Make Back-To-School Season Easier with These Mealtime Solutions
Between changing routines, school drop-offs, after-school activities and busy weeknights, simple mealtime solutions can help make the season feel a little more manageable.
Back-to-school season brings plenty of excitement, but it can also make everyday life feel a little more hectic. Between changing routines, school drop-offs, after-school activities and busy weeknights, finding simple mealtime solutions can help make the season a little easier.
In fact, a recent survey we commissioned through Talker Research found that nearly 8 in 10 parents (77%) say the back-to-school season makes everyday life feel more hectic and unpredictable. Parents also spend an average of 6,858 minutes driving kids to and from school and activities throughout the school year, that’s about 38 minutes every day, or the equivalent of 15 full workdays behind the wheel.
It’s no surprise that dinnertime can become another challenge. Our survey found that 66% of parents say getting dinner on the table leaves them feeling overextended, while 90% struggle to come up with new meal ideas during the school week.
If you’re one of the 53% of parents who say easy-to-prepare meals would help reduce stress, we’re here to help. Our ready-to-heat side dishes make it easy to bring comforting favorites to the table in minutes, giving you more time to spend with the people who matter most.
To help make the transition back into the school-year routine a little smoother, we’ve rounded up a few simple tips and family-friendly recipes.
Keep It Simple
Setting up a regular rotation of 5-10 easy weeknight meals simplifies grocery shopping and establishes a familiar routine. On weekends, batch-cook or cut up veggies to have them ready for the week. Plan a couple of meals to be DIY-style, where kids can build their own burgers, pizzas or kebabs.
For weeknights that are especially busy with activities, serve easy staples like tacos or even breakfast for dinner.
Enjoy Time-Saving Sides
Meal prep and cleanup are a breeze with comforting, family-favorite sides that can be prepared in just minutes. Our ready-to-heat dinner sides provide delicious quick-to-table options in less than 10 minutes, with no mess and no stress. Choose kid-pleasers like Bob Evans Macaroni & Cheese in a family size for everyone to share.
Our Bob Evans sides can be enjoyed as-is or incorporated in a variety of recipes for added flavor and convenience, giving you more time to enjoy special moments with your family.
Make The Most of After-School Snacks
After a full day of school, it can be tough for kids to make it until dinnertime without some fuel. Providing a hearty, tasty snack will help give kids the energy they need for homework, chores or playtime before sitting down with the family for a full meal or on weekends between activities.
Bob Evans Single Serve Original Mashed Potatoes and Macaroni & Cheese offer convenient after-school options, or try one of these tasty recipes kids are bound to love.
Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Quesadillas
Crispy tortillas, creamy macaroni & cheese and smoky bacon come together for a kid-friendly snack that’s ready in no time.
Mashed Potato Cheese Sticks
This fun, kid-approved snack was made for dipping: crispy on the outside and gooey inside, and wrapped in rich, buttery mashed potatoes.
Gear Up for the New School Season by Entering Our Back-to-School Sweepstakes
Make back-to-school season a little easier with delicious recipes, lunchbox inspiration, time-saving meal ideas, and helpful tips for busy families. Learn more about our Back-to-School Sweepstakes along with helpful resources for everything you need to keep mealtime simple all school year long.
Looking for more ways to simplify back-to-school meals? Explore more recipes, meal inspiration and comforting favorites throughout our site, and find our products at a grocery store near you.
Find products to make your back-to-school meals easier at BobEvansGrocery.com or a grocery store near you.
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