Meal prep is one of the easiest ways to eat healthy for busy people. After working for the entire day, it becomes hectic for most of us to cook a meal. The tiredness of the day makes us order ready-made food. We all know about the side effects of store-bought food. That is why everyone should always opt for homemade food. Meal prep ideas are beneficial in many ways. They can save you time and money. You can choose one night of the week and prepare dinner for the next 7-days. Studies say that meal prep is also a healthy method to improve your mental health. Some restaurants also use the method of meal prep for cooking. They prep all ingredients and then store them in a walk in cooler. Below we have mentioned the five best ways you can prepare dinner meals.

1. Pasta Salad

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 189 kcal

Fat: 7 g

Carbs: 12 g

Ingredients:

• 2-teaspoons red onion (finely chopped)
• 1-teaspoon caper
• 1-tablespoon pesto
• 185 g canned tuna (drained)
• 2-teaspoons olive oil
• 100 g pasta
• 3-sundried tomatoes (chopped)

Directions:

• Pour water into a pot.
• Now bring it to a boil.
• Add salt and water. Let it cook for some minutes and drain it.
• Take another bowl.
• Add onion, pesto, oil, and capers to it.
• Now add tuna, pasta, and tomatoes to it.
• Mix with a spatula.
• Store in refrigerator.

2. 5-minute Instant Ramen

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 125 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1-packet instant ramen
• ¼ cup spring onions (chopped)
• ½ cup bell peppers
• ½ cup carrot
• ½ cup cabbage
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

• Fill a pot with water and place a pan with oil in it on the other stove.
• Boil the ramen noodles and chop your veggies.
• Add veggies and noodles to the pan and sauté them.
• Add noodle water to the pan and add seasonings.
• Mix and serve.

3. Beef Stew

Total Time: 6 hours

Servings: 10

Calories: 261 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2-tablespoons olive oil
• 1-pound beef stew meat
• 4-celery
• 2-carrots
• 1-onion
• ½ cup lentils
• ½ cup red quinoa
• 5-bay leaves
• Salt, cumin, tarragon, and pepper
• 32-ounces beef stock

Directions:

• Heat oil or butter in a large skillet and add meat.
• Cook the beef until it turns brown, and then add it to a slow cooker.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 6 hours.
• Store it and then reheat it at the time of serving.

4. Tenderloin

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 238 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2-pork tenderloins
• 4-tablespoons butter
• Salt and chili flakes
• 2/3 cup half and half cream
• 2-tablespoons parsley
• 2-teaspoons mixed herbs
• 2-teaspoons soy sauce
• 1-teaspoon beef bouillon granules

Directions:

• Cut tenderloin into 12-slices.
• Heat butter in a skillet and brown the pork
• Now mix all ingredients in a pan, add pork, and let it cook.
• After 2-3 minutes, your tenderloin is ready.

5. Pepperoni Pizza Soup

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 2-cans tomatoes
• 1-onion
• 2-cans beef broth
• 1-small bell pepper (chopped)
• 1/1 cup mushroom (sliced)
• Oregano and pepper
• ½ cup sliced pepperoni
• Cheese ravioli and mozzarella

Directions:

• In a cooker, add all ingredients except ravioli.
• Cook for 9-hours.
• Now add the ravioli and cook for 30 minutes.
• Store this in the fridge. Reheat and serve with cheese and olives.