Life as a parent is no joke. Between school drop-offs, extracurriculars, work, and trying to maintain a semblance of order, the question “What’s for dinner?” often feels like one task too many. Luckily, there’s a solution to help busy parents like us: meal prep! Let’s walk through some easy and family-friendly meal prep ideas that will save you time, stress, and even some sanity during the week.
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Post-Grocery Shopping Plan of Attack
Alright, we all know grocery shopping with kids can be… an adventure (or a nightmare, depending on how you look at it). But after you brave the aisles, let’s make sure your haul works for you and not against you.
Step 1: Sort & Store the Pantry Goods First
Before diving into the fresh stuff, take a minute to put away all the pantry items—canned goods, pasta, snacks, and cereals. Keeping your pantry organized means you won’t lose track of those “I swear I bought this last week” items, and it makes grabbing ingredients during the week so much easier. Use bins or clear containers like this option, which has dividers, or these larger bins, to group similar items together (like snacks, baking supplies, or sauces).
Step 2: Prep Fruits & Veggies
The moment we get home from our weekend grocery run, we wash and bulk prep all our produce. Trust me, this simple step is a game-changer. Fruits and veggies? Prepped, cut, and stored in my favorite containers.
Pro tip: Make sure to dry everything well, and place a towel at the bottom of the containers to keep everything crisp. It keeps veggies fresher longer, and when you’re in a rush (which, let’s be honest, is always), those prepped greens are ready for salads, sides, or snack time.
Another tip, because we have many: aim to eat the most perishable stuff early in the week to maximize freshness. Save the heartier produce (like apples, bananas, and melons) for later— stretch your groceries, not your wallet, and prevent food waste.
Step 3: Portion Out Snacks for Easy Grab-and-Go
You know how the kids ask for snacks 20 times a day? Solve that by portioning out snack bags as soon as you unload the groceries. Create little snack stations in the pantry and fridge with pre-portioned bags of crackers, fruit, or whatever your go-tos are. I’m a Ziploc girly, but if you want a more sustainable option, these reusable snack bags are great for the fridge and lunchboxes!
Step 4: Organize the Fridge for Easy Access
Here's the fun part: Organize your fridge so that the things you want your family to grab first (like healthy snacks, prepped meals, or leftovers) are front and center. I keep a “grab-and-go” bin for snacks and prepped fruits at kid-eye level. This way, the kids can easily help themselves without rummaging through the fridge. Less mess = happier you.
Crockpots: You Either Love 'Em or Hate 'Em
Okay, I know crockpots get a bad rap, but hear me out—they’re the real MVPs of meal prepping. You can throw ingredients in before you’re off to work or school drop-off, and by the time you’re back, voilà—dinner is magically done. No need to scramble when the kids ask the classic "Is dinner ready yet?"
One of our go-to meals? Crockpot chicken tacos. Throw in some chicken breasts, salsa, and taco seasoning in the morning, and by dinner, you’ve got tender, flavorful chicken ready to roll. Pile it onto some tortillas, add your pre-prepped toppings (because yes, you’ve already chopped those veggies!), and boom—dinner is served in less than 10 minutes. Oh, and the best part? It’s so customizable, even your pickiest eaters will find something they like.
Meal Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time
Ever find yourself scrambling for dinner at 6 p.m., staring at random ingredients, and wondering how to make it work? Prepping ingredients ahead of time will be your new best friend. Over the weekend, we spend a little time preparing key ingredients to make weeknight meals a breeze.
- Ground Meat: Cook ground beef or turkey in bulk and portion it into meal-sized containers. This makes for easy taco nights, pasta sauces, or casserole bases. You can even freeze portions to use later.
- Shredded Cheese: know, I know—it seems simple, but pre-shredding cheese is a game-changer. When the kids want nachos for the third night in a row, you’ll be ready.
- Prepped Produce: You’ve already washed and chopped your veggies (right?). So, when it’s snack time or salad o’clock, you can grab and go, no chopping required.
These easy meal prep ideas help cut your cooking time in half, and trust me—you’ll be grateful for the extra time!
Meal System Hacks: Double Up & Freeze
Want to save even more time? Double that recipe! Seriously, this is one of my all-time favorite hacks. Make one portion for tonight’s dinner and stash the other half in the freezer for those “I just can’t” kind of nights. You’ll thank yourself later when all you have to do is reheat and eat. It’s the perfect system for casseroles, soups, and pasta bakes.
Speaking of soups, fall and winter are prime soup seasons. I love making a big batch of veggie soup, chili, pumpkin soup (the list goes on) and then freezing it in wide rim pint-size containers like these. They’re so easy to reheat (you can even pop them into your crockpot!)
And let’s not forget about the unsung hero of meal prep— the rotisserie chicken. Buy one (or two!) on your next grocery run, shred it (with this handy dandy chicken shredder), and portion it into containers for sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles throughout the week. Bonus tip: Save the bones and make a homemade broth for soups. You’re basically a chef at this point.
Freezer-Friendly Meal Prep Ideas
Mornings are chaos. You’re trying to get the kids out the door, find the missing shoe, and maybe—just maybe—enjoy breakfast that doesn’t come from a crumpled granola bar wrapper. Here’s where freezer-friendly meal prep ideas come in clutch.
Some of our favorite make-ahead breakfast options:
- Egg Bites: A protein-packed breakfast that’s easy to freeze and pop in the microwave.
- Breakfast Sandwiches: Prep these over the weekend, freeze, and just reheat on busy mornings.
- Smoothie in a Cup: Portion fruits and veggies into baggies, freeze them, and blend with your favorite liquid for a super-quick smoothie. It’s the ultimate on-the-go breakfast hack.
- DIY Uncrustables: Make your own PB&J sandwiches, freeze them, then toss them into lunchboxes—they’ll be perfectly defrosted by lunchtime. And use this crust cutter, and your kids will never know the difference. Or just buy them from the store– really whatever is best for you!
Involve the Kids in Family Meal Prep
Getting your kids involved in meal prep? Win-win. Not only do they learn valuable kitchen skills, but they’re also more likely to eat what they help prepare. Let them help with the grocery list or choose snacks for the week. Plus, involving them in planning helps them learn about balanced nutrition and how to make healthy choices.
A fun way to engage them is to create menus. For breakfast, we’ve started doing “Dad’s Diner” where the kids can check off what they want to eat (prepped ahead of time, of course) for the week. It adds a playful element, and they love it!
Happi Prepping!
There you have it—easy, stress-free meal systems to make family meal prep simple and (dare I say?) fun. From prepping ingredients to loving your crockpot, these hacks will save you time and help you feel more in control of your busy week. So, what are you waiting for? Grab that rotisserie chicken and dust off the crockpot— Happi prepping!
