23 Dinners That Make the Second Meal Easy

ByMandy

Those 23 dinners stand out for helping keep meal prep simple when schedules are tight. Planning for an easy second meal lets you use your time more efficiently. Home cooks often welcome chances to get more from one batch of dinner. Take the guesswork out of lunch or dinner and make use of what’s already on hand.

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery.
Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Layered Homemade Lasagna

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil.
Layered Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Comfort finds its way to the table with this Layered Homemade Lasagna, famous for both flavor and crowd appeal. Generous layers mean leftovers are just as tempting the next day. I always save an extra slice for lunch since it reheats beautifully. Every forkful feels warm and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Layered Homemade Lasagna

Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

A serving of tater tot casserole on a spoon.
Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crispy on top and creamy inside, this Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole never sticks around long. Kids and grown-ups ask for seconds before the pan cools down. I make extra because leftovers vanish quickly for breakfast or lunch. It’s a true winner for make-ahead meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

Patatas Bravas

A bowl of roasted potato wedges covered in a creamy orange sauce and garnished with chopped herbs.
Patatas Bravas. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A punch of spice and golden crunch define this Patatas Bravas, perfect for serving at dinner and snacking later. You can dip them in a favorite sauce for round two. I like dishing them out during game nights. There’s always a scramble for the last batch.
Get the Recipe: Patatas Bravas

Crack Chicken Casserole

A spoon lifts a serving of baked macaroni and cheese with a golden breadcrumb topping and melted cheese from a casserole dish.
Crack Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Friends rave about this Crack Chicken Casserole because every bite bursts with comfort. Creamy chicken and a crispy top create leftovers everyone races to claim. I stash a square in the fridge for quick reheating on busy afternoons. Flavor sticks around meal after meal.
Get the Recipe: Crack Chicken Casserole

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

A close-up of tagliatelle pasta coated in a creamy orange sauce, topped with chopped nuts and fresh green herbs.
Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Colorful veggies blend gently into this Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce, giving each serving a nutrition boost. Even picky eaters usually ask for seconds without knowing what’s inside. I make a double portion for easy spaghetti lunches. No one ever complains about repeat meals.
Get the Recipe: Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

Chicken Tetrazzini

A fork lifts a cheesy serving of baked pasta with peas and shredded chicken from a casserole dish, topped with melted cheese and herbs.
Chicken Tetrazzini. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Creamy noodles and juicy chicken fill every inch of this Chicken Tetrazzini casserole. The sauce thickens overnight, making leftovers even richer for lunch or dinner the next day. I pack portions for quick reheating and crave a second round every time. Comfort carries right through to the finish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini

Sheet Pan Quesadillas

A close-up of stacked quesadilla wedges filled with black beans, ground meat, melted cheese, and diced vegetables, topped with sour cream, guacamole, and chopped herbs.
Sheet Pan Quesadillas. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Golden edges and stretchy cheese make these Sheet Pan Quesadillas fun for dinner or tomorrow’s snack. Slices keep crisp until the last bite. I pack leftovers in lunchboxes—they never come back uneaten. Quesadillas this good deserve a repeat performance.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A serving of creamy chicken pot pie casserole with vegetables, lifted on a fork, with a flaky crust and garnished with herbs.
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Flaky, comforting, and loaded with goodness, this Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is a classic for winter nights. The best surprise comes the next day when the leftovers taste even better. I warm up a square for a cozy lunch. Everyone looks forward to eating it again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast with mushrooms and carrots garnished with fresh rosemary.
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chilly evenings are made cozy by this Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast, known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep flavors. Hearty vegetables soak up every bit of goodness. I save extra to pile on sandwiches. Pot roast never lasts long in my fridge.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Three cooked chicken breasts in a creamy sauce, topped with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, presented in a round dish.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Creamy sauce and juicy chicken make this Crockpot Marry Me Chicken memorable enough to crave again tomorrow. Whether paired with pasta or potatoes, leftovers are every bit as flavorful. I store extra for quick weeknight dinners. The taste lingers no matter when you eat it.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Beef and Guinness Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms in a thick brown broth, garnished with chopped herbs.
Beef and Guinness Stew. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Big chunks and bold flavor fill every spoon of this Beef and Guinness Stew. Comfort grows with every reheated bite, making it a two-night classic in colder months. I pour myself another bowl next day for a warming lunch. Stew never felt so hearty.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Guinness Stew

Chicken Dumpling Soup

Close-up of creamy chicken and dumplings garnished with chopped parsley and black pepper.
Chicken Dumpling Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Light broth and pillowy dumplings come together in this Chicken Dumpling Soup, perfect for soothing evenings at home. Extra dumplings make leftovers something to look forward to. I ladle out what’s left for an easy lunch. Comfort doubles with each helping.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Turkey Casserole

Close-up of a plate of creamy turkey casserole topped with bread crumbs and garnished with fresh basil leaves, reminiscent of a comforting turkey casserole.
Turkey Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Oven-baked warmth defines this Turkey Casserole, where the combination of protein and veggies makes leftovers irresistible. Crisp edges hold up beautifully for next-day meals. I enjoy reheating a generous serving for lunch. There’s never any waste with this dish.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Casserole

Chicken Croquettes

Close-up of several breaded chicken nuggets on a plate, with one nugget bitten in half to show the cooked chicken filling inside.
Chicken Croquettes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Each bite of these Chicken Croquettes brings a crunchy outside and soft center that’s just as good reheated. Finger food turns into a quick lunch or snack the next day. I tuck extras into containers for busy afternoons. Plates are wiped clean every time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Croquettes

Salisbury Steak

Several browned meat patties in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with chopped chives.
Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

A rich gravy and tender patty make this Salisbury Steak a comfort classic. It only gets better once the flavors rest overnight in the fridge. I always make a few extra for quick microwave meals. No one tires of the leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Shredded chicken mixed with sliced green peppers and seasoning in a green bowl.
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Tangy and savory, this Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken makes amazing sandwiches or rice bowls on day two. Juicy pieces stay tender even after reheating. I keep extra in the fridge for fast weeknight dinners. It’s a recipe people never get bored with.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Mediterranean Lamb Shank with Polenta

A plate of braised lamb shanks in a tomato-based sauce served over creamy polenta, garnished with fresh herbs.
Mediterranean Lamb Shank with Polenta. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Slow-braising turns this Mediterranean Lamb Shank with Polenta into a meal everyone talks about. Creamy polenta soaks up the rich juices, while next-day servings taste even more flavorful. I pack leftovers for a special lunch. It truly feels like two meals in one.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Lamb Shank with Polenta

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Close-up of a slice of creamy lasagna with browned cheese on top and visible layers of pasta, spinach, and sauce.
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Silky sauce and layers of noodles bring richness to this Chicken Alfredo Lasagna. The meal only deepens in flavor after a night in the fridge. I like saving a piece for the following day’s dinner. Lasagna makes coming home even better.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

French Onion Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust and garnished with fresh herbs.
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Caramelized onions and cheesy tops make this French Onion Casserole a go-to on chilly nights. The next day, each portion reheats perfectly and fills the kitchen with a familiar aroma. I enjoy every bite warmed up. Flavor refuses to fade with time.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Irish Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and herbs in a rich broth, with a spoon inside the bowl.
Irish Stew. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Heartwarming broth and chunks of vegetables star in this Irish Stew, which actually improves with a little wait. I always sneak a little extra into lunchboxes. Each reheated bite brings back that just-cooked feeling. Stew never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Irish Stew

Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole in a white baking dish.
Tuna Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Creamy sauce and savory tuna keep this Tuna Casserole in demand long after dinner ends. The top stays golden and crisp even on day two. I make extra on purpose for quick lunches. Seconds don’t last very long.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Casserole

Four Cheese Mac n Cheese

A close-up of a serving of baked macaroni and cheese being lifted from a casserole dish, topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs.
Four Cheese Mac n Cheese. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Creamy sauce and a crispy top make this Four Cheese Mac n Cheese a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. Leftovers transform into craveable bites the following day for lunch or dinner. I always scoop out an extra spoonful for myself. Comfort really lasts with this one.
Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Mac n Cheese

Meatloaf

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery.
Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Hearty, classic, and oh-so nostalgic, this Meatloaf brings everyone to the table, then works perfectly for lunch sandwiches later. Juicy slices hold together even after an overnight chill. I save a piece for midnight snacks. There’s never a crumb left behind.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf

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