We’ve all been there – it’s 6pm, you just got home from work, and you have no idea what to make for dinner. The kids are hungry, your partner is asking what the plan is, and the thought of takeout (again) just doesn’t sound appealing. Meal prepping a few versatile dishes on the weekend can be a total game changer for weeknight cooking. With some simple preparation and planning, you can have ready-to-go meals waiting in your fridge or freezer. Read on for tips and easy make-ahead recipes to simplify your dinners.
Tips for Efficient Meal Prep
- Pick recipes that freeze or store well: Soups, stews, casseroles, and curries are great make-ahead options. Avoid ingredients that don’t hold up as well, like raw greens or crisp toppings.
- Prep ingredients in advance: Chop vegetables, cook grains, and marinate proteins ahead of time. Having ingredients prepped cuts down on weekday cooking time.
- Double recipes and freeze half: Make a double batch of soups, chilis, or casseroles and freeze individual portions. Just thaw and reheat for an instant meal later.
- Use the weekend to batch cook: Set aside a couple hours on Sunday to knock out some meal prep for the week. Pop on a podcast or music to make the time fly by.
- Store meals properly: Use airtight containers and label with the recipe name and date. Follow storage guidelines for fridge (3-4 days) vs. freezer (2-3 months).
Easy Make-Ahead Meals
Breakfasts
- Overnight oats: Mix oats, milk, yogurt, and toppings like fruit, nuts, or peanut butter. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy chilled.
- Breakfast sandwiches: Assemble sandwiches with eggs, cheese, bacon or sausage, and bread or English muffins. Wrap individually and freeze.
- Breakfast burritos: Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa and potatoes or beans. Wrap in foil and freeze.
Lunches
- Mason jar salads: Layer salad ingredients like greens, proteins, cheeses, veggies and dressing in a mason jar. Just shake, dump out, and enjoy!
- Quinoa bowls: Cook quinoa and mix in veggies, beans, nuts, and dressing. Portion into containers.
- Soup: Make a big batch of soup like minestrone, chili, or chicken noodle. Divide into containers and refrigerate or freeze.
Dinners
- Casseroles: Assemble ingredient layers for dishes like lasagna, enchiladas, or baked ziti in disposable pans. Cover and freeze, then bake direct from freezer.
- Meatballs: Make a batch of baked meatballs and simmer in pasta sauce. Freeze meatballs and sauce separately.
- Chicken dishes: Bake seasoned chicken breasts, shredding some for tacos or sandwiches and keeping others whole for easy protein.
Make Weeknights Easier
Weeknight meal prep does require some additional time on the weekends but saves so much stress and headache during the busy work week. Follow these tips and remake some all-star make-ahead meals that your family can enjoy throughout the week. Before you know it, you’ll have delicious homecooked dinners ready in a flash on those hectic weeknights.
