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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Delicious Meal Prep Dinners You’ll Want to Make Every Week

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 20, 2025, updated August 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Meal prepping can make your week so much easier, especially when it comes to dinner. With 24 delicious options to choose from, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and ingredients without the stress of cooking every night. These meals are not only satisfying but also simple to prepare, making them perfect for busy schedules.

    30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup

    30 Minute Chicken Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Creamy chicken taco soup combines shredded chicken, taco spices, black beans, and corn in a smooth broth. With a topping of sour cream and crunchy tortilla strips, this dish is a warm and comforting choice for any meal.

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    Basil-Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Stewed Tomatoes and Rice

    Basil-Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Stewed Tomatoes and Rice
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This dish is packed with flavor and is simple to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and steps, you can have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.

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    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot spaghetti is a simple dish that comes together with just 9 ingredients and one pot. In under 30 minutes, you can have this classic meal ready to serve, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It's a family favorite that doesn't take much time or effort to prepare.

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    Egg Roll in a Bowl

    Egg roll in a bowl with chopsticks.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Egg roll in a bowl is a quick and simple dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes using one pan. It's packed with flavors reminiscent of traditional egg rolls, along with plenty of fresh vegetables. The dish is brought together with a tasty sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.

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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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    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.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and satisfying dish. With smoked sausage, cajun spices, and a rich cheesy sauce, it's sure to please everyone at the table. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without a lot of work.

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    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a simple dinner option that you can set and forget. Ground beef and vegetables cook together in the slow cooker, creating a flavorful meal with minimal effort. This dish is great for lunch or dinner on busy days.

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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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    Pumpkin Potato Soup

    Two bowls of potato pumpkin soup.
    Photo credit: My Plantiful Cooking.

    Thick and creamy pumpkin potato soup can be ready in just 30 minutes. This comforting one-pot dish is both vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for everyone. It's perfect for a quick meal that doesn't require much work, and it's sure to warm you up.

    My Plantiful Cooking

    Tomato Gnocchi Soup

    Tomato Gnocchi Soup.
    Photo Credit: Kathryn's Kitchen Blog.

    Tomato Gnocchi Soup is a creamy and tasty dish packed with soft, fluffy gnocchi. It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a quick and comforting dinner any night of the week. Everyone in the family will enjoy this warm and satisfying meal.

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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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    Thai Beef Stew

    Thai Beef Stew.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    This Thai Beef Stew is perfect for a cozy meal, whether you use a slow cooker or cook it on the stove. Just toss all the ingredients into a pot and let it simmer for a few hours. It's an easy recipe that requires minimal effort, making it a great choice for a busy day.

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    Creamy Steak and Potato Soup

    Creamy Steak and Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Delicious Little Bites.

    This dish features tender beef and potatoes simmered in a creamy, cheesy broth, creating a filling meal. It's perfect for those chilly days when you want something warm and satisfying. This is a great option for a cozy dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    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.

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    Cheese Ravioli with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

    Sun-dried tomato ravioli with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A simple sun-dried tomato ravioli sauce can really enhance the flavor of store-bought cheese ravioli. With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a tasty meal ready in about 15 minutes. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights or whenever you're in the mood for something comforting and delicious.

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo

    5-Ingredient Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Girl Gone Gourmet.

    This sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce is quick and easy to whip up, and it pairs perfectly with pasta. It's a great option for busy nights when you need something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Hamburger Steak

    Hamburger steak with gravy.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Seasoned hamburger patties are cooked until they're just right and then placed in a rich, creamy gravy made from the drippings, onions, garlic, and herbs. Pair this dish with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable for a cozy family dinner. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Ravioli is a simple way to whip up lasagna, as it replaces the traditional noodles and adds a creamy ricotta layer. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna has become a favorite in my family. It's an easy meal that everyone enjoys, perfect for busy nights.

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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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    Sweet and Sour Chicken

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Sweet and sour chicken is a delicious twist on the classic sweet and sour pork. This dish features a lighter batter and fewer spices, allowing the flavors of the sweet and sour sauce to really shine through. It's a great option for anyone looking for a tasty meal that's easy to prepare.

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    Pesto Pasta Bake

    Pesto Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pesto pasta bake comes together in just 20 minutes using fresh veggies and plenty of pasta and cheese.

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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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    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

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken mushroom wild rice soup.
      22 Cheap Easy Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook
    • A plate of no boil chicken pasta bake.
      23 Casseroles You Can Just Dump and Bake
    • Tater tot shepherd's pie.
      18 One-Pot Crockpot Meals for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Zucchini casserole.
      18 Veggie Potluck Dishes Everyone Will Talk About

    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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