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Home » Recipe Collections

You’ll Want to Meal Prep These 27 Recipes Just to Feel in Control Again

Published: Jul 6, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

When everything feels just a little out of control, meal prep these recipes to make the week feel more doable. They’re the kind of meals that make you feel like you’ve actually got a plan, even when everything else is chaos. It’s not about perfection—it’s about knowing that dinner is handled, no matter what the day throws at you. If you’re the kind of person who needs at least one thing to feel figured out, this is a good place to start.

Asian Chicken Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

A close up view of a cooked asparagus casserole in a baking dish.
Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Asparagus, cheddar, and breadcrumbs bake in under an hour with minimal prep. It’s a good recipe to prep ahead when you want your sides handled early.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Beef and Noodles with Mushrooms

Beef and Noodles with Mushrooms. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Beef and noodles in mushroom sauce cook down easily and reheat well. It’s a solid make-ahead option that helps dinners feel more manageable.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Noodles with Mushrooms

Meal Prep Tofu

Meal Prep Tofu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This tofu, cabbage, and pepper sheet pan meal needs very little prep and cooks fast. It’s a reliable plant-based recipe to keep your week on track.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Tofu

Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese

An image of corn casserole with cream cheese, ready to be served.
Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cheesy corn casserole comes together quickly with any corn you’ve got. It’s great to prep when you want something ready to stretch through multiple meals.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese

Asian Chicken Salad

Asian Chicken Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This mason jar Asian chicken salad keeps crisp and is packed with flavor. It’s a great prep option when your schedule needs quick meals without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Asian Chicken Salad

Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken

Image shows a Bite of tomato lime chicken on a fork with rice and the rest of the bowl in the background.
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tomato lime chicken simmers in the slow cooker with hardly any work. It’s a smart prep when you want dinner to be ready before the day gets away from you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken

Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This mason jar Cobb salad stacks bacon, chicken, and veggies without getting soggy. It’s perfect for prepping lunches that make the rest of the week easier.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad

Greek Chickpea Soup

An image of greek chickpea soup in a bowl with utensils beside it.
Greek Chickpea Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Greek chickpea soup cooks quickly and uses simple ingredients. It’s great to prep when you want meals that feel homemade without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chickpea Soup

Taco Soup in a Jar

Taco Soup in a Jar. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This taco soup in a jar mixes rice, beef, beans, and seasoning in one spot. It’s easy to keep on hand when you need lunch or dinner without much work.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup in a Jar

Green Rice Casserole

An overhead image of green rice casserole in a white baking dish.
Green Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green rice casserole uses pantry ingredients and cooks in under 35 minutes. It’s proof that meal prep can be simple and still get the job done.
Get the Recipe: Green Rice Casserole

Kale Salad

Kale Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

A mason jar kale salad keeps its crunch even after a few days in the fridge. It’s a smart way to keep your lunch routine from falling apart midweek.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad

Easy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos

Easy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Air fryer beef taquitos cook fast and hold up well after reheating. They’re a strong prep choice when you want something easy that’s ready to grab.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Beef Taquitos

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side.
3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli cheese casserole needs just three ingredients and bakes in 30 minutes. It’s a simple prep to knock out when you want something ready fast.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Coconut Lentil Curry Soup in a Jar

Coconut Lentil Curry Soup in a Jar. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Prepping soup mix in a jar cuts down time when you’re ready to cook. It’s an easy method that helps you stay ahead on hot meals during busy weeks.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Lentil Curry Soup in a Jar

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Caesar pasta salad mixes pantry staples in one quick dish. It’s a great choice when you want one recipe to cover lunches or dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Tater Tot Casserole

An image of cooked tater tot casserole.
Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tater tot casserole bakes up crisp and hides a few veggies inside. It’s a go-to prep when you want dinner ready without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

Miso Chicken Soup

Miso Chicken Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Mason jar miso chicken soup takes just minutes to prep and heats up fast. It’s a solid lunch option when you need something quick and filling.
Get the Recipe: Miso Chicken Soup

Squash Casserole with Stuffing

An image of Squash Casserole in a baking dish.
Squash Casserole with Stuffing. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Squash casserole takes just minutes to layer and cooks in one pan. It’s a great option to prep early so meals feel less rushed later.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole with Stuffing

Cashew Aoli Salad

Cashew Aoli Salad. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

This mason jar cashew aioli salad has fresh layers and easy assembly. It’s a strong prep choice when you need meals lined up and ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Aoli Salad

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

A close up image of slow cooker vegetarian chili in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegetarian chili cooks in the slow cooker with very little hands-on time. It’s a reliable prep choice when you want something filling that’s already made.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Beef Barbacoa

Top view of keto beef barbacoa in a square pan.
Beef Barbacoa. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Slow cooker beef barbacoa takes very little work and makes plenty to reuse. It’s a great recipe to knock out once and have meals covered for days.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Black Bean Quinoa Burger

An image of black bean quinoa burger on a cutting board with the top bun on the side.
Black Bean Quinoa Burger. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Black bean quinoa burgers come together fast and hold their shape all week. They’re a strong prep when you want something quick and packed with substance.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Chicken Zoodle Soup

Chicken Zoodle Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Mason jar chicken zoodle soup pulls together fast and travels well. It’s an easy lunch to prep that keeps things simple when your days are packed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Zoodle Soup

Easy Mexican Casserole

Easy Keto Mexican Casserole in a casserole dish with cilantro, green onion, and a spatula.
Easy Mexican Casserole. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Mexican casserole stacks beef, tortillas, and cheese in one quick bake. It’s a great meal prep dish that stays good through the week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mexican Casserole

Salsa Verde Chicken

Salsa Verde Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Salsa verde chicken uses just a few ingredients and basically cooks itself. It’s a make-ahead option that helps dinners feel handled.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

Tofu Lettuce Wraps

An overview of five tofu lettuce wraps on a white plate.
Tofu Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tofu lettuce wraps are quick to make and stay crisp in the fridge. They’re a good go-to when you need something fast that still feels fresh.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash in two white bowls.
Authentic Hungarian Goulash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Hungarian goulash simmers in the slow cooker while you handle other things. It’s a great recipe to prep ahead so dinner doesn’t become another task.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Hungarian Goulash

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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