Tired of spending hours in the kitchen every day? Wish you could simplify meal prep and still enjoy delicious, healthy meals? Look no further than the “Cook Once, Eat All Week” approach! This method allows you to dedicate a single day to cooking, then enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor throughout the week.
This guide, inspired by the “Cook Once, Eat All Week” Recipes article on Metabolism Makeover, will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to master this time-saving technique.
Why Cook Once and Eat All Week?
The benefits of this approach are numerous:
- Saves Time: Eliminate the daily chore of cooking, freeing up precious time for other activities.
- Reduces Stress: No more scrambling to figure out what to eat each day.
- Promotes Healthy Eating: By preparing meals in advance, you’re less likely to resort to unhealthy options when pressed for time.
- Saves Money: Avoid impulse purchases and unnecessary restaurant meals.
- Reduces Food Waste: Leftovers are repurposed into new dishes, minimizing waste.
Getting Started with “Cook Once, Eat All Week”
1. Choose Your Recipes:
Select recipes that are versatile, freezer-friendly, and cater to your dietary preferences. Consider factors like:
- Dietary Needs: Choose recipes that align with your dietary restrictions or preferences, whether it’s gluten-free, vegan, or low-carb.
- Freezer-Friendliness: Opt for recipes that freeze well without compromising taste or texture.
- Versatility: Select recipes that can be easily transformed into different dishes throughout the week.
2. Plan Your Cooking Day:
Dedicate a specific day, like Sunday, to cook for the entire week. This allows you to:
- Gather Ingredients: Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients before starting to cook.
- Prepare Ingredients: Wash, chop, and prep ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
- Cook in Batches: Cook multiple dishes at once to maximize efficiency.
- Portion and Store: Divide cooked meals into individual portions and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
3. Utilize Leftovers Creatively:
Don’t view leftovers as boring! Get creative and transform them into new dishes:
- Repurpose Leftovers: Turn leftover chicken into a salad or wraps, or use leftover vegetables in a stir-fry.
- Get Inspired: Find new recipes that incorporate your leftovers as ingredients.
- Freeze Leftovers: Freeze individual portions for quick and easy meals on busy days.
4. Optimize Your Cooking Process:
Implement these tips to make your cooking day even more efficient:
- Use Kitchen Gadgets: Utilize tools like slow cookers, Instant Pots, and food processors to speed up the cooking process.
- Double or Triple Recipes: Cook larger batches to have leftovers for future meals.
- Involve Others: Get family members or friends involved to make the process more enjoyable and efficient.
5. Embrace Flexibility:
Remember, “Cook Once, Eat All Week” is a flexible approach. Adapt it to your lifestyle and preferences:
- Cook for Fewer Days: Start by cooking for 3-4 days a week and gradually increase as you get comfortable.
- Adjust Portion Sizes: Cook more or less depending on your individual needs and appetite.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match: Combine different recipes throughout the week for variety.
7 of the Best “Cook Once, Eat All Week” Recipes:
Here are some of the most popular and versatile recipes perfect for this approach:
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken: This versatile protein can be used in salads, wraps, tacos, and more.
- Taco-Seasoned Ground Beef or Turkey: A crowd-pleaser that can be used for tacos, nachos, and more.
- White Chicken Chili: A hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a cold day.
- Cheesy Taco Pasta: A family-friendly meal that’s easy to reheat and customize.
- Sheet Pan Dinner: Toss your favorite protein and vegetables on a sheet pan for a quick and easy meal.
- High-Protein Pasta: A satisfying and nutritious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Enchilada Skillet: A flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a crowd.
Additional Tips for Success:
- Invest in Quality Containers: Use airtight containers to store your meals in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Label and Date Everything: Label your containers with the dish name and date to keep track of freshness.
- Plan Your Meals: Plan your meals for the week to ensure you have a variety of options.
- Be Realistic: Don’t try to cook everything at once. Start small and gradually increase as you get comfortable.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Try new recipes and find what works best for you.
“Cook Once, Eat All Week” is a practical and time-saving approach that allows you to enjoy delicious, healthy meals without spending hours in the kitchen. By following these tips and embracing flexibility, you can master this method and reap its numerous benefits.
White Chicken Chili
This hardly qualifies as cooking, so if you’re feeling lazy, this white chicken chili is perfect! It can easily serve eight people.
One of our original recipes for white chicken chili is this one. It’s sooo good.
Additionally, we recently shared this Instagram spin on chicken chili. Check it out!.
Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Even though it’s not groundbreaking, this has to be in this post. Shredded chicken is incredibly versatile and a lifesaver to have on hand. Perhaps a small batch of chicken salad sounds good on a random Tuesday. You could add some to a salad kit, use in a wrap, make some chicken quesadillas, mix in some BBQ sauce for BBQ chicken, or anything else! Sweet, the chicken is already made.
So how does one make it? I usually purchase a large pack of chicken breasts and cook the entire four-piece package in the slow cooker. I’ll use whatever spices appeal to me after adding one cup of water or chicken broth. Typically, it’s a generous pinch each of salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 6–8 hours on low or 4–6 hours on high. Once cooked, it should be very easily shredded with a fork. Store in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, or freeze for longer.
Here is another spin on this for a buffalo flavor: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Here’s a way to use the shredded chicken for dinner: Twice Baked Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato
Cheap And Healthy Meals For The Week, Done In 1 Hour
FAQ
How does cook once eat all week work?
How long should you cook a meal a week?
One solution is to do most of the cooking in a single session each week. Choose your best time, download a podcast or turn on the radio, then chop, stir and taste. By the end of three hours or so, you’ll have delicious dinners for the whole week – I’m cooking for two people; it may take a little longer if you’re feeding more.
How many times a day should one eat?
This depends on several individual factors, such as sex, weight, height, routine, time of daily physical activity and pathologies. The minimum is 3 meals a day, but 4-5 is a better option.
How do I prepare for a week of easy dinners?
Set aside three hours on a Sunday and do some pre-cooking for a week of easy dinners. All it takes is one Sunday afternoon cooking session to have dinner sorted for the week ahead!
How do you eat a healthy week?
The idea is to use your hob and oven to the max. Then cool down the dishes as quickly as possible, cover them, and put them in the fridge or freezer. Some might be one-pots, others ‘almost-ready-meals’ – just add pasta, rice or salad leaves on the day you eat them. The cook-once-a-week approach is energy-efficient too.