Meal Prep Magic: How to Cook Once, Eat All Week

If you're anything like me, the idea of cooking a fresh dinner every single night after a long day feels less like “homemaking” and more like “punishment.” Between work, kids, errands, and the eternal question of what on earth are we eating tonight, cooking from scratch daily simply isn’t doable. And seriously — I love food, but I’m not auditioning for “Chopped: Exhausted Mom Edition.” 😩🔪

That’s where meal prep steps in like the quiet hero it is. And no, it’s not about becoming some Pinterest-level domestic deity or surviving on dry chicken and sadness. It’s about making life easier. When you cook once or twice a week, you buy yourself time, sanity, and meals that don’t require a meltdown to prepare.

In this post, I’m walking you through exactly how I make meal prep work in my very real, very lived-in kitchen — the recipes that actually get eaten, the tips that keep me sane, and the rhythm that helps me feed my family without losing it.

Let’s get into it… because dinner should not be the boss of you.

How to Cook Once, Eat All Week

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What Is Meal Prep and Why Should You Do It?

Meal prep simply means preparing your meals ahead of time so you always have something healthy and homemade ready to go. It saves time, reduces stress, and keeps you from panic-ordering takeout at 5:47 PM.

By spending just a couple hours on the weekend (or whenever your schedule allows), you can batch-cook multiple meals, portion them, and glide into your week like someone who has their life together — or at least looks like it.

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How to Get Started With Meal Prep

Step 1: Plan Your Meals
Choose recipes that are easy to batch-cook and share ingredients. Think casseroles, chili, lasagna, soups, or anything that won’t fight you when doubled.

Step 2: Make a Grocery List
Once you know your meals, write down everything you need. Bonus points for buying in bulk — future you will thank present you.

Step 3: Cook in Batches
Start with the dishes that take the longest. While those simmer or bake, prep sides, snacks, or chop veggies. Maximize every minute — we’re busy!

Step 4: Portion and Store
Once everything cools, portion your meals into containers. Label them with dates so nothing becomes a mystery science experiment.

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My Favorite Meal Prep Recipes

These are the recipes that never let me down — simple, family-approved, and meal-prep friendly.

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1. Tomato Sauce (for Lasagna and Chili)

This sauce is a lifesaver because it works for multiple dishes.

What you need:
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
Salt and pepper

Steps:
– Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until soft.
– Add tomatoes, herbs, salt, and pepper.
– Simmer 20–30 minutes.
– Portion and use for lasagna, chili, pasta, anything.

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2. Chicken Casserole

Zero fuss, lots of comfort. Make one for now, one for the freezer.

What you need:
2 cups cooked chicken
1 cup cooked rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup shredded cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 cup frozen veggies

Steps:
– Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
– Mix all ingredients except breadcrumbs.
– Pour into a greased dish, top with breadcrumbs.
– Bake 25–30 minutes.
– Eat half now, freeze the rest.

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3. Tuna Salad

Perfect grab-and-go lunch. No overthinking required.

What you need:
2 cans tuna
¼ cup mayo
1 tbsp mustard
¼ cup celery, chopped
¼ cup red onion, chopped
Salt and pepper

Steps:
– Mix everything in a bowl.
– Chill and portion.
– Serve with crackers, bread, or salad.

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4. Freezer-Friendly Lasagna

Make two lasagnas at once — you’ll thank yourself later.

What you need:
1 batch tomato sauce
12 lasagna noodles
1 lb ground beef or turkey
2 cups ricotta
2 cups mozzarella
½ cup Parmesan

Steps:
– Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
– Cook beef, add sauce.
– Layer noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan. Repeat.
– Bake 45 minutes.
– Eat one now, freeze the second before baking.

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Final Thoughts

Meal prep doesn’t need to be rigid or overwhelming. You don’t have to transform into Kitchen Barbie or dedicate six hours to chopping. Start small — prep your lunches, make one big batch of something you love, or simply chop your veggies ahead.

There’s a quiet kind of joy in opening the fridge and seeing meals already handled. That “I took care of this” energy is addictive, trust me.

Whether you’re feeding a family, cooking for yourself, or just trying to avoid the 5pm panic spiral, meal prep can change the game. And once you taste the freedom of not cooking every single night? Yeah… you won’t go back.

Have a lifesaving recipe? Share it in the comments — especially if it uses minimal dishes.

Love, Fabi