Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 11 Meal Prep Ideas That Will Save You Plenty of Time in the Kitchen In a rush? Try one of these easy meals that can be prepared in advance. By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Instagram Twitter Website Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on July 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Yulia Reznikov/Getty Images Meal prep may sound tedious, but once you get into the groove of planning, or at least semi-planning, meals in advance, you'll see why so many people love to plan ahead! Whether you want to go ahead and make a week's worth of meals, or just a central protein or ingredient that can be repurposed in various ways, start your meal prep journey with these easy recipes. The dishes are mainly hands off, last for days in the fridge or even longer in the freezer, and are even better reheated once you put in the initial kitchen time. Keep reading for several meal prep ideas to make your life much easier and more delicious. 35 Quick and Easy Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight 01 of 11 Macaroni and Cheese Use a mixture of Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses for more complex flavors. Get the recipe:Macaroni and Cheese. Sang An get the recipe A pan of baked mac and cheese is the ideal make-ahead lunch, dinner, or side dish. Heat it all up or slice out a serving to quickly microwave and enjoy. 02 of 11 Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti Petrina Tinslay get the recipe Part lasagna, part ziti, this cheesy, saucy meal can be prepped in individual baking dishes or in one large one. Bake it as you're ready to eat it, or just cook the whole tray and work through it as desired. 03 of 11 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Greg DuPree get the recipe A rotisserie chicken stretches into a meal that will last a week in this decadent casserole that's ideal for advance meal prep. Throw in some frozen peas, broccoli florets, or edamame to up the veggie content. 04 of 11 Gochuchang Braised Brisket Greg DuPree get the recipe A braised brisket can go a long way, especially if you freeze half a batch of this Korean-inspired recipe for another time. Enjoy your reheated brisket as a sandwich, with quick-cooking rice, noodles, or rice cakes, or really however you're inspired to eat this beef. 05 of 11 Whole Grain Minestrone Caitlin Bensel get the recipe Replacing pasta with farro in this veggie-based soup recipe helps the grain stand up to the broth after days in the fridge or freezer. It's ideal as a packed lunch in a thermos or a quick dinner for busy nights. 06 of 11 Zucchini Parmesan Frittata Easier than taking individual egg orders, a frittata is one of our favorite ways to serve eggs for breakfast. This recipe combines crisp-tender zucchini and salty Parmesan cheese, but the possibilities are endless. Try artichoke hearts and rosemary, kale and goat cheese, or even corn and bacon. Cut into wedges and serve straight from the skillet. Get the recipe: Zucchini Parmesan Frittata. Sheri Giblin get the recipe Making a frittata to sit in the fridge and eat as your craving hits is perfect for busy cooks. Bake up this egg dish at the start of the week and slice some for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. It can be enjoyed cold and reheated. RELATED: The Secret to Making a Perfect Frittata Every Time 07 of 11 Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup Caption goes here. Get the recipe:Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup. Greg DuPree get the recipe Plant-based soup is always a good idea to have on hand. Whip up a big batch for quick meals, and if you don't get through it all, just freeze the rest. 08 of 11 Lemon Coriander Roast Chicken Caitlin Bensel get the recipe Roasting two chickens at once yields double the meals, and the opportunities for this flavorful, juicy chicken are seemingly endless. Use the leftovers to top salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls, fold into quesadillas or cold wraps, stir into soups, and more. 09 of 11 Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Jonny Valiant get the recipe These peppers are easy to prep and then cook for about 40 minutes in the oven. Cook them for slightly less time if you plan on reheating, and enjoy the bounty of your prep with a quick reheat. 10 of 11 Mason Jar Salad Lilechka75/Getty Images get the recipe Prep these one- or two-serving jarred salads to bring on the go. The trick is layering ingredients by texture and density, so nothing gets muddled or too mushy. 11 of 11 Easy Pork Dumplings Greg DuPree get the recipe There's a little legwork (okay, handwork) involved in folding dumplings, but make it a family project and fill your freezer with homemade dumplings to steam or fry whenever the craving hits. No need to defrost! RELATED: How to Cook Ramen, According to Professional Chefs Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit