It can be tough to get a nutritious meal on the table every night, especially if you're short on time. Meal prepping can help take the stress out of dinnertime, but it can seem like a daunting task. Families are busier than ever these days, and it can be tough to find the time to cook a healthy dinner. But there are some simple tips that can help make it easier.
One way to make sure you have time for cooking is to batch cook. This means making larger quantities of food at once and then storing the extra in the freezer. That way, you can have healthy meals ready to go when you don't have time to cook from scratch.
Another tip is to make use of quick and easy recipes. There are plenty of healthy recipes out there that don't take a lot of time to make. And, if you're short on time, you can always take shortcuts, like using pre-cut vegetables or cooking rice in the microwave.
Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're struggling to find the time to cook, see if someone else in the family can pitch in. Cooking together can be a fun way to bond and it can make the task a lot easier.
With these tips in mind, you can make sure that you and your family are able to enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even on busy weeknights.
Here are a few tips to make meal prepping easier for busy families:
1. Plan ahead: Take some time each week to plan out your meals. This will help you save time and money by avoiding last-minute trips to the grocery store.
2. Make a list: Once you know what you're making for each meal, make a list of all the ingredients you'll need. This way, you can be sure to have everything on hand when it's time to cook.
3. Prep ahead: If you can, do some of the prep work for your meals in advance. This could involve chopping vegetables, cooking rice or pasta, or marinating meat. Doing this ahead of time will make the actual cooking process much quicker and easier.
4. Use leftovers: Don't let leftovers go to waste! If you have extra food from one meal, repurpose it into another. For example, leftover chicken can be used in a salad or soup, and leftover rice can be made into fried rice.
5. Get the whole family involved: Meal prepping doesn't have to be a solo effort. Get the whole family involved in the planning and prep work. This can help make the process more fun and efficient.
With these tips, meal prepping will be a breeze! You'll be able to get healthy, delicious meals on the table with less stress and more ease.
7 Easy Recipes
1 Slow Cooker Honey and Sriracha Garlic Pork Loin:
This easy recipe only requires a few ingredients and can be made in the slow cooker for an effortless meal prep option. Once you've gathered all of your ingredients, it's time to get cooking! This recipe is for a slow cooker honey and sriracha garlic pork loin, and it's surprisingly easy to make. Just follow the instructions below and you'll have a delicious meal in no time.
Ingredients:
1 pork loin
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup sriracha sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
Instructions:
1- Combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker.
2- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pork is cooked through.
3- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and thinly slice it.
4- Serve with rice and steamed vegetables. Enjoy!
2. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken:
Another great chicken recipe that can be made in either the Instant Pot or Crockpot, this salsa chicken is perfect for busy families.
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts (skinless, boneless)
1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 onion (chopped)
1 green bell pepper (chopped)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
1- Add all ingredients into the Instant Pot.
2- Close the lid and seal the valve. Cook on manual high pressure for 15 minutes.
3- When cooking time is complete, do a quick release by turning the valve to venting.
4- Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
5- Serve chicken on tortillas, tacos, or salad and enjoy!
3. One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce:
This hearty spaghetti dish can be made in one pot for easy cleanup and is a meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups water
8 ounces spaghetti
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook beef, onion, and garlic until meat is browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, fennel seeds, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cloves. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring tomato paste and water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions. Drain.
To serve, place cooked spaghetti on a plate and top with meat sauce. Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
4. Slow Cooker Beef Stew:
This comforting beef stew is perfect for a chilly night and can be made in the slow cooker for easy meal prep.
Ingredients:
1 lb beef stew meat
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
3 potatoes, diced
1 can beef broth
1 can tomato soup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Simply add all ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. That's it! You'll have a delicious, hearty stew that the whole family will love. Enjoy!
5. Sheet Pan Honey Dijon Salmon:
This healthy and flavorful salmon recipe can be made on a sheet pan, making it a great option for busy families.
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon fillet, skin on
1/4 cup dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.!
In a small bowl, whisk together dijon mustard, honey and olive oil. Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Place salmon fillet onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the dijon mustard mixture over the top of the salmon. Top with lemon slices.
Bake in preheated oven until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The salmon is cooked in a sweet and tangy honey dijon mustard sauce and topped with fresh lemon slices. It's simple to make, and the results are always delicious!
6. Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki:
This easy chicken teriyaki can be made in the Instant Pot and is a great meal prep option for busy families.
Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken breast, cut into small chunks
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
In a bowl or ziplock bag, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper. Add chicken and coat evenly. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
When ready to cook, add chicken and marinade to the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Quick release the pressure and remove chicken to a plate.
Turn Instant Pot to saute mode and cook until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to the pot and coat with sauce. Serve over rice or noodles. Enjoy!
7.Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables:
This easy and flavorful sausage and vegetable recipe can be made on one sheet pan, making it a great option for busy families.
Ingredients:
1 lb sausage, cut into small pieces
3 cups vegetables (we used broccoli, carrots, and Brussels sprouts), chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix together sausage pieces and chopped vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything together until evenly coated.
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Enjoy!
Making meals ahead of time can be a great way to save time and money, especially for busy families. These seven recipes are all easy to make and can be prepped ahead of time, so you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table with minimal effort.
So, what are you waiting for? Start meal prepping today! Your family will thank you.