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7 Meals You Can Make for 0 Total
meal-prep

7 Meals You Can Make for 0 Total

Save time and money with these simple meals that require zero prep.

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Servings

7

Difficulty

Easy

Nutrition Facts

350

Calories

20g

Protein

40g

Carbs

10g

Fat

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes
  • 1 large bag of mixed vegetables (frozen)
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Olive oil for cooking
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cumin powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly.

  2. 2

    Slice chicken breasts into thin strips and season with salt, pepper, and cumin if using. Set aside.

  3. 3

    Bake sweet potatoes whole in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes or until soft when pierced with a fork. Let them cool slightly before peeling and dicing into cubes.

  4. 4

    In a large pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and garlic; cook until they soften and become translucent.

  5. 5

    Add chicken strips to the pan and cook until fully done and golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

  6. 6

    In the same pan, add mixed vegetables, black beans, red bell pepper, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes or until veggies are heated through.

  7. 7

    Combine diced sweet potatoes, cooked chicken, and vegetable mix in a large bowl. Toss well to combine all ingredients evenly.

  8. 8

    Divide the mixture into seven portions using containers or bags for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week.

So you're tired of spending hours in the kitchen, and your wallet is feeling a bit strained? Yeah, same. But fear not! Here’s how to whip up seven meals that require zero prep time beyond initial cooking—let's get into it.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

First off, it’s extremely budget-friendly. You can make these meals with basic ingredients that are likely already in your pantry or fridge, saving you both money and trips to the grocery store.

Secondly, it’s all about efficiency. Once cooked, these meals stay fresh for a whole week, giving you an easy go-to option when life gets hectic.

Lastly, minimal effort: Prep once, enjoy seven times without having to think twice about what’s for dinner.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Over-seasoning the chicken: A little salt and pepper goes a long way. Don’t overdo it with spices or you might overpower the other flavors.
  • Cooking the sweet potatoes too long: Keep an eye on them in the oven—they can go from perfectly soft to mushy quickly if left for too long.
  • Mixing everything before cooling down: Hot ingredients will cause your meal prep containers to steam up and potentially make the food soggy. Let everything cool slightly.

Meals You Can Make for 0 Total ingredients

Alternatives & Substitutions

No sweet potatoes? Use regular russet potatoes instead—they work just as well! Just be sure to peel them before baking for easier handling later on.

Prefer beef over chicken? Substitute the chicken with thin slices of steak or ground beef. Make sure it’s cooked thoroughly and diced into small pieces for better mixing.

Want a vegetarian version? Skip the meat entirely and add extra vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or kale. Add more black beans to up the protein content.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I freeze these meals instead of storing in the fridge? Absolutely! These meals freeze great. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before freezing and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator when you're ready to eat.

How do I heat these meals up? Microwave is your best friend here. Heat each portion for about 2-3 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. For a crispier texture, you can also pop them into an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F for around 10 minutes.

What if I don’t have all the vegetables? Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand—spinach, broccoli, or even frozen peas are great options. The key is variety and color!

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it—seven meals made with minimal effort that will last you the whole week. No more stressing about what’s for dinner or scrambling through the pantry at 6 PM.

Now go ahead, grab a container, and enjoy your hard-earned meal prep. You’ve got this!