Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (September 4 – 10)

With school back in session, your schedule is about to get much, much busier. To keep dinner from feeling like too much of a chore, we rounded up seven simple, fast meals that the whole family is bound to enjoy. Even better, many of them make delicious leftovers, so you can consider tomorrow’s lunch handled too. You’re welcome.

They’ll be so busy dunking their hearts out in ketchup, honey mustard and barbecue sauce that they won’t even notice the grains in these better-for-you nuggets. Pair them with roasted vegetables, rice, buttered noodles or whatever your picky eater will enjoy.

Any food that kids can decorate is one they’ll actually eat (or at least try). So, let them top these tender rounds of eggplant with marinara, mozz, tomatoes and whatever else they’d like. You can also substitute pesto or even alfredo sauce if they’re not into red.

If your kid likes hamburgers or meatloaf, they’ll enjoy this gravy-topped staple. You could serve the meatballs with pasta or rice, but you won’t be sorry if you pair them with our 20-minute mashed potatoes (or better yet, our 15-minute microwave mashed potatoes).

Even soup snobs won’t be able to turn down this comforting bowl, crowned with cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon and crushed potato chips for good measure. It reheats like a dream to boot.

This kid-friendly stunner is only eight ingredients away—and that’s including salt and EVOO. Quickly shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make the filling in a flash instead of cooking your own.

A vegetarian-friendly spin on the famous takeout order, this crispy, sweet-and-sticky cauli recipe will earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation at first bite. Serve it over white rice, fried rice, saucy lo mein or vegetable stir fry.

This freezer-friendly powerhouse serves eight hungry dinner guests in one fell swoop. Choose any type of ravioli you’d like (we’re partial to mushroom, but cheese is more picky eater-proof) and be generous with the shredded mozz.