When I say meal prep do you automatically think of having to go out and get matching food containers and have chicken, rice, and steamed broccoli for the next 5 days of lunch? I define meal prepping as anything made today to make a future meal easier to get in your family’s tummies. You can dedicate a couple of hours to this task or you can build it into your regular cooking. I often hear people say they don’t have time for meal prepping. I get it, I truly do. When you plan the meals you make around your prepping or think of one of my favorite sayings “cook once, eat twice” it takes the intimidation out of the task. Here is a list of ways you can help yourself get ahead in the kitchen for busy days to avoid take out, getting ready for the arrival of a new baby, working on healthy eating and potion sizes, or any of the other many reasons meal prepping is a great habit to get into.
Plan a casserole for dinner and make one for that nights dinner and pop one in the freezer. The above picture is of my favorite No Boil Mac and Cheese.
Cook a couple of extra servings of protein(chicken or steak are our favorites) to top salads.
If the oven is on toss in a few sweet potatoes for another nights dinner’s side dish.
Mix up 2 cans of tuna salad instead of one. Lunch for tomorrow is made!
Put leftovers straight into containers for lunch. If you are eating at work, school or at home, it’s all ready for you.
Eggs for breakfast? Boil several extra for egg salad, snacks or tossed salad.
Grating cheese? Grate some extra, put it into a container for tomorrow eggs, grilled cheese, soup topper or salad.
Double today’s smoothie. Put the second batch of ingredients in a container in the freezer or blend up enough for 2. Store the second in a mason jar.
Making mashed potatoes? Double the batch to mix up with broth for a fast potato soup later in the week.
Salad bar or tacos for dinner – chop veggies and use leftovers for omelets the next morning.
Double your batch of muffins, freeze half and enjoy on a busy morning.
Double batch your cookies- form half into balls and freeze until solid, then pop into a bag and put in the freezer. Take out a full batch or just a couple when you need cookies next.
When using your bread machine mix up the dry ingredients and store in mason jars. See this post for more details.
Freeze any pancakes that didnt get eaten up. They reheat perfectly for a quick breakfast topped with syrup or even jam and a nut better.
I hope this quick list helps you think of a few ways you can help yourself in the kitchen. Let me know in the comments how you save yourself time, money and stress by meal prepping!
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