easy dishes to make this weekend & eat all week

easy dishes you can make over the weekend and eat all week long

mexican cauliflower rice with spiced tofu // cait's plate

I got a LOT of requests about meal prepping for the week ahead and while I’m no food prep expert, I do like to make a few dishes over the weekend that I can easily heat and eat all week long so I wanted to round those up for you in case you need some inspiration this weekend!

A few of my favorites include:

Baked Oatmeal

As you may or may not have gathered, I loved baked oatmeal. It’s such a simple heat & eat breakfast (or snack!) and it doesn’t take long to pull together on the weekends making it a double win. It keeps well in an airtight container for about 4-5 days in the fridge and re-heats well in the microwave.

Try these varieties:

Baked Egg Dishes

sweet potato, kale & fontina whole grain strata // cait's plate

This is another favorite make-ahead dish of mine and is perfect for literally any meal of the day. Lazy dinner? Check. Easy packed lunch? Check. Quick breakfast? Check. It keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days helping make the week ahead MUCH easier.

Try these varieties:

Pancakes & Waffles

whole grain spiced pear pancakes // cait's plate

I find myself making a batch of pancakes and/or waffles to freeze and have on hand every other weekend it seems like. They’re an easy breakfast, snack or breakfast-for-dinner option. I can also pack them in Owen’s lunch box frozen and they thaw by the time he eats lunch! They’ll keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months!

Try these varieties:

Soups, Stews & Chilis

sausage & white bean veggie soup // cait's plate

There’s literally nothing better than prepping a big batch of soup, stew or chili over the weekend to have on-hand all week. The flavors in these dishes only get BETTER as they sit in the fridge and marinate. Most can easily last 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge and you can also freeze a bunch in single serve portions to pull out whenever you need them!

Try these varieties:

Grain & Veggie Bowls

pesto quinoa with riced broccoli and chickpea walnut mash // cait's plate

Like soups, grain bowls only get better as their flavors marinate. If you want to be able to re-crisp any roasted veggies you’re adding in, feel free to keep the components separate (and obviously leave off any toppings or dressings until right before you’re ready to eat). I don’t mind that the veggies get a little more tender as time goes on. These bowls should keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 4 days.

Try these varieties:

Baked Pasta Dishes

There’s nothing better than a baked pasta dish that you can eat all night long! It feels like the most comforting meal ever and literally all you have to do during the week is heat it up! Most last well in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.

Try these varieties:

Mexican Dishes

black bean, corn & zucchini enchiladas // cait's plate

From enchilladas to bowls and baked, there are SO many options that make great make-ahead meals! Like some of the others I’ve mentioned before, the flavors marinate the longer they’re in the fridge and taste better each time you pull it out! Most will keep well for at least 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Try these varieties:

Hope this helps provide some inspiration for the week ahead!

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