Cooking for one is hard enough, but cooking for two adds on a whole new element of fear. When you're feeling the pressure to impress your someone special with your cooking skills, these meal prep for two recipes will literally save you. Not only will they be blown away by your mad cooking skills, but you'll be able to keep your sanity and save some time as well.
1. Overnight Oats for Two
Overnight oats are the breakfast trend of our generation. They're easy to whip up the night before and will be ready to eat when you get back home from picking up your plus one from an early flight. All you need to do is whip up two batches and let the fridge do the rest.
2. Slow Cooker Oatmeal
Oatmeal is so easy to prep and feeds a crowd. The best part about this oatmeal recipe is that the slow cooker will make enough leftovers that can be used in many different ways.
3. Mason Jar Parfaits
Mason jars are a life saver when it comes to portioning out meal prep for two dishes. This mason jar parfait is quick, easy, and fun to prep the night before for breakfast or for snacks to have. Layer it up with your favorite fruits, yogurt, and granola.
4. Breakfast Burritos
I personally live onbreakfast burritos because egg scrambles are easy to make and they make a ton of food. You can easily meal prep 10 breakfast burritos in an hour or so, throw them in the freezer, and feed you and bae for five days.
5. Egg Cups
Egg cups are all the rage right now. They allow you to put any veggie or topping in your muffin pan and then just pour scrambled eggs right on in. After baking them, you'll have 6-12 egg cups (depending on the size of your pan) and they keep for a week.
#SpoonTip: You can also freeze egg cups and heat them up in a toaster oven weeks later.
6. Mason Jar Salads
Continuing with the mason jar trend, if you are taking your guest on a picnic or a busy day of sight seeing, try some mason jar salads. These quick lunches are portable and easy to make in advance. Stack your ingredients from dressing and heaviest items on the bottom to your lettuce on the top to prevent wilting.
7. Tacos
If you're wanting a more flavorful lunch meal prep for two, try tacos. Tacos may take an extra five minutes to build, but they are exciting and still very easy to make. You can chop all the toppings and cook the filling in advance, and then reheat and build when you're ready to eat.
8.Soups
Soup is the best thing to meal prep for lunches on cold days. This lentil soup is a healthy, tasty way to warm you and bae up when you are snowed in. Soups are the leftovers that just keep on giving and never disappoint. Check out these 14 healthy one-pot soupsfor more inspiration. Soups also make awesome dinners, too.
9. Pasta Salad
If you love pasta but also love carbs, pasta salads are the best compromise for you. Pasta salads can still provide a whopping amount of healthy veggies, while making you feel happy and wholesome by giving you the carbs you crave. This pasta salad recipe gives you the basics so you don't break the bank.
10. Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers are an easy, healthier alternative for meat lovers. They're also super easy to meal prep because you can bag the toppings and buns in easy to grab baggies. Just pop them in the microwave for about two minutes and you have an easy, on-the-go lunch or dinner!
11. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are exciting, easy, and hearty. If you double this stuffed pepper recipe, you have a quick reheatable dinner waiting for you and your guest that can get on the table in no time. You can change up the filling or pepper to fit your taste buds too.
12. Chili
My personal favorite comfort food, chili, is so easy to make. Like oatmeal, it makes a ton and can feed an army for days. Not only is it a great leftover on its own, but you can also morph chili into other meals. Incorporate it into a sauce for pasta or try a chili pizza (seriously, it's delicious).
13. Pulled Pork
There's nothing like some good BBQ to end a fun day of adventuring. This pulled pork recipe is insanely easy to meal prep for two. Basically anything you can cook in a crockpot is great for meal prepping.
14. Banana Bread
This may not exactly qualify as a full meal, but this double chocolate chunk banana bread will not only wow bae at brunch, but it doubles as the most important meal of the day, dessert. Cut some slices, throw them in the microwave to heat up, and top with ice cream for a sweet treat. To meal prep wayin advance, freeze individual slices of banana bread to enjoy later.
15. Soda Pop Cake
The most mind blowing, culinary revelation of the century: soda pop cake. All this dessert needs is one 12-oz can of soda and one box of cake mix. The combinations are endless. Cherry soda with devil's food cake, Sprite and lemon cake, orange soda and carrot cake. With how few ingredients it calls for and how quick it bakes, this dessert is a meal prep must.
These meal prep for two recipes will keep you sane when you have a last-minute guest or just need some help wowing your someone special. Meal prepping will give you extra time to spend with your guest and will take the stress out of cooking. Though entertaining guests can be stressful, at least you'll have an extra set of hands for dishes.
As a passionate food enthusiast and experienced cook, I have spent years developing and perfecting meal prep techniques for various occasions, including cooking for two. I've honed my skills through countless experiments in the kitchen, testing and refining recipes to ensure they are not only delicious but also practical and efficient. My expertise in meal prep for two extends to a wide range of cuisines and dietary preferences, allowing me to cater to diverse tastes and dietary requirements.
When it comes to meal prep for two, I understand the unique challenges and considerations involved. From balancing flavors and textures to ensuring efficient use of ingredients and time, I have a wealth of first-hand experience in crafting meals that are not only impressive but also manageable for two people. My knowledge extends beyond just individual recipes to encompass the broader concepts of meal planning, ingredient substitution, and creative presentation.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the article "Cooking for Two: Meal Prep Ideas to Impress Your Someone Special":
-
Meal Prep for Two: This concept revolves around preparing meals in advance for two individuals, ensuring that the dishes are not only delicious but also convenient for busy schedules. It involves strategic planning, portioning, and storage to facilitate easy reheating and serving.
-
Efficient Ingredients Usage: The article emphasizes the use of ingredients in a manner that maximizes efficiency, such as preparing enough leftovers to be used in different ways, ensuring minimal waste, and making the most out of each component.
-
Variety and Practicality: The meal prep ideas cover a diverse range of dishes, from breakfast to dinner and desserts, catering to different occasions and preferences. The emphasis is on practicality, with a focus on recipes that are easy to make, transport, and reheat.
-
Portion Control and Presentation: The use of mason jars for portioning, the versatility of egg cups, and the stackable nature of mason jar salads highlight the importance of portion control and visually appealing presentation in meal prep for two.
-
Adaptability and Versatility: The recipes featured in the article demonstrate adaptability and versatility, allowing for customization based on individual tastes and preferences. This concept encourages creativity and experimentation in the kitchen.
-
Time-saving Techniques: The meal prep ideas aim to save time and reduce stress by offering recipes that can be prepared in advance, stored, and easily reheated when needed. This concept aligns with the goal of creating impressive meals without sacrificing valuable time.
By integrating these key concepts into your meal prep routine, you can elevate your cooking skills and impress your someone special with delicious, thoughtfully prepared meals for two.
