Saturday, April 4, 2026

25 Healthy + Delicious Meal Prep Recipes

Healthy meal prep recipes.

Is there any better feeling than having food prepped and ready to go for a busy week? Healthy salads tucked into containers, full meals stacked in the fridge for easy lunches and dinners, burritos and sandwiches wrapped up in the freezer for whenever you need them… I’m telling you, nothing makes me feel more ready for life.

Some of these recipes are perfect for a Sunday prep session to set yourself up for the week ahead (think salads, roasted veggies, and chicken), and others are great for a bigger once-a-month freezer haul (hello, frozen burritos and sandwiches!). A little work now, and future you will be taken care of.

Some of my personal favorites to highlight:

  • Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches: So easy to prep and assemble. I love to grab one as I’m running out the door in the morning!
  • Sesame Noodle Bowls: Cook your chicken, blend your sauce, and divvy it all out into containers with noodles. No reheating required!
  • Super Yummy Chicken Salad: I love to make a big batch of this over the week, and then have it at the ready to eat in sandwiches, as lettuce wraps, or on crackers for a snack.
  • Roasted Veggie Grain Bowls: Healthy and so much flavor! You roast your veggies and cook the rice, and then just make bowls with dressing on the side.

Hope you find a new meal prep favorite!


Meal Prep Recipes

Chipotle turkey burrito.

Spicy Chipotle Turkey Burrito

Spicy Chipotle Turkey Burritos for YUMMY make ahead dinners or lunches. Ground turkey, spices, veggies, and cheese in a tortilla, ready to grab and go!

41 reviews / 4.9 average
Breakfast sandwiches prepped.

Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches

Breakfast Sandwiches – meal prep style! Bake up your eggs on a sheet pan with bacon and spinach, tuck them into english muffin with some cheese, and stash them in the freezer for the week. SO GOOD.

54 reviews / 4.9 average
Buffalo chicken bowls in containers.

Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Cauliflower Garlic Rice

The ultimate meal prep! Spicy buffalo chicken, a fluffy rice and cauliflower rice combo, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, and a dollop of creamy dill dip.

7 reviews / 4.9 average
Sheet pan chicken, sweet potato, broccoli, and avocado on a plate.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Meal Prep

Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato Meal Prep Magic! Just chicken, sweet potatoes, broccoli, avocado, and seasonings. 3 big sheet pans + 45 minutes = healthy meals for a week!

73 reviews / 4.8 average
Sesame noodle bowls in containers.

Sesame Noodle Bowls

Meal Prep Sesame Noodle Bowls! Fork-twirly noodles, an easy creamy sesame sauce, perfect browned chicken, and all the veg. YUM.

50 reviews / 4.8 average
Red lentil soup in a bowl.

Smoky Red Lentil Soup with Spinach

This Smoky Lentil Soup is ultra creamy and totally vegan! Packed to the brim with veggies, red lentils, coconut milk, and lots of spices, it’s a total win for the coziest months of the year!

143 reviews / 4.8 average
Breakfast burritos on a plate.

Sheet Pan Breakfast Burritos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

I absolutely love these breakfast burritos. Creamy scrambled eggs, roasted garlic veggies, smoky cheese, and refried beans all wrapped up in a delicious burrito!

11 reviews / 5 average
Chicken salad in a bowl.

Super Yummy Chicken Salad

This Chicken Salad is so good! Protein-packed with a delicious creamy dressing, and perfect for an on-the-go lunch in a sandwich or wrap.

11 reviews / 5 average
Pasta salad with chickpeas.

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas

A super fresh, super summery Lemon Herb Pasta Salad! Packed with tangy marinated chickpeas, chewy pasta, lots of herbs and garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and a handful of parmesan to top it off.

46 reviews / 4.9 average
Air fryer chicken on a cutting board.

Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Chicken Breast

My go-to everyday air fryer chicken! Thinly sliced chicken breast pieces, coated to the max in spices, plus a bit of brown sugar and cornstarch, and air fried to golden, juicy perfection.

161 reviews / 4.9 average
Sweet potato stack on a plate.

Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks with Chipotle Sauce

Roasted sweet potatoes topped with creamy chipotle sauce, spicy ground chicken, avocado, cilantro, and pickled onion. My family loves them!

45 reviews / 5 average
Couscous salad in a bowl.

Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette

A bright, zippy, unexpectedly delicious couscous salad that’s packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, feta, and more – all tossed with a life-changing lime basil vinaigrette!

74 reviews / 4.9 average
Wild rice grain bowl.

Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl with Balsamic Dressing

The BEST Grain Bowl! Roasted root vegetables, earthy grains, dried fruit, dark leafy greens, buttery goat cheese, and lusciously creamy balsamic dressing.

46 reviews / 5 average
Crockpot Lentil Soup in a bowl.

The Best Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup

Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup – a clean and simple soup made with onions, garlic, carrots, olive oil, squash, and LENTILS! Super healthy and easy to make.

390 reviews / 4.8 average
Quinoa sweet potato bowls in containers.

Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad! A sheet-pan meal prep salad packed with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelizy onions, crisped chickpeas, fresh rosemary, and toasty maple walnuts.

23 reviews / 4.7 average
Chicken tortilla soup in a bowl.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Winner, winner, Chicken Tortilla Soup dinner! Tender chicken thighs, creamy pinto beans, garlic and onions, crushed tomatoes, jalapeƱo pepper, crushed tomatoes, and ALL the toppings.

28 reviews / 5 average
Garlic ginger chicken in a container.

Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken & Broccoli

Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken and Broccoli – a simple and low-maintenance meal prep option, with huge flavor and no refined sugar.

41 reviews / 4.7 average
Vegan burrito bowls in containers.

Easy Vegan Burrito Bowls

Vegan Burrito Bowls are WHERE IT’S AT. Spicy cauliflower walnut meat, blistered pepper strips, hot fluffy rice, and a heap of black beans. YUM.

4 reviews / 5 average
Sheet pan chicken pitas.

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki

Part bowl, part salad, part sandwich folded up into any kind of bread you like, and I’m here for it in every form.

150 reviews / 5 average
Egg roll in a bowl in containers.

15-Minute Egg Roll in a Bowl

Egg Roll in a Bowl! Ground pork browned with garlic and ginger, sautƩed carrots and cabbage cooked down in some soy sauce and chili paste, a nice little heap of hot rice. YUM.

71 reviews / 4.8 average
Lentil greek salad in containers.

Lentil Greek Salad with Dill Sauce

Meal Prep Lentil Greek Salad! Lentils, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamatas, and a big dollop of homemade fresh dill yogurt sauce. YUM.

55 reviews / 4.9 average
Creole chicken and sausage in containers.

Instant Pot Creole Chicken and Sausage

Creole Chicken and Sausage – Meal Prep Style! Shredded chicken, andouille sausage, creole seasoning, a rich tomato sauce, veggies, and rice. Made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker! 

47 reviews / 4.5 average
Cilantro lime chicken and lentils and rice in containers.

Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentil Rice Bowls

15 Minute Meal Prep Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentils! The BEST easy protein powerhouse meal prep. Just 15 mins of prep and totally hands-off cooking!

92 reviews / 4.7 average
Chili in a bowl.

The Best Sunday Chili

This is the BEST Sunday Chili! Beef, bacon, tomatoes, chopped veggies, beans, and spices – it’s a cozy weather weekend essential!

125 reviews / 4.9 average
Chicken meal prep in containers.

Spicy Chicken Meal Prep with Rice and Beans

Spicy Chicken Meal Prep with rice and beans + a yummy cilantro sauce = healthy meal prep to last you all week! Meal planning that is healthy, delicious, AND beautiful!

20 reviews / 4.5 average

Best Containers For Meal Prep

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Freezer Meals For Dinner

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Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy chicken noodle soup in a bowl.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Lindsay Ostrom headshot.

A few nights ago, I walked in the door from ballet with the girls – we came in SO HUNGRY, and I had made this soup earlier in the day so it was waiting for us in the Dutch oven on the stove.

We dished up into bowls, grabbed chunks of leftover sourdough, sat down at the table, and nobody even spoke. We all just GOT INTO IT.

This soup is so good. The thick noodles, the tender chunks of chicken, and the flavors of creamy thyme, garlic, and veggies, oh my goodness.

I’ve never been a huge chicken noodle soup lover but this is a game changer for me.

When I first started making this, I wanted it thick, like the chicken wild rice soup. But I actually ended up being obsessed with the brothy version that you see here. (!!) It’s almost like a lighter cousin to zuppa toscana – you get the luxurious flavor of cream and herbs but the pleasant slurpiness of a soup, which just really feels right for chicken noodle, ya know? There’s a certain delicious drinkability to it.

I looked forward to the leftovers all week.

Hope you love it!

Lindsay signature.

How To Make Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

1

SautƩ Your Veggies.

Start with the carrots, onions, and celery; then hit it with your garlic and thyme! MAGIC.

Veggies and aromatics in a dutch oven.

2

Add Broth and Noodles.

Tuck those in for a little simmer!

Adding noodles to chicken soup.

3

Add Chicken, Spinach, and Cream.

Spinach is optional… but I like it in there!

Adding spinach, chicken, and cream to chicken soup.

4

You’re Done! Yum!

Yes I do love a little dusting of parm on this soup, thank you very much!

Bowl of creamy chicken noodle soup.
Print
Creamy chicken noodle soup.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This creamy chicken noodle soup is SO good! Thick noodles, tender chunks of chicken, and the flavors of creamy thyme, garlic, and veggies.


Ingredients

Units
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • half of a yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 large carrots, thinly sliced into rounds
  • 2 stalks celery, very finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 67 cups chicken broth (I always use the Better Than Bouillon base – it has the best flavor. Buy it at Target!)
  • 2 cups old-fashioned egg noodles (I used Mrs. Miller’s)
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 23 cups fresh spinach leaves, torn into small pieces (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery; cook it down generously for 7-10 minutes, or until very tender and starting to caramelize.
  2. Add Seasoning and Herbs: Add garlic, salt, and thyme sprigs; saute for a minute so it’s nice and fragrant.
  3. Broth and Noodles: Add broth and noodles. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
  4. Finish: Remove from heat. Pull out the thyme sprigs. Add spinach, chicken, and cream. Stir to combine; you want everything heated through and the spinach to be wilted. (FYI – you might notice some oil separating on top, but if you let it rest for 10-20 minutes, that oil will get re-absorbed by the noodles. And if you can’t wait, just give it a stir and you’ll be good to go.)
  5. Serve: Serve with some hot crusty bread and top each bowl with fluffy freshly grated Parmesan cheese!
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy chicken noodle soup, chicken noodle soup, chicken soup

FAQ About Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

How can you make this dairy-free?

You could use a dairy-free heavy cream, or use the method used in this recipe where slowly whisking in eggs makes it creamy!

How can you make this vegetarian?

I’d substitute a can of chickpeas for the chicken!

What do you serve with this soup?

For the soup itself, I love to add some oyster crackers. On the side, a nice green salad and crusty bread are my picks!

What noodles are best to use?

I love the Mrs. Miller’s egg noodles, but any egg noodle would work. Or, you could use a wheat-based noodle – orzo, ditalini, or rotini are my prefered shapes!

Three More Noodle Soups I Love

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