25 make-ahead meals for an easy & healthy week

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it’s no secret that i’m a huge fan of meal prep sunday & make-ahead meals.  with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.  check out these 25 ideas…
25 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.

it’s no secret that i’m a huge fan of meal prep sunday & make-ahead meals.  with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.  check out these 25 ideas for make-ahead meals that will help you make it through your busy week!

well, i think i’m officially an adult.

chris & i closed on our new home yesterday.

i can’t believe the time has finally come & we are homeowners! (eek!)

the past couple of weeks have honestly been a bit of a blur.  our entire lives have been carefully packed into boxes & needless to say, i’m chomping at the bit to get going on our move this weekend & begin settling in to the new house.

in the meantime, it feels like every second of the day is accounted for.  when life begins to get crazy, i have a tendency to not plan out meals & instead just grab whatever is easy.  this usually means lots of chipotle, pizza, or food from the cafeteria at work.

now, there’s nothing wrong with pizza, or chipotle, or food from the caf, but these convenient choices do begin to add up – taking a toll on both my wallet & my energy levels.

so this time around, i’ve been making a special effort to keep us fueled with satisfying & healthy meals.

the key has really been #mealprepsunday.  it’s no secret that i’m such a fan of make-ahead meals.  with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.

make-ahead meals: breakfast

whether you’re trying to squeeze in a workout before work, or just trying to get out the door on time, you can start your day off the right way with these make-ahead meal options for easy grab & go breakfasts.

mocha protein smoothie plus tips for make-ahead smoothies via plays well with buttermocha protein smoothie & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
apple pie overnight oats via kerri’s fit kitchen
easy chili relleno casserole via girl adultingeasy chili relleno casserole via girl adulting & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
zucchini apple baked oatmeal via thyme & toastzucchini apple baked oatmeal via toast & thyme & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
make-ahead broccoli & cheddar egg cups via lively tablemake-ahead broccoli & cheddar egg cups via lively table & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
banana peach baked oatmeal via bucket list tummy

make-ahead meals: soups & salads

no sad desk lunches here.  soups & salads make the perfect make-ahead meals to brown bag with you to the office for healthy, homemade lunches all week long. 

spicy white chili with pulled chicken & beer via plays well with butterspicy white chili with pulled chicken & beer & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
cauliflower kale detox salad via kerri’s fit kitchen
chickpea crunch salad via thyme & toastchickpea crunch salad via thyme & toast & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
creamy celery & carrot soup via a kitchen fable
butternut squash & quinoa mason jar salads via fitliving eatsbutternut squash & quinoa mason jar salads via fitliving eats & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
comforting veggie & bean chili via strength & sunshine
paleo sweet potato tabouli via eat the gainssweet potato tabouli via eat the gains & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
gluten-free & vegan thai peanut salad via kerri’s fit kitchen
chipotle turkey & sweet potato chili via food, pleasure & healthchipotle turkey & sweet potato chili via food, pleasure & health & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.

make-ahead meals: mains

quick & easy make-ahead meal dinner options that can be thrown together in a snap when you get home from work.  your whole family will love them & you’ll love not having to spend your whole working night in the kitchen!

pasta bolognese with bucatini via plays well with butterpasta bolognese with bucatini & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
gluten-free turkey meatballs with tzatziki & zoodles via miss allie’s kitchen
pistachio coconut baked chicken tenders via eat the gainspistachio coconut baked chicken tenders via eat the gains & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
slow cooker applesauce chicken via strength & sunshine
sweet potato pasta bake via miss allie’s kitchensweet potato pasta bake via miss allie's kitchen & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
best-ever weeknight eggplant lasagna via plays well with butterbest ever eggplant lasagna & 24 more make-ahead meals via playswellwithbutter | with just a little planning in advance & a little organization over the weekend, you can set yourself up with a week’s worth of delicious meals that will come together faster than you could order pizza or pick up chipotle.
what are your make-ahead meal secrets?  do you have any go-to recipes?  tips & tricks to share?  let me know in the comments below!  i’d love to chat!

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Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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Comments

  1. 10.19.16

    hay girl hayyy! thanks for featuring my recipes!! This is a bomb list! I love love love meal prep (and leftoversss)

    • 10.30.16
      jess said:

      thanks allie!! i’m the same – leftovers are life!

  2. 10.14.16

    Well I know some meals that I will be making soon! Awesome round up!

    • 10.30.16
      jess said:

      thank you rachel! let me know if you give anything a try 🙂

  3. 10.14.16

    Woo this looks like a great meal round up with lots of healthy meals for a busy week! Thanks for including my apple pie overnight oats, thai peanut quinoa salad, and cauliflower detox salad 🙂

    • 10.30.16
      jess said:

      thanks kerri! glad you enjoyed 🙂

  4. 10.14.16

    These meals all look absolutely awesome! I love to make food ahead of time and my freezer is pretty much my BFF in the kitchen. I don’t know what I would do without it!

    Congrats on your new home! That’s so exciting!

    • 10.30.16
      jess said:

      thank you aya! it has sure been an adventure so far! my freezer is my bff too – i really don’t understand how some people just don’t understand that it’s an essential tool!

  5. 10.13.16

    These all look amazing! I didn’t get a chance to meal prep this week, and I am paying for it now (literally) – way too much money on takeout this week! Can’t wait to try some of these. Thanks for including my oats and chickpea salad – two staples!

    • 10.30.16
      jess said:

      thanks christine! i looooove your oats – too yummy not to include! 🙂

  6. 10.13.16

    All the noms!! I need to get better about meal prep, but it is such a lifesaver somedays. We usually always have baked white and sweet potatoes in the fridge and maybe some kind of ground meat already cooked. Thanks for including me 🙂

    • 10.30.16
      jess said:

      thanks kelly! glad you enjoyed 🙂 pre-baking sweet potatoes is genius!