There is no need to stress over dinner with these easy meal prep ideas.

Looking for something healthy to make for those nights on the go when everyone is rushing out the door? Then look no further because this long list of recipes will keep everyone happy – especially the chef of the house!

photos of Easy Meal Prep Ideas with writing

Tips for Meal Prepping

  • For quick meals try planning. This includes choosing recipes and then purchasing all the necessary ingredients ahead of time.
  • Chop, dice, and slice all the vegetables ahead of time.
  • Measure out some of the dry ingredients, and the vegetables, and place them in containers or baggies with labels indicating measurements, what they are, and for which recipe.

Meal Prep Basics

Baking and even shredding chicken ahead of time is a great way of having juicy and tender chicken ready for adding to a variety of dishes. Ground beef, pork tenderloin, and baked salmon fillets are all great for adding to other dishes or serving as a stand-alone addition of protein to the dinner plate.

Table of Contents
  1. Tips for Meal Prepping
  2. Meal Prep Basics
  3. Breakfast Meal Prep
  4. Meal Prep Bowls
  5. Soups and Salads
  6. “Salad” Recipes
  7. Sandwiches

Breakfast Meal Prep

Start the morning with a meal that is nutritious and hearty.

bite taken out of a Classic Breakfast Sandwich
Classic Breakfast Sandwich
Make-ahead and freezer friendly for the perfect grab-and-go breakfast!
Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a perfect meal prep breakfast recipe! Oats are mixed with yogurt, chia seeds, and fruit!
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plated Make Ahead Egg Muffins
Make Ahead Egg Muffins
Egg muffins are a delicious and tasty breakfast, naturally low carb, and easy to make ahead of time!
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sliced Sheet Pan Eggs in the pan
Sheet Pan Eggs
Sheet pan eggs are the perfect recipe when cooking for a morning crowd!
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Two slices of banana bread with melting butter on top
Easy Banana Bread Recipe
This banana bread is one of the easiest recipes and turns out perfectly moist every time!
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Easy Fresh Fruit Salad in a bowl
Easy Fresh Fruit Salad
This simple fruit salad is tossed in a homemade cinnamon vanilla simple syrup and served fresh!
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Meal Prep Bowls

These meal-in-one bowls are the best in customizable dishes that are easy to prepare in advance.

plated Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Teriyaki chicken bowls are made with tender and juicy morsels of chicken, crisp broccoli tossed in a sticky sweet sauce.
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Fajita Meal Prep Bowls in containers
Fajita Meal Prep Bowls
Fajita Bowls (Meal Prep) – With simple make ahead ideas like these Fajita Meal Prep Bowls, eating great all week is as easy as opening the fridge to grab a dish!
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a salmon bowl with fresh vegetables and green onions
Honey Butter Salmon Bowls
Salmon Rice Bowls are healthy and hearty with rice, flavored salmon, and veggies!
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Sesame Ground Turkey Bowls in bowls with sauce
Sesame Ground Turkey Bowls
Light, flavorful, & loaded with crunchy veggies, these Sesame Ground Turkey Bowls are perfect for lunch or dinner!
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close up of Taco Quinoa Bowl
Taco Quinoa Bowl
Taco Quinoa Bowls are loaded with chicken, seasoned veggies, and quinoa! Top with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
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Soups and Salads

Simmer a heartwarming and comforting soup on the stove or try making a low-carb and quick salad for a quick and easy make-ahead meal.

a spoon in a bowl of homemade lentil soup with a loaf of bread
Homemade Lentil Soup
Nourishing, comforting and flavorful lentil soup is a simple one pot meal that is warming and satisfying.
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pouring dressing on to Chicken Fajita Salad
Chicken Fajita Salad
A healthy way to enjoy Chicken Fajitas without the starchy carbs from the tortilla! All the grilled flavor of fajitas and classic toppings tossed together in a salad bowl!
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Hamburger Soup in a pot with a ladle
Easy Hamburger Soup
Hamburger Soup is a quick and easy meal filled with vegetables, lean beef, diced tomatoes, and potatoes. This soup recipe can be made ahead of time and freezes well.
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serving Kale Quinoa Salad in a bowl with spoons
Kale Quinoa Salad
This kale quinoa salad offers a perfect blend of fresh flavors, making it a delicious choice for a side dish or lunch.
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a pot of chicken tortilla soup garnished with lime
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This chicken tortilla soup recipe is so easy to make and needs just one pot! It's jam-packed with goodness, including shredded chicken, beans, corn, and tomatoes. Set out your favorite toppings to make a meal the whole family will love.
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Beef Barley Soup in a pot with a ladle
Beef Barley Soup
This homemade beef barley soup is loaded with nutritious veggies, tender beef and plump barley. It’s a complete meal in a bowl!
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two bowls of 15 bean soup with cornbread
15 Bean Soup
This 15 Bean Soup is budget-friendly and easy to make. It's the perfect soup for a cold winter's day!
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Brussels sprout salad in a white bowl topped with feta and pomegranate
Brussels Sprout Salad
Shredded Brussels sprouts, crisp tart apples, feta cheese, cranberries, pomegranate arils, and walnuts are tossed in a tangy honey dijon vinaigrette.
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A Greek salad in a while bowl with feta on top
Greek Salad
This fresh Greek salad recipe is a simple combination of fresh veggies, olives, and feta tossed in a fresh and easy dressing.
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“Salad” Recipes

A classic chicken salad on a roll with tomatoes and lettuce next to cucumbers.
Classic Chicken Salad
This is the best chicken salad recipe with simple ingredients and lots of flavor. Serve it as a sandwich, a salad, or a wrap.
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plated Classic Tuna Salad
Easy Tuna Salad
This easy tuna salad is refreshing and satisfying, made with tender chunks of tuna, crisp celery, tangy pickles, and creamy mayonnaise.
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ham salad on bread with pickles
Ham Salad Recipe
The best thing about leftover ham is it gives you the chance to make ham salad! You can whip it up in the food processor in a flash.
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Black Bean Quinoa Salad ingredients in a white bowl
Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Deliciously simple, full of fresh veggies all tossed in a zesty lime dressing, this is the perfect easy lunch or dinner.
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Chickpea Salad with wooden spoons
Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are mixed with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy avocados, coated in a simple lemon-infused dressing.
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plated Best Egg Salad Recipe sandwich
The Best Egg Salad Recipe
This classic egg salad recipe is easy to make and perfect for egg salad sandwiches.
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Shrimp Salad served over greens on a white dish
Shrimp Salad
As warmer weather approaches, Shrimp Salad will be a fabulous light entrée to add to your go-to recipe collection. 
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close up of an easy pasta salad in a white serving bowl with a serving spoon
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad with fresh veggies and a tangy Italian dressing is perfect for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
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Sandwiches

I look forward to lunch with these great sandwich ideas!

close up of Turkey Wrap
Easy Turkey Wrap
Turkey Wraps are full of fresh veggies, turkey slices, cheese, and cranberry sauce!
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Half of a Italian Sub Sandwich
Italian Sub Sandwich
Made with fresh ingredients, spicy meats, and tangy cheeses piled high on a toasted sub roll they are great for a crowd.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches with a pickle on top
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Not only are these Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches a crowd pleaser they’re really easy to make and delicious piled high on a bun.
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Pieces of club sandwich on a plate with olives and pickles
Club Sandwich
Layers of bacon, turkey and ham with juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce make up this classic sandwich!
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close up of Ham Sandwich
Our Favorite Ham Sandwich
Make this ultimate ham sandwich using holiday leftovers for an easy lunch or on-the-go dinner!
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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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