When you’re just starting your meal prep journey, it can be overwhelming finding an array of intimidating recipes. However, with the right selection of easy yet delightful recipes, meal prep can quickly become a pleasurable and rewarding activity. This article will guide you through easy meal prep recipes perfect for beginners, and the best part is, they’re not only simple to make but also packed with nutrients for overall health promotion.
Let’s start off with an all-time classic meal – the Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls. This dish is easy to make, packed with protein, full of flavor, and can be made in large quantities. To make a week’s worth of servings you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, soaked and cooked black beans, cooked quinoa, fresh corn, diced tomatoes, diced avocados, shredded lettuce, low-fat Greek yogurt, chipotle sauce, and lime wedges for serving.
First, season your chicken with the chipotle sauce and bake it until it’s no longer pink inside. While your chicken is cooking, prepare your quinoa according to the package instructions. Once these two are ready, compile your bowls. Place one serving of chicken, quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, and shredded lettuce in a bowl. Top off with a dollop of Greek yogurt and garnish it with a lime wedge. Not only is this an easily customizable recipe, but you’ve got your protein, grains, and veggies covered in one bowl!
Next on the list is Turkey and Green Beans during weeknights. Ground turkey is leaner than its beef counterpart and a fantastic source of high-quality protein, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12. You’ll need lean ground turkey, fresh green beans, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Start by heating up a pan to medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the ground turkey and cook it thoroughly until browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Lastly, throw in your green beans, sprinkle over your Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the green beans soften. This dish is speedy, and gets you fueled with a balanced diet – protein from turkey, and vitamins from green beans.
Our third idea is the Cauliflower Rice Sushi Bowl, which is splendid when you’re craving sushi but don’t have the skills to roll your own. The ingredients you need are cauliflower rice, smoked salmon, avocados, carrots, cucumbers, and nori sheets. For the dressing, you’ll need soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and a pinch of salt.
For this easy assembly meal, spread the cauliflower rice in the bowl followed by arranging slices of smoked salmon, avocados, carrots, and cucumbers. Next, crumble the nori sheets on top. For the dressing, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and a pinch of salt. Drizzle over the bowl ingredients and mix before eating. This recipe is low in carbs and packed with heart-healthy fats and lean protein.
The final meal prep recipe for beginners we will cover is a Veggie-Packed Breakfast Frittata – a no-fuss meal that can be made in advance and reheated when needed. All you need are eggs, milk, chopped bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, spinach, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Saute peppers, onions, and tomatoes in olive oil until softened. Beat eggs in a bowl, add milk and whisk together before adding to the vegetables. Sprinkle in feta cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper. Bake the frittata for about 20 minutes until set. Not only is this veggie-packed dish a crowd-pleaser but it’s an excellent way to kick-start your mornings with high-quality protein and a variety of nutrients.
In conclusion, meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple ingredients and quick steps, you can prepare nutritious meals that will save you time throughout the week and set you up to meet your health and wellness goals.
