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Busy days call for some pre-planning. These easy, and tasty, meal prep ideas will save you time in the morning and be the talk of the lunchroom at the office! We have recently embraced meal planning and Sunday meal prep and it has made a world of difference.
My husband works in IL Monday through Friday, while I stay at our house in Michigan throughout most of the year. This is a relatively new arrangement for us, and while it was going “ok” at first, it quickly became apparent that my husband was going to eat takeout 5 nights a week. Not only is this unhealthy, but it is also SO expensive! What to do?
We started planning and meals for the week and meal prepping on Sunday afternoons. It is surprising how little time it takes to whip up lunches and dinners for the week! My husband eats on the road on Friday nights, but going from five take-out meals to one each week has been a great savings. We usually make 10 lunches and 8 or 9 dinners. Often I will eat leftovers one night, which also works out great. The following recipes are great for lunches and dinners, and are sooooo good!
If you are just starting to meal plan, you’re going to need some to-go containers for your meal prep. I use these containers for all of my husband’s prepped meals. I also often make dinners for my college-age daughter to have on hand in her freezer. (I like to load her up when she visits, and these work well from freezer to microwave.) They come in a package of 50 for under $20, they take up very little storage space, are a good portion size and are dishwasher friendly- not one has melted yet! Plus, they can be disposable if he (ahem) happens to leave a used one in his car for 3 weeks and I am terrified to open it, let alone wash it. <ick> My husband is not into separate compartments, so these bowls are perfect for him.
I prefer my food to be compartmentalized, and I work from home (so there is no risk of leaving my container in a hot car for weeks on end,) and I use these awesome glass containers. I LOVE these meal prep containers! They are under $30 and come in a package of 4 with lids that lock tight and keep food perfectly fresh for days. They are microwave and dishwasher friendly, and I find the compartment sizes to be perfect.
TE Nusser says
What excellent ideas! I always have good intentions when it comes to meal prepping healthy meals, but I am terrible at the follow through!
lookslikehappy says
I know! It’s hard to get started, but once you do it gets easier!
Angela says
I have to start meal prepping! It will make my life sooo much easier. Your tips make it seem so easy!
lookslikehappy says
It makes life so much easier, Angela! No more thinking about dinner all afternoon because it’s already done!
Evelyn, PathofPresence says
This post is totally inspiring me to go for it! I’ve always loved the idea of meal prep but have not been successful. Your simple steps show me that I CAN do this – love thevresources you’ve shared. Thank you ?????
lookslikehappy says
Oh, absolutely, Evelyn! You will be so happy once your first week is prepped and in the fridge!
Amanda says
I really need to get those taco stands. They are so darn cute!
lookslikehappy says
I know! They have been lingering in my cart way too long. I need to order them!
emily says
I really need to get better about meal prepping! These recipes looked so good!
lookslikehappy says
It is such a time saver, Emily! Once you get in the habit of it it really goes quickly. AND it eliminates the constant “what’s for dinner???” questions. 😉
Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor says
I need to get back into meal prep. I love how it takes the guesswork out of what you are going to eating.
lookslikehappy says
It really does, Ayanna- and it gives you a reason to be on Pinterest even more, lol!
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says
Wow these recipe look so yummy!
lookslikehappy says
Yummy & easy is the way I like it! 😀
Mimi says
The pasta recipe looks delicious, such yummy recipes overall
lookslikehappy says
You can never have enough pasta! 😉
Becca Wilson says
Meal prepping is something that I have always wanted to do. It would definitely save me so much time!
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific says
Excellent ideas! Meal prepping is a life saver for me.
lookslikehappy says
Isn’t it? Time just really gets away from me in the late afternoon! We are getting takeout a lot less since starting to meal prep!
FootprintsinCulture says
I really need to meal prep – this will definitely be helpful. Thank you!