MEAL PREP FOR BUSY PEOPLE
Meal prep saves you time, money and hassle, and it's the way I've been cooking for years now. It's also a big part of the reason I've been able to keep up my personal fitness along with a crazy work schedule and still squeeze in some time for fun on weekends. Since I get asked so often, I thought I'd share my foolproof method for easy meal prep and planning, including free printables!


Take My Meal Prep Crash Course
Learn how to save up to $10,000 a year on food, eat healthy, feel organized and energized ALL YEAR with my 1-hour-per-week prep system!
MEAL PREP Tips:
Keep it simple
If you just don't think you can plan out three meals a day, that's okay. Try planning dinner for each meal of the week, and make enough so that there are leftovers for lunches all week long. From there, you can keep a good inventory of snacks and simple breakfast ideas until you find recipes you're comfortable with and know you love.
Use the same ingredients more than once
This is hands down the best way to reduce food waste. Use those carrots for two or three different recipes; and no, you probably don't need to include eggplant in that recipe when you like red peppers or zucchini better, so make ingredient swaps work for you where you can. Buy fresh ingredients you know you'll use in a variety of recipes.
Prepare ingredients ahead of time
Know that you're making quinoa bowls later in the week? Make the quinoa or other grains ahead of time, or cook chicken in the oven or boil it to make pulled chicken for later in the work week. It helps to have some components of a recipe prepared ahead of time.
Keep a well-stocked pantry and spice drawer
This is another huge one for me. I ALWAYS make sure I have a ton of spices on hand so I can just add a little bit here and there, and I also make sure my pantry/fridge is stocked with staples like butter, olive oil, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, bouillon cubes, coconut milk, pickles, hot sauce, mustard, vinegars…you name it, I've got it. It makes life so much easier when you go to make a recipe and see you've already got most items on hand.
Keep a well-stocked freezer
This brings me to my second point: have a ton of meat in your freezer. I personally like to buy in bulk when meat goes on sale, and I have a ton of variety on hand, everything from turkey sausages to ground beef, shrimp and scallops. And of course, a bottomless supply of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It may be expensive to stock up all at once but if you have all of these items on hand you're less likely to buy food out because you KNOW you have a ton of options to satisfy any cravings you have! And that can be cheaper in the long run!
Go easy on yourself
Sometimes life happens, and that's okay. Your meal plan is meant to help you stay organized and take a look at your week at a glance, not to rigidly lock you in – there will be some days you just don't want to cook, and that's okay. Being prepared helps get you back on track again the next day though!
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Healthy Lunch Ideas
Healthy Dinner Ideas
My Favorite Meal Prep Tools
Latest Meal prep Recipes
18 Best Leftover Steak Recipes
Got leftover steak? Try one of these delicious and easy steak recipes – they're perfect for repurposing leftovers in creative ways! From wraps and salads
Meal Prep for One {Cooking for One Recipes}
Are you struggling to meal prep for yourself? Here are all my tips and tricks for easily meal prepping for one while reducing food waste!
How to Pick the Best Meal Prep Containers
Make meal prepping easier with these top-rated meal prep containers. From glass to plastic, find the best containers to keep your food fresh! Here's a
25+ Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Meal Prep
These Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Meal Prep are the easiest way to cook during the work week. Dump in your ingredients and press start!
Healthy Taco Casserole
This Healthy Taco Casserole is a lighter delicious take on a taco dinner filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes and bell peppers. This bake is
Sheet Pan Honey Dijon Chicken
This Sheet Pan Honey Dijon Chicken with butternut squash is a delicious meal that comes together in 30 minutes – it's great for meal prep. The
Ultimate Cowboy Caviar Recipe
This Cowboy Caviar recipe is a great vegetarian, high-protein lunch idea. It's got veggies, beans, and the best tangy dressing! You may think of Cowboy
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
This Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetable Dinner is perfect for busy weeknights! It's a healthy meal that requires minimal prep and clean-up. With the oven
Healthy Crockpot Recipes {Dump Dinners}
These healthy crockpot recipes are great dump dinners and can be made ahead of time. Just set it and forget it for easy weeknight meal
Free Spring Meal Prep Plan {Easy Recipes}
This free meal plan is full of healthy and delicious spring recipes! Meal prep for the week quickly with the included prep ahead instructions. Each