Easy prep; Easy meals: 21 meals so you have time to wrap presents instead of cook

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So, we all know how crazy things can get during the holidays, right? I mean, who’s got the time to spend hours in the kitchen when there’s a pile of presents staring you down? Lucky for us, there are 21 super-easy meals that will let you spend more time wrapping gifts and less time stressing over cooking. Keep it easy-breezy with minimal effort but maximum flavor – you get the drift. So, kick back, soak in the holiday vibes, and let these stress-free meals be your go-to for a more relaxed season of giving. Your presents will look fabulous, and your sanity will thank you!

Brisket fried rice in black serving dish on white background.
Brisket Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Taco Casserole

A Taco Casserole dish with black beans, cheese and jalapenos.
Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Taco casserole simplifies the Mexican flavor explosion without the hassle. Keep it easy and efficient, leaving you more time for wrapping presents and embracing the festive spirit of the holidays. Enjoy the simplicity of this dish for a delicious and stress-free holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Sliced Smoked Bacon Wrapped Whole Pork Tenderloin on a white platter.
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Craving a dish that’s simple yet impressive? Enter bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Free up your schedule by choosing recipes like this. It’s a succulent pork tenderloin, enveloped in crispy bacon, creating a mouthwatering flavor as you relish in the simplicity of easy-prep cooking.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Leftover Roast Beef Stew

Leftover roast beef stroganoff on a plate with green beans in the background.
Leftover Roast Beef Stew. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ever find yourself with some leftover roast beef? Well, here’s a game-changer – turn it into a hearty stew that practically makes itself. This easy-prep meal ensures you’ll have more time to tackle those presents waiting to be wrapped, leaving the kitchen chaos behind.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Roast Beef Stew

Korean Beef Bowl

A top-down shot of Korean Beef Bowl with chopsticks and garlic.
Korean Beef Bowl. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Simplify dinner with a Korean beef bowl – it’s delicious and undemanding. Spend less time cooking and ensuring a seamless balance between festive celebrations and delicious meals. A bowl filled with savory Korean beef, creating an amazing harmony of flavors as you bask in the ease of this easy-prep option during the holiday season. A quick and flavorful solution for a joyful holiday experience.
Get the Recipe: Korean Beef Bowl

IP Corned Beef & Cabbage

A bowl of corned beef and cabbage on a wooden cutting board with vegetables,
IP Corned Beef & Cabbage. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

In the realm of hassle-free cooking, Instant Pot corned beef and cabbage reign supreme. It has the efficiency of minimal fuss coupled with maximum flavor, leaving you with ample time to tackle the real challenge of the season. Visualize a kitchen adorned with the comforting aroma of corned beef and cabbage, with your focus squarely on the joy of gift wrapping, making the holiday season truly stress-free.
Get the Recipe: IP Corned Beef & Cabbage

Steak & Pasta Salad

Overheat shot of steakhouse pasta salad.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Seeking a filling yet refreshing option without intricate preparation? Look no further – a steak and pasta salad is the answer. Use your extra time wisely, perhaps wrapping up those presents you’ve been avoiding, and enjoy the simplicity of this easy-prep meal.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Sous Vide Sausage

Sous Vide Sausage with mustard sauce on a black plate.
Sous Vide Sausage. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Craving perfectly cooked sausage without the constant monitoring? Enter sous vide sausage, a game-changer in the realm of hands-off cooking. Envision the simplicity of this cooking method, freeing you from the kitchen shackles. It’s a festive table adorned with succulent sausage, embodying the essence of easy-prep cooking during the joyful holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Sous Vide Sausage

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Sliced turkey breast on a white plate with sprigs of thyme.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Air fryer turkey breast is a game-changer for a hassle-free meal. Utilize your time wisely by opting for easy-prep dishes, ensuring you have the freedom to focus on wrapping presents during the festive season. Picture a succulent turkey breast, perfectly cooked in the air fryer, embodying the essence of stress-free cooking for a delightful holiday experience.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

Cabbage Roll in a Bowl.
Cabbage Roll in a Bowl. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Skip the intricate process of making cabbage rolls and opt for the simplicity of a cabbage roll in a bowl. Less time fussing in the kitchen – a win-win situation for a stress-free and tasty holiday season. Visualize a bowl brimming with all the flavors of cabbage rolls, sans the hassle, as you immerse yourself in the joy of wrapping presents, making the holiday season truly amazing.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

Dutch Oven Carnitas

Carnitas in a round black dish.
Dutch Oven Carnitas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Dutch oven carnitas are the epitome of a hassle-free treat. Imagine throwing everything into the pot, letting it simmer, and voilà – you’ve got time to wrap presents while the flavors meld together in your easy-prep masterpiece. Visualize a kitchen filled with the enticing aroma of carnitas, with your attention devoted to transforming presents into beautifully wrapped gifts, creating a harmonious holiday experience.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Carnitas

Turkey & Peppers

Italian turkey and peppers in a red bowl.
Turkey & Peppers. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Seeking a straightforward yet delicious option? Opt for a turkey and peppers dish that’s both delicious and time-efficient. With minimal fuss, you’ll have the freedom to focus on making the most of the holiday cheer. A plate brimming with flavorful turkey and peppers, embodying the essence of easy-prep cooking for a delightful and stress-free holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Turkey & Peppers

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

A plate with New Orleans BBQ Shrimp and lemon wedges, with serving utensils to the side.
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Craving a flavorful escape without the complexity? New Orleans BBQ shrimp – a dish cooked up quickly, leaving you with precious time to fully enjoy the festive spirit of the season. Visualize succulent shrimp bathed in a flavorful BBQ sauce, embodying the essence of easy-prep cooking for a hassle-free holiday experience.
Get the Recipe: New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps

Two lettuce wraps with chicken and spinach on a cutting board.
Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Chicken parmesan lettuce wraps offer a lighter alternative without sacrificing flavor. Choose easy-prep meals like this, allowing you to breeze through the cooking process and indulge in the gift-wrapping fun. A tasty and efficient option for a stress-free holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps

Brisket Fried Rice

Brisket fried rice in black serving dish on white background.
Brisket Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ever had the pleasure of savoring brisket? Now, imagine transforming yesterday’s brisket into a quick and tasty fried rice extravaganza. This easy-prep solution not only satisfies your palates but also leaves you from the kitchen chaos. Envision a table adorned with a steaming bowl of brisket fried rice, beckoning you to indulge, as you relish in the festive spirit with a stack of beautifully wrapped presents by your side.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice

Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties

Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties in a black dish.
Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Do you have holiday leftovers? Whip up these turkey mashed potato patties. Quick to make, they allow you to enjoy the festive season without sacrificing quality time spent on gift wrapping. It’s a delicious way to make the most of your leftovers without compromising on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties

Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas

Al pastor chicken quesadillas pulled apart.
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken al pastor quesadillas make for a quick and flavorful treat. Keep it simple, ensuring that your holiday season is both delicious and stress-free. Enjoy the ease and taste of this dish for a festive and hassle-free experience, picturing a platter adorned with savory quesadillas filled with the flavors of al pastor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas

Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

Shrimp & Asparagus Alfredo on a black plate.
Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Indulge in shrimp alfredo with asparagus – a creamy treat without the fuss. Keep things stress-free, leaving you with extra moments to wrap those presents and enjoy the holiday joy. Indulge in this easy-prep meal for a delectable and hassle-free holiday experience.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

Beef Barbacoa

Beef Barbacoa in a blue bowl.
Beef Barbacoa. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Beef barbacoa delivers rich flavors without the need for intricate cooking methods. Save time in the kitchen and allocate it to enjoying the festive season. Think of a plate filled with succulent barbacoa, embodying the simplicity and taste of easy-prep cooking for a joyful holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Baja Fish Tacos

Baja fish tacos on a white plate.
Baja Fish Tacos. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Baja fish tacos bring a taste of the coast to your table with ease. Prioritize your gift-wrapping agenda by choosing easy-prep meals like this, allowing you to enjoy both delicious food and festive celebrations. Indulge in the simplicity of this dish for a stress-free holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos

Al Pastor Carnitas

Al Pastor Carnitas in a white bowl with tongs.
Al Pastor Carnitas. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Al pastor carnitas offers a taste of Mexico with minimal effort. Simplify your routine, giving you ample time to fully immerse yourself in the joy of the holiday season. Enjoy the flavorful simplicity of this dish for a stress-free holiday experience.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas

Air Fryer Chicken Fries

Air fried chicken fries with dipping sauce on a wooden cutting board.
Air Fryer Chicken Fries. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Crispy, flavorful, and downright delicious – that’s the beauty of air-fried chicken fries. Effortlessly whipping up these treats in your air fryer, freeing you from the shackles of lengthy cooking sessions. Now, take that saved time and channel it into the art of wrapping gifts, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fries

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