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I say lazy with love, and really, I mean smart! When it comes to meal planning, the key to keeping it simple is repeating meals and batch cooking. Repeat after me: repetition and batches, repetition and batches. You got it! This will save you so much time in the kitchen with prep and clean up. Don’t worry though! Repetition doesn’t have to mean boring.

Let’s just jump right to it – we’re keeping it simple right? Start with these containers. This keeps your food fresh and organized.

Start by making a batch of chicken in the crockpot (set it and forget it!} so you have enough to last you at least 3 days. {here is my favorite super simple recipe}. I also buy a package of chicken sausage most weeks and you can cook all four links at once in the skillet. 

Chicken or ground turkey can be used in almost any recipe. You can make quesadillas, tacos, salads, a topper for a sweet potato, casseroles, wraps, and more.

If you prefer to make different varieties of chicken, you can simply prep it on a baking sheet, divided by foil, and use as many different seasonings as you wish, and bake to your preference. Right now, our favorite is buffalo.

Eggs are another staple for me. I usually hard boil at least 6 eggs to keep on hand for a quick breakfast, lunch or snack. Eggs are packed full of protein and very inexpensive. They are also filling, which is the reason they are good for weightless – because you’ll eat fewer calories.

Same goes for roasted veggies. Simply choose your favorite (mine are broccoli, bell peppers, carrots and asparagus) place them on a pan, season and roast to your liking. Personally, I prefer frozen veggies because it takes 5 minutes to microwave and won’t go bad before you can make it.

Overnight oats are your friend. If you prefer to hit snooze 7 times before rolling out of bed, hey, no judgment here, just make sure you have a hearty breakfast waiting for you. Overnight oats are waiting and ready for you when you are on the go and in a hurry. {for recipe ideas, check out my quick meal board on Pinterest}

Some of my favorite overnight oats variations are peanut butter banana, strawberry cheesecake, blueberry muffin and cinnamon maple.

Raw veggies, fruit and nuts are great for snacks on the go, or when you don’t feel like preparing something. Have you ever dipped carrots in peanut butter? Amazing!

You get lots of vitamins and fiber when eating fruits and veggies, they fill you up and have a low calorie count. Worried that it won’t be enough to keep your energy up for a few hours? Think again! The natural sugars will keep your energy at a steady and healthy level until your next meal, much better than processed foods.

Related articles: 10 Quick Recipes for the Busy Mom

Another key is to take it one week at a time. This makes grocery shopping simple and cheaper. Plus, fresh food won’t last as long as pantry food, so be sure to use that first! Make a list each week of the meals you plan to have and get your groceries in time to prep for the week. Protip: using a fun planner or journal makes it a little less painful. Here is my favorite planner. Remember to keep it as simple as possible and do not be afraid to repeat meals! It will only be as hard as you make it. Happy Prepping!

If you still struggle with getting a healthy meal in each morning, be sure to check out Healthy Meal Prep Breakfast Ideas On a Budget.

I would love to hear your super simple meal prep tips! Leave a comment below and check out Pinterest for lots of inspiration.