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15 Prepped Dishes That Prove You Don’t Need to Cook Every Night

By: kseniaprints · Updated: Sep 4, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Getting dinner on the table every night can be exhausting, but having prepped dishes ready to go changes everything. These 15 recipes make it simple to cook once and have flavorful, ready-to-heat dishes for days. Each one is designed to store well, reheat easily, and still taste just as good as when it was first made. They’re proof that with the right prep, you can skip cooking most nights without sacrificing great food.

A baked casserole dish containing a cheesy broccoli and chicken mixture, topped with pieces of pineapple and sprinkled with chopped parsley.
Quinoa Chicken Casserole with Broccoli and Pumpkin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A black bowl filled with creamy pasta coated in a thick sauce, topped with a fresh basil leaf. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl. The background is a light-colored surface.
Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken makes weeknight dinners effortless by letting the slow cooker handle all the work. This prepped dish can be started in the morning and enjoyed hot and ready by dinnertime. The creamy sauce keeps the chicken tender and flavorful for reheating later in the week. It’s the kind of dish that quietly waits for you until you’re ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken and Date Casserole

Chicken and Date Casserole in a baking dish.
Chicken and Date Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken and Date Casserole is a prepped dish that works beautifully for anyone who wants to avoid cooking every night. Once baked, it keeps well in the fridge and reheats without losing its hearty texture or flavor. The mix of savory chicken and naturally sweet dates makes it versatile for lunch or dinner throughout the week. It turns your earlier kitchen work into multiple ready-to-serve dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Date Casserole

Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake

A rectangular glass baking dish filled with a baked casserole topped with melted, browned cheese sits on a white surface beside a folded gray cloth and a wooden utensil.
Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake fits the title perfectly because it’s a full dish you can prepare ahead and reheat for several days. Layers of tender chicken, soft potatoes, and melted cheese make it filling enough to skip extra side dishes. This prepped recipe is a smart choice for busy schedules, especially when you want something ready with minimal effort. It feels like comfort food that stretches far beyond the day you cook it.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

A bowl of penne pasta topped with shredded meat and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is placed in the bowl. Red tomatoes and additional fresh basil leaves are on the marble surface nearby.
Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara shows how prepping dishes can free you from daily cooking. Simply load the ingredients into the slow cooker, and it’s ready by dinnertime with enough for leftovers. The rich marinara sauce keeps the chicken moist and flavorful for days. This is the type of dish that keeps your dinner routine running smoothly without repeat cooking sessions.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

A dish in a black baking pan filled with baked casserole. The top is golden brown with crispy edges and garnished with sliced green onions. A portion has been removed, revealing a creamy interior.
Chicken Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole is the kind of prepped dish that makes you glad you cooked once for multiple nights. It bakes into a creamy, cheesy dish that reheats beautifully without drying out. It cuts down your cooking days while keeping dishes hearty and filling. It’s a dependable fridge staple you’ll look forward to reheating.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole

A baked dish in a red casserole dish featuring layers of melted cheese, zucchini slices, and a seasoned meat mixture. The surface is lightly browned, garnished with chopped herbs.
Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole fits the title because it’s designed to last beyond the day you make it. The hearty beef, tender vegetables, and rice keep well in the fridge, ready for quick reheating. This prepped dish helps you cut back on daily cooking without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. It’s a dish that works hard in your kitchen long after it leaves the oven.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole

Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake

A bowl of pasta salad featuring mushrooms, asparagus, and a creamy green sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs. A small bowl of nuts and some greenery are in the blurred background.
Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake is a prepped dish that’s perfect for making once and eating for days. The creamy sauce and baked pasta hold their texture well when reheated, keeping each serving just as enjoyable. This dish works with the title’s goal by reducing how often you need to cook while still delivering a hearty dinner. It’s a make-ahead option that saves both time and energy all week long.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge

A plate of chocolate fudge squares stacked in a pyramid shape on a white surface. The fudge is topped with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

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Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge may not be a main dish, but it still fits the title by freeing up your cooking time during busy weeks. This prepped treat can be made ahead, stored, and enjoyed without extra work each night. The slow cooker takes care of the process while you focus on other tasks. It’s proof that prepped dishes can also include sweet endings to the day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge

One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole

A platter of roasted chicken garnished with fresh parsley, accompanied by sautéed mushrooms and potato slices, with a spoon next to the dish. A bowl of creamy white sauce is visible in the background.
One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole fits the title because it creates a full dish in one pan that reheats beautifully. The chicken stays tender, and the potatoes keep their texture after storage. This prepped dish is perfect for busy weeks when you want something ready to go without more cooking. It’s proof that one cooking session can keep you well-fed for days.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

A plate of shredded chicken is garnished with herbs, black olives, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Two lemon wedges and pieces of flatbread accompany the dish. A fork is resting on the edge of the plate.
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken is a prepped dish that makes busy nights easier by cooking low and slow while you handle other tasks. Once made, it can be enjoyed fresh or reheated for quick dinners later in the week. The tender chicken absorbs the seasonings, making each bite flavorful even after storage. It’s a stress-free way to keep recipes ready without constant cooking.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

A white plate holds a serving of cheesy casserole garnished with chopped parsley, placed on a blue-striped cloth next to a wooden spoon, an onion, and green leafy parsley in the background.
French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole is a prepped dish that layers savory flavors with a texture that holds up well after reheating. It gives you several dishes in one baking dish. The rice soaks up the onion-rich sauce, making every serving just as flavorful as the first. It’s a dependable choice when you want dinner waiting without extra prep.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

A slice of crumbly dessert topped with a dollop of white cream is presented on a dark plate. The dessert is garnished with chopped nuts, and a fork rests in front of it, partially obscuring the dessert.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts is a prepped dish that can also double as a main for lighter recipes. Once baked, it holds up well in the fridge and reheats easily. The sweet potatoes stay tender, and the hazelnut topping keeps its crunch. It’s the kind of dish that keeps giving long after you’ve done the work.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers

A plate of chicken stir-fry with sliced carrots, bell peppers, and mushrooms, garnished with cilantro and almond slices. A fork rests on the plate, and a yellow cloth is visible in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers proves how prepped dishes can keep weeknights stress-free. It cooks quickly in the Instant Pot and stores well for reheating over the next few days. The sauce keeps the chicken moist, making each serving taste fresh even after refrigeration. It’s a go-to option for cutting down kitchen time without cutting back on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers

Quinoa Chicken Casserole with Broccoli and Pumpkin

A baked casserole dish containing a cheesy broccoli and chicken mixture, topped with pieces of pineapple and sprinkled with chopped parsley.
Quinoa Chicken Casserole with Broccoli and Pumpkin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Quinoa Chicken Casserole with Broccoli and Pumpkin works for the title’s promise because it’s wholesome, filling, and stores well for days. The mix of grains, vegetables, and protein makes it a balanced recipe ready to serve anytime. As a prepped dish, it eliminates the need for daily cooking while keeping variety in your menu. This is one of those dishes that feels just as good on day three as it did fresh from the oven.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Chicken Casserole with Broccoli and Pumpkin

Mushroom leek pasta bake

A white dish filled with creamy pasta topped with mushrooms and herbs is placed on a blue and white striped cloth.
Mushroom leek pasta bake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Bake is a prepped dish that’s perfect for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week. The creamy sauce and baked noodles maintain their flavor and texture when reheated. It aligns with the title’s purpose by cutting down the number of times you need to cook. This dish is as convenient as it is filling, making it a smart addition to any recipe plan.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom leek pasta bake

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Hello! I am Ksenia, a cook and blogger passionate about comfort food that warms the heart.

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