Meal prepping might take a little planning, but it doesn’t have to take up all your time — or your money. You can easily throw together these 3-ingredient recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert with items you probably have in your kitchen. Not only are they super simple to make, but by prepping a big batch, you’ll have meals that last all week. Better yet, they’re so tasty you’ll actually want to keep eating ‘em.
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3-Ingredient Recipes for Quick, Easy Meals
1. Flourless Peanut Butter Muffins
Start your day on a sweet, satisfying note. These vegan-friendly, gluten-free muffins are perfect for nibbling on the go. With no added sugar and just three ingredients (nut butter, bananas and dates), you’ll have 12 muffins for a good-for-you breakfast that’ll carry you through the week. And they take less than a half hour to make. Photo and recipe: Melissa / My Whole Food Life
2. Easy Coconut Yogurt
Just because you’re dairy-free, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the creaminess of yogurt. This recipe makes it easy to do so — plus you can personalize the mix to your tastes. All you need is coconut milk and a probiotic capsule. Mix it up, let it sit for about 24 to 48 hours with a cheesecloth, then refrigerate and you’re good to go. Throw some berries, maple syrup, vanilla or healthy granola on top for an even tastier a.m. meal. Photo and recipe: Dana / Minimalist Baker
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3. Cottage Cheese Pancake
Got 12 minutes? Then you can whip up these flapjacks, featuring cottage cheese, eggs and oats. Mix one of our favorite 3-ingredient recipes together in a blender, spoon two to three tablespoons of batter for each pancake in a frying pan and you’ll have a healthy brunch right at home. The best part: They have more than 37 grams of protein and will last even longer in the freezer. Photo and recipe: Hauke Fox / Hurry the Food Up
4. Zucchini Chips
When you need a snack but want to keep calories down and nutrients up, grab these veggie-based chips. Simply slice zucchini, lay it out on a plate, brush with olive oil (coating them thoroughly will help the crisp factor) and sprinkle with sea salt. Then toss them in the microwave for about five to seven minutes. Consider your salty craving handled. Photo and recipe: Elviira / Low Carb, So Simple
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5. Mexican Lime Chicken
Yes, you can make chicken breast extra flavorful with the help of just two more items: taco seasoning and lime. Coat your poultry in spices, sprinkle with citrus and bake a big batch (this recipe calls for 1.25 pounds of meat) for 20 minutes. Enjoy on its own, over a salad or in tortillas for Taco Tuesday. Photo and recipe: Megan / With Salt and Wit
6. Oven-Braised Beef with Tomatoes and Garlic
Comfort food done right — and light. This dish requires only what’s in the name (a boneless beef roast, canned tomatoes and a head of garlic). Even tastier heated up the next day, you can spruce it up by serving with orzo, mashed potatoes or some whole-wheat pasta. Photo and recipe: Deb Perelman / Smitten Kitchen
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7. 3-Ingredient Salmon
Cooking the perfect fish fillet doesn’t require anything fancy. Just a squeeze of lemon and some Italian seasoning goes a long way (plus, perhaps a pinch of salt and pepper). The key is to let the salmon marinate in the lemon juice for about an hour, then bake it in the oven at 500 degrees for a mere 10 minutes. Recipe: Davida / The Healthy Maven
8. Baby Bok Choy with Shrimp
Easy, flavorful and fast, this shrimp and bok choy recipe takes just a few minutes to make. And it packs healthy fats, vitamins A, B, C and K, and lots of carotenoids (nutrients responsible for healthy eyes and skin). Add minced garlic to a hot frying pan first, then your shrimp, followed by your greens. Dinner (or lunch) made easy. Photo and recipe: Bee / Rasa Malaysia
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9. Paleo Flatbread
Whether you want to make homemade pizza or a crunchy panini, this paleo-approved recipe will come in handy. Make a few servings of the recipe, which calls for coconut flour, eggs and baking powder (plus salt and herbs to taste). Then add your favorite toppings for lunch, dinner or even a quick breakfast pie. Photo and Recipe: Arman / The Big Man’s World
10. Roasted Potatoes with Crunchy Onions
What’s a delicious dinner without a side of crispy potatoes? This oh-so-easy recipe is oh-so-irresistible — and gives you that fry fix. Simply mix potassium-rich baby potatoes with olive oil and onion soup mix. The onions will get nice and crisp, adding that coveted crunch to your meal. Photo and recipe: Karen / The Food Charlatan
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11. Homemade Larabars
Skip pricey protein bars and snacks laced with chemicals in favor of this homemade 3-ingredient recipe. Nuts, dates and dried fruit offer fiber and protein to keep you full, and sweetness to satisfy your taste buds. Fill a pan with the mixture and let it sit in the fridge for about an hour. Then, the grab-and-go bite is yours when you need it most. Photo and recipe: Renee Blaire / Life by Daily Burn
12. Paleo Pumpkin Fudge
Yes, you can have dessert and feel good about what you’re eating. These five-minute cake bars call for just pumpkin puree (a top source of fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C), coconut flour and coconut sugar. Top with cinnamon if you’re looking for a little spice in your life. Photo and recipe: Arman / The Big Man’s World
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