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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Meal Prep Dinners That Buy Back Hours of Your Week

    Published: May 14, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Meal prepping can be a game changer for busy weeknights, allowing you to enjoy home-cooked meals without the stress of daily cooking. With 21 easy dinner ideas, you can save time and still enjoy a variety of flavors throughout the week. These recipes are designed to be simple and perfect for making  and/or prepping ahead, so you can focus on what really matters.

    Taco Tater Tot Casserole

    Taco Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This ground beef casserole is full of delicious Mexican flavors and is topped with crispy tater tots and gooey cheese. It's a favorite for the whole family.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This filling soup is loaded with fresh vegetables, ground beef, and pasta. It's a satisfying meal that you can enjoy in just one bowl!

    Get the Recipe

    Lemon Basil Chicken Linguine

    30-Minute Lemon Basil Chicken Linguine on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This pasta dish is ready in just 30 minutes and is super easy to make. With fresh lemon and basil, it's a light meal that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cooking Duo.

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a comforting dinner that's easy to make and full of flavor from common ingredients. It's perfect for your weekly meal plan and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

    Get the Recipe

    Cottage Cheese Lasagna

    Cottage cheese lasagna on a dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Cottage cheese lasagna is a comforting dish that's easy to put together. You can prepare it up to five days in advance, so you can enjoy a filling homemade meal whenever you want.

    Get the recipe

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer chicken breasts are a quick and easy dinner option. In just 6 minutes, they're full of flavor from garlic and basil.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

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

    This curry is a tasty dish that cooks itself while you go about your day. With ingredients like chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and Indian spices, it's a healthy option that's also gluten and dairy-free.

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    Easy Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco casseorle is loaded with all the good stuff: well-seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, sour cream and melted cheese on top. It's a great dinner any night of the week, and it comes together in under 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

    Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta served on a skillet.
    Photo Credit: Savory Cipolla.

    This vegetarian pasta is rich with sun-dried tomato pesto, garlic, basil, and cheese. It's simple to add your favorite veggies, making it a great option for meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Burgers

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

    This turkey burger stands out from the rest. It's a solid choice for a quick and filling meal.

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    Zucchini Tomato Mushroom Casserole

    Zucchini Tomato Mushroom Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Zucchini, tomatoes, and mushrooms are baked right in a creamy ricotta and Parmesan sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a quick dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake takes less than 10 minutes to prep and is all done in under an hour. It's loaded with spicy buffalo sauce and hidden spinach, and so cheesy and delicious. An indulgent and easy meal, perfect for a weeknight!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

    Slow Cooker Vegan Chili.
    Photo credit: Happy Kitchen.

    This vegan chili is a hearty and satisfying meal that's simple to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights, offering a healthy dose of nutrients and plenty of flavor.

    Get the Recipe

    Cottage Pie

    Cottage Pie.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This dish has a hearty beef and vegetable filling covered with creamy mashed potatoes. It's a quick meal that can be ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for busy family nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna: Crazy-Good Cheesy Meat Lasagna in a Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Crockpot Slow Cooker Lasagna is packed with cheese and delicious flavors. The slow cooker takes care of everything, cooking the meat sauce and baking the lasagna all in one pot, so there's no need to boil the noodles separately.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy dish that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying meal that works well for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

    Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Creamy veggies paired with crispy, golden tater tots are sure to please everyone. With only 10 minutes of prep, this dish is great for family dinners or a relaxing night in.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry

    A bowl of Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry.
    Photo Credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    Instant Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry with dried chickpeas is a delicious plant-based dish. It's ideal for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Chili With Red Wine & Black Beans

    Ground beef chili.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This chili is rich, hearty, and packed full of flavor - all done in just 40 minutes on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Red wine and beef bouillon creates a slow-simmered depth of taste without the wait, and black beans fill you up. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, and fresh cilantro for the perfect cozy dinner!

    Get the recipe

    Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

    Big Mac Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This casserole combines ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots, topped with Big Mac sauce. It's a fun and filling dish that's great for meal prep.

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    Meatballs

    Air fryer meatballs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are simple to make and present nicely on the plate. They are ideal for meal prep, making weeknight dinners much easier.

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    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is easy to put together and doesn't take much time. It features zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, making it a hit with the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ricotta Pesto Pasta

    Baked Ricotta Pesto Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Real Recipes.

    Baked Ricotta Pesto Pasta combines fresh basil pesto with creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked together until bubbly. Loaded with cherry tomatoes and baby spinach, this dish is full of flavor and perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Poor Man's Stew

    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This stew is a straightforward and satisfying dish made with ground beef, ideal for keeping costs down. It's a filling meal that comes together easily and won't break the bank.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    When it comes to cooking a delicious comfort food, nothing beats a southern staple like Slow Cooker Camp Stew. This recipe is packed with tender meat, flavorful vegetables, and a hint of smokiness - something that's quick to be a winner with your family.

    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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