Making your own food on a day-to-day basis can be quite the task, especially if you’re stretched for time. It may seem like many recipes involve a great amount of labour to conduct, due in part to preparation. However, there is a way around this, and it doesn’t involve long hours in the kitchen.
In fact, you may be able to meal prep your way into the oncoming week, without hassle. The best part? You don’t need to overspend if you are on a budget, especially since meal prep can be quite pricey. By putting together some key ingredients, you can get your hands on some truly delectable meals.
These seven cheap meal prep ideas will help you get started on the right foot:
Idea #1: Overnight Oats
When it comes to meal prepping, especially in a healthy way, you’ll eventually come across oatmeal. Not only is it a healthy substitute for those who love their carbs, but it can be pretty delicious too. All it takes is a little ingenuity, should you want it to last you throughout your week.
Overnight oats is a great recipe to get acquainted with, especially for those on a budget. You’ll need some steel cut oats, and your favourite fruits. Not only can this dish be prepared in less than ten minutes, but it won’t cost you a lot for ingredients. Plus, you can experiment with the types of fruits you include in the meal as well.
Idea #2: Vegan Pasta
Vegan pasta is a cheap meal prep idea that you can easily whip up. Some may initially believe, and for good reason, that pasta can be quite labour-intensive to prepare. While this may be the case for some recipes, it doesn’t have to be that way for all recipes. One of the most popular ways of creating pasta for your meal prepping desires is to go vegan.
There is no need to sacrifice taste in order to make this recipe work. Use lentils, various vegetables such as kale, and your favourite sauces, and it will be delicious. The best type of pasta to use is minestrone, as it can be cooked quite easily without taking up too much time!
Idea #3: Fried Rice
Like the aforementioned pasta choice, fried rice is another delectable recipe preferred by many. However, the sentiment attached is that preparation takes up too much time in the kitchen. To counteract this, and reduce the time it takes to make the dish, make things simple.
In about thirty minutes, you can truly recreate your favourite fried rice dish using healthy ingredients. You should be able to spend no more than twenty to thirty dollars for the ingredients you require. Edamame, your favourite meat protein, and other vegetables can all be cooked to perfection within twenty minutes!
Idea #4: Power Salad
As the name suggests, your typical salad does not have to be generic, while sacrificing flavour. In actuality, the right salad can be made while fulfilling the nutrients you need on a daily basis. To make a budget-friendly power salad, all that is needed is your favourite vegetables. Grab some chickpeas as well, to get your protein source included.
For additional flavour, you can also add some tuna to the recipe as well. Depending on your tastes, the tuna can be mixed with extra herbs and spices. When put together, the power salad will be incredibly tasty, and will take very little time in the kitchen to prepare! You can also make a large batch, to stretch it out for the week.
Idea #5: Chicken Bowls
Nothing beats a well-cooked chicken breast, especially when paired with other, healthy ingredients. To meal prep effectively for your week, why not pair this protein source with some additional ingredients? When put together, a fantastic chicken bowl, one that is nutrient-rich, can be created.
To begin with, you’ll want your chicken to be oven roasted. Once it is finished cooking, slice it up and add it into a bowl with brown rice and vegetables. Add some pineapple for a tangy aftertaste, along with some soya sauce!
Idea #6: Mexican Quinoa Bowls
If you prefer to not go the way of meat protein sources, quinoa can also be a healthy substitute. A quinoa bowl, one that is made using the ingredients of the famous taco, can be created instead! Don’t forget the hot sauce for an additional kick.
Idea #7: Food Delivery Services
For those who are very stretched on time, don’t lose hope! A prepared meal delivery service can help people like you. These services allow you to get you healthy meals in a set amount of time. Simply use your favourite app, wait a bit for delivery, and you’re all set for some good eating.
Being able to meal prep before your week begins is huge, especially for those that want to take it seriously. As long as you are able to dedicate a bit of time to it, you won’t have to resort to takeout for lunch every day!