Save Hours In The Kitchen With 29 Smart Meal Prep Ideas

Cooking every night can feel like a never-ending task, but a little planning changes everything. These 29 smart meal prep ideas help you cut down on time without giving up variety. Spend less time cooking and more time enjoying meals that are ready when you are.

Cattle Drive Casserole

Rustle up something hearty with a dish that’s a nod to the old West. It’s like bringing home the simplicity and heartiness of trail-worn cowboys to your table. Cattle Drive Casserole packs comfort in every bite, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cattle Drive Casserole

Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)

Who knew you could get the crunchiest chicken wings without the mess of deep frying? Well, it’s totally doable right in your own kitchen with minimal fuss. Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!) are here to change your game-day snacks forever.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)

Copycat Smash Burger

If you’re craving a diner-style burger but don’t want to go out, make it at home. Cook your ground meat of choice and smash it for the perfect sear. Copycat Smash Burger delivers a juicy, flavorful bite. It’s a simple meal that rivals your favorite burger joint.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

For a snack that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering, why not wrap some smoky goodness in more smoky goodness? Oven or slow cooker – it doesn’t matter, these are foolproof. Bacon Wrapped Smokies are your best bet for an appetizer that disappears as quickly as you put them out.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Cashew Chicken

Skip the takeout and whip up a favorite that’s as easy as it is tasty. All you need are a couple of pans and a bit of time to create a dish that’s a staple in many households. Make the familiar favorite, Cashew Chicken, right at home. It’s a simple way to bring a well-loved classic into your meal prep routine, offering both comfort and ease.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Asian Style Pork Chops

Turn ordinary pork chops into something extraordinary with just a few extra steps. Marinating beforehand means every slice is infused with flavor. With Asian Style Pork Chops, that take-out menu might just start collecting dust.
Get the Recipe: Asian Style Pork Chops

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Sometimes the restaurant favorites can be recreated right at your own dining table with less hassle than you think. Perfect for a snack or a unique appetizer, they’ll get everyone talking. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites bring that beloved restaurant flair into your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Best Tuna Casserole

On those nights when you want to throw something together without a big to-do, a classic casserole is a way to go. It’s a dish that goes from oven to table with no stress in between. Best Tuna Casserole is the ultimate in comfort food, without any complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Best Tuna Casserole

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

When you’re after something quick and nutritious, whipping up a stir fry is a perfect solution. It’s all about a fast sear and fresh ingredients in one pan. Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry makes it easy to serve up something vibrant and full of flavor. You’re in control, turning fresh produce and protein into a meal in minutes, not hours.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Antipasto Salad

Let your chopping board see some action with a dish that’s as colorful as it is easy to put together. It’s all the flavors of Italian antipasti, in a fresher, lighter form. Antipasto Salad is your answer to a quick, no-cook meal that is both filling and refreshing. Just toss everything together and boom – you’ve got a meal that’s far from ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Cheeseburger

Sometimes, nothing beats a classic, especially when it’s this simple to make. Grab your skillet or grill, and get ready for a homemade meal that satisfies that fast-food urge. Midway through cooking, it’s time for Cheeseburger magic.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger

Breakfast Casserole

Wake up to a warm, inviting dish that makes the first meal of the day feel like a feast. It’s all your favorite breakfast items baked together in one dish. Breakfast Casserole is the kind of meal prep that makes morning routines a breeze. Just bake, slice, and serve to start the day on a delicious note, with none of the usual morning rush.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Casserole

Chick-fil-A Sauce

Ditch the drive-thru and let your condiment game shine with a copycat sauce that’ll have everyone dipping. It’s as simple as mixing a few pantry staples together. So next time you fry or grill some chicken, be sure to whip up Chick-fil-A Sauce for that finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Sauce

Best Zucchini Bread

Turn that humble garden vegetable into something sweet and tasty that serves up a slice of comfort anytime. It’s a batter, a loaf pan, and your oven doing all the work. Slide a loaf of Best Zucchini Bread out of the oven, and watch it disappear slice by slice.
Get the Recipe: Best Zucchini Bread

Asparagus Casserole

When you’re looking for a side dish that’s a little different yet effortless, baked vegetables come to the rescue. It’s about improving the simplest of greens to something hearty and moreish. Asparagus Casserole could become the overlooked hero of your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Fuse together two classics for a comfort dish that’s sure to please any crowd. It’s layer upon layer of creamy, cheesy goodness. In the middle of assembling, you’ll find Chicken Alfredo Lasagna is the stuff of cozy dinner dreams. Easy to make ahead, it’s perfect for when you need a big meal with minimal day-of effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Sometimes, the simplest of sides can be the most rewarding, especially when they come out perfectly cooked with little effort. Even corn on the cob can be a hassle-free endeavor. Let Air Fryer Corn on the Cob show you the easiest way to enjoy this staple veggie.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Breakfast Burritos

Wrap up your morning meal in a handy, portable package that’s tailor-made for busy schedules. It’s a full breakfast tucked into a warm tortilla, ready to enjoy on the go. Prepare a batch of Breakfast Burritos ahead of time, and you’ve got a grab-and-go meal that takes the rush out of your morning routine.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Burritos

Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Combine the homestyle comfort of a stew with the ease of a baked dish, and you’ve got a surefire hit. It’s a creamy base topped with fluffy dumplings, baked to perfection. Halfway through prep, you’ll see that Chicken and Dumpling Casserole is all the comfort without the pot-watching.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Looking for a healthier twist on a kid-favorite that doesn’t skimp on crunch? It’s all about making the most of that countertop gadget. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders come out perfectly crispy and ready to dip without the guilt of deep frying. Kids and adults alike will love the simplicity and the taste of these easy-to-make treats.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Cheeseburger Soup

Soup doesn’t have to be all vegetables and broth; sometimes, it’s about the heartier things in life. Imagine a favorite sandwich turned into a creamy, spoonable delight. Give in to a pot of Cheeseburger Soup for a unique twist on classic comfort food. It’s a one-pot meal that brings the burger experience to your bowl with ease.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Transform a beloved breakfast dish into a casserole you can slice and serve with ease. It’s southern charm baked into every layer, meant to fill you up and make you smile. Biscuits and Gravy Casserole is a down-home favorite that’s packed with flavor and simplicity.
Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Cheeseburger Sliders

When you crave a bite-sized version of an American staple, sliders are the way to go. It’s the fun and flavor of a burger packed into a smaller, crowd-pleasing form. Cheeseburger Sliders are perfect for parties or a family meal where everyone can grab and go.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders

Air Fryer Chocolate Brownies

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat that’s surprisingly easy to bake in your favorite countertop appliance. It’s about getting that crispy crust and gooey center without turning on the stove. Made in the air fryer, Air Fryer Chocolate Brownies are an enjoyable way to end any meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Brownies

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Turn a simple combo into a warm, melted batch of bite-sized sandwiches that everyone will love. They’re easy, cheesy, and downright pleasing. Ham and Cheese Sliders work for a meal or a snack, and they’re ridiculously simple to assemble. Think of it as a mini deli delight that brings big flavor with minimal kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders

Corn Casserole

Dish out a side that’s deceptively simple and utterly rewarding with a mix that’s baked to soft, crumbly perfection. It’s your trusted box mix plus a few extras, and you’re good to go. Corn Casserole is a side dish that’s both easy to prep and easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms

Enjoy an appetizer or side dish that’s all about the tasty flavor of one of nature’s finest offerings. Forget about sautéing; there’s a new method in town. With Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms, you bring out their best taste with minimal effort. Just season, air fry, and serve up a dish that’s both simple and simply irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Kick things up a notch with a spicy appetizer that’s as easy to eat as it is to make. It’s a little heat, a little meat, and a whole lot of flavor, all in one bite. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers are the perfect crowd-pleaser for those who like a touch of spice.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Bring together two staples in a bake that’s as filling as it is simple to whip up. It’s a creamy, cheesy mixture that’s bound to become a weeknight staple. Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is for nights when you want a worthwhile meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Casserole