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Ready to prep some meals? Here are 12 of our most popular recipes, primed for meal prep. Make 4 meals every Sunday and try all the combinations (or mix and match your favorites!). These are healthful, filling options that you’ll love.
Meal prep is always great in theory: perfectly portioned, healthful meals ready and waiting for you to enjoy. The reality is fraught with issues: Hours of cooking and cleaning up after, recipes you don’t like, and ultimately food waste (and maybe even a secret trip to McDonalds?).
I think the best way to approach Meal Prep is to take recipes you already love and already make and just convert those recipes into your meal prep routine. And don’t make too much! Make whatever you can consume within 4 days so it doesn’t spoil and you don’t get sick of it.
And switch it up! Here are 4 of my most favorite combinations and some of the most popular recipes on Culinary Hill (and a few tweaks to consider when you get bored).
Table of Contents
Week 1: Turkey meatballs
These meatballs are made with ground turkey, brushed with olive oil, and baked until tender and brown. They are so so good. Eat them with some quinoa and roasted broccoli.
Need a sauce? Chipotle mayonnaise is my favorite here (just add 1-2 tbsp. mayonnaise in a bowl and stir in adobo sauce from canned chipotles to taste).
Week 1 tweaks
Beef Recipes
Italian Meatballs
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Italian Recipes
Quick Tomato Sauce
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
How to Blanch Broccoli
Week 2: Lemon pepper chicken
You can make 3-ingredient Lemon Pepper Chicken on the grill, on the stove, or in the oven. Over-achievers can DIY the lemon pepper seasoning, too.
Add mashed sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus to the mix for a colorful, hearty meal prep option.
Week 2 tweaks
30 Minute Meals
Grilled Pork Chops
Vegetable Recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash
Spice Blend Recipes
Greek Seasoning
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
How to Blanch Asparagus
Week 3: Baked salmon
Make and bake a large salmon filet, then slice into perfectly portioned pieces. Pair with roasted green beans and baked rice.
To switch things up, substitute brown rice or add a side of teriyaki sauce.
Week 3 tweaks
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Asian Salmon in Foil
Grains and Legumes
How to Cook Brown Rice
Working with Fruits and Vegetables
How to Blanch Asparagus
Stock, Sauce, and Spread Recipes
Avocado Sauce
Week 4: Chipotle chicken
With so many Chipotle copycat recipes on the site, it’s hard to choose just 3! Chipotle chicken, cilantro-lime rice, and fajita veggies are always popular and always delicious.
For a vegan option, try Chipotle Sofritas. Add sides of salsa (mild, corn, medium, and hot) to complete your Chipotle bowl.
Week 4 tweaks
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Steak (Copycat)
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Black Beans (Copycat)
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Pinto Beans (Copycat)
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)
Meggan Hill is the Executive Chef and CEO of Culinary Hill, a popular digital publication in the food space. She loves to combine her Midwestern food memories with her culinary school education to create her own delicious take on modern family fare. Millions of readers visit Culinary Hill each month for meticulously-tested recipes as well as skills and tricks for ingredient prep, cooking ahead, menu planning, and entertaining. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the iCUE Culinary Arts program at College of the Canyons.
