Simple dishes for meal prep

Here are some simple dish ideas for meal prep:

• Baked chicken breasts – You can bake a batch of chicken breasts on the weekend and use them in salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, etc. during the week. Just season the chicken breasts, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 400 F for about 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

• Rice and grains – Cook a big batch of rice, quinoa, farro or your favorite grain. Portion out and refrigerate. These can be used as side dishes or added to salads, bowls, etc. Rice and grains last 3-4 days in the fridge.

• Roasted vegetables – Chop up broccoli, brussels sprouts, bell peppers, zucchini, etc. Toss with oil, salt and pepper and spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes until tender. Use in salads, pastas, sandwiches or as a side dish. Roasted veggies will last up to 1 week in the fridge.

• Beans and lentils – Cook a pot of beans like chickpeas, black beans or lentils. Use them as a side dish, in soups and stews, in salads, or to make veggie burgers and meatballs. Beans will last 5-7 days refrigerated.

• Sweet potatoes – Poke a few holes in sweet potatoes and microwave for 5-8 minutes until tender. Top with chili, stews, salsa or eat plain. Sweet potatoes will last up to 1 week in the fridge.

• Salad greens – Wash and prep salad greens like romaine, spinach, arugula, etc. These greens can be used to make big salads, salad kits or bowls. Salad greens will last 3-5 days in the fridge.

• Soups, stews and chili – A big pot of soup, like lentil, bean, vegetable and chili can last 4-5 days in the fridge. Perfect for quick meals and these also freeze well for longer term meal prep.

Those are some simple, healthy dishes you can make in big batches on the weekends for easy meal prep during busy weeks. Let me know if you have any other questions..