Double Meal Prep Planning Tips for Easier Weeknight Dinners
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Meal prepping on the weekends is an excellent strategy that can significantly ease the stress of your weekdays.
By dedicating just a few hours to preparing meals, you not only streamline your week but also ensure that you and your family enjoy nutritious and satisfying meals. This method not only saves time but also aids in maintaining a healthy diet by controlling portions and ingredients.
With double meal prep you cook once and eat twice…or more. So, let’s take you on the path towards embracing the art of meal prepping with tips that transform your approach to weekly meal planning!
Plan Your Menu
Start with a clear plan of what meals you want to prepare for the upcoming week. This not only saves time but also ensures you buy only what you need, reducing food waste and expense.
This should include not only dinner prep, but lunch prep if you plan to brown-bag it, as well as snacks for the household.
Batch Cook Staples
Cook carbohydrate grain-staples like rice, pasta, farrow, bulgar, or quinoa in bulk. These can serve as the base for multiple meals throughout the week, and pretty much mix well with anything. Having versatile bases on hand makes assembling diverse and appealing meals quick and easy. It’s also a good way to ‘hearty-up’ a meal if you find yourself or someone in the household especially hungry in the evening.
Invest in Quality Containers
Store your prepared meals in high-quality, airtight containers that are microwave —and dishwasher-safe. We prefer glass over plastic, but there are tons of quality brands out there.
Good containers keep food fresh longer and make reheating convenient. Consider labeling your containers with the contents and dates to help keep track of your inventory if you plan to leave any time in the fridge or freezer for over 1 week.
Prep Ingredients Separately
Chop and store different vegetables and proteins separately to maintain their freshness and flavor. This allows for more flexibility in using them in various recipes throughout the week. Prepping ingredients separately also prevents flavors from melding together prematurely.
When separating prep we like to separate snacks into individual servings to grab and go away from items that will get used for meals.
For example when we chop red bell peppers, we allocate some for snacks and separate some for any specific meals we had prepped for, so we won’t start making a dinner only to find someone munched down the peppers for a snack earlier that day.
Prepare Breakfast Options
Don’t forget about breakfast—prepare options like overnight oats, egg muffins, or yogurt parfaits. Having breakfast ready to go can streamline your morning routine and ensure you start the day with a nutritious meal.
Cook in Parallel
Maximize your countertops and stove, and oven usage by cooking multiple items at once. For instance, roast vegetables in the oven while you simmer soup on the stove. This method helps you use your time and appliances efficiently.
Mix Fresh and Cooked
Combine freshly prepared elements with cooked ones to keep meals interesting and vibrant. For example, add fresh herbs or raw nuts to a dish just before serving to enhance texture and flavor. This strategy keeps meals exciting and maximizes nutritional value.
Rotate Menus
Avoid meal prep burnout by rotating your menus on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This not only keeps your diet interesting but also ensures a wider range of nutrients is consumed. Regularly introducing new recipes can keep your meal prep practice enjoyable and sustainable.
Plan for Two Weeks at a Time
Design some meals to intentionally have leftovers that can be used in other dishes. For example, roast chicken can be eaten as is one night and used in salads or wraps the next. Of course pre-made grains are great to be used throughout the weeks in accompaniment with multiple dishes.
Besides planning for leftovers, consider making double batches of recipes and freezing the extra. This approach saves time and effort in future weeks. Freezer-friendly meals are perfect for days when you’re too busy to cook. We try to plan for meals two weeks at a time and shop twice ideally.
Featured Image Credit: YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV and Shutterstock.
Theresa is the founder and owner of Simple Is More from Beavercreek, Ohio. She is a nationally syndicated writer whose work has been featured on the Associated Press Wire, Blox Digital, and more. With a passion for words and a love for simplicity, Theresa has built a reputation as a trusted source on minimalism, home organization, budgeting, travel, and wellness. When she's not writing or tidying up, Theresa loves to explore new places, read a good book, and spend quality time with her family.