10 Meal Prep Recipes You Can Cook on Sunday and Forget All Week

Jun 18, 2025

Introduction:

No time for daily cooking? No problem. These 10 recipes are designed for maximum convenience—batch-cooked meals that taste great even after a few days in the fridge. Whether you need grab-and-go breakfasts, reheat-friendly lunches, or dinner solutions that save you from midweek burnout, these dishes have you covered.

1.Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Juicy, sweet-savory chicken thighs that hold up well for days—perfect with rice and steamed veggies.

Ingredients:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

  • 1 tbsp grated ginger

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:
  1. Mix sauce ingredients and pour over chicken in baking dish.

  2. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until glazed and tender.

🍽 Prep Time: 10 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

2.Turkey Chili

Hearty, filling, and even better the next day—chili is a classic meal prep win.

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground turkey

  • 1 can kidney beans

  • 1 can diced tomatoes

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 tbsp chili powder

Instructions:
  1. Brown turkey and onions in pot.

  2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 30 mins.

🍽 Prep Time: 15 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

3. Roasted Vegetable Couscous Bowls

Roasted veggies plus fluffy couscous equals a colorful, flavor-packed meal.

Ingredients:
  • 1 zucchini, chopped

  • 1 bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 red onion, sliced

  • 1 cup couscous

  • 1 tsp cumin

Instructions:
  1. Roast veggies at 400°F for 25 mins.

  2. Cook couscous per package.

  3. Toss together with seasoning.

🍽 Prep Time: 15 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

4.Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Set-it-and-forget-it protein that’s great in sandwiches, bowls, or wraps.

Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs chicken breasts

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (low sugar)

  • 1/2 onion, chopped

Instructions:
  1. Combine all in slow cooker.

  2. Cook on low 6 hrs or high 4 hrs.

  3. Shred with fork.

🍽 Prep Time: 5 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

5.Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Creamy, veggie-based sauce makes this pasta a comforting, nutritious prep.

Ingredients:
  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta

  • 1 jar roasted red peppers

  • 2 tbsp cashews (soaked)

  • 1 clove garlic

  • Salt & pepper

Instructions:
  1. Blend peppers, cashews, garlic into sauce.

  2. Cook pasta and mix with sauce.

🍽 Prep Time: 15 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

6.Egg Fried Rice (Healthy Style)

A healthier take on a classic—uses minimal oil and loads of veggies.

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cooked rice (day-old)

  • 2 eggs

  • 1/2 cup peas & carrots

  • 2 green onions, sliced

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions:
  1. Scramble eggs in pan.

  2. Add veggies, rice, soy sauce, and toss.

🍽 Prep Time: 10 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

7. Chickpea Salad Sandwich Mix

Mash-and-mix sandwich filling that stays tasty for days.

Ingredients:
  • 1 can chickpeas, mashed

  • 2 tbsp Greek yogurt or hummus

  • 1 tsp mustard

  • Celery, onion, salt, pepper

Instructions:
  1. Mix all in a bowl until creamy.

  2. Serve on whole grain bread, lettuce cups, or pita.

🍽 Prep Time: 10 mins
🧠 Complexity: Medium

8.Sweet Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas

Baked, saucy, and filling—these are great for reheating midweek.

Ingredients:
  • 2 sweet potatoes, cooked & mashed

  • 1 can black beans

  • 6 tortillas

  • 1 cup enchilada sauce

Instructions:
  1. Fill tortillas with sweet potato and beans.

  2. Roll and place in baking dish.

  3. Top with sauce and bake at 375°F for 25–30 mins.

🍽 Prep Time: 20 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

9. Overnight Chia Oats

A ready-to-eat breakfast that’s creamy, satisfying, and endlessly customizable.

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup oats

  • 2 tbsp chia seeds

  • 2 cups almond milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • Berries or bananas

Instructions:
  1. Combine all ingredients in jars.

  2. Refrigerate overnight.

🍽 Prep Time: 15 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

10.Veggie Stir-Fry with Brown Rice

Quick, colorful, and endlessly flexible—stir-fries are meal prep gold.

Ingredients:
  • 1 bell pepper

  • 1 cup broccoli

  • 1 carrot

  • 2 cups cooked brown rice

  • Soy sauce, garlic, ginger

Instructions:
  1. Stir-fry veggies in large pan.

  2. Add rice and seasoning.

🍽 Prep Time: 15 mins
🧠 Complexity: Easy

Conclusion:

Meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated or repetitive. These 10 dishes are the kind you cook once, portion out, and enjoy with minimal extra effort all week long. Whether you're working long hours, juggling kids' schedules, or just want more time to yourself, a fridge full of ready-to-go meals is a total game-changer.