The Easiest Way To Stay Ahead On Meals 29 Meal Prep Recipes
Busy weeks feel easier with meals ready to go. The easiest way to stay ahead on meals is with 29 meal prep recipes. These dishes save time, cut stress, and bring tasty food to every day. Simple steps and easy storage make each one a smart choice. Great for work lunches, quick dinners, or lazy weekends. A little prep brings a lot of peace later.

Leek and Potato Soup

Get cozy with a meal that’s simple to prepare and keeps well for days. Leek and Potato Soup comes together quickly for a smooth and comforting dish that’s perfect for meal prep. Whether you’re having it for lunch or dinner, it’s a flavorful way to save time during the week. Store portions in your fridge, and you’ll have a quick, hearty option ready to warm up.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Potato Soup
Korean Burgers

Prepare something flavorful and quick that’s perfect for prepping in advance. Korean Burgers balance a mix of classic and bold flavors, making them a standout in your meal rotation. Cook them, portion them, and pair them easily with rice or veggies for an effortless next-day meal. They’re great for saving time while keeping meals exciting.
Get the Recipe: Korean Burgers
Macaroni Salad

A simple dish that feels right at home in both lunches and quick dinners. Macaroni Salad is an easy choice for prepping ahead, letting all the flavors come together as it chills. It works as a great side option or a light, standalone meal for busy days. Prep a batch to enjoy throughout the week with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad
Baked Oatmeal

Start your days with a breakfast you can make ahead without the morning rush. Baked Oatmeal is easy to portion out and keeps well, so it fits seamlessly into busy schedules. Add small toppings as you go to switch things up day-to-day if you like variety. Just a little prep means you’re set for breakfasts that are filling and no-fuss.
Get the Recipe: Baked Oatmeal
French Onion Soup

Make something comforting without needing too much effort in the kitchen. French Onion Soup is a meal prep-friendly option that saves well and feels tatsy when reheated. All it takes is some simple prep to get a rich, hearty dish that’s great for lunches or dinners. Make ahead and enjoy a convenient, warm bowl anytime.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Dinner Rolls

Perfectly soft and easy to bake, these rolls become everyone’s favorite side dish. Dinner Rolls can be prepped ahead in batches, so you always have fresh bread ready to pair with meals. They’re quick to reheat or enjoy as-is for simple lunches or snacks. It’s an easy way to round out your meals with homemade comfort.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls
Easy Bibimbap

A colorful and customizable meal that’s perfect for prepping in advance. Easy Bibimbap lets you pack vibrant ingredients into simple bowls for quick lunches or dinners. Cook everything ahead and mix portions for variety throughout the week. It’s about having a balanced, ready-to-go choice whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Bibimbap
Hamburger Casserole

Go for a dish that’s filling, easy, and perfect for batch cooking. Hamburger Casserole brings together hearty flavors and a fuss-free prep process for busy weeks. Store it in portions, and you’ll have a convenient heat-and-enjoy option ready to go. All you need is a few steps to make this a staple in your weekly meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole
Asian Style Pork Chops

A great option for those who love bold and flavorful meals. Asian Style Pork Chops are easy to cook ahead and pair well with cooked rice or greens for balanced meal prep. They stay juicy and reheat beautifully, saving time on busy days without sacrificing flavor. Prep once and enjoy multiple meals that feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Asian Style Pork Chops
Ravioli Casserole

Keep things simple with an easy meal that comes together in no time. Ravioli Casserole is a great way to have a warm, comforting dish on hand for busy weeknights. Portion it out for meal prep and enjoy a homemade option that reheats beautifully. It’s a stress-free way to keep mealtime delicious and effortless.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole
Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Bite-sized perfection comes together in no time when you combine smoky flavors with a crispy twist. Bacon Wrapped Smokies make an easy shortcut snack or appetizer that’s packed with flavor. Whether for a quick get-together or a lazy-day treat, these are prepped fast and cook even faster. They’re a go-to for making any meal prep simple and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Pork Chops

A quick and hearty dish that pairs simplicity with big results. Pork Chops take no time to prepare and work like magic for weekly meal prep. Toss them in with a marinade or simple seasoning for a super-easy fix. They’re great for mixing and matching with a variety of sides for a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops
Easy Air Fryer Lasagna

Layers that bring it all together with minimum effort and mess. Easy Air Fryer Lasagna makes getting that classic comfort food feel quicker than ever. With just a few steps, you’ll have layers prepped and cooked up perfectly. It’s ideal to batch out for lunches or busy evenings when time is in short supply.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Lasagna
Kimchi Stew

A simple yet delicious dish that packs bold flavors into a pot. Kimchi Stew is a meal prep champion that’s as quick to make as it is versatile. You can prepare it ahead of time and keep it ready for reheating all week long. Perfect on its own or paired with rice for a filling option.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Stew
Crunchy Onion Rings

An effortless snack or side that’s crispy and golden with every bite. Crunchy Onion Rings are surprisingly easy to whip up and add some crunch to your mealtime. You can prep them in batches and heat them in minutes when you need something quick. Perfect for meal prep without much cleanup involved.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Onion Rings
Crunchwrap Supreme

Your meal prep game just got easier with a fun twist on layers and textures. Crunchwrap Supreme is quick to assemble and works perfectly for customizing to your week’s needs. Each one is prepped and ready in minutes with little hassle. Store them for quick lunches or dinners you can grab and heat in no time.
Get the Recipe: Crunchwrap Supreme
Funeral Potatoes

Cheesy and creamy, yet shockingly simple to make ahead. Funeral Potatoes are ideal for meal prepping large portions without much effort. They store amazingly well for those evenings when you don’t want to cook from scratch. A great way to have something filling and comforting on hand.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes
Garlic Knots

Soft, flavorful, and incredibly easy to throw together for any meal. Garlic Knots are perfect when you want something prepped in minutes and baked just as quickly. They’re great to make in batches, store, and reheat throughout the week. Serve them alongside just about anything, and they won’t disappoint.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots
Ham and Cheese Sliders

A quick, no-hassle meal that’s ready to go in minutes. Ham and Cheese Sliders make meal prep convenient and fun with their pull-apart style portions. Just layer everything, toss them in the oven, and they’re ready to store for any time. They make portioning out meals for the week incredibly simple.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders
Lentil Soup

Warm, hearty, and one of the easiest options to meal prep ahead of time. Lentil Soup comes together quickly with minimal ingredients and is perfect for big batches. Portion it out for lunches or dinners, and it reheats fantastically. It’s a low-effort way to stay ahead of your busy meals.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

These little bites of heat are paired perfectly with something smoky. Wrap up your ingredients, and you’re all set for a quick prep. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers are great when you’re aiming for a meal that’s light and needs minimal effort. They’re a perfect example of how easy prepping can be.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Potato Casserole

Putting together hearty dishes like Potato Casserole can save loads of time during the week. With a few simple steps, it’s all about layering. This recipe gives a creamy way to stretch meal portions. Make it once, and you’re sorted for days without extra hassle.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole
Italian Pasta with Salami

Toss everything into one dish and let flavors mix, making Italian Pasta with Salami a no-stress option. It’s quick and easy, with everything done in one go. A meal-prep favorite for those busy days, it’s all about keeping things simple. It cuts your cooking time while still staying super hearty.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami
Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

A filling meal that brings everything together with ease, Jamaican Red Beans and Rice is a time-saver. The mix of textures is super easy to work with in a single dish. Prep it ahead, and you’ll have an easy go-to meal for the week. Keeping it straight-forward and minimal, this one is perfect.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas

With a blend of spicy and cheesy, Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas can be pulled together in no time. Folded, cooked, and ready, it’s simple meal prep at its finest. This recipe works well for prepping ahead without worries. It’s quick, balanced, and a great way to keep your meals prepped easily for the week.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas
Asparagus Casserole

Packed into a dish that’s prepped in minimal steps, Asparagus Casserole is straightforward and convenient. With everything baked together, it keeps the prep time short and sweet. Perfect for having something ready-made throughout your week, this one’s a win. Balance in flavors with zero complicated effort.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole
Ice Cream Cake

No need for complicated setups when Ice Cream Cake takes the lead for dessert prep. It’s simple layers pulled together in minutes, saving you time while making something fun. A quick way to have a sweet option ready during meal planning. Skip the fuss and have something enjoyable on hand easily.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cake
Mac and Cheese

Few meals keep it simple and comforting like Mac and Cheese, and it’s an easy one to prep. Toss everything together and let it come together into a creamy treat. Great for saving time during meal prep while ensuring you’ve got something hearty ready. One of the easiest ways to stay ahead throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

When you’re aiming for filling yet simple, try Chicken and Broccoli Casserole for meal prep. With everything baked together, it handles itself with minimal work. An easy dish to pull together and save for dinners during the week. Prep it once, and you have a no-stress meal ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
