17 Make-Ahead Recipes for Weekday Meals That Aren’t Leftovers

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17 Make-Ahead Recipes for Weekday Meals That Aren’t Leftovers

Make-ahead recipes for weekday meals are a great way to enjoy home-cooked food without relying on leftovers. They’re simple to prepare and perfect for adding variety to your weekly menu. With these 17 recipes, you can easily have a good meal ready, saving time on busy days.

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats on a white plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich being held in a hand.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Bell Pepper Sandwich is a great option for prepping ahead of time. With bell peppers instead of bread, it’s a light, yet filling choice for lunch. You can prepare it in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Cottage cheese breakfast muffins on a plate with green onions.
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins are perfect for meal prep. You can make them in 30 minutes and they’re packed with protein, making them a great choice for a quick and easy breakfast on the go during the week.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Canned Chicken Patties

A white plate with broccoli and chicken patties.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Canned Chicken Patties are a great pick for a speedy and simple lunch. They take just 20 minutes to make and are ideal for pairing with a variety of veggies. This recipe is particularly useful for preparing in advance, ensuring you have a quick meal ready for those busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Four stuffed cucumbers with bacon and cheese on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are great for a quick, nutritious lunch. They are easy to make with canned chicken, bacon, cheese, and cucumber. Prepare them in advance for a refreshing meal during your busy workweek.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Meal Prep Meatballs And Cauliflower Rice

Two containers filled with cauliflower rice and meatballs.
Meal Prep Meatballs And Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Meal Prep Meatballs And Cauliflower Rice is a fantastic choice for a weekday meal. The recipe involves making homemade meatballs with ground beef, mozzarella, parsley, and spices, served over steamed cauliflower rice. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great make-ahead option for a filling lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Meatballs And Cauliflower Rice

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A bowl full of ingredients for jalapeño popper chicken salad.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is perfect for a quick and easy lunch. It combines the flavors of jalapeño poppers in a light chicken salad, making it a great recipe to prepare ahead for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Broccoli Fritters

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Broccoli Fritters, ready in just 35 minutes, make a great light main or side dish. Easy to prepare with chopped broccoli and Parmesan cheese, they’re a convenient addition to your weekly meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

A plate of mini spicy canned salmon patties with dill sauce.
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties are a quick addition to any meal. Taking only 30 minutes to make, they’re a flavorful choice for a light appetizer or a part of your meal prep for the week.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Meal Prep Tuscan Chicken and Cauliflower Rice

Tuscan chicken and rice in a glass container.
Meal Prep Tuscan Chicken and Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Meal Prep Tuscan Chicken and Cauliflower Rice is a great make-ahead dish. It’s a low-carb, high-protein meal that you can prepare in about 30 minutes. It’s a flavorful option for your weekday lunches or dinners.
Get the Recipe: Meal Prep Tuscan Chicken and Cauliflower Rice

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Two cucumber boats with tuna and sesame seeds.
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats are a great choice for a fast and easy lunch. Made in just 10 minutes, they combine cream cheese and tuna for a fresh and light meal. They’re perfect for preparing in advance for those busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A plate of chicken bacon ranch poppers with sauce drizzled on top.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a great option for a quick dinner or appetizer. Ready in less than an hour, these poppers blend chicken and bacon with homemade ranch dressing for a flavorful yet light dish. They’re ideal for making ahead and enjoying during the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a warm, comforting meal that’s ready in an hour. This creamy soup is perfect for a light lunch or dinner and stores well, making it a great choice for preparing at the start of the week.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Two glass jars of Greek salad.
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars are perfect for a simple, quick lunch. By layering vegetables and dressing in jars, they provide a convenient and nutritious meal, ready to grab and go during a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars

Cauliflower Potato Salad

A bowl of cauliflower potato salad on a table with a spoon.
Cauliflower Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cauliflower Potato Salad is a great light side dish, quick to prepare. It’s made with cauliflower, bacon, and cheese, and is a fun twist on traditional potato salad. This dish is perfect for making ahead for your weekday meals.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad

Zucchini Bites

Zucchini bites with sour cream on a plate.
Zucchini Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Zucchini Bites, ready in 30 minutes, are perfect for a light snack or side dish. Made with zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar, and Italian seasoning, they are easy to prepare and great for a quick, healthy option during the week.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets on a plate with dipping sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Nuggets, prepared in 30 minutes, are a wonderful choice for a quick dinner. Made with canned chicken and a crispy coating, they are a great light meal for those nights when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

Avocado Tuna Salad

Avocado tuna salad in a bowl with avocado and lemon slices.
Avocado Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Avocado Tuna Salad is a quick, nutritious option for lunch. Mixing tuna with avocado, this recipe creates a light yet filling meal, ideal for preparing ahead for a busy weekday.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad

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