Are you looking for the best healthy meal prep ideas to try out? Here are 42 insanely good and easy meal prep recipes for low budget!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
I don’t know about you, but I love meal prepping. I rarely ever have any free time. I am a full-time college student, on top of that, I work, and I study and do my homework with any free time that I do have. So, you can see that my schedule is packed. With such a busy schedule, meal prepping has been my lifesaver.
Since my dorm doesn’t have a kitchen, I normally just go over to my parents’ house during the weekend and make all my meals for the week on Saturday and Sunday. If you also have a busy schedule or just don’t feel like cooking every day, then you have to try meal prepping if you haven’t already!
Prepping your meals in advance is great for work lunches, dinner, and even breakfast. It saves you a bunch of time and money. You can spend the extra time you normally would spend cooking on things that actually matter, like spending time with your family, doing your hobbies, or just relaxing.
If you are looking for some new recipes to try out, this is the place for you! I have gathered over 40 of the best meal prep ideas that are both easy to make and healthy. From delicious sub bowls to loaded potato taco bowls and tasty unstuffed pepper bowls, there is something in here for every type of taste bud!
HEALTHY MEAL PREP IDEAS
1. SUB IN A TUB
This sub in a tub meal is packed with lots of protein and flavor, and requires no heating! That is great since sometimes workplaces don’t have microwaves or the line is just too long.
2. BAKED GREEK MEATBALLS WITH TZATZIKI
These baked meatballs are a healthier version and are made with ground chicken. You can meal prep this with potatoes, veggies, and tzatziki.
3. CHEESEBURGER IN A BOWL
Who wants to bring a messy cheeseburger to work when you can bring this? This is a great recipe for busy weeknights, lunches, and meal prep for work.
It includes ground beef, lettuce, cheese, pickled onions, and a few other ingredients.
4. MEDITERRANEAN MEAL PREP BOWLS
First of all, how amazing does this look? These Mediterranean meal prep bowls are healthy, easy to make, and have 38g of protein. All you need is half an hour and some simple ingredients.
5. HONEY CHIPOTLE CHICKEN RICE BOWLS
These chicken rice bowls are amazing for work lunches. They are insanely flavorful and easy to make. The chicken bites are juicy and tender, with a fluffy bed of rice and some tasty pineapples.
You won’t get enough!
6. LOADED POTATO TACO BoWLS
This loaded potato taco bowl recipe has 47g of protein, can you believe that! Not only is it low in calories, but it is also incredibly flavorful.
7. MEAL PREP UNSTUFFED PEPPER BOWLS
If you guys have never tried unstuffed peppers, then you definitely need to. It is one of my favorite meals and is so tasty. Especially with a side of rice!
8. CAJUN SAUSAGE AND VEGETABLES
Is there a better combo than sausage and veggies? Not in my book! You can swap out the veggies in this recipe for something else if you prefer, along with the sausage.
It is seasoned to perfection, and you can make the serving size smaller or larger based on your preference.
9. CHICKEN PASTA MEAL PREP
Pasta for lunch is definitely a go-to of mine. It is filling, easy to make, and in my opinion, tastes amazing even when cold.
These chicken pasta meal prep bowls have over 40g of protein and 7g of fiber.
10. GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS MEAL PREP
Craving something light and fresh? Well then, this grilled chicken skewers meal prep is for you! The chicken is tender and delicious, and the veggies are a great side.
11. HERB BUTTER CHICKEN MEAL PREP
Recreate this herb butter chicken meal prep recipe with just a few simple ingredients. It looks incredible and tastes even better.
12. HIGH PROTEIN CREAMY CAJUN CHICKEN WITH GARLIC RICE
Umm, ok, how insanely good does this look? This recipe is bold, flavorful, and insanely creamy. Enjoy juicy chicken with a bed of tasty garlic rice for lunch.
13. HIGH PROTEIN ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
When summer turns up again, I always go back to my pasta salads. I’m not sure why, but it just tastes so much better during the summer than at any other time of year.
If you have never tried pasta salad before, you are missing out!
14. BLT CHICKEN SALAD FOR MEAL PREP
Looking for something that is both healthy and tasty? Well, this BLT chicken salad meal prep recipe is for you.
It’s made with rotisserie chicken, bacon, Greek yogurt, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a few other simple ingredients.
15. QUICK SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD
Enjoy this delicious and quick southwest chicken salad made with shredded chicken, lots of veggies, and tasty seasonings.
16. BEEF AND BROCCOLI
Beef and broccoli with a bed of fluffy rice is absolutely incredible. You only need one pan and about 30 minutes of your time for this recipe.
17. MEAL PREP ENCHILADAS
Want a recipe where you don’t have to put a lot of effort in? Stop your search because this enchilada meal prep recipe is for you.
It is packed with veggies, is flavorful, and requires only 10 minutes of prep.
18. HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN WITH CHEESY MAC
Everyone loves mac and cheese, am I right? It is such a comfort meal and is so easy to make. Try out this recipe that makes the best honey garlic butter chicken and mac and cheese.
19. 15-MINUTE PEPPER STIR-FRY MEAL PREP
Don’t have a lot of time on hand and need something quick? This pepper steak stir fry meal prep recipe takes only 15 minutes to make and is absolutely delicious.
20. HONEY SESAME GLAZED SALMON BOWLS
This looks way too good not to recreate! This is great for both lunch and dinner and is packed with flavor.
It has delicious salmon bites, a blend of cauliflower and regular rice, along with a side of broccolini.
21. EASY CASHEW CHICKEN MEAL PREP
This easy cashew chicken meal prep recipe is even better than takeout! It is made with toasted cashews, snow peas, carrots, chicken thighs, and garlicky cashew sauce that brings everything together.
22. SPAGHETTI WITH VEGETABLE AND MEAT SAUCE MEAL PREP
Spaghetti is my number one favorite meal. If I’m being honest, I could probably eat spaghetti every day for the rest of my life, lol.
This spaghetti meal prep recipe is going to be your go-to for work lunches. It is flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights.
23. HONEY SIRACHA CHICKEN MEAL PREP BOWLS
Put a little spice in your life with these delicious honey sriracha chicken meal prep bowls. The sauce requires only 3 ingredients to make, and you can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months.
24. CROCKPOT HONEY GARLIC MEATBALLS
Crockpot meals are my absolute favorite. All you need to do is dump and go, and the crockpot will do all the heavy lifting for you.
These honey garlic BBQ crockpot meatballs are perfect for work lunches. You can pair it with spaghetti, veggies, and rice.
25. HEALTHY MISO CHICKEN NOODLE BOWLS
Enjoy this tasty and healthy miso chicken noodle bowl recipe for lunch. It has a high amount of protein, chicken thighs, and veggies, and is low in calories.
26. MEAL PREP BUTTER CHICKEN AND GARLIC NAAN
Craving indian food? Well, put that phone down and make it at home! This butter chicken with fluffy basmati rice and garlic naan will be your go-to lunch from now on.
27. MEAL PREP BUFFALO CHICKEN RICE BOWLS
Rice bowls are just so easy to make. This buffalo chicken rice bowl is super flavorful, high in protein, and takes only 30 minutes to make.
28. CHEESEBURGER MEATLOAF MEAL PREP
Meatloaf for lunch? I mean, why not? Make this cheeseburger meatloaf recipe with just a few simple ingredients. Serve with some herb mashed potatoes and green beans.
29. HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN AND GREEN BEANS
Looking for the perfect weeknight meal? This honey garlic chicken and green beans with rice is a must! It requires only 30 minutes to make and will guarantee compliments.
30. GARLIC BUTTER STEAK BITES WITH MASHED POTATOES
Have about 30 minutes to spare? Make this delicious garlic butter and mashed potatoes for meal prep. It is easy to make and insanely good!
31. MEAL PREP SHRIMP TACO BOWLS
This may just be my favorite meal prep recipe on this list! This shrimp taco bowl is loaded with cheese, black beans, corn, brown rice, and tomatoes.
It has just the right amount of kick and is incredibly filling.
32. FAJITA BOWLS WITH CAULIFLOWER RICE
These fajita bowls are healthy, flavorful, and easy to make. They have lots of lean ground beef, veggies, and homemade fajita seasoning you won’t get enough of.
33. TACO LETTUCE WRAP
Make a healthier version of your fave tacos by wrapping them in lettuce instead of tortillas. This is a lot healthier than regular tacos and requires only 10 minutes of prep.
34. BUFFALO CHICKEN STUFFED PEPPER
If you guys have never tried stuffed peppers, what are you doing?! It is way too good and easy to make. This recipe is great for busy weeknights and work lunches.
35. CHICKPEA QUINOA SALAD MEAL PREP
This delicious chickpea quinoa salad is made with cucumber, red onions, quinoa, pomegranate seeds, chickpeas, and of course, quinoa.
36. GARLIC PARMESAN KALE PASTA
I have never tried kale in pasta, but this is making me want to. This recipe is great if you love garlic because it definitely has a lot of it, haha!
37. SMOKY CHICKEN AND CINNAMON-ROASTED SWEET POTATO
This meal prep recipe with smoky chicken and cinnamon-roasted sweet potato is sure to go on your weekly lunch rotation. You just need simple ingredients, which you probably already have in your pantry.
38. BEEF LO MEAIN MEAL PREP
How good does this look? This beef lo mein recipe is easily one of the most flavorful recipes in this list. It is made with tender beef and a tasty, garlicky sauce you will love.
39. THAI CHICKEN WRAPS MEAL PREP
A wrap is a classic lunch that almost everyone enjoys! This Thai chicken wrap is packed with flavor, simple, and healthy.
40. SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MEAL PREP BOWLS
Made with seasoned chicken, cilantro lime rice, and tender veggies, you seriously won’t be able to get enough. This meal prep bowl is nutritious, healthy, and tasty!
41. MEAL PREP SALMON AND ASPARAGUS
Do you have 15 minutes to spare? If so, make this delicious meal prep salmon and asparagus recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights.
42. PANDA EXPRESS BLACK PEPPER CHICKEN
Last but definitely not least, we have this amazing Panda Express black pepper chicken that is better than takeout. Serve with some rice and enjoy!
THIS POST SHOWED YOU THE BEST HEALTHY MEAL PREP IDEAS
