One thing I hear all the time when I sing the praises of meal prep to other mums is “I have no time to cook.” 

I feel you. I really do. It is legitimately hard to find time to cook… and that’s precisely why you want to be as efficient as possible when you do!

A lot of meal prep hacks are so simple and so effective that you’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t do things that way. Here are my best hacks for mums who have no time to eat, much less cook for the whole family! 

1. Look at your meal plan to see what you can prep in advance

Take a look at your meal plan and find things you can prep in advance. Some people do this on a weekly basis, and while I might do that on a rainy Sunday afternoon for the week ahead if we don’t have anything else to do, I prefer to do it on a daily basis for the following day because it’s just less overwhelming.

I’ll look at my plan and see if I can go ahead and chop up some vegetables, measure out ingredients, or do anything else that will help things so smoothly the next day. The best part of making this part of my daily routine? I never forget to thaw something from the freezer that I’m going to need the next day!

2. Batch prep spice mixes

If there are spice mixes or blends that you use time and time again, make a big batch so you don’t have to measure everything out each time you make it. For example, I use a specific spice mix for chicken that I make over and over, so I multiply it by four, put it in a jar, and label it. This also works with things like taco seasoning or the spices that you add when making your family’s favourite salad dressing.

3. Make sauces that can do double duty

If you’re planning to make pasta this week, make a sauce that can do double duty. This doesn’t mean you have to eat the same sauce twice in the same way, however.

For example, if you’re making spaghetti with marinara sauce, double the marinara and use the second batch as pizza sauce one night or add some cream to it on a different night and serve it with ravioli. 

4. Always make extra

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you can fit it on the pan/in the skillet/in the oven, make more. You’re already cooking, and it takes pretty much the same time and effort to cook four cups of one thing as it does two. What you do with the extras is up to you – freeze, use for stir-fry later in the week, etc. If you’re roasting a couple vegetables for a recipe, throw a few more onto the tray and use them for a salad or sandwich the next day. And never make one loaf of banana bread at a time if you can fit two in your oven!

5. Buy frozen veggies

Frozen vegetables are a true gift for busy mums. You already know they’re nutritious, but did you know they’re often frozen right after being picked, which means they are fresher than the ones you buy in your produce department? They last ages, so they’re less likely to go to waste, and you can make so many dishes with things like frozen broccoli and peas. 

6. Prep some simple but versatile ingredients

Prepare simple ingredients in advance that can be repurposed in a variety of ways throughout the week. While stews and casseroles are good dishes that you can double and earn yourself a night off from cooking, it’s also worthwhile to prep foods that can be repurposed into several different meals.

For example, hard boil a pot full of eggs at once to use throughout the week in salads, sandwiches and for snacks or breakfast. Make a big batch of beans that you can use in burritos, salads, or bowls. Cook a tray of chicken breasts to use as a main protein, chop up and cook in pasta, make a wrap, or add to soup. As an added benefit, having these extras on hand may just save the day when you’re serving picky eaters who aren’t willing to try what you’re having!

Meal prep might take a little bit of time, but if you do it wisely, it’s not overwhelming in the least! Think of it as an investment – it will end up saving you so much time later that it’s well worth the effort!

If you could do with some help > why not consider joining The Dinner Plan?

I don’t just give you a meal plan, recipes and shopping lists in our meal planning subscription. I literally walk you through all the ways you can prep faster, what can or cannot be frozen, how you can batch cook a dish….ALL OF IT. And, if you’re stuck or need advice, I’m available in the group to support you.

This is THE membership to join if you’d like to speed things up in the food department – whilst also making it fun! 🥳

If this sounds interesting join now before prices shoot up. We close doors to our founding members launch on Wednesday, and when we reopen the prices will be at least double.
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