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Your future self will thank you when you make these easy Sunday meal prep recipes to get a head start on your weeknight dinners! Use them as building blocks for delicious healthy meals all week long.

slow cooker pork shoulder on bun

Meal prep recipes that won’t ruin your Sunday.

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

Real talk: have you ever resolved to start meal prepping and then you found yourself dreading every Sunday?

You spend the whole day in the kitchen, which is a bummer when weekends are so fleeting to begin with. And then there’s that stack of pots and pans overflowing from the sink onto the countertop…

I’ve realized that meal prep only works for me when it’s easy, and that’s what you’ll get with these recipes. They’re all simple to make, with short shopping lists, and minimal effort. (And that includes the dishes you have to wash afterwards!)

4 meal prep salads in mason jars
Mason Jar Salads
Hello, lunch! Make a few jars at the beginning of the week and youโ€™ve got ready-to-go meals that stay fresh for days. Pair them with leftover proteins (like shredded chicken or pulled pork), or keep them simple with beans and grains.
Check out this recipe
Crockpot BBQ chicken with wooden spoon
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Use this saucy BBQ chicken for sandwiches one night, tacos with slaw the next. Smaller amounts of leftovers are awesome for BBQ chicken pizza or even as a protein for salads.
Check out this recipe
easy bbq pulled pork in slow cooker
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
A little sweet, a little savory, this pulled pork is perfect for tacos and sandwiches, but I also love it served over creamy grits or mac and cheese for a Southern-style meal.
Check out this recipe
How to make the BEST Instant Pot Refried Beans! Easy no soak recipe. Healthy, vegan, and perfect for all of your favorite Mexican dishes! One of the best pressure cooking recipes.ย 
Instant Pot Refried Beans
These beans are more than just a side dish! (Although they definitely work well for that.) Use them for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, crunchwraps, meal bowls, nachos, and tostadas.
Check out this recipe
shredded chicken in a bowl
How to Make Shredded Chicken
Simple, reliable, and endlessly useful, this shredded chicken can be incorporated into so many recipes, from enchiladas to pastas, casseroles, salads, and meal bowls.
Check out this recipe
crispy instant pot carnitas on oven tray
Instant Pot Carnitas
We love this carnitas recipe for burrito bowls and game day nachos. Add some crunchy slaw for an epic taco filling!
Check out this recipe
A bowl of Instant Pot brown rice
Instant Pot Brown Rice
I love keeping a big batch of cooked rice on hand for serving curries and as a base for bowls. And donโ€™t forget to use it for fried rice too!
Check out this recipe

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Erin Clarke

Hi, Iโ€™m Erin Clarke, cookbook author and the home cook behind Well Plated. Iโ€™ve helped millions of people cook healthier meals that actually taste amazing and sold over 190,000 books! Iโ€™m here to help you save time, dirty fewer dishes, and feel great about what youโ€™re eating, without overthinking it. Welcome!

Learn more about Erin

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