8 Stupid Simple Meal Prep Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout

We get it. After a long day of work or a busy week, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That’s where meal prep comes in clutch! With just a little bit of planning, you can have delicious, homemade meals ready to go in no time. So, say goodbye to takeout and hello to these 8 stupid simple meal prep recipes that are not only easy but way better than any delivery you could order.

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast, sliced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• Tortillas, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place chicken, peppers, and onions on a sheet pan.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fajita seasoning. Toss to coat.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
5. Divide into containers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

2. Mason Jar Salads

Ingredients:

• Mixed greens
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cucumber, diced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions:

1. Layer ingredients in mason jars starting with dressing on the bottom.
2. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and top with mixed greens.
3. Seal jars and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
4. When ready to eat, shake the jar to distribute the dressing and enjoy a fresh, crunchy salad.

3. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. pasta of choice
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine pasta, zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and vegetable broth.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
5. Divide into containers for a quick and tasty pasta lunch.

4. Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken thighs, diced
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas)
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook chicken until browned and cooked through.
2. Add mixed vegetables and sauté until tender-crisp.
3. Pour teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring to combine.
4. Divide into containers with cooked rice for a delicious Asian-inspired meal prep.

5. Quinoa Black Bean Bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges
• Avocado, sliced

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, layer quinoa, black beans, corn, bell pepper, and red onion.
2. Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
3. Add sliced avocado before serving for a nutritious and filling meal prep option.

6. Turkey Taco Bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, diced
• Shredded lettuce
• Cooked rice or quinoa

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook ground turkey until browned.
2. Add taco seasoning and black beans, stirring until heated through.
3. Assemble bowls with cooked rice or quinoa, turkey mixture, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and shredded lettuce.
4. Store in containers for a Tex-Mex inspired meal prep option.

7. Baked Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower)
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• Lemon slices
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Toss mixed vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange vegetables around salmon on the baking sheet.
5. Place lemon slices on top of salmon.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until salmon is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
7. Divide into containers for a healthy and satisfying meal prep option.

8. Greek Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast, grilled and sliced
• Whole wheat wraps
• Tzatziki sauce
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cucumber, sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions:

1. Lay out whole wheat wraps.
2. Spread a dollop of tzatziki sauce in the center of each wrap.
3. Top with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
4. Roll up wraps, tucking in the sides.
5. Wrap tightly in foil or parchment paper for an easy grab-and-go meal prep option.

With these stupid simple meal prep recipes, you can say goodbye to the temptation of takeout and hello to delicious, homemade meals all week long. Not only will you save time and money, but your taste buds will thank you too! So, grab your ingredients, get prepping, and enjoy the convenience and flavor of these fantastic recipes. Your future self will thank you!