20 Simple Meal Prep Ideas For the Mediterranean Diet

Sweet & Sour Chicken

The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest eating patterns around, and it can be especially easy to follow with these recipes. You can meal-prep breakfast, lunch and dinner, and each of these dishes require no more than three steps to make. Having meals prepped in advance can make it easier to eat healthy and save time during busy weeks. Recipes like our Chickpea, Artichoke & Avocado Salad with Apple-Cider Dressing and Chicken Curry Cup of Noodles are simple, healthy and delicious options to make ahead.

01 of 20

Chickpea, Artichoke & Avocado Salad with Apple-Cider Dressing

5397880.jpg

This delicious 400-calorie salad is a helpful tool for weight loss because it provides a good balance of fiber, protein and healthy fats from loads of veggies and beans, all tossed in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette. To meal-prep these for lunch throughout the week, pack the dressing and the salad separately and make sure your veggies are thoroughly dried before packing them together.

02 of 20

Chicken Curry Cup of Noodles

4499611.jpg

Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this chicken curry zoodle (spiralized zucchini noodles) recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.

03 of 20

Banana Protein Muffins

Banana Protein Muffins

These healthy banana muffins are packed with protein thanks to ingredients like peanut butter and Greek yogurt, while white whole-wheat flour gives them a fiber boost. Serve them for breakfast or for a grab-and-go snack.

04 of 20

Sweet & Sour Chicken

6183603.jpg

This 20-minute meal delivers a faster, lighter and more flavorful takeout alternative. It's chock-full of fresh, crispy veggies and juicy chicken pieces, and it reheats well for meal-prep lunches. If you like heat, sub Sriracha for some of the ketchup.

05 of 20

Chickpea & Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

4513586.jpg

Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. Whip up a batch of these flavorful grain bowls and pack them in lidded containers to stash in the fridge for easy, healthy grab-and-go lunches all week long.

06 of 20

Smoky Cauliflower Sheet-Pan Eggs

Smoky Cauliflower Sheet-Pan Eggs
Casey Barber

Smoky tempeh, sometimes called fakin' bacon, adds meaty flavor to these frittata-like slices, which are great as is or in a breakfast sandwich.

07 of 20

Kimchi Shrimp Cup of Noodles

4238054.jpg

Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this Korean noodle recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.

08 of 20

Chicken Freezer Burritos

5800062.jpg

Transform leftover chicken into a hearty burrito filling! You will be thrilled to have a stash of frozen burritos on hand that you can microwave for an instant healthy lunch or on-the-go dinner for a busy night.

09 of 20

Spring Green Salad with Hard-Boiled Eggs

5420632.jpg

This salad capitalizes on fresh spring produce and gets a simple protein boost from hard-boiled eggs. Meal-prep this healthy lunch salad by mixing the salad base together and simmering a batch of hard-boiled eggs on the weekend. Then you'll be ready to just add one or two eggs with a drizzle of tangy vinaigrette for the simplest spring salad-to-go.

10 of 20

Vegan Bistro Lunch Box

5397870.jpg

Perfect to pack for lunch to take to work or for a picnic in the park, this vegan bistro box is filled with Mediterranean diet-inspired crunchy vegetables, pita bread, creamy hummus and olives.

11 of 20

Slow-Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup Freezer Pack

5789820.jpg

Prep the ingredients for this soup months in advance for a total hands-off meal that's ready when you are. Vegetarian lentils and vegan coconut milk make this soup creamy and pack in plenty of plant-based protein and a hearty amount of fiber. To keep it vegan, opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

12 of 20

Tropical Overnight Oats

Tropical Overnight Oats

Loaded with coconut, pineapple and mango, this easy overnight oats recipe will transport you to the tropics. Meal-prep a big batch for ready-to-eat breakfasts throughout the week.

13 of 20

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

14 of 20

Chicken & White Bean Soup

3933878.jpg

Once again, rotisserie chickens can really relieve the dinner-rush pressure-especially in this Italian-inspired soup that cries out for a piece of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

15 of 20

Muffin-Tin Spinach & Mushroom Mini Quiches

7761813.jpg

Switch up your morning routine with these easy vegetarian mini quiches. Earthy mushrooms and spinach pair nicely with rich and creamy Gruyère cheese. Serve them on a platter with a fresh fruit salad for a simple weekend brunch.

16 of 20

Vegan Burrito Bowls with Cauliflower Rice

6184898.jpg

These meal-prep vegan burrito bowls are healthier and more flavorful than takeout. Make them early in the week for grab-and-go meals when days are busy. We use frozen cauliflower rice, a low-carb substitute for white or brown rice, to cut down on prep time.

17 of 20

Veggistrone

Veggistrone

This vegetable-packed minestrone soup recipe is inspired by a popular Weight Watchers vegetable soup recipe. It makes a big pot of soup, so keep some in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze the rest in single-serve portions. That way you always have an easy, delicious vegetable soup to start your meal or to eat for lunch. Think of this vegetable minestrone recipe as a starting point for other healthy soup variations, too: toss in leftover chopped cooked chicken or whole-wheat pasta or brown rice to make it more satisfying.

18 of 20

Granola & Yogurt Breakfast Popsicles

5238098.jpg

These fun yogurt pops studded with fresh berries make a great on-the-go breakfast for a busy morning--perfect for kids and adults alike.

19 of 20

Clean-Eating Bento Box Lunch

4525974.jpg

Who says bento boxes are just for kids? This healthy bento-style lunch--loaded with clean, satisfying foods--is perfect to pack for work.

20 of 20

Rice & Bean Freezer Burritos

Rice & Bean Freezer Burritos

Save money and sodium when you make a batch of homemade frozen burritos. Mashing the beans and mixing them with tomatoes, cheese and jalapeños before filling the healthy burritos means you get all the ingredients in each bite. Serve with your favorite toppings--we like sour cream, salsa and hot sauce.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles