If you’re into meal prepping or just cooking healthy meals in general, you know that one of the most time-consuming steps in the process is finding WHAT TO COOK. The overwhelm is real!

I know you have better things to do with your time, so I’ve put together a list of my favorites from my personal vault (aka Pinterest). I have actually made and consumed these recipes, so they come recommended from real-life experience and not just a pretty photo on the internet. (Although I will say that I am highly swayed by a pretty photo.)

Let me tell you what I look for in a recipe so you can see if we jive on criteria here:

1. Scaleable. Can be easily doubled or tripled if not already a specific “meal prep” recipe. (I often prefer using “regular” recipes because they are more interesting.)
2. Easy. Not like Easy Mac Easy, but simple enough to navigate while prepping other recipes in the kitchen at the same time.
3. Clean. Whole, nutritious ingredients, not a lot of filler or junk items, light on processed sauces and sugars.
4. High protein. I’m a fan of protein and what it does for satiety and lean muscle growth. There are a few vegetarian recipes in this lineup, but I will typically add a source of meat to those. Your call.
5. Aesthetic. Call me superficial, but a stunning, colorful food photo might be the only thing to get me out of my pajamas on Saturday morning to go to the grocery store and start the whole meal prep process in the first place.

What classifies as a meal prep friendly recipe?

• I look for hot meals that can be reheated well, without losing specific flavor profiles, textures or consistencies.
• Some cold lunches or snacks that I can make ahead of time but won’t get soggy or sad after a few days.
• A few make-ahead breakfasts or quick combos to throw together in the morning.
• I’m also looking at the kinds of foods and how well they will stay fresh in my fridge. Seafood and fish will stay fresh with a smaller meal prep (2-3 days), while other meals taste just as fresh 4-5 days later if properly sealed in a good meal prep container.

Below you will find everything from Starbucks copycat egg bites to beautiful veggie bowls, to hearty Greek meatballs. The recipe amounts are all different, so be sure to take a look at the yields and adjust accordingly for the volume you need. Feel free to add or swap out certain things for your unique tastes and preferences as well!

Browse the categories, nab a few recipes, and set yourself up for a wonderful week of meals ahead. Happy meal prepping!

Jump to: Hot Meal Prep Meals
Jump to: Make-Ahead Breakfasts and Snacks
Jump to: Cold Meal Prep Meals

For meal prep plans that are specific to calorie and macronutrient goals, click HERE

Hot Meal Prep Meals

1. Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

Recipe and photo from Fit Foodie Finds

2. The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

Recipe and photo from Ambitious Kitchen

3. Greek Meatballs with Lemon Dill Rice

Recipe and photo from Dinner At The Zoo

4. One Pan Italian Sausage And Veggies

Recipe and photo from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

5. Chicken Piccata Over Zucchini Noodles

Recipe and photo from Kim’s Cravings

6. Super Easy Beef Stir Fry for Clean Eating Meal Prep

Recipe and photo from Clean Food Crush

7. Indian-Inspired Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Recipe and photo from The Girl On Bloor

8. BBQ Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls

Recipe and photo from The Creative Bite

9. Spaghetti Squash With Bacon, Spinach and Goat Cheese

Recipe and photo from Tasty

10. 5-INGREDIENT WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Recipe and photo from Gimme Some Oven

11. Paleo Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (Whole 30)

Recipe and photo from Eat The Grains

12. Baked Chicken Recipe with Chicken and Artichokes

Recipe and photo from Diethood

13. Grilled Steak and Veggie Bowls

Recipe and photo from Mom To Mom Nutrition

14. Smoked Sausage, Kale and Cider Quinoa Skillet

Recipe and photo from Iowa Girl Eats

15. Meal-Prep Chicken Burrito Bowls

Recipe and photo from Gimme Delicious

16. Healthy Jalepeńo Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

Recipe and photo from Pinch of Yum

17. Crispy Parmesan Baked Chicken Milanese & Veggies

Recipe and photo from Cafe Delites

Recipe and photo from The Roasted Root

Make Ahead breakfasts and snacks

19. Healthy Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

Recipe and photo from My Crazy Good Life

20. Healthy Baked Oatmeal Bites – 6 Different Ways

Recipe and photo from She Likes Food

21. Easy Protein Bistro Snack Box

Recipe and photo from With Peanut Butter On Top Too

21 Berry, Beet, and Kale Smoothie

Recipe and photo from The Blender Girl

23. Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Recipe and photo from Cookies and Kate

24. Easy meal prep breakfast burritos

Recipe and photo from Fixed On Fresh

25. 6 Simple Overnight Oats Recipes

Recipe and photo from Lemons and Zest

cold meal prep meals

26. Roasted Broccoli and Farro Bowls

Recipe and photo from Rose Clearfield

27. CHICKEN & HUMMUS PLATE LUNCH MEAL PREP

Recipe and photo by Project Meal Plan

28. Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe (Goi Ga)

Recipe and photo by A Spicy Perspective

29. Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls

Recipe and photo by Sweet Peas and Saffron

30. GRILLED VEGETABLE WRAP WITH HUMMUS

Recipe and photo from Cookin Canuck

31. Best Mediterranean Quinoa Salad With Feta Dressing

Recipe and photo from Modern Minimalism

32. Black Bean Buddha Bowl with Gingery Lemon Tahini Sauce

Recipe and photo from Minimalist Baker

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