Easy Back-to-School Meals & Lunchbox Ideas
August is here, which means back-to-school routines are starting back up—and with them comes the familiar question: “What's for dinner?” Between school, activities, homework, and all the other things filling up the calendar, having a few easy, protein-packed meals in your back pocket can make all the difference.
This month's August Monthly Meal Box is filled with versatile cuts that can be turned into quick weeknight dinners, easy lunches, and grab-and-go snacks. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of your box!
What's Inside This Month's Box
- 2 Brisket Patties
- 3 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 lb Stew Meat
- 1 Sirloin Steak
- 1 Summer Sausage
- 2 Packages Beef Sticks
- 1 Package Beef Jerky
Need a little inspiration? Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this month's box.
Brisket Burgers
Keep burger night simple! Grill or pan-sear your brisket patties and serve on toasted buns with cheese and your favorite toppings.
For a fun back-to-school dinner, set up a build-your-own burger bar with:
- Pickles
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Avocado
- Sautéed onions
- Cheese
- Burger sauce
Pair with sweet potato fries, fresh fruit, or a simple salad.
Want to switch it up? Turn the patties into burger bowls using our Burger Bowl with Special Sauce from a previous Monthly Meals post.
30 Minute Ground Beef Taco Bowls
Taco bowls are one of our favorite back-to-school dinners because everyone can customize their own.
Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, then serve over rice with your favorite toppings. Try:
- Shredded cheese
- Avocado
- Corn
- Black beans
- Salsa
- Lettuce
- Sour cream
Meal Prep Tip: Make a big batch of seasoned beef and rice on Sunday, then use it for quick meals throughout the week.
Sesame Beef & Broccoli
Need dinner on the table fast? This one comes together in about 20–30 minutes.
Brown ground beef with garlic and ginger. Add broccoli and a simple sauce made with soy sauce or coconut aminos, sesame oil, and a little honey. Serve over rice.
It's an easy way to get protein and vegetables on the table—and the leftovers make a great lunch the next day.
Quick Spaghetti Bolognese
A classic for a reason!
Brown ground beef with onion and garlic, then add your favorite marinara sauce. Simmer for 15–20 minutes and serve over spaghetti.
For a back-to-school shortcut, make a double batch and freeze half for a night when you don't have time to cook.
Kid-friendly tip: Add finely chopped carrots, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce for an easy veggie boost.
Cozy Beef Stew
As we start moving toward cooler fall evenings, this is the perfect recipe to have ready.
Brown your stew meat, then simmer with carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, and beef broth until tender. You can make it in the slow cooker, Dutch oven, or Instant Pot depending on how much time you have.
Serve with warm sourdough or crusty bread for an easy family dinner.
Sirloin Steak Fajita Bowls
Turn your sirloin into a quick weeknight dinner by slicing it thin and cooking it hot and fast.
Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet, then serve over rice with sautéed peppers and onions.
Top with avocado, fresh lime, salsa, and cilantro.
You can also wrap everything into tortillas for an easy steak fajita night.
Easy Lunch Box Ideas
The summer may be ending, but the need for easy snacks and lunches is just beginning! Our summer sausage, beef sticks, and beef jerky make packing protein-rich lunches incredibly simple.
Summer Sausage Snack Box
Slice summer sausage and pair with:
- Cheese cubes
- Crackers
- Grapes or berries
- Cucumber slices
- Pickles
Beef Stick Lunchbox
Pair a beef stick with:
- Apple slices
- Cheese
- Sourdough crackers
- Carrots or cucumbers
- A handful of nuts
Jerky & Snack Plate
Beef jerky makes a great addition to a simple snack plate with fruit, cheese, nuts, and a little dark chocolate.
Leftover Taco Wraps
Use leftover taco meat from dinner to make an easy lunch wrap with cheese, avocado, and salsa.
Thermos Spaghetti
Pack leftover Bolognese in a thermos for an easy, kid-friendly school lunch.
Make Back to School Meals Easier
The key to surviving busy school weeks isn't necessarily complicated meal planning—it's having versatile proteins ready to go. Cook a few pounds of ground beef at the beginning of the week, prep some rice and veggies, and keep your summer sausage, beef sticks, and jerky stocked for easy lunches and snacks.
Don't forget to check out our Monthly Meals recipe blog each month! We share new ideas to help you use every cut in your box, so you never have to wonder what to make.
Here's to a new school year, full bellies, and less time wondering what's for dinner!
Happy cooking, and as always, we'd love to see what's on your table! Tag us @canyonvalleyprovisionstx and use #CVPBoxMeals so we can share your creations.