Everyone loves sitting down to a homecooked meal, but not everyone loves toiling away in the kitchen to make it! When life tugs in a trillion directions, the daily challenge of cooking and feeding the family can cause major anxiety. One solution? Low-effort meal prep that allows you and the family to eat well, without the struggle! Dishes that are quick, simple and versatile, these make it easy and exciting to stay organized and well fed, even when you’re low on energy or need to be in five places at once.
The best defense against dinnertime stress is being prepared. Take some time on the weekends, or during any day off, to shop and prep meals for the week. Then, bask in knowing exactly what’s on the menu every single day! Keep these tips in mind when meal prepping and planning dishes that reheat well.
- Always remember, there isn’t just one way to meal prep! Some people like to make large dishes (such as lasagnas, soups, casseroles, etc.) to portion out for the week. Others meal prep by cooking large batches of quick-cooking, versatile grains, such as Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous or quinoa, to use in various ways throughout the week.
- Invest in good-quality, airtight containers that will keep food fresh in the fridge or freezer. Portion and store meals as soon as possible to lock in freshness.
- Choose recipes that are versatile and can hold for a few days in the fridge or freezer. Avoid freezing watery vegetables (such as cucumber and lettuce) and, where necessary, keep components separate until ready to serve.
- Before you begin, take stock of your pantry and fridge to see which ingredients you have on hand. Avoid waste by incorporating these into the week’s plan. Review the family’s calendar of events, as well. This will ensure that you’re prepping the right amount of food for the correct number of diners each night.
- To make cooking fun and stress-free, lean on appliances (such as a slow cooker, food processor or Instant Pot) that will help you easily prep and cook large batches of ingredients.
In an ideal world, cooking at home is stress-free and delicious! When the thought of scrambling to get dinner on the table makes you cringe, turn to these low-effort meal prep ideas and rediscover the fun of cooking. Meals that reheat beautifully, these don’t demand hours of your time or a boatload of ingredients. Enjoyable and satisfying, they’re proof positive that you can have your homecooked meals—and your sanity too!
Cheesy Quinoa Bites
There’s nothing quite like having a batch of these energizing Success® boil-in-bag tri-color-quinoa bites tucked in the freezer. For on-the-go breakfasts, a midmorning snack, or a light dinner alongside your favorite salad, their gooey, savory taste is always a hit.
Brown Rice Energy Balls
Sort out a week of sweet snacks with these nutty, chewy Success® boil-in-bag brown rice energy balls. Delicious as is, these are also easy to customize with your favorite nut butter, dried fruit and type of chocolate.
Cranberry Quinoa Muffins
Meal prep isn’t just about mains. Add these simple, sophisticated muffins to the rotation and breeze through breakfast all week long! Flavored simply with honey, vanilla, cranberries and Success® boil-in-bag tri-color-quinoa, they’d also be lovely with a dash of cinnamon or orange zest.
Pesto Pearl Couscous Salad
Instead of prepping every step of this recipe ahead of time, simply make the Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, mix it with the fresh veggies, chickpeas, cheese and pesto and, just like that, dinner will be served!
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
Cook a few bags of Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous on Sunday, and you’ll be ready for a week of fresh, tasty meals. In this zippy salad, it’s combined with juicy tomatoes, briny feta, chickpeas, cucumber, dill and lemon dressing for a vibrant, summery supper.
Greek Chicken and Rice Salad
Surprise the family by repurposing last night’s leftover chicken in this zesty Success® boil-in-bag white rice salad. A dish everyone can top the way they like, this one gets better the more add-ons you use, from feta and fresh veggies to olives, herbs and more.
Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
If you’re a fan of homey casseroles, this one is guaranteed to improve your day. One of our favorite meal recipes that reheats well, this 20-minute dish gets better as the flavors meld and can be rewarmed in minutes in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Quinoa Green Bean Casserole
Prep a couple of these gooey good casseroles, then freeze them before they’re baked. When you’re ready, simply defrost, and cook as directed. A star among meal prep ideas that aren’t boring, this dish shows just how versatile Success® boil-in-bag tri-color-quinoa really is.
Brown Rice Asian Stir-Fry
Loaded with protein and crisp vegetables, this Success® boil-in-bag brown rice stir-fry is a weeknight over-achiever. Make this ahead of time, then portion it out for the week. Or, just cook the rice early in the week, then keep refrigerated, and give yourself a headstart on this simple recipe.
Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous
Keep this buttery dish in the fridge to serve as a side, in a soup, or as a base for grain bowls throughout the week. Flavored with nothing more than butter, lemon, shallots and parsley, Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous is a perfect partner to an abundance of other ingredients.
Pearl Couscous Cranberry Salad
Chic enough for company, this cranberry-sprinkled side is also effortless enough for your weekly meal plan. Garnish with almonds just before serving to keep them crisp.
From Boring to Fun: Tips to Meal Prep Without the Burnout
What’s the worst thing that can happen to a home cook? The loss of motivation and inspiration caused by meal prep fatigue! If you’re in a rut, don’t despair. When meal prep starts to feel daunting, just remember that it doesn’t have to be all-consuming or overly complex.
- If meal prepping feels like a huge undertaking, start small by simply chopping vegetables for the week, washing fruit, cooking proteins or some grains. On busy days, every little timesaver will feel like a huge gift.
- If prepping for an entire week is too much, start with setting yourself up for success on Mondays and Tuesdays. Batch cook on the weekend, and you’ll have a stress-free dinner plan to start off the week.
- Take the time to research recipes you want to make and to buy ingredients. Instead of relying on the same old sustenance, switch things up and keep things fun with new flavors each week!
- Shopping smart is half the battle. Stock up on tasty, versatile staples—think pre-made sauces, Success® Rice, canned goods and more—and you’ll be halfway to myriad tempting meals.
- When choosing what to make for meal prep, try to stick to one- or two-pot recipes that use a limited number of ingredients. This isn’t the time for elaborate dishes that dirty up the entire kitchen!