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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Southern Meal Prep Dinners You Won’t Mind Eating All Week

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 22, 2025, updated September 9, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 19 Southern meal prep dinners are perfect for busy weeks when you want comforting flavors without the hassle. Each dish is easy to prepare in advance, making it simple to enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals all week long. From classic casseroles to flavorful chili, these recipes will keep you satisfied and nourished.

    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Pepper Bowl.

    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs are a great option for a quick meal, taking just 30 minutes to prepare. These grilled thighs are tender and juicy, covered in a flavorful, smoky BBQ sauce that adds a delicious kick to each bite. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne with Black Beans

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

    Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne is packed with rich chili flavor and a variety of vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and green bell pepper. This dish comes together in just 40 minutes, offering a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. With only a few simple steps, it's an easy option for a hearty meal.

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    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti

    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti is a beloved Southern comfort food that offers a tasty twist on the usual spaghetti dinner. This dish combines tender chicken with pasta and a flavorful sauce, making it a satisfying meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala features tender chicken simmered in a rich mushroom and wine sauce, finished with a bit of cream just before serving. This dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes.

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    Southern Tomato Pie

    Southern Tomato Pie.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Southern Tomato Pie combines fresh tomatoes, creamy cheese, and a flaky crust into a comforting dish that's perfect for any meal. This recipe highlights the wonderful flavors of summer tomatoes, making it a great choice for using up your garden's harvest. It's a simple yet satisfying way to enjoy a taste of the South.

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    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is comforting and satisfying, packed with Italian turkey sausage for a hearty flavor and fresh kale or baby spinach for some added greens. It's easy to make, whether you use the stovetop, an Instant Pot, or a slow cooker. This dish is great for a cozy meal, combining delicious flavors with little effort.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This stew is a comforting meal that cooks itself while you go about your day. It combines tender beef with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a rich, thick broth. This is a good dinner for busy nights when you want something warm and satisfying without spending a lot of time cooking.

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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This meal is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights. It features flavors that the whole family will love, making it a great choice for dinner. You'll find that this dish can easily become a staple in your weekly rotation.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a fantastic way to enjoy tender, smoky pulled pork without needing a smoker. Using a slow cooker, you can achieve juicy and flavorful results with minimal effort. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.

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    Crockpot Potato Soup

    Crockpot Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Crockpot Potato Soup is a warm and hearty dish that's easy to make and full of flavor. It has all the delicious toppings of a baked potato, like bacon, cheese, and green onions. This soup is ideal for cold days when you're craving something cozy and filling.

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    Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hock

    Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hock.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Red beans and rice is a classic dish that brings the taste of New Orleans right to your table. This hearty meal is packed with flavor from cajun spices, spicy andouille sausage, and smoked ham hocks. It's a satisfying option for dinner that will keep you full and happy.

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    Southern Chicken and Dumplings

    Southern Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Southern Chicken and Dumplings is a hearty dish featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy broth, paired with fluffy dumplings. Prepared in a Dutch oven, this simple recipe offers a warm and filling meal that feels like a big hug on a plate. It's perfect for cozy dinners and brings a taste of comfort to your table.

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    Potato and Leek Quiche

    Potato and Leek Quiche.
    Photo Credit: The Peasant's Daughter.

    A vegetarian leek and potato quiche is a hearty and elegant dish. It's perfect for a satisfying meal that won't cost a lot. This quiche combines the flavors of leeks and potatoes in a way that's both comforting and delicious.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This meal is all about comfort and simplicity. With just a quick 5 minutes of prep, it's ideal for busy days when you want something filling without spending hours cooking. It's a hearty dish that everyone will love.

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    Texas Pasta

    Texas pasta.
    Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

    This Texas Pasta dish is a simple and tasty option for dinner. Packed with lean ground beef, zesty tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese, it's sure to please the whole family.

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    Potato and Leek Quiche

    Potato and Leek Quiche.
    Photo Credit: The Peasant's Daughter.

    This vegetarian leek and potato quiche is both filling and classy. It's a great option for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.

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    Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

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

    Italian bruschetta chicken is an easy dish to make in your slow cooker. It includes juicy chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella cheese and a fresh mix of ripe tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and balsamic vinegar. This meal is great for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time cooking.

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    Easy Cornbread Salad

    Cornbread Salad.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Cornbread salad is a tasty mix of crumbled cornbread, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, cheese, and a zesty salsa ranch dressing. This Southern classic adds a fun twist to any gathering. It's a great dish to bring to potlucks or serve at family dinners.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish combines juicy chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all cooked together with a tasty seasoning. It's an easy meal that fits perfectly into busy nights. Simply throw everything into the crockpot and let it handle the cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Curried Chicken Noodle Soup gives a fresh twist to the classic dish. The curry powder and turmeric add a warm, rich flavor that feels cozy and filling. This soup is perfect for chilly days when you're craving something hearty.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      23 Hearty Crockpot Meals You’ll Love to Make This Fall
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      25 Budget-Friendly Dinners Perfect for Cozy Autumn Nights
    • Potato fennel and leek soup.
      29 Easy Soup Recipes That Are Perfect for Weeknights
    • Tikka masala.
      29 Satisfying Slow Cooker Dishes That Are Perfect for Potlucks

    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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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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