Browse 21 meal prep recipes with photos, prep and cook times, full ingredient lists, and step-by-step instructions.
DessertsI make this upside-down pineapple cheesecake ahead of time to serve as a chilled dessert․ I like the look of chilled slices with yellow cake and white cheesecake layers contrasted by dark brown sugar․
DessertsOn a baking prep day‚ this chocolate pudding frosting is made in one batch while set aside for cake assembly later‚ used on cake layers or cupcakes‚ along with acting as a filling for chocolate eclairs at the time of readiness․ It whips into a light brown frosting that forms soft peaks with deep swirls of flavor․ The pudding foundation produces a mousse-like texture․
BreakfastThese make-ahead egg muffins are a 12-muffin breakfast batch I bake for when I want breakfast ready to grab for during the week‚ without standing over a skillet in the early morning․ I layer spinach‚ bacon‚ and cheddar in the cups first‚ then pour in the seasoned eggs‚ while they bake in a soft center of texture․
BreakfastThese cottage cheese bagels make four at once‚ a useful batch for breakfast or snacks‚ and you can prepare the dough in advance before you shape and bake․ I blend the cottage cheese with until smooth‚ then bake the bagels until their tops are golden brown while their centers are cooked through (I like the smoother crumb)․
BreakfastPlease go ahead and purchase frozen shredded hash browns and then allow them to completely thaw prior to cooking․ They expertly bake within a crisp potato shell that effectively holds the sausage plus the eggs‚ while sharp cheddar cheese melts beautifully over the top beside around the edges (my favorite part)․ I prepare these delicious hash brown breakfast bowls at any time I have a strong desire for a hot and satisfying breakfast․ This option does not need to include toast on the side․
Snacks & AppetizersMake the chocolate chia pudding and mint coconut topping ahead of time․ Assemble portions of this dessert immediately before serving․ The mint chocolate chia pudding recipe provides individual portions of chocolate chia pudding and mint coconut cream․ This is a good recipe for a portable dessert․
LunchSlow cooker pot roast bowls contain browned beef that falls apart during cooking․ Simmering liquid becomes a sweet and spicy chipotle pineapple sauce․ When the bowls are prepared‚ the sauce clings to the meat․
LunchMarinating chicken for 30 minutes adds lemon juice‚ garlic‚ oregano‚ dill‚ and other seasonings․ Chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces․ Cook the chicken in a medium-high skillet․ Let the cooked chicken sit for a few minutes before serving in bowls to prevent it from drying out‚ even when served cold with other toppings․
DinnerBrowning the beef first results in browned bits remaining in the Dutch oven‚ while scraping those bits into the broth imparts the soup with a deep beefy taste․ Then it slowly simmers in a covered pot over a period of time until the chuck roast finally becomes tender․ Meanwhile‚ pearl barley serves to effectively thicken the broth while simultaneously providing it with a hearty body throughout (I like it thick)․
DinnerPrepare this four-serving pizza as an essential part of a meal prep routine‚ then pack the cooled slices for later enjoyment while reheating them either in the oven or in an air fryer․ I assemble the whole pie during the sausage's cooking‚ then drizzle hot honey over the feta with red onion after baking‚ while the crust is still crisp at the end of the process (I like that last-minute drizzle)․
DinnerI prepare this six-portion chicken casserole specifically for those occasions when I find myself desiring dinner that is ready to bake later․ Thick pieces of chicken rest beneath the layer of cream cheese‚ while mozzarella bubbles under the broiler before crispy bacon is added alongside green onions at the table (it's the part I like most)․
LunchI prepare these tasty cheeseburger bowls by cooking the beef attentively only until it is browned throughout in the skillet over medium heat․ It stays juicy․ Then I carefully drain the pan before the finished bowl of food ends up feeling greasy․ Chopped romaine among ingredients creates a bun-free dinner experience at home․ This dish contains Cheddar‚ pickles‚ and pours special sauce on top of everything․
Snacks & AppetizersThese strawberry matcha cookies create an 18-cookie batch for a larger dessert spread‚ and I shape the pink and green doughs during one prep session altogether․ The centers remain soft‚ with cracked tops and clear strawberry flecks once baked‚ while the two colors still show through in that contrast‚ at which is half the fun․
DinnerI make this honey garlic shrimp in a four-serving batch when I want dinner in a hurry while having portions ready for later‚ as the shrimp cook fast under receiving a glossy‚ sweet‚ savory sauce with fresh garlic and ginger․ It smoothly integrates into a structured meal-preparation routine․ It prevents turning the process of making dinner into a daunting project․
DinnerWarm tortillas bend with great ease and can also roll without splitting․ I heat the stack using a damp paper towel before filling them‚ while after baking there is bubbling red sauce‚ fully melted cheese on top‚ together with a smooth chicken and Greek yogurt filling inside (the filling remains tucked in)․
LunchPrep the chicken‚ the rice‚ the corn‚ along with the beans all in one batch‚ then hold the avocado and cold toppings back until the time for lunch․ These BBQ chicken rice bowls are exceptionally well-suited for an efficient meal prep routine‚ featuring smoky glazed chicken placed atop loose rice alongside corn that has nicely browned spots (I like the little char on the corn)․
BreakfastChia seeds soak up coconut cream in the refrigerator to prepare a dish known as Coconut Cream Chia Pudding․ Coconut Cream Chia Pudding has four ingredients that are blended and stirred together before eating as a breakfast or dessert dish with a coconut flavor and creamy texture․ The dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for at least one hour before eating․
BreakfastChoose good-quality‚ green matcha powder to make cold matcha chia pudding․ Matcha powder has a slightly grassy and nutty taste․ Combine whole chia seeds in a nondairy milk mixture with natural flavors of maple and vanilla and optional coconut yogurt to create a pudding․
BreakfastOats and chia seeds steep in non-dairy milk overnight to form a pudding-like breakfast instead of a drink․ This recipe for Pistachio Overnight Oats includes ingredients like pistachio butter‚ maple syrup‚ and vanilla to give the breakfast a mild sweetness and nutty flavor․
DinnerThis Thai Peanut Pasta Salad with Cabbage is a simple dish you can plan ahead for․ Shredded cabbage and bell peppers tossed with peanut sauce create a refreshing‚ ready-to-eat salad․ The Thai Peanut Pasta Salad with Cabbage tastes even better the next day and includes a crunchy texture with each bite․
DinnerThis easy Texas chili recipe makes a big batch of chili that is good for meal prep․ It takes 1 hour to prepare this Texas chili recipe․ Ground beef and other spices add flavor to this chili․ Texas chili is a good option for weeknight meals․
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