Meal Prep Supersets: A Quicker Way to Eat Well All Week

Buckle up, buttercup! We’re about to show you how to create meal prep supersets to save you time, health and even money. These hassle-free and healthy meals can be thrown together in a matter of minutes when you batch-cook a few staples ahead of time.

Dining out, if you haven’t noticed, has gotten more costly since the start of the pandemic, and that trend shows no signs of slowing. Plus, eating at home—done properly, of course—can be healthier and more varied. (See “The ‘Why’ of Meal Prep Supersets,” below.) The secret to our approach will also save you time in the kitchen and on busy weeknights when you’re too tired to cook. And to make it all happen, we’re taking a page out of the fit-pro playbook to create the meal prep superset.

Just as resistance-training supersets have you performing back-to-back exercises to enjoy greater gains in less time, meal prep supersets have you making multiple recipes at once so you can whip up fast and healthy meals over the next few days. You may have heard of a similar approach called batch cooking, which often involves prepping multiple (sometimes complex) entrees—a pursuit that can eat up much of your day.

The big difference in what you’ll see laid out here is that we don’t want you to prep everything in 1 day. We know you’re busy. Plus, from a food safety standpoint, neglecting to use leftovers within the time frame recommended by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (2020) can put eaters at risk for a foodborne illness. We don’t want that for you!

What we do want is to help you make healthy happen for you and your clients.

Meal Prep: The Basics

For our meal prep supersets, you won’t make everything at once: Instead, you’ll have 1 day in which you will conquer the bigger menu items. This will set you up for 2 or 3 days before you get to your light-day (midweek) meal prep day. Don’t worry: It’s easier than it may sound. Take a look!

Throughout the rest of the week, you’ll mix and match your premade staples to create healthy meals like a wrap made with Pistachio Turkey Meatballs and Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus or those same meatballs atop your precooked high-protein pasta or quinoa. Read on for more tips for making and using these staples.

Main-Day Meal Prep

Slow-Cooker Chicken Breast

Nutrient highlights: Chicken is a lean protein source that’s a great addition to a balanced diet. If you’re not a fan of the breast, opt for a boneless chicken thigh, which offers a bit more flavor thanks to a slightly higher fat content.

Directions: In a slow cooker or an Instant Pot set to “slow cook,” add chicken breast, low-sodium chicken stock, a bay leaf and other preferred seasonings.

Tip: Start meal prep with this recipe, as it will take about 2 hours to cook, allowing you plenty of time to knock out the other items.

Serving ideas:

• Add sweet curry seasoning and a can of light coconut milk to chicken. This serves as a great protein base for a quick curry bowl, rounded out with a cooked grain and roasted veggies.
• Toss chicken on top of a bagged salad for a quick and convenient lunch with a flavorful dressing, like spicy peanut.
• Spoon chicken into a whole-grain tortilla with roasted veggies for a quick wrap.
• Pair chicken with roasted vegetables with some healthier “croutons,” like dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.

Pistachio Turkey Meatballs

Nutrient highlights: If you’re trying to eat more plant-based this year, these blended meatballs are a great addition to your menu. Pistachios are a good source of plant protein and fiber, and add an unexpected yet delightful twist to your traditional meatball. Plus, pistachios contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein source. Turkey is another great lean protein source that offers meat eaters the satisfaction they crave with a plant-forward pistachio twist.

Directions: See recipe below.

Tip: Store in an airtight container for 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. They hold up really well, so it’s a great idea to freeze a few for later in the month when you have no desire to cook!

Serving ideas:

• Pair with roasted veggies and desired dressing as a fun twist on the hot-salad trend.
• Serve inside a whole-grain bun with lettuce and dressing for a handheld option.
• Use in Low-Carb Pistachio Turkey Meatballs Wrap.

See also: Life Hack for Tastier, Easier Meals: Sous Vide Cooking

Whole-Grain Protein Pancakes (from Mix)

Nutrient highlights: Protein offers a nice addition to your traditional carbohydrate-laden pancake, offering a bit more satiety (aka fullness) to get you through your morning routine.

Directions: Choose the whole-grain brand that suits your particular dietary needs and follow package instructions.

Serving idea: Spread a nut or seed butter of choice on top and sprinkle with sliced berries or bananas. This offers a healthy fat, more protein and less sugar than your traditional pancakes with butter and syrup.

Quick-Fix Quinoa

Nutrient highlights: Quinoa is one of the only complex carbohydrates that contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete source of protein. This dynamic grain is packed with fiber, too, making it a nice addition to a grain-based salad.

Directions: Boil 2 cups of water for every 1 cup dry quinoa. Add desired seasonings. Lower heat and cook until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Tip: You can also make this in your Instant Pot, following manufacturer instructions for grains.

Serving ideas:

• Serve as a base for a hot grain salad with roasted vegetables and Slow-Cooker Chicken Breast.
• For a fun, higher-protein twist, try swapping your morning oats with quinoa. Mix in some cinnamon and your nut or seed butter of choice, then top with fresh fruit.

Roasted Purple Cauliflower and Bell Peppers

Nutrient highlights: Vegetables offer important phytonutrients that keep your body running in tip-top shape. Include a variety of colors in your vegetable selection to expand the types of phytonutrients (and fiber) you’re delivering to your body.

Directions: Rinse peppers and cauliflower and pat dry. Halve and seed peppers and cut into strips; separate cauliflower into florets. Toss with olive oil and seasonings, and place on a baking sheet in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Roasting times will vary depending on the produce. Keep an eye on them and turn them once in a while.

Tip: To save time, put the vegetables in the oven while the Pistachio Turkey Meatballs are cooking. When meatballs finish baking, you can bump up the temperature to 425 degrees F, rotate the veggies, and complete their cooking for 10–15 minutes.

Serving ideas: Enjoy with your prepared protein, carbohydrates and choice of sauce, or finely chop and add to scrambled eggs.

See also: Win the Meal Prep Game With “Nextovers”

Light-Day Meal Prep

Speedy Tuna Salad

Nutrient highlights: Research supports eating a 4-ounce serving of seafood (which includes fish and shellfish) at least twice a week to deliver important nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, to your body (USDA 2020). Canned tuna offers convenience and affordability, making it something everyone can add into their weekly routine—quickly.

Directions: In a bowl, com-bine 1 can low-sodium, water-packed tuna (drained) with 2 tablespoons avocado mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt. Season with dill, black pepper, celery seed and a dash of salt.

Serving ideas: Serve over a bed of mixed greens, sandwiched between two slices of whole-grain bread, or with a side of fresh-cut vegetables and whole-grain crackers.

High-Protein Pasta

Nutrient highlights: Higher-protein pastas made from pulses (aka legume seeds) like chickpeas offer more protein than their white or wheat counterparts while also allowing those who follow a gluten-free diet to enjoy them.

Directions: Follow package instructions to cook the pasta.

Serving ideas: Serve with a vegetable-loaded sauce, like Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus (below).

Tip: Hummus makes an excellent sauce for pizzas and pastas alike, while also increasing your vegetable intake.

Put Your Own Spin on Meal Prep Supersets

The most important thing to remember is to make items that suit your food preferences, keeping in mind your cultural food traditions as well. As a registered dietitian, I firmly believe all foods can fit in a balanced diet. Find out what works for you as you embark on your meal prep supersets, and keep it consistent! The number-one reason I see clients meeting their goals is because they commit to their meal plans just like they commit to their workouts. Remember: Make it fun, flavorful and doable; I promise you will excel at meal prep, too.

Putting It All Together

Here’s a quick look at how making two more-complex recipes ahead of time (meatballs
and hummus) makes it easy to toss together delicious, healthy meals later in the week.

Main-Day Recipe

Pistachio Turkey Meatballs

Prep time: 35 minutes

1 C no-shell roasted and salted pistachios

1 large egg

16 oz lean ground turkey

¹⁄2 t chili powder

¹⁄2 t black pepper

¹⁄4 t kosher salt

¹⁄4 C fresh chopped cilantro

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place pistachio nut meat in a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse until flour-like consistency is achieved. (Be careful not to over-pulse as this will create a nut butter consistency, which is not what’s needed for this recipe.)

In a large bowl, whisk egg, then add turkey, chili powder, pepper, salt, cilantro and pulsed pistachios. Mix thoroughly. Portion mixture into 1-oz balls (roughly 15 meatballs), and lay on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and misted with nonstick spray. Bake for 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Store in an airtight container for 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

See also: Family Meal Planning

Main- or Light-Day Recipe

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Prep time: 10 minutes

15.5 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

¹⁄2 C sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained

3 T extra-virgin olive oil or sun-dried tomato oil from jar

1 T water, optional

1 t lemon juice, optional

Toss all ingredients into a high-powered blender or food processor. Process until smooth, about 2–3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed to fully combine. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3–5 days.

Anytime Quick Meal

Low-Carb Pistachio Turkey Meatball Wrap

Prep time: 5 minutes

1 low-carb tortilla

2 T Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus or store-bought pesto

2 Pistachio Turkey Meatballs, halved

¹⁄2 C mixed greens

1 T crumbled feta cheese

Lay tortilla on plate and top with hummus (or pesto). Heat meatballs in microwave or air fryer until warm, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. Place warmed meatballs on tortilla, and top with greens and cheese. Roll up and enjoy immediately. Makes 1 wrap.

Anytime Quick Meal

High-Protein Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Prep time: 15 minutes

¹⁄3 C Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

3 T milk of choice

¹⁄2 C baby spinach

1 C cooked High-Protein Pasta

1 T cheese of choice (optional)

Add hummus and milk to saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together until a thin sauce is formed. Add in spinach and heat 3–4 minutes, then toss in cooked pasta and continue to cook until warm. Top with cheese, if desired, and serve immediately.