Quick Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for Weekly Dinners
Planning meals in
advance is one of the best ways to save time and money during the week. With a
little prep on the weekend, you can have healthy, homemade dinners ready to go
for the next seven nights. In this article, I'll share some of my favorite meal
prep recipes and dinner ideas to get you inspired.
Make Tacos Your Meal Prep Staple
Tacos are one of the
most versatile and budget-friendly meals you can make. With some meal prep, you
can enjoy tacos any night of the week. On the weekend, cook up a big batch of ground
beef or turkey. You can also roast chicken breasts or sauté shrimp to have on
hand. Dice onions, tomatoes, and lettuce so they're ready for topping your
tacos. Store the proteins and toppings separately in the fridge so you can
assemble tacos in just a few minutes.
Prep Pasta Perfectly for Prompt Plate-Filling
Pasta makes another
excellent meal to prep ahead of time. Cook up a big batch of your favorite
pasta shape, like penne or farfalle. You can also roast vegetables like
broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots to mix in. Make your protein, such as grilled
chicken, sausage, or meatballs. To serve, just reheat the pasta with sauce and
top with your mix-ins. Try different sauces like pesto, marinara, or alfredo to
keep things interesting.
One Pan Chicken and Veggies
This one-pan dinner is
perfect for busy weeknights. On Sunday, cut up chicken breasts or thighs and
toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange them on a baking sheet along
with bite-sized veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and potatoes. Roast for
25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender. Store the
meal in individual portions for easy reheating.
Preparation of fried rice on the weekend
Fried rice is another
meal that comes together quickly during the week with some advance prep. On the
weekend, cook up a batch of rice and let it cool completely. You can also cook
and shred chicken or pork. Dice any veggies you'll use, such as carrots,
broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas. To serve, heat oil in a pan and stir-fry
the rice with your protein and veggies, along with soy sauce and sesame oil.
A preparatory stew for an easy and healthy dinner
Nothing warms you up
on a chilly night like a comforting stew. Pick your favorite stew recipe and
make a double batch to enjoy all week. Try beef stew, chicken stew, veggie stew
or chili. Let it simmer on the stove while you do other tasks. Portion servings
into individual containers after it's done. Simply reheat for an instant
satisfying meal.
Prep an oil bread dinner for a stress-free dinner
Classic baked ziti is
another meal that's perfect for spending a little extra time on the weekend prepping.
Boil noodles until almost al dente, then lay them out in a casserole dish.
Spread ricotta cheese over the noodles and top with marinara sauce. Bake until
hot and bubbly. Let cool completely before portioning and freezing individual
servings. To serve, simply thaw and reheat the ziti.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The key is spending a little extra time on the weekend doing prep work so your meals are almost completely ready during the busy weeknights. Get creative mixing and matching proteins and veggies too. With some meal prep, you'll save time and stress while enjoying healthy homemade dinners all week long.