I don’t really understand why meal prepping became this “extravaganza” where you have to commit your entire Sunday to making food for the next week. Who has time for this?? I don’t. 

Plus, I just don’t want to! A good book is calling my name on a Sunday. 

Let’s flip the script on “meal prep.”

Reminder: meal prepping DOES NOT have to be: 

1. On a Sunday
2. A huge time commitment
3. Anything fancy

Whenever I talk about meal prep with clients, I always ask them: what’s the one meal that you absolutely need to prep or it’s most likely going to be a sh*t show? Just start there! Some meals don’t need to be meal-prepped, so don’t stress about those. Cross those off the list.

And then I’ll ask, what’s the one time a week that you are already in the kitchen making a meal? Can you double the batch? Triple? You don’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to think ahead with your meals. Just take advantage of the time you’re already in there whipping things up. 

Adding a little extra work to already dedicated time making food can save you an astronomical amount of time throughout the week.

SO, below are 7 of my favorite recipe ideas that you can cook once and eat. all. week. long. AMEN.

1. Crockpot Shredded Chicken

This might not be revolutionary, but it MUST be included in this post. Having shredded chicken on hand is a lifesaver! Talk about a fabulously flexible protein. Add some to a salad kit, use in a wrap, make some chicken quesadillas, mix in some BBQ sauce for BBQ chicken – anything! Maybe a small batch of chicken salad sounds good on a random Tuesday. Sweet, the chicken is already made. 

So, how to make it? I often buy a pack of chicken breasts in bulk and then put the entire package (4 large breasts) in the crockpot. I’ll add 1 cup of chicken broth or water and then use whatever spices speak to me. Usually, it’s a good dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4-6 hours. It should be very easy to shred with a fork when done! Keep in the fridge for 5-7 days or the freezer for longer!

2. Taco-seasoned ground beef or turkey

A game-changer in my house is having taco-seasoned ground beef or turkey in the freezer at all times. It’s picky-eater-friendly and extremely versatile. I’ll use it to make a taco salad or nachos, and my husband will make whatever he wants with it. Amazing.

Simply take one or two pounds of lean ground beef or turkey and brown in a pan. Drain excess grease as needed. Add your favorite taco seasoning packet(s) according to the instructions. Store in the fridge and use all week!

3. White Chicken Chili

I would barely call this cooking, so if you’re in a lazy mood, it’s time for white chicken chili! Plus, it will easily make 8+ servings.

This is one of our OG recipes for white chicken chili. It’s sooo good. 

4. Sheet Pan Dinner

This is one of the easiest dinners you can make AND it makes great leftovers. If you can throw stuff on a sheet pan and open the oven, you will love these meals.

Personally, I love to use chicken sausage links from Trader Joe’s, slice them into coins, and then mix them with veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Don’t forget the baby red potatoes! Toss in olive or avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 350 for about 30 minutes, and voila! You can make as big or small of a batch as you need for the week. 

5. High-Protein Pasta

Another shortcut idea to make quick meals during the week. 

Cook up your favorite pasta (again, love my Banza noodles). Heat up a jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I love Trader Joe’s Spicy Chunky Tomato & Pepper Pasta Sauce). Add 2 cups or 1 large container of cottage cheese to the sauce and blend together using an immersion blender. You could also put sauce and cottage cheese in a blender. Mix your cheesy sauce with noodles when cooked and set aside to cool. 

Tip: add veggies to your sauce mixture if desired for more nutrients and fiber! Spinach or cooked zucchini will be undetected once blended into the sauce.

Add your protein of choice (you could add that shredded chicken from above) and additional veggies on top of your pasta for a balanced, easy dinner. Throughout the week you can pull another serving of your high-protein pasta and eat plain or with more of your cooked protein on top. This freezes beautifully as well.

Tip: Trader Joe’s turkey burgers or chicken sausages are a fast way to add protein to this with minimal time on a weeknight.

6. Enchilada Skillet

I can’t leave out our most-raved-about recipe EVER. The Enchilada Skillet. 

Tip: Use shredded chicken OR taco-seasoned ground beef!

You can make this vegetarian by ditching the meat and adding more black beans and/or pinto beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 10-oz can of diced tomatoes w/ chiles
• 1 ¼ cup enchilada sauce
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 4-oz can chopped green chiles
• 2 ½ cup shredded cooked chicken 
• ½ cup Cotija cheese (optional)
• 4 corn tortillas, cut into strips & baked (optional)*
• chopped cilantro
• avocado

Directions:

1. Add tomatoes, enchilada sauce, black beans, green chiles, and chicken to a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir to combine.
2. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches a simmer.
3. Sprinkle with cheese, and top with tortilla chips, cilantro, and avocado.

*to make the tortilla strips, cut the tortillas into strips and spray with olive or avocado oil cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and chili powder. Broil in the oven until crispy (just a few minutes!)

Makes 3-4 servings

Double if needed!

I hope this helps to simplify your prepping AND cut down your cook time all week long!

– Elle, MM Coach