We have some good news for you if the phrase meal prep makes you think of spending a whole workweek cooking till you're fatigued and then eating the same dull foods every day. Easy meal prep ideas for beginners you're in luck because we've put together a list of some of our favorite meal prep ideas that we promise will keep you interested and make your Sunday meal prep sessions a true pleasure.
Top Best 30 Easy Meal Prep Ideas For Beginners
1. Salmon on a Honey-Soy Sheet Pan
Making this savory and sweet oven-baked fish couldn't be easier. Serve with green beans, as seen, or substitute your preferred vegetable.
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2. Prepared rice and chicken. Bake
Commenters rave about how well this chicken and rice bake freezes, allowing you to have a warm supper whenever you need it most. It's also quite soothing and gratifying.
3. Teriyaki chicken meal prep in one pan
This one-pan teriyaki chicken meal is really simple to prepare and allows you to personalize each portion with your own vegetables. You can't go wrong cooking it.
4. Tomato Tomato Eggplant Stew
Your next go-to meal prep recipe may be this eggplant potato tomato stew if you're seeking a hearty but plant-based stew.
5. Salad with three beans
One reader recommends adding crumbled feta cheese to this high-protein three-bean salad for an added burst of flavor and tang.
6. Prepare pesto chicken and vegetables for a weekday meal.
This vegetable-rich dish is a huge victory because it's simple to keep in the fridge for up to four days.
7. Overnight oats with blueberries
On hectic mornings, you'll be pleased you prepped these blueberry overnight oatmeal for a grab-and-go breakfast that's ready in seconds.
8. Prepare pesto chicken pasta for the meal.
If you like your spaghetti creamier, several people suggest adding heavy cream, which we would think is a great option.
9. Prepare veggie pasta and garlic chicken.
This made so much that I actually got six days of meals out of it, so my husband gets to eat some this week, too!" is a statement that demonstrates that miracles really happen.
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10. Prepared Chicken Burrito Bowls for a Weekday Meal
This colorful dish will be as delicious at the end of the week as it was at the beginning, and it only takes 25 minutes to prepare.
11. Salmon crusted with Parmesan.
This recipe for sheet pan salmon is excellent for maintaining the internal moisture content of your baked salmon while maintaining a crispy, cheesy exterior.
12. Preparing a Balsamic Chicken and Veggie Meal
This recipe, which has sticky-sweet balsamic chicken that is anything from basic, looks like a great way to break up the routine of meal prep.
13. Meal Prep for Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Try this simple smoothie that you can make ahead of time if you miss breakfast because you just don't have the time (we've been there).
14. Prepare chicken burrito bowls for meal prep.
You can simply replace the rice in this chicken burrito bowl with roasted vegetables or cauliflower rice to make it completely grain-free.
15. Meal-prep lasagna in the microwave
Make your coworkers jealous by bringing a container of microwaved meal-prep lasagna to work. It has a delicious aroma.
16. French toast sticks prepared in the freezer
Kids adore them for a reason: they're really tasty. For essentially immediate breakfasts throughout the week, prepare a large quantity on Sunday.
17. Prepare a teriyaki chicken stir-fry for the week.
The "better, homemade version of Panda Express" is how some readers describe this simple and tasty stir-fry. Do we need to elaborate?
18. 20-Minute Stir-Fry with Broccoli Noodles and Beef
You can make a week's worth of protein-rich lunches with this straightforward list of items in only 30 minutes.
19. Shredded Chicken Tacos in a Slow Cooker
Not a lie. You can prepare a week's supply of these flavorful shredded chicken tacos in just four simple steps.
20. Simple Meal Prep for Honey-Mustard Chicken
For a nutritious and filling meal prep alternative, quinoa and roasted vegetables are served alongside tender chicken breasts dipped in a sweet and spicy honey mustard sauce.
21. Bowls of turkey tacos
Introducing loaded turkey taco bowls, your new favorite lunch savior. Busy bees who want to enhance their meal prep game will love these bowls, which are filled with flavor and nutrition.
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22. Quinoa Power Salad with Avocado
This salad, which is full of nutrient-dense components including quinoa, avocado, spinach, and tomatoes, nourishes your body and keeps you full all week.
23. Taco Soup
Don't forget to prepare meals with soup. This taco soup is packed with protein and flavor to keep you satisfied. As this soup ages, its taste also improves.
24. Honey Teriyaki Chicken Slow Cooker
You can switch up your dinners throughout the week with this adaptable recipe. You may eat the honey teriyaki chicken with steamed vegetables, rice, noodles, or farro.
25. Salad with Grated Eggs
This grated egg salad has made meal preparation much simpler. It's light, tasty, and ready in a second, making it perfect for hurried lunches or snack cravings. For easy dinners, double or triple the recipe and serve it as a delicious sandwich or over salad greens all week long.
26. One-Pan Bake with Sausage and Potato
This Sausage Potato One-Pan Bake makes dinner preparation easy; simply prepare, bake, and savor! A filling, easy meal that's ideal for hectic workweeks.
27. Overnight Oats with Peach Cobbler
Try these Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats to add some sweetness to your mornings. Enjoy a tasty, hassle-free breakfast that is available anytime you are by multiplying the recipe for the days to come.
28. Prepare large grains all at once.
Perhaps simple meal prep ideas should start here. Making a large amount of grains, such as cooked quinoa or brown rice, is simple and has countless uses. A batch of grains can serve you well throughout the week for everything from quick meals to hefty lunch salads. These simple bowl dishes frequently begin with grains.
29. Prepare vegetarian burgers
If your typical lunch alternatives have become monotonous, try a vegetarian burger wrap for some variation. Make a large quantity of nutritious burgers and eat them by themselves, on a bun, in a wrap, or with a salad or cereals. Make two if you can, and freeze the excess for quick lunches.
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30. Make breakfast casserole or baked oatmeal.
Simple meal preparation ideas aren't limited to lunch and dinner. Make a pan of baked oats each morning and treat yourself to a delicious breakfast. With a lot of beneficial fiber and vitamins from fruit and grains, you'll start the day off well. This is one of our favorite quick and simple meal prep ideas; one pan should serve your family all week!
Conclusion
Easy meal prep ideas for beginners are vital for simplifying your life, saving time, and eating a better diet. You may make balanced meals with little effort if you start with simple recipes, choose items that work well for a variety of needs, and set up a little bit of time each week for planning. These little actions have a significant impact, whether you're portioning protein, slicing vegetables, or making cereals. Meal planning helps you stay on track with your health objectives and lessens stress during hectic days. Start with these simple suggestions and experience the ease and pleasure of prepared, ready-to-eat meals at home!
FAQ's: Easy Meal Prep Ideas For Beginners
Is meal prepping for 5 days safe?
When kept in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the majority of meal-prepared items will typically stay safe to consume for three to five days. Depending on the components and preparation techniques, the lifetime may change.
What foods are best for meal prep?
Prioritize the items that take the longest to prepare on your meal prep day: healthful grains like brown rice, quinoa, and farro; dry beans and legumes; roasted vegetables; and meats like chicken and fish.
Is it OK to meal prep for 7 days?
Preparing meals in advance increases the likelihood that they will last for three to five days. You will need to have two distinct meal prep sessions every week, though, if you wish to prepare meals for seven days. The alternative is to prepare foods that are good for freezing.
What are 5 methods of food preparation?
Which five techniques are used to prepare food? Food preparation techniques include baking, grilling, steaming, stir-frying, and sautéing. Depending on the type of food being cooked, these methods employ varied cooking times and heat variables, as well as different kinds of appliances or equipment for food preparation.
Is rice good for meal prep?
To put it succinctly, meal prepping rice is safe. When it comes to guaranteeing the safety of food, there are certain advantages. Rice meal prep is a fantastic method to organize your upcoming week and save down on meal preparation time.