5 Quick & Healthy Dinners for the End-of-School-Year Rush

As a former teacher, and mom, I completely understand the end of the school year craziness and how it always sneaks up like a whirlwind. Field trips, concerts, graduation parties, teacher gifts, and figuring out summer plans. Add in warmer weather and extra exhaustion, and dinner can feel like the last straw.

If you're too busy to think about cooking but still want to feed your family something healthy, these five easy meals will be your lifesaver during this busy season!

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

  • 2–3 boneless chicken breasts, sliced

  • 3 bell peppers (any color), sliced

  • 1 red onion, sliced

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp taco or fajita seasoning

  • Tortillas and toppings (salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, etc.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Toss chicken, peppers, and onions with olive oil and seasoning on a sheet pan.

3. Spread in a single layer and roast for 20–25 minutes, until chicken is cooked and veggies are slightly charred.

4. Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Pro tip: Prep everything the night before and store it in a Ziploc bag. Dump it on the pan at dinnertime!

2. Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 cucumber, diced

  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced

  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • 1/3 cup Greek vinaigrette or Italian dressing

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse under cold water.

2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, veggies, chickpeas, and feta.

3. Pour dressing over the top and toss well. Chill until ready to serve.

Make-ahead friendly! Perfect cold dinner after sports practice or end-of-year events.

3. 15-Minute Weeknight Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mixed stir-fry vegetables (fresh or frozen)

  • 2 cups cooked protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp, or beef)

  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil or olive oil

  • 1 tsp garlic or ginger (optional)

  • Cooked rice or noodles

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add veggies and cook 4–5 minutes until crisp-tender.

3. Add cooked protein and stir in soy sauce and garlic/ginger if using.

4. Cook 2–3 more minutes, then serve over rice or noodles.

 One pan. Endless variations. Leftover-friendly!

4. Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans tuna, drained

  • 2 tbsp mayo or plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 tbsp Dijon or regular mustard

  • 1/4 cup diced celery or pickles

  • Salt, pepper, lemon juice to taste

  • Lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine)

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix tuna, mayo/yogurt, mustard, celery, and seasonings.

2. Spoon mixture into washed lettuce leaves.

3. Serve with baby carrots, fruit, or crackers on the side.

Great no-cook dinner for extra hot nights or when you forgot to defrost anything.

5. Caprese Flatbreads with Side Salad

Ingredients:

  • Store-bought flatbreads or naan

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • Fresh mozzarella (sliced or shredded)

  • Fresh basil leaves or pesto

  • Balsamic glaze (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place flatbreads on a baking sheet. Top with tomatoes and mozzarella.

3. Bake for 8–10 minutes until cheese melts and flatbread is golden.

4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with fresh basil.

Side salad idea: Toss mixed greens with cucumbers, shredded carrots, and a simple vinaigrette.

Dinner that feels fancy but takes less time than delivery.

Final Thoughts

Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be nourishing. When life is full of end-of-year chaos and long to-do lists, give yourself permission to simplify. These meals keep you out of the drive-thru lane and in control, without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Need more family-friendly recipes or meal-planning help? Let’s connect! I’ve got plenty of tricks to help you eat well, even on your busiest nights.

Be sure to grab my free “No Cook Meal Prep” Guide for even more easy meal ideas to beat the heat!

Michelle Walker

a mom, former educator, and the founder of Unjunk America - a movement dedicated to helping families ditch processed foods, decode food labels, and reconnect with real food. With a warm, no-judgment approach, Michelle empowers parents to make simple, sustainable changes in their kitchens, one meal at a time.

Learn more or join the movement at UnjunkAmerica.com.