Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 9

85 Of Our Favorite Back To School Dinners!

Here are 85 of the best back to school dinners! Whether you’re going back to the classroom or not, these meals can get you back into your routine and make life easier. Easy, 30-minute weeknight meals that the entire family will love. They’re all so good!

I have the best back-to-school recipe guide for you today!

I love the fall season – it always represents the start of a new “year” for me, even before my kids were in school! It’s my favorite time of year and the kids love it too. Feels so good to get back into somewhat of a structured routine – and that means making easy, delicious weeknight meals that everyone loves. Even if you’re not in back-to-school mode where you are, it’s always nice to get back into the swing of things with a bunch of fantastic dinners.

And especially with meals that don’t take all day to make. Below you’ll find a bunch of our favorite dinners; ones I love to throw on our menu plan during the week. If you plan on trying one new thing a week, these recipes below will last you over ONE YEAR!

I’ve shared posts in previous years with the best back to school meals and I reference it constantly for easy weeknight meals. So here’s a little inspo if you’re in back-to-school mode… or if you feel super rejuvenated by the approaching fall season like I do! You can also find me on instagram cooking up all these recipes, step-by-step, just for you!

85 of the best Back to School Dinners

Ranch Chicken Meatballs with Broccoli Couscous (more…)

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Basil Chicken Meatballs with Summer Couscous.

These basil chicken meatballs and couscous are one of our favorite meals! Juicy and tender meatballs are served over couscous made with pesto, burst tomatoes and fresh sweet corn. Delicious summer dish!

Another day, another meatball! 

These herby chicken meatballs are juicy and delicious, served over summer couscous with fresh corn and tomatoes. It tastes like a big bowl of summer all while being incredibly satisfying and flavorful. 

Just when you thought I couldn’t create another meatball… here I am! 

If I meatball something, my family will eat it. That’s how it goes these days. 

A meal like this is one I love to make for dinner. It looks fancy and filling but it’s quite simple with the summer/garden produce that we have. The meatballs don’t take long at all 

P.S. in Easy Everyday, I have a zucchini chicken meatball recipe that is super delicious! Must try. 

These chicken meatballs are my basic recipe. I made a version of these often and today’s meatball is packed with some parm and fresh basil. I love how easy this recipe is because you can add just about anything to it! 

It’s a meatball that I frequently make in the summer because it is very light. But add some sauce and melty cheese to it – and then it works in the winter too. So it’s extremely versatile and just tastes flat out delicious. It’s a very neutral and delicious flavor so my kids love it. 

Once I finish browning the meatballs, I throw some corn and cherry tomatoes right in the pan. Not only do the take on some of those seared flavor bits, they get a bit caramelized and taste amazing. The corn is cut right from the cob so it remains crunchy and fresh.  (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Apologies, but when we get back from out August vacation, I am done with summer. It’s too hot, we start school in two weeks and I’m officially D O N E.

2. The most incredible blackened corn. Oh yum.

3. Have you seen this trend of putting WET sheets on your bed to let them dry? Have you tried this?

4. Love that it’s zucchini lasagna season!

5. One less summer. Oh this really got me!

6. TV things!! Ohhhh The Summer I Turned Pretty… which team are you on?

7. P.S. the scenes of Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson are absolutely giving my 19 year old self life. Pacey forever.

8. Sharing meals is critical to our happiness!

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Summer Tuna Chop.

This summer tuna salad is one of my favorite snacks. Great for lunch, a light dinner or happy hour, it’s full of crunchy vegetables, a splash of vinegar, and tons of flavor. It has so much texture and really packs a punch!

This might be the only way I can eat tuna from now on! 

This summer tuna salad is packed with lots of crunchy vegetables, like bell peppers, hearts of palm, olives, shallots and more. Serve it over arugula or mixed greens on baguettes, on little crackers, in a sandwich or however you’d like! It’s so summery, versatile, fresh and satisfying. Something to put on the menu that is excellent for lunch too! 

It makes me want to eat tuna every single day. I love it for lunch, for a light dinner, a happy hour snack and more. 

Now I’ve mentioned before that I don’t love deli-style salads that are wet. Chicken salad, tuna salad, etc – if it’s loaded with mayo and wet and almost pate-like, I just can’t get into it. I don’t want a creamy spread that is masquerading as a “salad.” I need some crunch! 

Actually, I actually prefer my tuna salads to be tossed with olive oil. And I’ve loved tuna since I was a kid – my mom would make it frequently for lunch. Never with olive oil, but that’s been my go-to since I started making it myself. 

But this is a whole different beast! When I tell you that it is LOADED with texture, it’s true. There is so much crunch and crispness in this tuna salad that you can eat it in many ways. In a sandwich, on top of crostini, in a lettuce wrap, in a pita, on top of salad greens or even just with crackers. 

Not only is there some crazy texture, but there is lots of briney flavor. Which I also adore! Diced olives, some hearts of palm, a splash of vinegar. I love the tanginess that these ingredients bring; I can easily enjoy them on their own. And they also add a good bit of satiety to the salad.

This salad isn’t so much spreadable, but scoopable. Scoop it onto your toast, cracker, endive leaf and more. Heck, you can eat it right from the spoon! It stays great in the fridge for a few days. And my preferred way of eating it is when it’s piled high on some arugula greens. That peppery bite adds even more to the tuna and tastes super summery and fresh. Like a garden tuna salad.  (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 31.

The rest of the week from our favorite place!

We had the best week ever with our family!

Emilia came on my early morning walk.

Love when the lake is like glass.

We did hair wraps on the girls! Hello 1990s!

The kids loved jumping off the dock this year!

This is what I did as a kid – we rarely were on the beach. Only right at the dock!

It was their favorite part and how we ended every single day.

Neon swim for the win!

On the boat and ready to go tubing!

He could not have been happier.

A few swim breaks.

Sparkle water is my favorite.

Baby Lucy is everyone’s favorite!

Seriously all the kids were basically fighting over her. She was so much fun!

The gummy worms made Jordan’s ice cream visits.

How is he 4?!

Max and Emilia fished with Eddie and brothers until late until the night!

I always forget that it doesn’t really get dark here until 10:30 ish.

He adores fishing.

Like this timing? So much later than you’d think!

Mid-week some smoke starting rolling in from wildfires.

Still got our morning walking in each day.

I don’t even know how he exists!

We walked the crazy long skybridge at boyne mountain.

I am not a huge fan of heights. But this was super cool.

We want to come back and do it in the snow!

Had to get a drink before the walk back.

Little BFFs the entire trip.

Love.

Just looking at these pics feels FRESH.

Getting smokier at night.

Jordan fishing too!

So proud.

Kids’ hot chocolate for the win.

We took the older two on wave runners!

It was a perfect day and so smooth.

Tons of different fish dishes all week!

Eddie wants to put one of these in our backyard, haha.

Faves.

Had a beach bonfire one night!

First time doing his own marshmallows!

Annnnd he torched it. Haha.

Perfection.

You could actually smell the smoke from the wildfires.

Golden girl.

A win!

Last beach day.

Nothing better than a sandwich on the beach!

Very into baseball right now.

And the sand.

Serious convo.

One last dock jump!

Made it a good one.

Her too!

Oldest and youngest cousins.

We were all very sad to leave.

And wanted to steal this little baby to take with us!

This is how Jordan demanded that he ride home.

And now we’re back! I made a big fresh summer dinner (hello corn) and we’re getting ready for a new week!

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What I Read In July 2025.

Another great summer month of reading is wrapped up! I loved the books I read this month and still can’t get enough of summer reads! What are you reading?!

I shared my giant summer reading list, which is my favorite thing ever.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. I read SO many books from this box. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN JULY 2025The Art of Vanishing – 4.5 stars

LOVED this one. I was so excited for it because I’ve followed Morgan on instagram for years. This story is so imaginative and incredible! Her writing is amazing. The story takes place in a museum, which I loved so much. The romance between our main characters was just so good – the talk of all the art – fabulous. The story really sucked me in right away and I couldn’t wait to see what happened.

Totally And Completely Fine – 4.5 stars

Another great one!! I was hesitant to read this one because it does deal with some grief and I was in the mood for a super happy book. This story is about a woman who lost her husband a few years ago and is trying to find her way. She also has a child. But the way the grief is handled is so beautiful and I loved the relationship between the main character and love interest. I also love the dual timelines in this one!

Broken Country – 5 stars

This book got me. Oh man. It was INCREDIBLE. It might be my book of the summer. It was not a happy story by any means, but I was left thinking about it for days after. This story is about a family who is torn apart, the timelines jump, there are basically two loves stories. There are a few twists in the book (the one at the end, I did see it coming but most of my family who read did not!) and the ending is a good while, albeit not exactly happy. It definitely keeps you reading – the timelines go back and forth so I do suggest reading over listening to this one.

Far And Away –  5 stars

I LOVE Amy Peopple’s books and this one did not disappoint at all. I love her writing style. This story is about a good classic house swap! Think The Holiday, but maybe funnier?! There’s a little mystery here and every character is just so good. She is fabulous at bringing a story like this together. I loved it so much. I cannot recommend it enough – you will be laughing hysterically.

Don’t Let Him In – 4 stars

I really needed a thriller and some mystery this month! I couldn’t put this one down. There are a few twisted storylines here and they will keep you guessing. The story switches is about a few women who have been conned by the same man and wow – he is a wacky one. There is so much going on here and it is nuts. Definitely kept me on my toes and wondering what would happen next.

The Island – 5 stars

This was a re-read for me! I read this the year it came out, in 2010! Along with the Blue Bistro, it is my favorite Elin novel. She also laughs when I tell her that because it’s a random one! I think it just hit me at a certain time and I was drawn to it. So I downloaded it when we were on the plane to Nantucket to read. This story follows a girl who cancels her wedding and heads off to Tuckernuck island with her mom, sister and aunt. I loved it just as much as I did the first time!

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What To Eat This Week: 8/3/25.

The best summer menu for the August kickoff!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Grilled cilantro lime shrimp lettuce wraps

Mediterranean beef bowls

Cheese tortellini caesar salad

Salmon summer spaghetti

Chicken meatballs with zucchini risotto

Pimento cheese BLTs

Chickpea summer pasta salad

Blackberry chip overnight oats

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Currently Crushing On.

Hello weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared this summer salmon spaghetti! I also shared these loaded grilled potatoes with guacamole and a new summer fridays post.

And you can see my July favorites here! And it’s the last weekend for the nordstrom anniversary sale.

There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.

You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop!

Thank you for continuing to make the launch Easy Everyday absolutely amazing . If you haven’t got your book yet, you can order here! There is a big giveaway happening on instagram and another happening in our facebook cookbook club!

xo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

I need these cream cheese chicken enchiladas!

Loaded burger bowls forever.

The most incredible pistachio cake.

Nashville hot chicken sandwich! Craving that.

I want to make honey rosemary lemonade.

Key lime pie is the best.

I love a hot taco dip.

Chocolate espresso icebox cake is so delicious.

Time to make homemade pop tarts!

Blueberry cheesecake galette. Amazing.

These buffalo chicken bowls are a dream.

Chicken salad with raspberry dressing. Yum!

I live for whipped ricotta dip.

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Summer Fridays, Vol 10.

Happiest summer fridays to you!

EATING

My grilled corn tomato and avocado bowls. And black bean burger bowls! And this grilled zucchini corn orzo.

DRINKING

My cucumber tequila soda. And a lavender vanilla iced latte!

MAKING

My white pizza frittata. And my caprese puff pastry pizza!

BAKING

My chewy oatmeal zucchini cookies! Best ever.

SNACKING

On my salted maple granola. Gosh I love this! And on my garlicky crispy herby potatoes.

GRILLING

My pesto peach prosciutto pizza. And my strip steak with corn salsa!

CRAVING

My watermelon greek salad. It’s so refreshing!

LISTENING

To our boat drinks playlist. We had this on repeat this week!

READING

Wild Dark Shore. I just started this yesterday on the last day of vacation.

WEARING

I lived in my swimsuit this week! The Andie malibu will forever be one of my favorites. And the la blanca pareo wraps too.

LOVING

The presidio maxi dress. I’ve had it for YEARS (probably have mentioned it every year since) and I still wore it many times this week. It’s a great cover up and so flowy, really keeps you cool too.

BUYING

Have you heard of skin flooding? I’ve gone down the tiktok rabbit hole on this one. I just ordered this toner and this byoma one so I can try it. My skincare routine has been solid and minimal for years now, but since I’ve always had dry skin, I want to give this a try!

SHOPPING

It’s the last few days of the anniversary sale! There are still a few things I’m loving, like my favorite jeans, the varley sweater, this nike crewneck, the air max 270s, the spanx dress and the veronica beard sandals!

PLANNING

Hi, just me over here with my obsession of all things planners. Yes, this started I’m sure when I was seven years old desperately begging for a trapper keeper during back-to-school shopping. Spoiler alert: I never got one because our school didn’t let us have them. I think they were too big for our desks. ANYWAY. It’s time for a new planner this month! I have the erin condren daily duo AND this dailee planner. Which one will win?! P.S. I also love a good golden coil planner/notebook.

TRAVELING

Back home from vacation, where it’s time to wrap up our summertime before school. We have a few weeks left and I need to organize all the things!

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Loaded Grilled Potatoes with Guacamole.

These loaded grilled potatoes are the best summer indulgence! Crispy bacon, spicy fresh jalapeno, melty cheddar and scallions are served on crunchy hot potatoes with a side of guac. Dreamy side dish!

Raise your hand if potatoes are your BFF!

These loaded grilled potatoes are crispy and crunchy, topped with savory bacon, melty cheddar cheese, sliced green onions and fresh jalapeno peppers. The potatoes are buttery and cloud-like inside while the outsides are super crisp with the best texture. 

We adore any version of grilled potatoes and the best party? You can add alllll the toppings. 

This is the side dish of the summer! If you love to use the grill like I do, your family will go wild over these. They are almost like loaded fries or nachos and they are fantastic.

Remember my grilled gorgonzola potatoes? The ones I make constantly in the summer?

Well. 

The kids aren’t thrilled about the gorgonzola and never have been. So ever since I’ve been making the gorgonzola version, I’ve also been making these. Truly loaded potatoes, right on the grill! 

Sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, diced jalapeno peppers, sliced scallions and lots of guac for dipping.

Dream side dish! Or snack. Or happy hour treat. Even poolside lunch! 

Lots of different options and I am into it. Of course, leave off the jalapenos if the kids aren’t into that. And if you don’t have fresh ones, you can dice up some pickled jalapeños too!  (more…)

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