Take a look at these smart meal prep ideas if you want to make the week easier without adding extra cost to your shopping list. Planning ahead saves both time and money, and it can turn simple ingredients into healthy, ready-to-eat meals.
These make-ahead meals use affordable staples such as grains, vegetables, and protein. Each recipe is designed to stretch your ingredients further while keeping variety in your meals. With a few containers and an hour or two of preparation, you can have healthy lunches and dinners sorted for the days ahead while keeping your budget on track.
Izmir Kofte
Izmir Kofte (a.k.a Soutzoukakia or Smyrna Meatballs) is a traditional dish made with lightly fried meatballs and vegetables baked in tomato sauce.
It is typically served with Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav) and a bowl of Greek Cucumber Salad. They are perfect for a weeknight supper and can be prepared ahead of time.
To learn more: Izmir Kofte (Smyrna Meatballs)
Turkish Tray Kebab
Patatesli Tepsi Kebabı, or Turkish Tray Kebab with Potatoes, is a popular dish from southern Turkey, especially around Antakya. It’s a fuss-free and hearty meal made by shaping a mix of ground lamb and beef into a large patty, placing thin potato slices around it, and topping everything with tomatoes and peppers before baking.
To learn more: Patatesli Tepsi Kebabı - Turkish Tray Kebab
Stuffed Dried Aubergines
Kuru Patlıcan Dolması - Stuffed Dried Aubergines is a comforting and delicious Turkish dish made by filling dried aubergines with a mixture of rice, spices, and herbs. The flavors only get better the next day, so it’s a great one for meal prep or making before guests arrive.
To learn more: Kuru Patlıcan Dolması - Stuffed Dried Eggplant
Lamb and Chickpea Stew
Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas is a traditional Turkish dish made with diced lamb, chickpeas, and pearl onions. It is an easy, one-pot dish that tastes better after a day or two, and great comfort food, especially for cold winter days.
To learn more: Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas
Cottage Pie
This Easy Cottage Pie is classic British comfort food made with a rich meaty sauce topped with creamy and cheesy mashed potatoes.
It is very easy to cook and also very affordable. Whether you’re planning a big feast for St. Patrick’s Day or just looking for some comforting meal prep for the week ahead, this traditional Cottage Pie recipe is perfect for you.
To learn more: Easy Cottage Pie
Greek Moussaka
Greek Moussaka (or Musaka) is an authentic Greek casserole dish made with layers of aubergines and/or potatoes, tomatoey meat sauce, and silky béchamel. The good news is that you can prepare it up to three days in advance and bake it when you need it.
To learn more: Greek Moussaka (or Musaka)
Air Fryer Falafel
This Vegan and Gluten-free Air Fryer Falafel Recipe delivers perfectly crisp and incredibly flavorful falafels every time. They’re affordable, freezer-friendly, and ideal for meal prep.
To learn more: Vegan Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
Turkish Style Borlotti Beans
Barbunya Pilaki (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans) is a classic Turkish dish braised in olive oil with onions, garlic, and tomato paste. You can make Barbunya Pilaki a couple of days ahead and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve. It tastes even better a day or two later!
This delicious budget-friendly dish is perfect to serve as a light lunch, a part of a mezze spread, or as a side dish to grilled and roasted meat, fish, and vegetables.
To learn more: Barbunya (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans)
Manti - Turkish Ravioli
Manti (or Mantu) is a delicious and popular Turkish dish made with small, savory, and tender dumplings. The dumplings are typically filled with a juicy and flavorful mixture of meat and spices.
They are traditionally served with tangy garlic yogurt and drizzled with spicy butter sauce, adding even more depth and complexity to this famous Turkish dish.
To learn more: Manti Dumplings - Turkish Ravioli Recipe
Sulu Kofte - Meatball and Potato Soup
Sulu Kofte is a rich and hearty Turkish Meatball Soup / Stew consisting of juicy meatballs and vegetables cooked in a tomatoey broth. It is a very easy one-pot dish that the whole family would enjoy, including the kids. You can prepare the meatballs a couple of days in advance and keep them refrigerated until you need them.
To learn more: Sulu Kofte - Turkish Meatball Soup
Pastitsio - Greek Lasagna
Greek Pastitsio Recipe, (or Greek Lasagna - Greek Macaroni), is a favorite comfort food of mine, especially when I need to feed a crowd.
It's a baked pasta dish with layers of pasta, topped with rich meat ragu and velvety béchamel sauce. This traditional Greek dish freezes beautifully and is ideal for making ahead.
To learn more: Greek Pastitsio Recipe (Greek Lasagna)
Cabbage Rolls
Turkish Cabbage Rolls (a.k.a Lahana Sarmasi or Dolmasi) is a flavourful dish made of cabbage leaves filled with spiced meat and bulgur mixture. You can prepare these stuffed cabbage rolls ahead and reheat them before serving them to your dinner guests. Perfect dish for entertaining!
To learn more: Lahana Sarmasi - Turkish Cabbage Rolls
Air Fryer Meatloaf
This quick and easy Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is perfect for hectic weeknight dinners when you need something delicious on the table in just 35 minutes! Made with basic everyday ingredients, it provides maximum flavor without any fuss, making it the perfect comfort food that the whole family will love.
To learn more: Meatloaf in Air Fryer
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