August is here, and that can only mean one thing: the whirlwind of back-to-school routines is in full swing. Between drop-offs, pick-ups, homework help, after-school activities, and the occasional “Mom, I forgot I need 30 cupcakes by tomorrow” surprise… dinner can feel like one more mountain to climb at the end of the day.

Here’s the thing—moms are already clocking major hours in the kitchen. Studies show the average mom spends over 400 hours per year just preparing evening meals. That’s the equivalent of more than 16 full days every single year… just making dinner. And that doesn’t even count shopping, clean-up, or those “quick” snack requests that somehow take 20 minutes.

At Kitchen Switchen®, we think that’s 400 hours you could be spending making memories—not just making meatloaf. That’s why our mission goes way beyond saving you money on high-quality kitchen gear through our resale and recommerce marketplace. We also work with amazing creators to bring you recipes that are healthy, budget-friendly, and FAST—so you can get out of the kitchen and back to what matters: playing with those kiddos, enjoying your evenings, and maybe even getting five minutes to yourself (imagine that!).

And because we know back-to-school season is the time when life gets extra busy, we’re celebrating the entire month of August by sharing our Fast Favorites—dishes you can whip up in under an hour, with flavor that feels like you spent all day. These recipes come straight from our incredible Kitchen Switchen creator community, so you know they’re tested, tasty, and perfect for busy families.

Today, we’re serving up three heavy-hitters:

• Copycat Culver’s Butter Burger Sliders (Baked in the Oven) – all the buttery, cheesy burger joy without the drive-thru line.

• Baked Chicken Sliders with Chipotle Mayo – a crispy, cheesy, crowd-pleasing chicken sandwich baked all at once for easy cleanup.

• Caprese Sandwich with Hot Honey – a slightly fancy, slightly spicy, absolutely addictive sandwich that works for dinner or a grown-up lunch treat.

So, grab your favorite pan (hopefully snagged at a sweet Kitchen Switchen price), and let’s get cooking—fast.

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1. Copycat Culver’s Butter Burger Sliders (Baked in the Oven)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Beef Mixture:

• 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 for flavor)

• 3 tbsp salted butter, melted

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp yellow mustard (optional but highly recommended)

Burger Sauce (Copycat Culver’s Style):

• ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat for richness)

• 1 tbsp dill pickle juice

• 1 tbsp minced dill pickles (or sweet relish)

• 1 tsp yellow mustard

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp sugar

• ¼ tsp garlic powder

• ¼ tsp onion powder

• Fresh cracked black pepper

For Assembly:

• 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls

• 6 slices American cheese, halved

• 1 medium white onion, finely diced

• Dill pickle slices

• 2 tbsp butter (for brushing tops)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Mix ground beef with butter, Worcestershire, spices, and mustard until just combined—don’t overmix.

3. Press into a 9x13 pan and bake for 20 minutes. Drain excess grease.

4. Top with cheese, onions, and pickles.

5. Spread sauce on buns, place over burgers, brush with butter, and bake for 5 minutes until golden.

6. Slice, serve, and watch them disappear.

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2. Baked Chicken Sliders with Chipotle Mayo

Makes: 8–12 sliders

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced into slider-size pieces

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• Salt & pepper

Breading:

• 1 cup flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp pepper

Chipotle Mayo:

• ½ cup mayo

• 1 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1½ tsp chipotle in adobo, minced

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp lime juice

For Assembly:

• 1 pack slider buns (Hawaiian preferred)

• Sliced cheddar or provolone

• Lettuce (optional)

• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk + spices for at least 1 hour.

2. Dredge in flour mixture. Optional: pan-sear 1 min per side for extra crunch.

3. In a 9x13 pan, layer bottom buns, chicken, sauce, cheese, and top buns.

4. Brush with butter and bake at 375°F for 20–22 minutes until cheese melts and tops are golden.

5. Slice and serve with extra chipotle mayo for dipping.

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3. Caprese Sandwich with Hot Honey

Ingredients

Cherry Tomato Confit:

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes

• 1 sprig rosemary (optional)

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

Hot Honey Sauce:

• ½ cup honey

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp chili flakes (adjust heat)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• Pinch cayenne (optional)

• Pinch salt

• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, lightly toasted

• 1 ball burrata cheese

• 3 tbsp fresh arugula

• 1 tsp chili oil (optional)

• 2 tsp balsamic glaze

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 335°F. In a dish, combine tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 30–40 minutes until soft.

2. For hot honey: combine all ingredients in a saucepan, simmer 2 minutes, and let cool.

3. To assemble: spread pesto on baguette, layer arugula, burrata, chili oil, tomato confit, and balsamic glaze. Drizzle hot honey over the top for the ultimate sweet-spicy finish.

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Why These Recipes Work for Back-to-School Nights

• Minimal hands-on time: You’re not standing at the stove forever.

• Family-approved flavors: Burgers, crispy chicken, and cheesy sandwiches are guaranteed kid-pleasers.

• Batch-friendly: Make a pan, feed the whole crew, and have leftovers for lunchboxes.

• Easy cleanup: Fewer pans, less mess—because no one wants to spend their evening scrubbing.

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Kitchen Switchen’s Back-to-School Promise

At Kitchen Switchen®, we’re here to help you spend less time cooking and more time living. That means:

• Affordable kitchen gear: We source high-quality, resale kitchenware from brands like KitchenAid®, Le Creuset®, and Cuisinart®—at prices that make sense for families.

• Recipes that work: Every recipe we share has been tested in real kitchens by our talented creators.

• A community that gets it: We’re moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers, too. We know the chaos, the joy, and the “just get dinner on the table” nights.

This month, make it your goal to shave at least 20 minutes off your dinner prep. Over a year, that’s over 120 hours back—hours you can spend on bedtime stories, family walks, soccer games, or even a little “me time” (yes, it’s allowed!).

Because the truth is, those back-to-school days fly by faster than we think. The dinners will blend together, but the moments you share after the dishes are done? Those are the memories your kids will hold onto.

So here’s to a school year filled with easy dinners, more giggles, and just a little less time behind the stove. We’ll keep the fast, flavorful recipes coming—you just keep making the magic happen outside the kitchen