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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Bake and Devour: 25 Easy Meal Prep Dinners for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 5, 2025, updated September 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 25 easy meal prep dinners are perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and satisfying. With simple ingredients and straightforward recipes, you can whip up delicious meals in no time. Say goodbye to takeout and enjoy homemade dishes that are ready to go!

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just mix everything together, bake it, and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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    Cheese Tortellini Bake

    Cheese Tortellini Bake
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This meal is simple and quick, ready in just 20 minutes. With only a handful of ingredients and everything cooked in one pan, cleanup is easy. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want something filling without spending too much time cooking. Enjoy a hearty vegetarian dish with minimal effort.

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    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This casserole combines shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup, all topped with a buttery Ritz cracker layer. It's a simple dish that comes together easily and is perfect for a filling meal. Great for busy nights, this recipe is satisfying and requires minimal effort.

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    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic dish that never goes out of style. The chicken and rice are well-seasoned, and the rice turns out just right every time. This is a simple and straightforward dinner option that requires minimal effort.

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    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    The Enchilada Bake is simple to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and freezer. It's delicious enough that your family will want it again and again. You won't even need to use your oven, as this dish cooks perfectly in your slow cooker.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and satisfying meal that comes together easily, making it ideal for busy weeknights. With minimal cleanup and straightforward preparation, this is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for busy nights, it requires minimal effort and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's really delicious. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are easy to make and highlight crispy, golden chicken thighs simmered in a flavorful garlic and white wine sauce with tender mushrooms. This dish is great for a weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, making it perfect for a quick dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that you'll likely want to make again and again.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy days when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is simple and requires minimal effort.

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    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy, buttery cracker crumbs. This dish is simple to prepare and can be ready in no time, making it perfect for busy evenings. It's a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is an easy way to prepare a delicious and healthy meal. This dish is not only simple to make, but it also looks great on the table, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and special gatherings. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a tender and juicy pork tenderloin alongside flavorful potatoes, all cooked together on one pan.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy one-pan meal that brings together all the flavors of comfort food. It's a satisfying dish that combines chicken, rice, and spices, making it perfect for a cozy dinner. Plus, it tastes great the next day, so you can enjoy the leftovers just as much.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables is a great dinner option that comes together in under thirty minutes. Packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and other veggies, this dish is simple and satisfying, all made in one pan. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is rich and cheesy, all made in a single baking dish. It comes together quickly, taking less than an hour from start to finish. With minimal cooking skills needed, it's perfect for a cozy dinner that feels like a treat from a restaurant.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping at the beginning, everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. You'll enjoy tender chicken, flavorful veggies, and a tasty sauce all in one dish.

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a great option for a cozy meal that's simple to prepare. With just a few ingredients, you can throw everything together and let it bake. It's satisfying and perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is a comforting dish that comes together with minimal effort. There's no need to boil the pasta or cook the meat separately; just layer everything in a dish and let the oven do the work. This simple approach means you can enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This is a semi-homemade, "dump and bake" kind of recipe using canned soups and premade rice mixes. It's perfect for busy weeknights, or when you're just craving the ease of good, old-fashioned comfort food.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is an easy meal that's full of flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful vegetables cook together on a single sheet pan, so you won't have much to clean up afterward. It's a great option for a quick dinner that doesn't require a lot of effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Steak & Potatoes

    Sheet pan steak and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan version of a classic meal combines tender roasted potatoes with perfectly cooked steak, all in one go. Everything cooks together, and the broiler gives it a nice golden finish. It's a comforting dish that keeps cleanup to a minimum, making it a great choice for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it's ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and sneaky spinach, this dish is both cheesy and satisfying. It's a simple and tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

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    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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