We’ve had quite the focus on meal prep recently, just because it’s honestly a really helpful thing you can do to help maximise your weight loss chances. But whenever I set aside some time to do it, I always seem to end up with the same old meals that all come from a pack of mince. Bolognese, chilli, lasagne – they’re the holy trinity of make-ahead meals. Why? Well, it’s so easy to make them all at once because the bases of all three are pretty much the same, and there’s nothing better than a lasagne that’s a few days old. But the last thing you want to do is let boredom set in, as that’s when the bright lights of the local kebab shop are at their most blinding.
So – it’s time to mix things up a bit. Give one of these recipes a try for something that’s a bit different, but just as easy to make ahead at the beginning of your week and either split into containers for your workweek lunches or freeze ready for eating at some point during the week.
7 healthy meal prep recipes
Sausage and smoky bean casserole, 420 calories
Grab a pack of sausages, cook them all at once and Bob’s your uncle. When it comes to eating, all you’ll have to do is microwave a potato to go alongside it and you’re done. Get the recipe here.
Spicy chicken and sweet potato ‘magic bowl’ – 222 calories
This recipe will make 8 servings, so freeze a few for something easy and nutritious. Add half a pack of microwave rice (we love Tilda, especially the coconut rice) to bump up the cals and make it a proper meal. Get the recipe here.
Butternut massaman curry – 318 calories
This curry serves 3 but could easily be doubled if you wanted to stock up your freezer. All you’ll have to do after defrosting is add some rice (which I wouldn’t recommend freezing), or go all out with a mini naan or a few chapatis. Get the recipe here.
BBQ baked beans – 443 calories
Make the beans ahead of time and pair with grilled or roasted meat or a baked potato for a super-quick meal that’s a bit of a change from your usual baked beans. Get the recipe here.
Hot smoked salmon fishcakes – 369 calories
This is a recipe that would work equally as well for lunch with a salad or for dinner with a few potato wedges. They keep for up to two months in the freezer so they’re a perfect fallback for those lazy days. Get the recipe here.
Blueberry overnight oats – 424 calories
Overnight oats are really simple to make – even if you just make them the night before, you’ll be glad you did when you emerge from your pit in the morning bleary-eyed and wondering WTF to have for breakfast. This recipe combines blueberries with creamy vanilla yoghurt and even features a nutty ‘crumble’ on the top to make you feel like you’re eating dessert for breakfast. Get the recipe here.
Sausage, egg and cheese breakfast muffins – 225 calories
If sweet breakfasts aren’t your thing, get excited about breakfast with this McMuffin-copycat recipe for sausage, egg and cheese muffins. The whole thing goes in the freezer and in the morning it’ll take just a minute and a half in the microwave to make. Get the recipe here.
If you’re a creature of habit, we challenge you to switch things up – variety is the spice of life, after all. Let us know how you get on over on the forum.