Our 10 Favorite Meal Prep Recipes

We love meal prepping and these are our 10 favorite meal prep recipes (read: the ones we come back to again and again).

Time well spent.

If you’re new around here (welcome!) you may have noticed that we talk a lot about meal prepping. And if you’ve been around for a while (thank you!) you also know that we talk a lot about meal prepping. And for good reason!

Taking the time to meal plan and prep each week can be one of the most effective tools for eating healthy, sticking to a budget, and reducing food waste. While the idea of spending 3-4 hours each week planning, shopping, chopping, and cooking each week may not initially light your fire, once you give it a go you’ll see that it’s often worth it.

Starting – or ending – the week with a fridge full of meals that are ready to be reheated or tossed in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot to cook means you’ll spend less time in the kitchen each day and you’ll reduce the temptation to dine out, take out, or call for delivery thus saving you money while eating healthier.

Do we walk the talk? You bet we do. Each week we commit to carving out time for planning and prepping and these are our 10 Favorite  Meal Prep Recipes that we find ourselves making time and time again.

Stacie’s 5 Favorite Meal Prep Recipes

#1 Meal Prep Meatballs

These are by far one of the most versatile recipes for a meal prep thanks to the fact that you can make them with any ground meat and change up their flavor by using different types of dressing in the meat mixture. Try them on a salad, with a side of roasted veggies or a baked sweet potato, or tossed into a pot of your favorite marinara sauce. They’re also freezer-friendly so it never hurts to make a double batch so you always have an easy thaw-heat-eat protein option on hand.

#2 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites have become a staple in the Hassing household. They’re the perfect sweet treat and easy to make using pantry staples. Try them right out of the freezer for an extra special treat.

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#3 One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

It hardly gets any easier than this One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables! It’s the ultimate prep-ahead meal for those times when you prefer a hot, fresh meal with next to no fuss. It’s also great for lunches when packed into our favorite glass meal prep containers for pre-portioned, grab-and-go convenience.

#4 Sweet Potato Turkey Sausage Egg Bake

Start the day off right with a protein-packed meal that’s guaranteed to get you out the door fast and keep you satisfied for hours. One of the best things about an egg bake like this is that you can easily switch up the veggies and meat to make use of what you have on hand in the fridge and freezer. Serve with fresh fruit and/or sliced avocado for a hearty meal that’s ready in minutes.

#5 Waldorf Chicken Salad

Chicken salads are perfect for meal preps and come together quickly when you use leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or our Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe. This one is Whole30-friendly when served up as a delicious accompaniment to a salad or scooped up with cucumbers or bell pepper slices. For a heartier meal, you can enjoy it with your favorite crackers, as a sandwich, or in a wrap.

 

Jess’s 5 Favorite Meal Prep Recipes

#1 Instant Pot Turkey Mushroom Bolognese

 

#2 Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Another freezer-friendly meal that you’ll find in Jess’s rotation is the White Chicken Chili. While it was originally written for the slow cooker, we’ve adapted it for the Instant Pot for near-instant gratification. Try adding a can of drained and rinsed white beans for a boost in fiber and protein and don’t forget the cilantro, lime, and sliced avocado for the full ‘experience’.

#3 Skillet Sweet and Sour Chicken

When the urge for takeout hits, try this Skillet Sweet and Sour Chicken instead. Prepping all of the ingredients up to the point of cooking makes it easy to put a meal on the table that your whole family will love – in under 30 minutes. Try it served with rice or cauliflower rice for a side of steamed green beans for a meal that everyone can agree on. 

#4 Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

THIS. This is the meal most often requested by Jess’s hubby, Dean. He’d eat it every week if it were up to him! Packed with veggies and flavor it’s a great way to use up leftover or rotisserie chicken while getting all the flavor of Buffalo wings without the mess (or the fuss).

#5  Instant Pot Veggie-Loaded Turkey Chili

This is another freezer-friendly, Instant Pot go-to for Jess. Packed with protein, fiber, and veggies it’s hearty and filling and can be topped with a number of tasty toppings. Don’t have an Instant Pot? Get the Stovetop and Slow Cooker directions here. 

There you have it, our 10 Favorite Meal Prep Recipes that show up in our own meal preps on the regular. We hope you’ll give them a try too.

If you’re new to meal planning and want to fast-track your way to becoming a meal prep ninja, check out Real Plans for 100% customizable meal plans that you can create in just minutes (complete with printable shopping list).

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What’s your go-to recipe for meal prepping? Share in the comments below.

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About Jessica Beacom

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Boulder, CO with her hubby and two daughters. She's been described as a 'real food evangelist' and loves sharing her knowledge with others to help them break free of the diet mentality and find their own food freedom. In her spare time she enjoys CrossFit, telemark skiing, mountain biking, teaching herself how to play the banjo and camping out under the stars.