Meal prep- help please

[strawberrysandicecream]

Just wondered if anyone has any advice for meal prepping for work?

we have a tiny staff room with limited facilities (fridge, freezer, kettle and microwave) so no ovens etc. I want to start meal prepping and taking healthy lunches with me as right now I’m spending a fortune on meal deals! I sometimes pack a lunchbox with sandwiches etc but sometimes I’d like something hot and a bit more filling.

does anyone have any advice, tips, favourite recipes or any recommendations? I’ve never done this before and Ive just moved out of my family home so im finding my feet with everything and trying to pretend to be an organised, on the ball adult but im not used to it all!

im not too fussy although the one thing I absolutely despise is any kind of salads or cold vegetables. Cooked is fine, I just hate salads and that type of thing.

any advice or wisdom or recipe or book recommendations for other people who have meal prepped would be really appreciated!

Lasagnes or other types of pasta dishes, prepped on a sunday for 3 or 4 days at work.
I also like a burrito bowl - cajun mince, chopped avocado, peppers and tomatoes with some grated cheese, sour cream and a couple of those mini wraps. ~Can make up a few days worth of the mince in advance.

I use the Sistema Bento box to keep it all separated.

So, similar thing- my son takes a packed lunch every day to school (teen). He takes a thermos and left overs from the night before. So curry, pasta, fried rice, paella, hot couscous salad, minestrone etc. sometimes it's well mixed by the time he eats it- but regardless he's happy and has had a hot lunch.

First thing in the morning when he gets in he fills it with boiling water, leaves it for 15 mins whilst he gets ready for the day- pings his leftovers in the microwave for 2-3 mins, and boom! Hot lunch!

Flask and leftovers, the chillys food flask is great

Check out the Meal Prep King on Instagram for ideas

My DH has a food flask and takes e.g. hot pasta & sauce, or curry.

You could try those homemade noodle recipes which only need boiled water, you make them in a killer jar dry and put the water on when you want them. Like a fresh pot noodle.

Batch cook at the weekend, or last night's leftovers. Take in a portion and reheat.

Just put aside a portion of whatever hot meal you had the night before and microwave it at work.

I mostly just take a bagel or wrap, can't be bothered with hot meals at work.

I actually don't mind those frozen microwave jacket potatoes, have also batch baked and frozen my own ones, add cheese and beans or tuna/chicken mayo/chilli.

If you do make curry/chilli type meals double up and save/freeze for work. Serve with those pouches of microwave rice if you like those.

Quiche is another favourite that I make using a square dish and have 4 portions left over, wrap each piece in greaseproof paper then tin foil and freeze.
Remove from freezer when needed, remove paper/foil and it microwaves really well.
I do defrost this before cooking though.

Cooked cold chicken thighs are another favourite.

Leftovers in the microwave. Job done.

I make homemade ready meals. It looks exactly as bought ones, but much better.
Rice, crushed/mash potato, bulgur etc as sides freeze really well.
With that you can put anything from curries, lemon chicken, thai curry, stews, meatballs. Anything. Egg fried rice is ok too.
I always cook veg bit less, some veg like mangetout not at all, because when it gets frozen and then goes through microwave they would end up too soggy.

Few faves.
Curry and rice
Lemon chiken, veg, with parsley rice
Shawarma meat, freekeh, roasted veg
Meatballs, spicy tomato sauce, rice
Chili with mashed potatoes (with bit of yogurt and herbs mashed in)
Sausages, mixed beans stew, mashed potatoes

Cool everything before putting it in boxes together (stops it soaking into each other) , portion, freeze.

No need to spend on cookbooks. Bbc food website is great and has plenty

I take the microwave potatoes, blast at home then a quick re heat at work, good with chilli and beans, cottage cheese. Batch cook spaghetti Bol, cottage pie, chilli then rotate through the week.

Follow Zack.chug on insta. Some fab meal prep recipes

There is a microwave, the world's your oyster. Left over or batch cooked pasta, curry, chilli, soup, Sheppard's pie etc. Anything you can reheat or rehydrate at home you can take to work.

Shepherds pie
Lasagne
Chicken pasta bake
Jacket potatoes

I tend to stay away from stuff that may smell our office more like spicy foods/fish.

I think a great idea is to make double of what you're having for dinner and take the rest in for leftovers ⭐️

I used a thermos food flask when I worked at various locations and didn't know what heating facilities they had. It would save you having to re-heat at work if you take something hot.

• pea and ham soup, beef or chicken stew. Take separate baguette/bread
• chicken thighs or drumsticks in a crumb coating, or sticky soy. Coleslaw and/or baked potato
• Pasta bake- chicken and bacon, tuna, broccoli and blue cheese etc