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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Grandma Approved Dinners for the Easiest Meal Prep

    Published: Jun 3, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding easy and comforting dinner ideas can make meal prep a breeze, especially when they come with a grandma's touch. These 24 recipes are not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavors that remind you of home-cooked meals. From hearty casseroles to warm soups, these dishes are perfect for busy weeknights and will surely please the whole family.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are seasoned well and cooked until they're really tender. This is a simple main dish that goes great with any sides you like.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    These easy fajitas are perfect for a quick family dinner. Seasoned chicken, peppers, onions, and tomatoes come together for a satisfying filling that you can wrap in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple pantry ingredients, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    White Bean Stew

    White bean stew with bread.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This White Bean Stew is packed with the fresh flavors of Tuscan cooking and is completely vegan. It's a great option for a family dinner on a busy weeknight or for meal prepping.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots

    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots are easy to make and full of flavor. The chicken comes out juicy with crispy skin, and roasting the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup combines all the great flavors of stuffed bell peppers and is cooked slowly in your Crock Pot. It's a filling and simple meal for a weeknight.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for easy weeknight meals. With just a little chopping to begin, everything cooks together with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Wraps

    Cajun chicken with tortilla wrap.
    Photo Credit: Elle & Pear.

    Cajun Chicken Wraps feature crispy chicken thighs marinated in a spicy mayo, paired with crunchy romaine, fresh tomatoes, and avocado all wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. This dish is quick to prepare, taking just over 30 minutes with only one pan and little prep work.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Cucumber Salad

    A serving of Greek cucumber salad.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Greek cucumber salad is quick and easy to make, using just a handful of fresh ingredients. In about 15 minutes, you can enjoy a refreshing dish that's great for summer lunches or as a tasty side.

    Get the recipe

    Curried Cauliflower Soup

    Curried Cauliflower Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian curried cauliflower soup is quick to prepare and packed with vegetables. It's a great way to add more greens to your family's meals.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a simple and tasty pasta bake that brings together the classic flavors of the original dish. It features pasta mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, ham, and chicken, all finished off with a crispy breadcrumb topping.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can enjoy it hot or cold, whether you use homemade or store-bought pesto.

    Get the recipe

    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant moussaka.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables, ground beef or lamb, and plenty of cheese on top. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, creating a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

    Get the recipe

    Steak Fajita Pasta

    Steak Fajita Pasta.
    Photo credit: Out Grilling.

    Steak Fajita Pasta is a popular dish that combines marinated and grilled steak with creamy fajita-seasoned pasta and grilled veggies. It's a simple way to feed a group using just a few steaks.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a delicious twist on carbonara that packs in even more flavor than the traditional version. It's a great option for easy meal prep, making dinner simple and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are easy to make and can be done in less than an hour. You can prepare them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, and they'll turn out juicy and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Lemon Chicken Marinade is quick to whip up using simple and healthy ingredients. Perfect for grilling, pan frying, or baking, it keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavor with olive oil, lemon, and basil.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Lasagna

    Zucchini Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Grilled zucchini is stacked with a mix of herby garlic ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, all smothered in rich red sauce. This dish brings the comforting flavors of lasagna to your table with ease.

    Get the Recipe

    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon

    Lamb meatballs.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Lamb meatballs are easy to make and full of fresh lemon and cilantro flavor. They pair well with mashed potatoes or can be served as appetizers at gatherings, and they've been a hit in my home for years.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Loaded Potato Soup

    Creamy Loaded Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy loaded potato soup is packed with bacon, roasted Yukon gold potatoes, and roasted garlic, making it a simple and satisfying meal. It's a perfect choice for a cozy dinner that feels like a loaded baked potato in a bowl.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    This chicken broccoli stuffing casserole combines chicken breast, frozen broccoli, and stuffing mix for a simple dinner. It's a comforting dish that you can prepare quickly.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne with Black Beans

    Easy Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne with Black Beans
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne is packed with chili flavor and plenty of veggies like zucchini, eggplant, and green bell pepper. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's full of flavor and different textures, and it comes together with just a few easy steps.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Burgers

    An air fryer turkey burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This turkey burger is unlike any other you'll find. It's a simple and tasty option that's perfect for easy meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is simple to prepare using rotisserie chicken and is full of fresh lemon and rosemary flavors. It's a great option for a cozy dinner that doesn't require much effort.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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