Dinner Done Before You Think About It With 29 Meal Prep Recipes

Busy days make it hard to cook, but planning ahead can help. Making meals in advance saves time and stress during the week. Dinner is done before even thinking about it with 29 meal prep recipes. Simple steps and easy ingredients make cooking fast and enjoyable.

Three Cheese Manicotti

Fill up a dish with Three Cheese Manicotti over the weekend and come home to a ready meal during the week. It’s the ultimate convenience: fill, bake, and then just reheat when you’re ready to eat. Cheesy and pleasing, it effortlessly bridges the gap between hectic schedules and wanting a home-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti

Egg and Potato Breakfast Casserole

Who says you can’t have Egg and Potato Breakfast Casserole for dinner? Prepare it ahead of time, and you’ve got a meal that transitions seamlessly from breakfast to dinner. It’s hearty, filling, and ready to eat whenever you’re too busy to cook. Plus, it’s a great way to shake up the dinner menu with something different.
Get the Recipe: Egg and Potato Breakfast Casserole

White Bean Soup

Simmer a pot of White Bean Soup during your meal prep and enjoy the ease it brings to your dinner times. Hearty and fulfilling, it reheats with ease, maintaining its creamy texture and depth of flavor. It’s a straightforward way to ensure a hot meal is ready when you are. Perfect for those busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Epic Bean Chili

There’s nothing like a bowl of Epic Bean Chili to make you feel all’s right with the world. Prep it once, and you’ve got several meals ready and waiting. It’s about more than just convenience; it’s about having that hearty, comforting meal ready when you need it most. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser, even when the crowd is just you.
Get the Recipe: Epic Bean Chili

Ravioli Casserole

Combine the convenience of pasta with the comfort of a home-cooked meal in Ravioli Casserole. Assemble it ahead and every dinner can be as easy as reheating a serving. It blends flavors beautifully and ensures an enjoyable dining experience every night. Quick, delicious, and always a winner.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Getting dinner ready can be as smooth as your pre-made Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Serve it up on any chilly night for instant warmth. It keeps wonderfully in the fridge or freezer, making your weeknights a breeze. Just reheat for a comforting meal that’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Copycat Impossible Burger

Craving a burger but sticking to plant-based? Copycat Impossible Burger has got your back. Meal prep these patties, and you’ll be all set for quick dinners throughout the week. It’s about keeping things simple, affordable, and ready when you’re in the mood for something hearty yet meatless.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Impossible Burger

Asparagus Casserole

When time’s not on your side, Asparagus Casserole steps in as your dinner hero. It’s all about getting that meal prepped and ready, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen when you’d rather be unwinding. With its blend of tender asparagus and creamy sauce, it’s quick comfort food at its finest.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Ever wanted that Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl experience without leaving home? Whip it up once, and you’ve got your lunches sorted for days. Customize it to your heart’s content and relish the fact that it’s way cheaper than a restaurant. Prepping this meal ahead of time spells out convenience and deliciousness in one go.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Minestrone Soup

Loaded with veggies and always welcoming to your favorite additions, Minestrone Soup makes meal prep a breeze. Whip up a large pot and you have a nutritious option ready in no time. It’s just the hearty choice to perk up your meal rotation without extra work. Efficient and comforting, it ticks all boxes.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Mashed Potatoes

Preparing Mashed Potatoes ahead means you can avoid last-minute dinner stress. Creamy and smoothly whipped, they reheat wonderfully, pairing seamlessly with any main dish. Enjoy the ease of serving them alongside your weeknight specials. It’s all about making dinner time less about prep and more about enjoying.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Corn Casserole

Corn Casserole is like that low-maintenance friend who’s always fun to have around. Whip it up once, and you’ve got a side dish everyone’s looking forward to for any meal. It’s all about the ease of pulling something delicious out of the fridge on a whim. Plus, it’s comfort food that really hits the spot, no matter the day.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup

For those evenings when you just need a hug in a bowl, Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup is there. Prep it ahead, and a cozy dinner is just a reheating away. It’s the ultimate in comforting simplicity, without the need for last-minute dashes to the store. And yes, getting your veggies in has never felt less like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup

Egg Bites

Quick, portable, and customizable, Egg Bites are the secret weapon of meal prep. Make a batch, and you’ve got breakfast, snack, or a light dinner ready to go. It’s all about convenience and keeping hunger at bay, especially on those packed days. Plus, who doesn’t love a meal you can eat with your hands?
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Eggplant Casserole

When you want to mix things up a bit, Eggplant Casserole is your go-to. It’s hearty, it’s flavorful, and it makes meal prep a breeze. You’ve got yourself a dish that even folks unsure about eggplant might just fall in love with. Plus, it’s a great way to get some veggies in with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Roasted Tomato Soup

With Roasted Tomato Soup already in your weekly meal rotation, dinner decisions are simplified. Its rich flavor deepens while it sits, making leftovers something to look forward to. Heat it up for a quick meal that feels like slow-cooked perfection. It’s convenience without compromise.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup

Pizza Rolls

Ready for something fun in your meal plan? Pizza Rolls are among the easiest fixes for a DIY dinner that everyone loves to help make and eat. Freeze a batch and just pop them in the oven when you’re short on time. They turn out crispy and delicious every single time!
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Hashbrown Casserole

Meal prep magic is real with Hashbrown Casserole, turning any meal into an occasion. It’s the perfect make-ahead choice for when you want something comforting and pleasing. Just reheat, and you’ve got a dish that complements just about anything. Plus, it’s a guaranteed hit with everyone, saving you time and stress.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Mushroom Soup

For those evenings when only something soothing will do, Mushroom Soup is your go-to. Prepare it in advance and discover how well it keeps, providing a quick solution for a stress-free meal. It’s creamy, earthy, and completely therapeutic. Just reheat for a ready-made meal that envelops you in warmth.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Soup

Huevos Rancheros

If you’re up for sparking up your morning routine, Huevos Rancheros serve as the perfect kick. Easily prepped ahead, it makes for a convenient, spicy breakfast adventure waiting in your fridge. Heat it up and it’s like having a personal brunch party any day of the week. No fuss, just great flavors coming together.
Get the Recipe: Huevos Rancheros

Mac and Cheese

Nothing says comfort food quite like a creamy Mac and Cheese. Prep it over the weekend and you’ll thank yourself all week long. From kids to adults, everyone’s eyes light up at the sight of it bubbling fresh out of the oven. It’s the classic you can count on for smiles around the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Lentil Soup

When the chilly weather begs for something warm, Lentil Soup steps up as the cozy hero. It’s easy to simmer a big batch early in the week, ensuring a quick heat-and-eat meal for busy evenings. Each spoonful offers the simplicity of homely comfort. Make it once and your dinners sort themselves out.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup

Potato Casserole

With its rich layers, Potato Casserole is a hearty addition to your meal prep repertoire. Bake it beforehand and enjoy the simplicity of reheating a dish that tastes just as good as when it was first made. It’s convenient, filling, and always hits the spot. Ideal for those busy weeknights!
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Pasta Primavera

Bright and filled with veggies, Pasta Primavera is ideal for a colorful, healthy dinner option. Toss it up on Sunday, and you’re all set for several quick meals during the week. It reheats beautifully, keeping you on track with both flavor and ease. Perfect for those hectic evenings!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Vegan Ratatouille

You can’t go wrong by having Vegan Ratatouille on standby for a healthful dinner option that’s as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eye. It’s easy to make in batches and the flavors meld better over time. Serve it up for a fuss-free meal that’s loaded with goodness. Reheat for a dish that’s both nourishing and quick.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Ratatouille

Scalloped Potatoes

Making Scalloped Potatoes ahead of time means that a deliciously creamy side dish is always at your fingertips. Layered in flavor and prepped for the oven, they reheat marvelously. Serve them any night of the week for a classic comfort that feels effortless. It’s about making mealtime easy and wholesome.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Planning a special dessert has never been easier with Salted Caramel Cheesecake prepared ahead of time. It’s the kind of treat that waits patiently in the fridge to dazzle your guests or wrap up your meal. Smooth, creamy, and with just the right hint of salt, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Just slice and serve for instant indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Stuffed Peppers

Keep your dinners colorful and packed with nutrients by prepping Stuffed Peppers ahead of time. They hold up well in the fridge and only need reheating for a swiftly served meal. Each pepper is a self-contained treasure trove of flavors. It’s wholesome eating made simple and fast.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Having Jamaican Red Beans and Rice in your meal plan means you’re always only minutes away from a flavorful, hearty dinner. It’s simple to prepare in large quantities and truly pleasing when reheated. Experience the taste of the Caribbean without leaving your dining room. It rounds out the week with ease and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice