Batch cooking recipes

 Batch cooking is a great way to save time during the week by preparing multiple meals at once. Here are some batch cooking recipe ideas:

1. Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

Chicken breast or thighs (boneless)

Bell peppers, onions, carrots, broccoli, snap peas

Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, sesame oil

Brown rice or noodles

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice or noodles and set aside.

2. Stir-fry the chicken in sesame oil, then remove.

3. In the same pan, stir-fry the vegetables with garlic and ginger.

4. Add the chicken back and stir in soy sauce and honey.

5. Portion into containers with rice or noodles.

2. Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa

1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, bell peppers

Feta cheese (optional)

Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.

2. Chop the vegetables and mix with the chickpeas.

3. Once quinoa is cool, mix it with the veggies and chickpeas.

4. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

5. Portion into containers, topping with feta if desired.

3. Baked Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Veggies

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs or breasts

4-5 sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed)

Assorted veggies (e.g., carrots, zucchini, Brussels sprouts)

Olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss the sweet potatoes and veggies with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

3. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and season.

4. Roast everything in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

5. Divide into containers for the week.

4. Chili

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 onion, chopped

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can kidney beans, black beans, or a mix

1-2 chili peppers (optional)

Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat and sauté the onion in a large pot.

2. Add the tomatoes, beans, chili peppers, and spices.

3. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Cool and portion into containers.

5. Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

1 can diced tomatoes

4 cups vegetable broth

1 tsp thyme, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until soft.

2. Add the zucchini, tomatoes, and vegetable broth.

3. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

5. Cool and portion into containers.

6. Taco Filling

Ingredients:

Ground beef, turkey, or chicken

1 onion, chopped

1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)

1 can black beans (optional)

1 cup corn (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the meat and onion in a skillet.

2. Add the taco seasoning, black beans, and corn, and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Portion into containers for tacos, burritos, or bowls.

7. Egg Muffins

Ingredients:

8-10 eggs

1 cup spinach, chopped

1 cup bell peppers, chopped

½ cup cheese (optional)

Salt, pepper, herbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Whisk the eggs and season with salt, pepper, and herbs.

3. Add the veggies and cheese, and pour the mixture into muffin tins.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until set.

5. Cool and store in containers for an easy breakfast or snack.

8. Pasta Bake

Ingredients:

1 lb pasta

2 cups marinara sauce

2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese

1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Spinach or other veggies (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.

2. Mix pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta, and any veggies.

3. Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

4. Portion into containers.

9. Curry Chickpeas with Rice

Ingredients:

2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 onion, chopped

1 can coconut milk

2 tbsp curry powder

2 cups rice

Instructions:

1. Cook rice and set aside.

2. Sauté the onion, then add chickpeas, curry powder, and coconut milk.

3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

4. Serve over rice and store in containers.

10. Porridge/Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

1 cup oats

2 cups milk (or dairy-free alternative)

Fruit, nuts, seeds, or sweeteners (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook oats with milk on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes.

2. Add toppings like fruit, nuts, or sweeteners.

3. Or, prepare overnight oats by mixing oats with milk and toppings, and letting them sit overnight in the fridge.

Tips for Batch Cooking:

Invest in good-quality containers to store your meals.

Label meals with dates to ensure freshness.

Choose recipes that freeze well if you need longer storage.

Prep and chop ingredients ahead of time to make cooking easier.

These recipes are all designed to make multiple servings, saving you time and effort throughout the week!