17 Easy Recipes to Meal Prep for Busy Work Days

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17 Easy Recipes to Meal Prep for Busy Work Days

For busy days, easy meal prep recipes are a must. This collection is filled with 17 simple, fast recipes perfect for a tight schedule. They help you get homemade meals on the table quickly, making your busy life easier.

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

Bell Pepper Sandwich

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

The Bell Pepper Sandwich is a great pick for a quick and easy lunch. Replacing bread with a bell pepper, this recipe makes a light and flavorful meal in just 10 minutes, perfect for a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

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

These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a great choice for a fast and nutritious lunch. Easy to make with canned chicken, bacon, cheese, and cucumber halves, they’re a fresh and light option for your workday meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

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 lunch. It’s easy to make and ideal for preparing in advance, blending the flavors of jalapeño poppers into a light and simple lunch option for your busy days.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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 a great choice for meal prep. Ready in just 30 minutes, they are versatile and high in protein, making them a perfect start to a busy day.
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 quick to make, taking only 20 minutes. They’re straightforward and can be paired with vegetables for a light lunch, especially on those days when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters, ready in 35 minutes, are a great light option for a main or side dish. They’re easy to prepare with chopped broccoli and Parmesan cheese, adding a touch of simplicity to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A bowl of wild rice mushroom soup.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup is a comforting choice for a quick lunch. With a hearty, nutty flavor, this soup is light yet filling, and its time-saving cooking process makes it perfect for busy weeks.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

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 can be made in 30 minutes. They’re an easy, flavorful addition to any meal, perfect for when you need a quick, light appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

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 creamy, one-pot meal ready in 1 hour. It’s a comforting option for a light lunch or dinner that stores well to eat for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Cucumber salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad, ready in just 30 minutes, is a refreshing side dish. Made with simple ingredients, it complements a wide range of main dishes without adding heaviness.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

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

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats are perfect for a quick 10-minute snack. Combining cream cheese and tuna with a seasoned flavor, they make a simple and fresh choice for a speedy lunch.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats

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 fantastic for a quick, simple lunch. Layering vegetables and dressing in jars, they offer a convenient and nutritious meal for those busy days when time is scarce.
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, taking a short time to prepare. It features cauliflower, bacon, cheese, and a hint of hot sauce, and is a fun twist on traditional potato salad.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad

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 perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer. Ready in under an hour, they combine oven-baked chicken and bacon with homemade ranch dressing for a flavorful yet light dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Zucchini Bites

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

Zucchini Bites, ready in 30 minutes, are a great choice for a light snack or side dish. Made with shredded zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar, and Italian seasoning, they’re easy to prepare and great for a quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Keto Chicken Nuggets

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

In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy Chicken Nuggets. Prepared with canned chicken and coated with pork rinds, they offer a crispy outside and tender inside, making them a perfect light dinner for those times when you’re in a hurry.
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 and nutritious lunch option. Mixing tuna with avocado, this recipe creates a light meal that’s straightforward and great for those seeking a quick and nutritious lunch.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad

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