These 35 tasty batch-cooking recipes will give you a week’s worth of flavorful meals, saving you time and stress. It’s easier than ever to plan your meals for the week. Whatever your appetite, you’ll find a dish that satisfies, be it a more substantial simple sheet pan dishes, or one of the many hearty stews.
35 Delicious Batch-Cooked Meals to Last a Week
Having a batch-cooked meal that will last you a week means you’ll be cooking less, which frees up time and also helps you to portion control and reduce food waste. With a meal already made for you, you’ll also be encouraged to eat healthier as you won’t need to worry about what to cook next! Lunches and dinners are easier to plan ahead of time, and luckily there are plenty of recipes that will last you throughout the week.
1. Overnight Oats (Multiple Flavors)
Overnight oats are a fantastic way to batch prep breakfast. You can mix and match flavors using different fruits, seeds and nuts. Try adding some nut butter or a scoop of protein powder for a nutritional boost!
Overnight oats are one of the easiest recipes to meal prep, perfect for when you don’t have time in the morning but still want a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Once they’re made, simply portion them out into jars for easy grab-and-go breakfasts. Peaches and cream overnight oats are one of the most popular options, being dreamily sweet and super creamy!
2. Egg Muffins
Made by simply combining eggs with other ingredients like cooked meat, cheese or veg and then popping them in the oven using a muffin tray, these make a filling and easy-to-customise meal prep option that tastes just as good when you reheat them from the fridge, being perfect for a speedy and filling breakfast or snack!
3. Chia Seed Pudding
Breakfasts are often forgotten about when it comes to batch cooking, which is a shame considering having one ready to go in the fridge or freezer can help you to get the best start to your day. Made by combining chia seeds with sweetener and milk of your choice to create a creamy, pudding-like consistency, this is a great recipe to batch make at the start of the week for a healthy breakfast or snack that’s super easy to reach for! Make a big batch and you’ll have a filling and nutritious dish ready for any meal of the day!
4. Baked Oatmeal
Similar to overnight oats, baked oatmeal can be stored in the fridge for a few days and can be flavored up using an array of ingredients. Try adding some protein using eggs and Greek yogurt for a filling and nutritious breakfast option, topped with fruit and nuts!
5. Homemade Granola
Another breakfast batch cooking idea is to make your own granola. Creating homemade granola is so easy! Made from just a few simple ingredients and customizable using dried fruits, seeds and nuts, it stores really well and can be used for so many recipes!
6. Quinoa and Roasted Veggie Bowls
These healthy meal prep bowls include a protein-packed and filling base of quinoa (we recommend cooking it in veggie stock for added flavor!) with a rainbow of roasted veg on top. Start by roasting vegetables like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and carrots, tossing them with olive oil and seasoning.
7. Chicken and Rice Meal Prep Bowls
An easy and customizable way to meal prep your dinner for the week, chicken and rice meal prep bowls can be flavored up using different veggies and spices. Try this jerk chicken flavor for a punchy and flavorful batch cooking dish! A true meal prep favorite!
8. Turkey Chili
Packed full of healthy and flavorful ingredients including lean protein ground turkey, tomatoes and a medley of beans, this healthy chili is both filling and nutritious with a great balance of protein and fiber.
9. Lentil Soup
Simple to make and incredibly filling, lentil soup is a flavorful dish often packed with spices like cumin and paprika. Filling and nutritious with a great source of protein and fiber, lentil soup is easy to customize using different ingredients!
10. Pasta Salad with Chickpeas and Feta
Loaded with protein and full of flavor using chickpeas and feta cheese, this healthy pasta salad is also packed with nutrients from veggies like olives, tomatoes and cucumber. Tossed in a zesty lemon-herb dressing, this is the ultimate easy lunch to meal prep for the week!
11. Beef Stew
Made using flavorful beef like chuck or round, this tasty stew will be tender and delicious. Add some extra nutrients by including veggies like potatoes and carrots, and cook in a flavorful stock for the ultimate batch-cooked comfort food! The ultimate batch cooking recipe for a cozy night in!
12. Shepherd’s Pie
A batch cooking classic, shepherd’s pie can be made using lamb or beef and consists of a filling mixture of meat and veg topped with a layer of mash, representing a true meal prep comfort food!
13. Crockpot Pulled Chicken
All you need to make this easy meal prep recipe is a few ingredients: chicken, spices and stock! After cooking in the slow cooker for a few hours, you’ll be left with tender chicken perfect for shredding. Try a honey mustard flavor for a tangy and sweet option perfect for sandwiches and salads!
14. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu
Packed with protein and nutrients, this batch-cooked meal combines the ultimate combo of tofu and veg! Cook up tofu with aromatic garlic and ginger in a hot pan before adding in veg like broccoli, peppers and carrot. Season using soy sauce and oyster sauce (if you have it!) for a flavorful and aromatic dish.
15. Baked Ziti
Make this easy and filling pasta dish over the weekend and you’ll have lunches and dinners sorted for the week! Packed with flavor and nutrients, baked ziti uses layers of pasta, a filling meat sauce and plenty of cheese for ultimate batch-cooked comfort food!
16. Grilled Chicken Breast
Batch cook some grilled chicken breast for an easy and filling protein to use throughout the week in recipes like wraps, salads and stir-fries. Flavor your chicken using basic ingredients like pepper, salt and lemon juice for a zesty protein that can be used in many different types of cuisine!
17. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
Flavorful and filling, these meal prep enchiladas combine healthy and nutritious ingredients like sweet potato and black bean for a great source of protein and fiber.
18. Bulgur and Lentil Pilaf
This tasty and simple batch cooking dish is packed with nutrients and flavor! Lentils and bulgur (a tasty and nutritious grain!) provide a great source of fiber and protein, and the dish is further enhanced with a caramelized onion for extra flavor.
19. Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa
Cooked low and slow in your slow cooker, this tender and flavorful dish can be used in a variety of ways, such as in tacos, burritos or even served up with some rice!
20. Teriyaki Salmon with Brown Rice
Salmon is an excellent source of protein, and combined with a flavorful and aromatic teriyaki sauce, this batch cooking recipe is sure to impress! Serve with some nutty brown rice for a wholesome and balanced dish.
21. Homemade Meatballs with Marinara
The ultimate batch cooking recipe, meatballs can be used in a variety of ways, like with pasta for dinner or in a sandwich for lunch! Combining beef and Italian sausage provides a delicious and savory flavor. Change up the spices to suit your own personal taste, and you’ll have a flavorful and hearty meatball dish to add to your weekly meal plan!
22. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a versatile and flavorful meal. Add some color and flavor to your batch-cooked meals with this nutritious recipe! Get creative with this batch cooking recipe by switching the ground beef for turkey or even making a vegetarian version!
23. Butternut Squash Soup
This flavorful dish can be ready in around an hour, and freezes brilliantly for future enjoyment! Sweet and nutty butternut squash provides a wonderfully comforting and warming soup to add to your batch-cooked meals!
24. Cabbage Rolls
Rich and flavorful, cabbage rolls are an easy way to add a nutritious meal (made using ingredients like rice and lean ground beef) to your weekly meal plan!
25. Beef and Vegetable Casserole
Feast your eyes on this gorgeous and tasty casserole that combines all of your favorite veggies with lean beef. This healthy batch cooking recipe uses lean ground beef and lots of veggies for a tasty and nutritious casserole that’s easy to whip up! When you’re craving a comforting meal that isn’t too complicated to make, this casserole is the perfect batch cooking recipe!
26. Chickpea and Spinach Curry
Chickpeas and spinach are cooked in a creamy coconut sauce for a filling and flavorful meal that will be ready in around 30 minutes!
27. Tofu Scramble
Tofu scramble is an excellent vegan batch cooking recipe that will last you throughout the week! The addition of a little turmeric provides a bright yellow color, and you can add all kinds of veggies to replicate your favorite scrambled egg dishes!
28. Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is a classic Italian dish perfect for batch cooking. Made using pasta, beans, and lots of vegetables, this dish is a great way to use up what you have in your pantry. Try it with different combinations of veggies and beans to switch things up! Packed with protein and veggies, this dish is perfect for meal prepping.
29. Zucchini and Corn Fritters
Made using a variety of spices and fresh vegetables, these fritters make an easy batch cooking recipe. Be sure to grate your zucchini and allow it to drain well to avoid soggy fritters! Corn (frozen or canned) adds crunch and sweetness, keeping in mind not to overcrowd your skillet when frying for best results!
30. Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
A wonderfully savory batch cooking recipe, this vegan take on stroganoff uses meaty mushrooms for added texture and flavor. Creamy and dairy free, this recipe will come together quickly for a delicious meal you can enjoy all week long!
31. Roasted Chickpeas
Roast chickpeas make an easy and tasty batch cooking recipe! Loaded with protein, these crunchy chickpeas are great for snacking or as a salad topping, and they’ll keep for a week or more. Feel free to experiment with spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder! Get your batch cooking on with this easy recipe for roasted chickpeas! Use a variety of different spices to suit your taste, where smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili flakes are all excellent choices!
32. Homemade Hummus
Creamy, garlicky, and bursting with lemon, homemade hummus is a tasty batch cooking recipe you can enjoy throughout the week! Great as a snack or appetizer, this vegan dip comes together quickly and freezes well for future batches! Make a big batch and freeze the extras for future snacking! Make a big batch and keep on hand for an easy grab and go snack!
33. Muffin-Tin Mini Quiches
Muffin-tin mini quiches. This batch cooking recipe is made using a basic muffin tin for easy and even cooking! These bite-sized appetizers are great for snacking or serving as a party food! Try using different combinations of meats, cheeses, and vegetables for endless flavor possibilities.
34. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Make a big batch of baked sweet potato fries for a healthy and delicious batch cooking recipe! Simply slice sweet potatoes into uniform sticks, drizzle with a little oil, and roast until crispy. These sweet potato fries will keep well in the refrigerator and make a great side dish for many meals!
35. DIY Trail Mix
This crunchy batch cooking recipe can be customized with your choice of nuts (such as cashews, almonds, and pecans), seeds (such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds), and dried fruit.
Conclusion
Batch cooking is the way to go if you’re looking to save time and make the most of your weeknight meals! Check out these delicious and easy batch cooking recipes to jumpstart your batch cooking adventure, because we can’t wait to hear what your favorite is!