The Ultimate Weekend Meal-Prep Plan: Prep a Week of Dinners in One Day

Dinner #1: Microwave Mexican

Give yourself a break on Monday with the easiest, cheesiest, fastest enchiladas you’ve ever had. Let your microwave save you some time in the kitchen without trading off anything on taste. It’s a true win-win. Get Recipe: Easy Microwave Chicken Enchiladas

Sunday Prep Plan:

Portion 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Measure and store 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning

Shredded, cooked chicken, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, Old El Paso enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, tortillas

Dinner #2: Cheesy Italian

Next, a simple meatless dinner that still packs a protein punch, thanks to everyone’s favorite superfood, quinoa. Sub in vegetable broth for chicken broth if desired for a fully vegetarian meal. Cheesy, tomato-y goodness for the win! Get Recipe: Caprese Quinoa Bake

Sunday Prep Plan:

Cook quinoa; portion and store 4 cups in the fridge
Wash and dry cherry tomatoes

Quinoa, mozzarella cheese, chicken broth, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil

Dinner #3: Sheet-Pan Magic

Yet another reason to love your sheet pan. This healthy, colorful, veggie-packed dinner gives new meaning to “taste the rainbow.” If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they make an awesome lunch (and taste even better the next day). Get Recipe: Sheet-Pan Chicken Shawarma

Sunday Prep Plan:

Wash and slice bell peppers and onion, and refrigerate them together in a food storage bag or sealed container
Measure and store together salt, pepper, pepper flakes, cumin and allspice
Slice cucumber and refrigerate

Chicken breasts, yogurt, sliced red and yellow bell peppers, sliced red onion, spices, lemon juice

Baked chicken, peppers and onions on a sheet pan

Dinner #4: A Killer Copycat

The only thing better than your favorite restaurant recipes are the DIY versions you can make in the comfort of your own home. Get all your chopping out of the way ahead of time, and it comes together even faster. This soup tastes legit—and it makes so much, it might as well be “unlimited.” Maybe serve it with some breadsticks? Get Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden™ Pasta e Fagioli

Sunday Prep Plan:

Dice the onion, celery and carrot, mince the garlic, and store them all together in a sealed container in the fridge

Italian sausage, parmesan cheese, carrots, celery, onion, spices, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, Northern beans

Dinner #5: One-Pan Tex-Mex

Did we bookend this week of dinners with cheese? You know it. Ease into the weekend with this simple (not to mention cheesy) one-pan dinner. If you follow all the prep instructions below, you can have dinner on the table in 10-15 minutes. Get Recipe: Tex-Mex Beef and Rice Skillet

Sunday Prep Plan:

Cook rice; portion and store 3 cups in the fridge
Cook and drain the ground beef; refrigerate
Dice onion and bell pepper, measure out corn kernels, and refrigerate them together in a food storage bag or sealed container

Ground beef, shredded cheese, onion, red bell pepper, corn, Old El Paso enchilada sauce, Old El Paso taco seasoning mix, rice

Grocery List

Ready to be a weekend meal-prep warrior? Here’s what you’ll need to make each recipe. (Note: we’re assuming you already have salt, pepper, olive oil, vegetable oil and cooking spray in your pantry.)

Easy Microwave Chicken Enchiladas