Whether they’re for yourself or for your kids, lunches take up way too much time on weekday mornings. You have places to go and people to see, and spending your precious morning minutes rummaging for a power bar in the pantry just won’t cut it this year.
Meal prepping is in, and it’s not just for busy athletes on specialized diets anymore. Meal prepping is the ultimate school-year timesaver, saving millions of minutes out of rushed mornings. With that extra time, you can sleep in, spend a little longer in the shower, or even start getting to class or work early.
Check out these ideas for easy and simple meal prep that will help you to enjoy a filling, nutritious and affordable lunch every day.
Pasta and BLT Salad
Ingredients: Bacon, pasta, tomatoes, avocado, romaine lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar, salt.
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Season one pound of bacon with black pepper. Bake until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon from pan and let cool.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta of your choice. Drain and cool.
3. Mix a half-cup of mayonnaise with three tablespoons of both mustard and vinegar. Then, season condiments with salt and pepper.
4. Toss the pasta, three sliced tomatoes, one avocado, and a head of chopped romaine lettuce together. Crumble the cooked bacon into the mix.
5. Add dressing and toss to coat the pasta.
Homemade Lunchables
Ingredients: Meats of your choosing (salami, sausage, turkey, chicken, etc.), cheese, crackers, fruit, vegetables.
- Choose your produce: For example, you can make a week’s worth of meals with two cups of grapes each, or add a sliced apple to each one.
2. Choose your veggies: A small cucumber, a handful of carrots, or some sliced bell peppers will add just enough nutritious color to the meat.
3. Add crackers and cheese: Your favorite type of cracker will serve as the base for the cheese of your choosing. Put the crackers in paper containers so that they don’t collect moisture.
4. Choose your meat: Dry meats are best for homemade Lunchables, as moisture will seep into the crackers otherwise.
5. Put the meat between the veggies and the crackers so that moisture can’t travel too far. Pack your dish in the fridge, and get ready to enjoy your lunch tomorrow!
Fruit Kabobs
Ingredients: Fruit, fruit, fruit! Not sure what to buy? Watermelon, bananas, kiwis, and strawberries are a great start.
- Choose your favorite fruits.
2. Purchase a large pack of kabob skewers.
3. Chop up your fruit. If you like melon, invest in a melon baller–we’re 99% sure the melon tastes better that way.
4. Add your fruit slices to the skewer and place them in the fridge.
If the idea of meal prepping for a whole week sounds like a lot, start by making one simple snack that you can grab in the morning on your way out the door. You might be inspired to go a little bigger the next time if you find it saves you time and money.
Happy snacking!
