Sunday afternoons are usually when reality sets in — the week is coming whether we’re ready or not. After a shower, wet hair and all, I knew I needed to get some kind of meal prep done, even though I really wanted to rest. Instead of cooking every night, I decided to knock out three simple, comforting meals that would carry us through most of the week.
Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just real food, made at home, with what I already had — and a couple fun new finds.
Here’s exactly what I made and how it all came together.
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What I Prepped for the Week
1. French Onion Bake (Comfort Food Casserole)
This meal is pure comfort. A French onion–inspired casserole made with rice, ground beef, onion soup flavoring, caramelized onions (kind of 😅), green beans, and cheese.
I adapted a recipe I’ll link below, but honestly, I made it my own — like I always do.
Key notes:
- Onion-flavored rice (made in the rice cooker — I don’t cook rice on the stove)
- Ground beef seasoned simply with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder
- Diced onion softened in butter and oil (not fully caramelized — patience is not my strength)
- Green beans added right into the casserole to avoid making a separate veggie
- Monterey Jack cheese instead of cheddar/mozzarella
Everything went into one baking dish and baked just long enough for the cheese to melt. It’s cozy, filling, and perfect for leftovers.
2. Baked Ravioli with Store-Bought Marinara (Trader Joe’s Find!)
We just got a Trader Joe’s in town, so of course we had to go. I found spinach and ricotta ravioli that didn’t contain parmesan, which is rare — so I grabbed it.
I paired it with a highly recommended jar of Rao’s (or Rouse) marinara, because:
- I only have one jar of homemade sauce left
- I’m not making tomato sauce this year
- Everyone says this sauce doesn’t need anything added
They were right. It was delicious.
How it came together:
- Ravioli cooked quickly (1–2 minutes)
- Ground beef added for protein
- Marinara poured over everything
- Finished with vegan parmesan
Simple, fast, and shockingly good for a semi-shortcut meal.
3. Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta with Broccoli
This was inspired by a cowboy butter chicken wings recipe I made earlier in the week — and it was too good not to turn into a pasta dish.
I used:
- Chicken breast
- Angel hair pasta (instead of linguini)
- Broccoli
- Butter (generously)
- Garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne
- Green onions, parsley, salt & pepper
- Vegan parmesan
The result was a light, buttery pasta with just a little kick — not heavy or overly creamy, but still satisfying.
Why I Love This Kind of Meal Prep
- I cooked everything at once
- Used minimal dishes
- Adapted recipes instead of following them perfectly
- Ended up with 12–15 meals total for the week
This gives us lunches and dinners covered, with flexibility to cook something fresh later if we want to.
And honestly? That peace of mind is worth it.
Final Thoughts
By 1:30 pm, all three meals were done:
- Baked Ravioli with Marinara
- Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
- French Onion Bake Casserole
Nothing fancy. Just real food, cooked at home, with intention — even on a tired Sunday.
If you enjoy realistic meal prep like this, where things don’t have to be perfect, you’re in the right place. I do this kind of cooking all the time, and I’d love to have you stick around.
