This article may contain links from our affiliate partners. Please read how we make money!
Are you looking to increase your calories but want to do it healthily? If so, you’re in the right place! These healthy high-calorie meal prep recipes will give you plenty of ideas!
We have a wide selection of high-calorie meal prep ideas, with most taking 15 minutes or less of prep time.
If you’re new to meal prep, make sure to have a look at our meal prep beginners guide. We also have a bunch of high-protein meal prep ideas for people who regularly exercise.
21 Healthy High-Calorie Meal Prep Recipes
This is a great time to bookmark this page so you can refer back to these high-calorie meal prep ideas easily.
1. High-Calorie Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Overnight oats make for the perfect high-calorie meal prep breakfast! Over 700 calories per serving, and there are lots of helpful dietitian tips in the post!
2. Chicken Fajita Burrito Bowls
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
An easy, healthy meal prep recipe for lunch or dinner! This gluten-free chicken fajita bowl is packed with flavor from homemade fajita seasoning. A dairy-free burrito bowl variation, this fajita bowl makes the perfect quick weeknight dinner
3. Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with Chicken Thighs
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
This keto cauliflower mac and cheese with chicken thighs are loaded with protein and takes about 30 minutes to make. It is a complete dinner meal that you can prep ahead and enjoys!
4. Instant Pot Pot Roast
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
The best Instant Pot pot roast with beef, potatoes, carrots, herbs, and spices, all cooked in the pressure cooker until perfectly tender. A comfort food classic that is easy to prepare and always a big hit with both kids and adults.
5. BBQ Chicken Salad
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
This BBQ chicken salad is a fresh and colorful combination of grilled BBQ chicken, veggies, cheese, beans, and tortilla strips; all tossed in ranch dressing. It’s a nutrient-dense salad perfect for a work lunch as it doesn’t require reheating.
6. Instant Pot Millet Khichdi
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Millet khichdi is an Indian-style risotto made with millets and lentils. It’s made in an Instant Pot to make this recipe much more effortless. This hearty one-pot meal is loaded with vegetables of your choice and is very comforting and filling.
7. Oven-melted Feta and Veggie Bake
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
This tasty melted feta and veggie bake is easy and quick to make. It takes 10 minutes prep time and 30 minutes in the oven. It’s also high in vitamins A, C, and B6, protein, and fiber.
8. Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Bacon
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Make this gourmet macaroni & cheese with caramelized onions & bacon to elevate your dinner. This casserole is an upgrade to any regular old mac & cheese, and it can be made ahead of time since it rewarms beautifully.
9. Sheet Pan Thai Chicken with Bok Choy
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Marinated in a rich and creamy peanut sauce, this easy and delicious oven-baked Thai chicken recipe with bok choy is full of delicious, complex flavors, making this a year-round family favorite.
10. Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
Prep Time: 40 Minutes
A one-pot dish made with long grain basmati rice, chicken, fresh spices, and herbs that is cooked over low heat for the most delectable flavors.
11. Orecchiette with Meatballs
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
This orecchiette with meatballs is a traditional dish on Sundays and holidays in Southern Italy. But it also makes a great meal prep as you can make it in advance.
12. Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with Chicken Thighs
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cauliflower mac and cheese with chicken thighs is a low-carb and high protein family meal that you can prep ahead for dinner and enjoy comfort food without guilt.
13. Tomato and Mascarpone Pasta Bake
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
A tomato and mascarpone pasta bake that you put together within 15 minutes, full of delicious vegetables, ground beef, and a creamy mascarpone tomato sauce. An easy recipe for busy days.
14. Lasagna with Ricotta
Prep Time: 1 Hour
This Lasagna with ricotta may take some time to make but it’s worth the treat! It uses four types of cheese and has a delicious meaty filling. It’s also a freezer-friendly meal prep recipe, making it perfect for batch cooking.
15. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Easy creamy chicken and wild rice soup filled with healthy veggies, juicy chicken, and chewy-delicious wild rice. This is perfect for batch cooking on the weeknights; you can make double and have half with the family and save half for the following days.
16. Sweet Potato Red Lentil and Coconut Curry
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
This sweet potato lentil curry is the perfect one-pot meal when you’re after a really healthy yet easy recipe. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes and meal-pep as well as freezer friendly.
17. Easy Creamy Peanut Sauce Stir Fry
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Fragrant ginger, tender veggies, and a creamy peanut stir fry sauce come together to make this delicious vegan dish. It’s beginner-friendly and only takes 25 minutes, making it the ideal meal prep!
18. Whole30 Chicken Shawarma Bowls
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
This is the ultimate Whole30 lunch recipe! Stave off those feelings of deprivation with this easy but seriously flavorful Chicken Shawarma Bowl. Served over grain-free cauliflower tabbouleh with kalamata olives, pickled red onions, and a zippy lemon tahini sauce, you’ll happily face-plant into this healthy lunch every single day. Naturally low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, and Whole30.
19. Crockpot Black Bean Lentil Quinoa Chili
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
The most satisfying cold weather cozy option. With the right amount of flavorings, this vegetarian, healthy and delicious chili can easily be made vegan.
20. Tofu Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
This rich and satisfying tofu stir fry with broccoli and bell peppers is a quick recipe for meal prepping with a sweet and spicy homemade coconut milk peanut sauce.
21. Zucchini, Chickpea and Potato Curry
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
For a healthy yet flavorful meal prep recipe, try this vegan Indian curry recipe. It packs a lot of protein and vegetables and a rich, spicy coconut milk curry. It is the perfect recipe to make ahead, reheat, and enjoy all week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which foods are healthy and high in calories?
Many nutrient-dense foods are high in calories and still healthy! Some examples of calorie-rich foods include:
- Proteins: Red meats, pork, salmon and other oily fish, eggs, whole milk
- Carbohydrates: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, brown rice, whole grains
- Fats: Nuts, avocado, olives, yogurt
How long does meal prep last?
It’s a tricky question as no one rule fits all! It all depends on the ingredients, recipe, and storage methods you use. In general, most recipes should be eaten within three days of being cooked.
Find out more: How long does meal prep last
What’s the best way to store meal prep?
It’s best to cool down any cooked meals before sealing them in an air-tight container and storing them in the refrigerator.
Tip: Leave the lid off your pots and pans when cooling to escape the trapped steam.
Find out more: How to store meal prep
Which containers are best for meal prep?
We love using either plastic containers or glass containers. Plastic containers that are dishwasher friendly, microwave safe, and BPA free are perfect for single portion meal prep to take on the go. Whereas large glass containers are perfect for storing larger quantities of meal prep, you’ll plan on eating at home.
See: Best glass containers for meal prep
Richmond Howard started Meal Prepify in 2019 and has helped over a million people learn how to meal prep, get better at meal planning, and create a kitchen they love to use. He’s an avid home chef and loves to bbq, grill out, and make awesome food for family and friends. He’s been featured on MSN, Renaissance Periodization, and Good Financial Cents.