These dinner meal prep recipes make getting a healthy family dinner on the table easy. From slow cooker lasagna soup to shrimp taco bowls, these dinners are as delicious as they are practical.
When thinking of how to kick off the new year, nothing seemed more important than a solid list of approachable and delicious meal prep dinner recipes.
Why? For me, meal prep dinners have made a huge impact not only in how we eat but in our family life as a whole. I'm passionate about both my work and my family. Prepping dinners ahead of time allows me to spend time with my boys in the evening rather than frantically rummaging around in the kitchen to throw something together for dinner. It allows me to relax during our family dinners (as much as possible with 3 little boys!)
Meal prep has become such an ingrained habit for me that I barely have to think about it (especially thanks to our Prep Dish meal plans which I use every week!) That said, I know many people love the idea of meal prep dinners, but don't know where to get started. Or maybe you're in a meal prep groove but are sick of prepping the same ole chicken and broccoli every week.
I've rounded up some of my favorite dinner meal prep recipes, the ones you'll want to make again and again. These are easy, specifically designed for meal prep, healthy and perfect for families.
If you find a new favorite, I'd love to hear about it! Message me on Facebook or Instagram @prepdish and let me know.
25 Dinner Meal Prep Recipes
Dinner Meal Prep Recipes with Beef
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
On those nights when you don't have time to make an actual lasagna, slow cooker lasagna soup is the perfect solution!
Teriyaki Stir Fry Noodles
This homemade teriyaki sauce is downright addictive! Make the sauce ahead of time during your meal prep session and this dinner comes together FAST!
Ginger Ground Beef Salad
If you're sick of the same-ole, same-ole salads, this one is a great way to mix it up! Even your non-salad-lover will rave over this one.
Easy Slow Cooker Chuck Roast
The slow cooker is such a game-changer for busy weeknights! If you mince the garlic and make the spice rub ahead of time, you'll be set for an easy dinner.
Slow Cooker Beef & Vegetable Stew
This slow cooker stew has been a Prep Dish favorite for years, and for good reason! Packed with protein and veggies, this is definitely comfort food you can feel good about.
Seafood Meal Prep Dinners
Shrimp Taco Bowls
I love shrimp for weeknights because they cook SO Quickly. In this Tex Mex-inspired dish, you can prep ahead by cooking the rice, doing your chopping and making the cilantro lime sauce.
Healthy Tuna Casserole
Nostalgic and budget-friendly, this healthy tuna casserole was an instant hit with our Prep Dish subscribers.
Homemade Fish Sticks w/ Homemade Tartar Sauce
Straight from our low carb menus, these homemade fish sticks are a major upgrade from the frozen variety, but with all of the beloved nostalgia.
Red Snapper in Crazy Water
This dish was an immediate favorite when it hit the meal plans. The “crazy water” broth is just so full of flavor, incredible.
Pesto Sheet Pan Shrimp and Veggies
Shrimp cook so quickly so if you make the pesto and chop the veggies ahead of time, this is perfect for weeknights!
Chicken Breast Meal Prep Ideas
Chicken Salad w/ Cranberries & Walnuts
Chicken salad is perfect for those nights when you have a late meeting or back to back soccer games and need dinner ready ASAP when you get home. It also makes an excellent packed lunch.
Chicken Poblano Casserole
If you're looking for healthy low carb meal prep that's also family-friendly, this chicken poblano casserole fits the bill! And with only 8 ingredients, it comes together quickly.
Easy Chicken Lo Mein
For this meal prep dinner recipe, you'll do your chopping and make your sauce ahead of time. With these steps complete, dinnertime is easy!
Chicken Spezzatino Soup
This Italian-inspired meal prep soup is savory, hearty and, perhaps most importantly, EASY. You'll do almost all of your chopping during your meal prep, making dish day quick and simple.
Curry Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
A simple curry sauce made from curry powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, honey and olive oil adds incredible flavor to this sheet pan meal.
For even more chicken breast meal prep ideas, check out my roundup of the 20 Best Shredded Chicken Meal Prep Ideas.
Pork Meal Prep Dinner Ideas
Pork & Pineapple Taco Bowls
This recipe is so simple, but it's also a total standout. The pineapple slaw has so much bright flavor yet it comes together quickly thanks to the pre-chopped coleslaw mix. If pork isn't your thing, you can easily sub ground chicken here.
Easy, Healthy Pasta w/ Italian Sausage & Veggies
Pasta is a weeknight staple for good reason but it can get a little boring eating the same old pasta with marinara week after week. Switch it up with this protein and veggie-packed favorite. If you chop everything ahead of time in your meal prep, it comes together so quickly.
Zuppa Toscana
You can do almost all of your chopping ahead of time for this cozy crockpot soup. All you'll have to do on dish day is chop your potatoes, add everything to the slow cooker and press start!
Chorizo Bowls w/ Veggies
Chorizo has a ton of flavor on its own, meaning you don't need too many ingredients to make this dish super flavorful. You can serve over rice or over cauli-rice for a low carb / paleo version.
Slow Cooker Pork Ragu
Made with pork shoulder, this ragu cooks in the slow cooker. Your whole house will smell amazing as it simmers away!
Vegetarian Dinner Meal Prep
Middle Eastern Salad w/ Tahini Sauce
This salad is quite simple but the tahini sauce takes the flavor to the next level! It's rich and creamy yet bright from the lemon and garlic.
Healthy Vegetable Bean Soup w/ Quinoa
Vegetable Bean Soup w/ Quinoa is vegetarian comfort food at its best. The beans and quinoa add plenty of protein while herbs de provence add a lovely flavor.
Winter Pear Salad w/ Lentils
If you're looking for a cozy, nutrient-packed meal, this winter pear salad is perfect. It's got such a nice balance of sweet and savory.
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Paired with gluten free / paleo almond flour biscuits, this curried cauliflower soup makes the perfect cozy but healthy dinner.
Vegetarian Peanut Stew
Part of our budget dinner series, this peanut stew is so rich and savory. Sweet potatoes add the perfect hint of sweetness.
FAQ – Common Questions About Meal Prep Dinner Recipes
What are the best foods for meal prepping?
If you don't have time to prep an entire meal prep meal plan, prioritize prepping a couple of proteins and some veggies. This might include making some shredded chicken, which is so versatile, roasting veggies, and washing and chopping raw veggies to snack on.
How to prep dinners for the week?
To prep dinners for the week, start by looking at the calendar. Figure out how many dinners you'll need and identify any nights where you need a totally hands-off dinner ready when you get home. Then select your meals and do your prep! To make it even easier, try Prep Dish meal plans for free!
What should I meal prep for 3 days?
To prep 3 days of dinners, I love choosing a “cook once, eat twice” option like my Slow Cooker Chuck Roast. You can cook the roast once and enjoy it two different nights in two totally different ways. For instance, you might eat it over polenta with roasted carrots one night and enjoy shredded beef tacos another night. So easy! For the third night, prep something totally different like my Fall Salad w/ Chicken, Butternut Squash, Apples & Bacon or my Pork & Pineapple Taco Bowls.
Is meal prepping good for weight loss?
While our meal prep meal plans are not specifically geared toward weight loss, we have heard from so many subscribers that they have lost weight using Prep Dish. Why? Having healthy meals prepped ahead makes it easy to make healthy choices that are both delicious and good for you.
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