Meal Prep: 22 Easy and Delicious Recipes for Busy Teachers

Here at Bored Teachers, we are teachers too, so we know how hard it can be to work all day and then come home and try to figure out what to make for dinner. That’s why we’ve put together this collection of 22 easy and delicious recipes: a month of school-night dinners (plus two bonus recipes) to make your life easier and your family happy. Check them out!

Cook up some comfort

A good meal is a wonderful way for a couple or family to unwind and reconnect at the end of the day. And some foods seem to pair particularly well with good conversations and affectionate feelings. To bring a little extra warmth and comfort to your family meals, try these comfort food favorites.

• Chicken and Dumplings – Creamy and hearty, is there anything more comforting than a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings? By cooking the chicken and veggies all day in the slower cooker, all that’s left for the busy chef to do at the end of the day is whip up a batch of dumplings! With this recipe, it’s easy to serve this delicious dish anytime.

• Chicken Pot Pie – Like chicken and dumplings, a pot pie combines savory, tender chicken with nutritious veggies to make a meal that is satisfying and comforting. And with a 10-minute prep time, there’s no reason not to make this dish a staple.

• Lasagne – I used to find making lasagne intimidating until I found this slow cooker recipe. Using uncooked noodles makes this recipe incredibly easy. I usually use Italian sausage instead of ground beef and ricotta instead of cottage cheese. It is also okay to substitute store-bought marinara and pre-chopped frozen onions.

• Mac and Cheese – 15 minutes (and only 5 minutes of prep) for homemade mac and cheese? Yes, please! Top with bacon or ground beef to add extra flavor and protein!

Soup it up!

A hot bowl of soup and a slice of crusty bread is the perfect way to end a winter day and settle in for a cozy evening.

• Chicken Noodle Soup – I usually cook a whole chicken to make a pot of chicken noodle soup, but this recipe uses a rotisserie chicken and store-bought broth to save time without compromising flavor. 

• Broccoli Cheese Soup – Sooooo good and it’s low-carb or gluten-free! Cheese for the win!

• Hamburger Soup – This soup is full of veggies but so delicious that even your pickiest eaters will love it. And while the recipe doesn’t call for cheese, a little grated cheddar is a nice touch. It’s also yummy with cornbread.

• Tomato Bisque – Serve this creamy soup with a crunchy grilled cheese sandwich! Perfection!

Healthy and delicious

It can be hard to find meals that are quick and easy which also meet specific dietary needs. But again, we are here to help! Check out these yummy diet-conscious recipes.

• Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken – This recipe can be adapted to be Keto or Paleo. So skip the expensive takeout and try this easy and healthy version of this restaurant favorite.

• Beef and Beer – This flavorful Belgian-inspired dish might only have 345 calories per serving, but you definitely won’t feel deprived. Serve with a big salad–and maybe a little red wine for the grownups!

• Chicken Fajita Tacos –  Healthy! Delicious! Festive! Chicken fajita tacos are a go-to in my family. In the summer when we have homegrown tomatoes, we make our own salsa, but in the winter, we just pick up an order of salsa (or two) from our favorite local Mexican restaurant.

• Chicken Spinach Pasta – Not low-fat or low-carb, this dish is more about an easy and delicious way to sneak some spinach into your kids’ diet. To make this recipe even easier, try using a rotisserie chicken.

Budget-friendly and fast

Try these recipes when you want to feed your family, save some money, and keep your sanity.

• Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Marsala – At $2.20 per serving and only 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe is a no-brainer!

• Teriyaki Chicken Thighs – Chicken thighs tend to be less expensive than breasts and more flavorful. Not only that, this dish is made with many inexpensive staple ingredients, making it convenient to make and easy on the budget.

• One-Pot Enchilada Pasta – When it comes to quick and easy, it’s hard to beat a one-pot meal–especially one as interesting and inexpensive to make as this.

• One-Skillet Cheesy Ground Chicken Pasta – Easy for mom or dad to make and a sure favorite of the kids. You can’t go wrong with this budget-friendly meal.

Meals on the go

Because of weeknight activities, our day doesn’t always end at the bell, so sometimes we need our meals to be fast and easy to make and also fast and easy to eat. Try these recipes on the nights when your kids’ busy schedules keep you running until bedtime.

• Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders – Perfect for a hot grab-and-go meal!

• Creamy Chicken Taquitos – Wrap these fun and yummy hand-held treats in foil to keep them warm for a great make-and-take meal.

• Walking Tacos –  Choose your meat, your chip flavor, and your toppings! When it comes to walking tacos, the choices are many!

• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Better than a basic sandwich, serve this delicious dish on a bun, wrapped in a tortilla, or even over a baked potato.

Easier than it looks

Finally, here are a couple of dishes when you want it to seem like you went to a lot of trouble, but you didn’t have time to. 

• Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken – This feels and tastes like a special occasion meal but is easy enough to make any night of the week.

• Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin – This is a pretty dish to serve with slow cooker mashed potatoes and a salad. This will definitely look like you went all out.

What about you? What are some of your favorite quick and easy meals?