The 29 Meal Prep Meals That Got Me Through My “Just Survive” Era

Life felt heavy, and each day was a challenge. Energy was low, and cooking became too hard. That’s when 29 meal prep meals made everything better. Each recipe was simple, quick, and easy to store. These meals brought comfort, saved time, and made each day a little easier.

Beef Chili

When hunger hits hard, Beef Chili makes things simple and hearty. Packed with a depth of flavor, it’s a dependable choice in tough times. Perfect for prepping ahead, it reheats wonderfully while keeping its charm intact. It’s the kind of dish you can count on when days feel endless.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chili

Lemon Cheesecake

There’s something uncomplicated, yet uplifting about digging into Lemon Cheesecake after a long day. It balances a touch of richness with a light citrus twist to keep things refreshing. Easy to portion and great for meal prep, you can have dessert moments all week. It’s got that ‘just keep going’ vibe wrapped in creamy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cheesecake

French Onion Soup

Feeling drained and in need of a warm pick me up, French Onion Soup has a way of making things feel a little better. Simmered to bring out deep flavors, it’s straightforward and comforting. Pair it with bread and it turns into a meal that sticks with you.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Kimchi Stew

A bowl of Kimchi Stew hits the spot when you need flavor and warmth in one package. Perfect for making ahead, each spoonful feels like you’re giving yourself that extra boost to face another day. It keeps well and gets better overnight, making meal prep easy. With its punchy character, it’s here to keep things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Stew

Beef Enchilada Casserole

When everything feels chaotic, Beef Enchilada Casserole brings all the flavors together in one dish. It offers a tasty bite with a good balance, making multiple servings easy to portion. It’s one of those comforting meals that doesn’t ask for much effort to come alive. It’ll be waiting for you whether it’s lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole

Korean Burgers

You’re not taking shortcuts, but Korean Burgers make things quick without losing a bit of flavor. Loaded with just what you need, these are ideal for prepping in bulk. Reheat, stack, and suddenly things feel just a little easier. It’s just the right mix of simple and bold to keep moving forward.
Get the Recipe: Korean Burgers

Rhubarb Cake

When you need a little pick-me-up, Rhubarb Cake feels like a small treat in the midst of everything. It’s easy to slice ahead for dessert moments across the week. Tangy and sweet play along in a way that balances out the heaviness of daily meals. Not flashy, but exactly what you need in the background.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Cake

Sloppy Joe

Days blur together sometimes, but Sloppy Joe is there to keep things fun and reliable. It’s the kind of meal that’s quick to assemble and feels nostalgic in all the right ways. Simple enough for meal prep, and it reheats without any fuss. It’s a straightforward plate of comfort that doesn’t ask for much.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe

Italian Pasta with Salami

Italian Pasta with Salami is far from boring. It’s a hearty meal with bold touches that make it worth prepping for the week ahead. Tossed together and ready to go, it’s one of those meals that works for both lunch breaks and quiet dinners. Easy to make, hard to forget.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami

Hamburger Casserole

Some days call for fewer decisions, and Hamburger Casserole steps in to solve mealtime. It’s the kind of dish that just works, holding up well whether freshly made or reheated. Perfect for batch cooking, you’ll find comfort in its ease and reliability. A simple solution to the chaotic rhythm of everyday life.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole

Funeral Potatoes

There’s an understated charm about Funeral Potatoes, an easy dish to keep the week steady. Creamy with a texture, it’s perfect for prepping and storing without hassle. It’s always ready when you need something filling and dependable. Nothing fancy, just what works.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Pork Chops

Nothing overly complicated, Pork Chops offer a solid option for meal prepping when the days feel endless. Cooked with a no-fuss approach, they hold up well throughout the week and keep things grounded. The flavors are dependable, making it a go to when you need something practical. It’s a reliable main that pairs with whatever you’ve got on hand.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops

Garlic Knots

With a soft bite and a flavorful touch, Garlic Knots turn meals into moments without a lot of effort. Great for making ahead, they hold their own as snacks or sides during busy stretches. Their simplicity makes them a good addition to any plate or plan. Perfect for keeping your meal prep interesting without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Ravioli Casserole

An easy dish to rely on, Ravioli Casserole is a no-frills way to make dinner manageable through hectic weeks. It’s hearty and fills you up without much complexity. Cook a large batch, and you’ll have a simple grab and go option ready to reheat. Its convenience matches its flavor every time you turn to it.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Lentil Soup

When time feels short and meals need meaning, Lentil Soup offers something grounding and filling. It’s the perfect make-ahead choice for easy portions through the week. Warm and tasty, it’s a low-cost, high-impact option in challenging times. Simple enough to keep you going without slowing you down.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup

Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms

A quick go to meal that feels like a lifesaver during busy times. The mushrooms come out perfectly tender with a slight crisp that hits just right. Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms pack a lot of flavor into every bite, making them ideal for prepping ahead. They’re perfect when you just need to throw something together that’s both easy and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms

Corn Casserole

When you’re juggling life, this is the kind of comforting dish that holds you down. It’s simple, hearty, and comes out with a great texture that feels like home. Corn Casserole makes those survival-mode meal preps a little easier without much fuss. It’s perfect for storing and reheating when you need something filling and quick.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Ham and Cheese Sliders

A quick and practical solution when meals need to keep you going. Each slider is small but packs enough flavor to feel like a full meal without the effort. Ham and Cheese Sliders work great for prepping ahead and are easy to grab as needed. They’re a solid choice for those days when everything feels rushed.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders

Dinner Rolls

Sometimes, it’s the basics that keep things steady in hard times. These rolls are soft, warm, and can pair up with just about anything to round out a meal perfectly. Dinner Rolls are straightforward and easy to prep, making them a great option for meal prep days. They can be your staple or a supportive side when life’s moving fast.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

These bites take the idea of a quick snack or meal and add a little fun twist. They’re cheesy, lightly crispy, and come together without much hassle. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites make meal prepping more exciting while fitting perfectly into the get through the day mode. They’re simple to heat up and enjoy whenever needed.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

A hearty dish that doesn’t require much effort but delivers big on keeping things balanced. This combo is comforting and filling, making it a must have for survival mode meal prepping. Jamaican Red Beans and Rice are great for making large batches you can portion out and rely on later.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Ice Cream Cake

Sometimes you just need a little something sweet that’s simple to put together. This dessert is layered and ready to lift your spirits, even during tougher times. Ice Cream Cake is great for prepping ahead and storing until the right moment calls for it. A treat like this can give you that break you’ve been needing.
Get the Recipe: Ice Cream Cake

Potato Casserole

It’s the kind of dish that always feels filling without asking for much effort. Perfect for making ahead, the texture balances soft and creamy with a little bite to keep it interesting. Potato Casserole is easy to store and reheat, helping you stay prepared for long days. It’s simple but reliable when things get busy.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas

A quick way to make something with a little kick that you can prep and enjoy. Loaded with flavor, crispy edges, and just the right amount of heat, this dish feels perfect enough to help you push through. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas work well for quick reheats and busy survival-mode stretches.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas

Macaroni Salad

A cold dish option that’s easy to batch prep and keeps well over time. It’s straightforward and works great for those moments when everything else feels too complicated. Macaroni Salad fits perfectly into simple meal plans during busy seasons of life. It’s an effortless choice when you need something to rely on.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

When you need something quick, this option can be ready without much hassle. It turns out tender yet slightly crisp, making it dependable for busy meal planning. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob holds up well when prepped in advance, saving you time later. It’s the kind of side dish that makes everything feel a little easier.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Mac and Cheese

Comfort food at its easiest, when you just need to get through the day with something reliable. Creamy yet simple, it’s a dish that adapts well to prepping and reheating. Mac and Cheese can be made in larger portions to keep you stocked across the week. It’s always easy and just makes life a bit simpler.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Easy Air Fryer Lasagna

A go to option when you need something filling without spending too much time. The layers hold together beautifully, making Easy Air Fryer Lasagna perfect for prepping ahead. It’s manageable, delicious, and reheats well whenever you need it. That makes it handy during those meal schedules that demand flexibility.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Lasagna

Stuffed Peppers

These are a reliable option when you want a balanced meal with minimal effort. Easy to prep ahead, Stuffed Peppers are both filling and adaptable to storing and reheating. They’re ideal for carving out something substantial during tight schedules. The flavors mingle well, keeping things straightforward yet delicious.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers