken breasts pieces wtih creole seasoning. Add to butter and oil in skillet. Saute for about 5 minutes.
5. Add chopped onion and saute for about 5 more minutes.
6. Add cream of chicken and sour cream. Stir well to combine. Add oregano and stir.
7. Add 1 cup shredded cheese and stir to combine.
8. Stir in 1/2 cup half and half and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and stir.
9. Add in cooked spaghetti and stir to combine.
10. At this point, if you are not using an oven safe skillet, transfer your pasta to a casserole dish and continue directions.
11. Top with remaining shredded cheese, bread crumbs, and remaining parmesan cheese (1/4 cup).
12. Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
13. Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve.

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There is nothing better than feeling prepared for the busy week ahead. There is nothing worse than not knowing what your family is eating for dinner at 5:00 in the afternoon. I’d love to help you be in the prepared boat! Here are 5 very Easy Recipes for Your Week ahead!

Be sure to follow on Instagram or Tiktok where I’m always posting easy recipe videos too!

Hot-Pressed Santa Fe Wraps – This easy recipe is an oldie but a goodie!

One-Pot Beefy Broccoli Rice – I love easy one pot recipes!

One-Pot Creamy Sausage Spaghetti – Here’s another easy one pot recipe! This has become our new favorite spaghetti!

Skillet Covered Burritos – This easy recipe is one pot too! It’s another oldie but a goodie!

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Sandwiches – I look forward to these for dinner every time I make this recipe!

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!<

The post 5 Easy Meals for Your Week appeared first on Diary of A Recipe Collector.

I absolutely love when I hear from folks and they tell me their favorite recipes! Often times, I completely agree with them. Here are several recipes that have become reader favorites over the years. Do you have any favorites on here I should add to this list?

One-Pot Cabbage Casserole

Crockpot Sausage & Potatoes

Lemon Blossoms

One-Pot Cajun Black-Eyed Peas & Rice

Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese

Easy Chicken Tortellini Pasta Bake

Cilantro Dip

Oatmeal Toffee Pecan Cookies

Stuffed Sausage Bread

Hot Bean Dip

Not Yo’ Momma’s Banana Pudding

Low Carb Tuscan Chicken

Best Protein Pancakes

Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram and Tiktok where I’m always sharing recipe videos!!!

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!

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Do not get me wrong! I love a good regular taco night! It’s total comfort food, and it reminds me of my childhood. My dad wasn’t a huge taco fan, so when we had tacos, I was always so excited. Nowadays, it’s probably one of my go-to meals for zero complaints from my kids. They could all devour a few tacos. However, every now and then, I like to change it up a little!!

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Tacos

Taco Sloppy Joes

Taco Spaghetti Bake

Taco Muffin Cups

Easy Taco Salads

Easy Homemade Chicken Taco Taquitos

Taco Calzones

Taco Cornbread

Ultimate Shrimp Tacos

One Pot Beef Taco Rice

Beefy Cornbread Casserole

One-Pot Mexi Beef & Corn Bake

You can find more MAIN DISH RECIPES HERE. You can find ALL RECIPES HERE. For more ideas, follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER. Get FREE recipes delivered to you by email: SIGN UP HERE!

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