Between early alarms, packed lunches, and homework at the counter, back-to-school season has a way of eating up every spare minute — dinner included. At Doris Italian Market, we believe a busy week is no reason to give up a real, homemade meal. With a little weekend prep and a fridge stocked with fresh, quality ingredients from our deli, produce, and prepared foods departments, you can get a comforting Italian dinner on the table on even the most chaotic Tuesday night.
Here are four go-to weeknight meals your family will actually look forward to.
1. One-Pan Pasta alla Caprese — Ready in 20 Minutes
Some nights call for one pot, one pan, and zero fuss. This Pasta alla Caprese comes together with juicy fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil — all tossed with pasta right in the same pan the sauce simmered in. Less cleanup, more time for homework check-ins.
Doris tip: Pick up fresh mozzarella and a bunch of basil from our produce and cheese counters — the fresher the ingredients, the less you need to do to make it taste incredible.
Ingredients (serves 4):
- -1 lb short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
- -3 tbsp olive oil
- -3 cloves garlic, minced
- -2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- -8 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
- -1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- -1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- -Salt and pepper, to taste
- -Optional: grated Parmesan and red pepper flakes, to serve
Quick method: Sauté garlic in olive oil, add halved cherry tomatoes and a splash of pasta water, simmer until they break down, then toss in cooked pasta, torn basil, and cubed fresh mozzarella off the heat so it melts just slightly.
2. Make-Ahead Lasagna — Prep Sunday, Bake Tuesday
Few dinners say “welcome home” like a bubbling pan of lasagna — and the secret to enjoying it on a weeknight is doing the work when you actually have time. Assemble the whole dish on Sunday afternoon, cover it, and refrigerate (or freeze) until you’re ready to bake.
Ingredients (serves 6–8, 9×13 pan):
- -12 lasagna sheets
- -32 oz (4 cups) ricotta cheese
- -1 egg
- -4 cups marinara sauce (house-made, from Doris prepared foods)
- -1 lb mozzarella, shredded
- -1 cup grated Parmesan, divided
- -1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional, for a meat lasagna)
- -2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- -Salt and pepper, to taste
Quick method: Layer no-boil or fresh pasta sheets with ricotta, marinara, shredded mozzarella, and a light sprinkle of Parmesan. Cover tightly and refrigerate up to 2 days, or freeze up to a month. Bake covered at 375°F for about 45 minutes, then uncover for the last 10 to brown the top.
3. Healthy Italian Bowls — Simple, Fresh, Customizable
For a lighter weeknight option that still feels satisfying, build a bowl. Start with a base of quinoa or brown rice, add grilled chicken and roasted vegetables, and finish with a generous drizzle of pesto. It’s the kind of meal that comes together from whatever’s already prepped in your fridge.
Ingredients (serves 4):
- -1 1/2 cups quinoa or brown rice (dry)
- -1 lb grilled or rotisserie chicken, sliced
- -1 zucchini, sliced
- -1 red bell pepper, sliced
- -1 small red onion, sliced
- -2 tbsp olive oil
- -1/2 cup basil pesto
- -1 lemon, for squeezing
- -Salt and pepper, to taste
- -Optional: cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, or toasted pine nuts
Doris tip: Grab a rotisserie or grilled chicken from our prepared foods case and a jar of fresh basil pesto — instant shortcut to a wholesome dinner without turning on the oven twice.
Quick method: Roast a tray of vegetables (zucchini, peppers, red onion) over the weekend. On busy nights, warm quinoa or rice, add sliced chicken and the roasted veggies, and top with pesto and a squeeze of lemon.
4. Italian-Inspired Sheet Pan Chicken — One Tray, No Stress
When you want dinner to practically make itself, a sheet pan meal is the answer. Toss chicken thighs with baby potatoes, olives, and marinated artichokes, roast it all together, and let the oven do the work while you help with spelling homework.
Ingredients (serves 4):
- -8 bone-in chicken thighs (or 4 chicken breasts)
- -1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- -1 cup mixed olives (from the Doris olive bar)
- -1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and halved
- -4 cloves garlic, smashed
- -3 tbsp olive oil
- -1 tbsp dried oregano
- -1 lemon, sliced
- -Salt and pepper, to taste
- -Optional: fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs
Doris tip: Our olive bar and marinated vegetable selection make this dish shine — briny olives and tangy artichokes add big flavor without any extra steps.
Quick method: Toss chicken thighs, halved baby potatoes, olives, and artichoke hearts with olive oil, garlic, oregano, and lemon. Roast at 425°F for about 35–40 minutes until the chicken is golden and the potatoes are tender.
Make This Season Easier, One Dinner at a Time
Back-to-school season is busy enough — your dinner plans shouldn’t add to the stress. Stop by any Doris Italian Market location and let our deli, produce, bakery, and prepared foods departments do some of the heavy lifting. From fresh mozzarella and house-made marinara to grilled chicken and marinated olives, everything you need for these recipes is ready and waiting.
And don’t forget — our Back to School Lunchbox Package is available all month long, so lunches can all be a little easier this season.
Find your nearest Doris Italian Market and start planning your easiest week yet.
