26 Healthy Recipes with Minimal Prep Work That will Make your Life Easier

Do you ever find recipes labeled “easy” can still be time consuming? The other night I was putting together a casserole, which was very simple but by the time I cooked the rice, chopped all the vegetables and cut up my chicken it took about an hour of prep work. I know for myself as well as what our clients report, the amount of time it takes to put a meal together is often as important as the ease of skills. A recipe may be incredibly simple but if it takes 25 minutes or more to prep it may be a difficult one to pull together for a busy week night.

I’ve also noticed many food blogs tend to underestimate prep time. I’ve seen countless recipes that state 5 min of prep but then instruct you to chop 4 or more vegetables. I cook a lot and I can’t wash and chop that many veggies in 5 min so I know anyone who’s venturing into cooking for the first time may also struggle with this as well.

Personally on busy days I prefer a longer cooking time than a lot of prep work. I can easily throw a few ingredients in a crock pot or in a pot on the stove top and be free to help my kids with homework or get some household chores done.

I asked some of my fellow blogger friends to share some of their favorite minimal-prep-work recipes to provide some inspiration for week day meals. Give some of these recipes a try to get healthy snacks and meals on the table in little time.

Breakfasts

Cherry Oatmeal Bowl by Amy Gorin Nutrition

Baked Eggs with Kale and Herbs by Real Living Nutrition

Banana Coconut Oatmeal with Pistachios by Real Living Nutrition

 

Snacks

Blueberry and Coconut Cream by Nourish Breathe Thrive

Two Ingredient High Protein Cottage Cheese Berry Ice via Abbey’s Kitchen

Lemon Herb White Bean Dip by Dietitian Debbie Dishes

Entrees

Pistachio Crusted Trout by Real Living Nutrition

Apple Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker by Whole Food Real Families

Super Easy BBQ Pork Sandwiches by Lose Mama

5 Ingredient Orange Maple Salmon Recipe by Nutritioulicious

Roasted Chicken with Maple Smoked Paprika by Nourish Breathe Thrive

Lemon Orzo Kale with Almonds by Salubrious RD

Crockpot Mexican Quinoa with Chicken by the Average RD

Peanut Butter Sriracha Noodles by Food Pleasure and Health

Easy Curried Noodles with Tofu by Karla Lydon

Salmon Salad by Robin’s Bite

Soups/chilis/Stews

Pea Soup with Rosemary and Thyme by Real Living Nutrition

Beef and Mushroom Stew by Better is the New Perfect

Slow Cooker BBQ Chili by  The Nutritionist Reviews

Heirloom Bean and Spinach Soup by Shaw Simple Swaps

Oooo Baby, it’s Chili Inside by Chef up to the Plate

Sides

Succotash with Fava Beans by Real Living Nutrition

Wilted Spinach Salad with Onions and Goat Cheese by Real Living Nutrition

Easy Edamame Salad by Rebecca Bitzer

Arugula Salad with Strawberries, Radishes, Macadamia Nuts and Gorgonzola Dressing by Italicana Kitchen

Simple Tomato Salad by Whole Foods Real Families