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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Easy Meal Prep Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 14, 2025, updated August 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Meal prepping can be a game changer for busy weeknights, making it easier to enjoy home-cooked meals without the stress. With just a little planning, you can whip up 20 easy dinners that are not only simple to prepare but also delicious and satisfying. These recipes will help you save time and keep your evenings relaxed, so you can focus on what really matters.

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sausage rigatoni pasta is a quick and satisfying dish that you can whip up in about 20 minutes using just a few basic ingredients. It's a filling meal that everyone in the family will appreciate, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.

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    Creamy Leek Soup Without Potatoes

    Creamy Leek Soup Without Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: My Vegan Minimalist.

    This creamy soup is packed with fresh flavors and topped with crunchy bits for added texture. It comes together in less than 30 minutes using just six easy ingredients, plus some seasoning to enhance the taste. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, this soup is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Chicken Burgers

    A stack of chicken patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These chicken patties are simple to prepare and come together in no time. With just a few easy steps and only 10 minutes in the air fryer, you can have a delicious meal ready. There's no need for chopping, as powdered seasonings do all the work, and a splash of fresh lemon juice keeps them juicy.

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    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

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

    These meatballs are simple to prepare and can be ready in less than an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, giving you plenty of options. The result is a juicy and flavorful meatball that everyone will enjoy.

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    Steak Fajita Pasta

    Steak Fajita Pasta.
    Photo credit: Out Grilling.

    Steak Fajita Pasta is a hit with families, featuring marinated and grilled steak served on a bed of creamy pasta seasoned with fajita spices and topped with grilled veggies. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that can easily feed a group with just a few steaks. This meal combines the flavors of fajitas with the comfort of pasta, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Hamburger hash in the crockpot combines soft potatoes, ground beef, and corn in a creamy mushroom sauce. Topped with melted cheese right before serving, this dish is hearty and satisfying. It's a meal you'll find yourself wanting to prepare again and again.

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    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon

    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    These Lamb Meatballs are simple to prepare and packed with fresh lemon and cilantro flavor. They pair perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, but also work great as a snack or part of a larger spread. I've been making these for years, and they always hit the spot.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is quick and easy to prepare, taking only 8-10 minutes to cook. The marinade adds great flavor and helps to make the meat tender, resulting in a juicy steak that’s ready in no time. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake

    Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake.
    Photo Credit: My Suburban Kitchen.

    Busy weeknights can still be enjoyable with a simple and tasty meal like this Sloppy Joe biscuit bake. It's an easy dish that everyone will enjoy, making it perfect for family dinners. You can whip it up quickly, so there's no need to resort to fast food.

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    Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole

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

    Chicken, broccoli, and stuffing mix come together in this simple casserole for a satisfying dinner. It’s an easy dish to prepare, perfect for busy evenings when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Caprese Chicken

    Caprese chicken.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This 5-ingredient Caprese Chicken is a simple and satisfying one-pan meal. It's filling and perfect for a cozy dinner. With just five ingredients and minimal cleanup, it's easy to prepare and enjoy.

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    One Pot Ham and Potato Soup

    One pot ham and potato soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish is packed with soft potatoes, diced ham, and a variety of vegetables all simmered in a creamy broth with herbs. It's a comforting meal that's great for a busy weeknight.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple is packed with a great mix of spicy and sweet flavors that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to make all in one pan, which means less cleanup. Plus, it includes plenty of healthy vegetables to round out the meal.

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    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pan-fried gnocchi is a hidden gem that really outshines the boiled version. When you cook it this way, it gets a nice crispy texture that adds a lot to the dish. Adding bacon and mushrooms brings in a rich flavor that makes this meal even more enjoyable.

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    White Bean and Escarole Soup

    White Bean and Escarole Soup.
    Photo Credit: Debra Klein.

    This soup is filling and comforting, perfect for chilly days. It's simple to prepare and great for a cozy meal. Enjoy a warm bowl that brings a sense of home and satisfaction.

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    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi wraps are a hit with everyone, from kids to food lovers. Filled with halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, these wraps are full of flavor. They come together in just 20 minutes and are really simple to prepare.

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    30-Minute Beef & Noodles

    Beef and Noodles.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy one-pan beef and noodles recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is the perfect cozy comfort food for a busy weeknight!

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    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don’t like salads. It features fresh spinach, crunchy sweetheart cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, all topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This dish is not only healthy but also satisfying and simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Sweet Potato & Feta Cheese Salad

    A plate of sweet potato salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A healthy salad can be just what you need, and this sweet potato salad fits the bill perfectly. It's warm, filling, and makes a great meal for lunch or dinner. Plus, it tastes just as good the next day, making it a convenient choice for meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Bibimbap

    Beef Bibimbap (Korean Rice Bowl).
    Photo credit: Dish 'n' the Kitchen.

    Beef Bibimbap is a simple and tasty Korean rice bowl filled with a variety of vegetables, flavorful side dishes, and sweet spicy beef, all topped with a fried egg. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    • Ground beef tacos.
      22 Easy Lazy Dinners for Super Busy Nights

    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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