Back-to-School Made Easy: 5 Quick & Delicious Recipes with Laura’s Lean

Laura's Lean Beef - August 22, 2025

Back-to-school season means juggling new schedules, homework, after-school activities, and busy workdays. Finding time for healthy, flavorful meals that kids (and adults) will actually eat can feel impossible. Luckily, Laura’s Lean Ground Beef makes it simple. It’s packed with protein, lower in fat, and versatile enough to turn into quick weeknight dinners or fun, packable lunches.

Here are five back-to-school recipes from the Laura’s Lean kitchen that deliver big flavor with minimal fuss - plus one shopping list to make planning a breeze.

1) Bento Box Ground Beef Lunchbox Tacos

A fun, customizable lunchbox option that makes kids excited to eat.

Ingredients

1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
1 packet taco seasoning
8 mini taco shells or tortillas
½ cup shredded cheese
½ cup shredded lettuce
¼ cup salsa

Instructions

Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, drain if needed.
Stir in taco seasoning and ? cup water. Simmer until thickened.
Pack seasoned beef in a thermos or small container.
Pack tortillas, cheese, lettuce, and salsa separately in compartments.
At lunchtime, kids can build their own tacos.

2) Bacon Cheeseburger Bundles

Handheld and portable - perfect for dinner or lunchboxes.

Ingredients

1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
6 slices bacon
1 small onion, diced
1 package crescent roll dough
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
1 egg (for wash)
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook bacon until crisp, crumble, and set aside.
Sauté onion until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Stir in bacon, ketchup, mustard, and seasonings.
Unroll crescent dough and cut into squares. Spoon beef mixture in center, sprinkle with cheese, and fold corners to seal.
Brush with egg wash and bake 12–15 minutes until golden.

3) Sheet Pan Quesadillas

A one-pan dinner that feeds the whole family.

Ingredients

1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
1 packet taco seasoning
10 large flour tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
Salsa, sour cream, and cilantro for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook beef in a skillet until browned; drain. Add taco seasoning and ? cup water, simmer.
On a sheet pan, arrange 5 tortillas so half hangs over edges. Place 1 tortilla in the center to cover bottom.
Spread beef mixture, beans, and cheese over tortillas. Place remaining tortillas on top and fold edges over.
Top with another sheet pan and weigh down. Bake 20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Cut into squares and serve with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro.

4) Stuffed Manicotti Shells with Ricotta, Spinach & Meat Sauce

A comforting, make-ahead dinner that reheats beautifully.

Ingredients

1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
1 package manicotti shells (12 shells)
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
½ cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach (or thawed frozen, squeezed dry)
1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 egg
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Cook manicotti shells until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook onion and garlic until softened. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir in 1 cup marinara.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg.
Fill manicotti shells with ricotta mixture. Spread 1 cup marinara in a baking dish, place stuffed shells on top, and cover with remaining beef sauce.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes at 375°F. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.

5) Chopped Cheeseburgers

Fun, bite-sized cheeseburgers for busy nights.

Ingredients

1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef
1 onion, diced
2 tbsp dill pickle relish
2 tbsp ketchup
6 slices American cheese (or cheddar)
6 slider buns
Spicy mayo (optional)

Instructions

Heat skillet to medium-high. Cook onion until softened. Add beef and cook until browned.
Stir in relish and ketchup. Remove from heat.
Layer cheese slices over hot beef until melted.
Spoon mixture into slider buns and top with spicy mayo if desired.

As the school year kicks into high gear, these simple, family-friendly recipes made with Laura’s Lean provide a delicious way to keep mealtime stress-free. From quick lunches to hearty dinners, each recipe is designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule while offering the clean, lean protein you can feel good about serving. With just a little planning and the right ingredients, you’ll have satisfying meals that bring everyone to the table - even on the busiest days.