Delicious & Easy Food Prep Meals: Burrito Bowls Recipe

Meal prepping has become a game-changer for busy individuals and health-conscious eaters alike. Imagine having delicious, nutritious meals ready to go throughout your week, saving you time and keeping your diet on track. If you’re new to the world of Food Prep Meals, or even if you’re a seasoned pro looking for a super simple recipe, burrito bowls are your perfect starting point. They are incredibly easy to make, adaptable to your tastes, and store wonderfully in the fridge. This recipe for “Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep” is designed to be exactly that – the simplest way to get into food prep meals, with minimal cooking, chopping, and no soggy surprises later in the week.

Why Burrito Bowls are Ideal Food Prep Meals

Burrito bowls are essentially deconstructed burritos, served in a bowl instead of wrapped in a tortilla. This simple change makes them fantastic for food prep meals for several reasons:

Versatility: You can customize burrito bowls with almost any protein, grain, beans, veggies, and toppings you like. This makes them perfect for using up what you have on hand and catering to different dietary needs and preferences.
Easy to Assemble: No complicated cooking techniques are required. Most ingredients are simply cooked, warmed, or used as-is. Assembly is just layering everything into a bowl.
Travel-Friendly: Packed in meal prep containers, burrito bowls are easy to take to work, school, or anywhere you need a healthy and satisfying meal.
Budget-Friendly: You can make burrito bowls very affordable by using budget-friendly ingredients like rice, beans, and ground meat.
Delicious and Nutritious: Packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, and veggies, burrito bowls are a balanced and flavorful meal that will keep you full and energized.

Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep Recipe

This recipe focuses on simplicity and speed, making it perfect for beginners in food prep meals or anyone short on time. It requires minimal cooking and chopping, and everything can be stored together without compromising texture or taste.

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked rice (white or brown rice work well)
1 lb ground turkey or beef
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade, see notes)
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1 1/3 cup salsa
2 green onions, sliced

Instructions:

Cook the Rice: Start by cooking the rice according to package directions. This will take about 20-25 minutes, during which you can prepare the other ingredients.
Cook the Meat: While the rice is cooking, cook the ground turkey or beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.
Season the Meat: Add the taco seasoning and ½ cup of water to the cooked meat. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the water has reduced and the meat is nicely coated with the seasoning. Set aside.
Prepare Toppings: Thaw the frozen corn (you can do this quickly by running it under warm water). Rinse and drain the black beans. Shred the cheese if it’s not pre-shredded. Slice the green onions.
Assemble the Bowls: Once the rice is cooked and fluffed, divide it evenly among four meal prep containers. Then, divide the taco meat, corn, black beans, shredded cheese, salsa, and green onions evenly among the containers, layering them over the rice.
Store and Reheat: Seal the containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.

Recipe Notes:

Taco Seasoning: For a homemade touch, you can use a DIY taco seasoning blend. Many recipes are available online, or you can use a store-bought packet for convenience.
Rice Options: Brown rice will add more fiber and a slightly nutty flavor. Quinoa is another great grain option for a protein boost.
Meat Alternatives: Shredded chicken, vegetarian crumbles, or even roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes or cauliflower can be used instead of ground meat.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of taco seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat for extra heat. You can also choose a spicier salsa.

Customize Your Food Prep Meals: Burrito Bowl Variations

The beauty of food prep meals like burrito bowls is how easily you can customize them to your liking. Here are some delicious swaps and additions to take your burrito bowls to the next level:

Fresh Veggies: Add diced tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, or shredded lettuce for extra freshness and crunch (shredded lettuce is best packed separately to maintain crispness if prepping several days ahead).
Creamy Toppings: Include a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or guacamole for creaminess and healthy fats (pack these separately and add just before eating).
Spice and Flavor Boosters: Add pickled jalapeños, black olives, a drizzle of hot sauce, or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up the flavors. Fresh cilantro is also a fantastic addition.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted sweet potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers add a depth of flavor and heartier texture.
Protein Variations: Experiment with different proteins like shredded chicken, steak, shrimp, or plant-based options like tofu or tempeh.
Sauces and Dressings: Try different types of salsa, or add taco sauce, ranch dressing, or a cilantro-lime dressing for variety. Pico de gallo is another excellent fresh salsa option.
Crunchy Element: A sprinkle of tortilla chips adds a satisfying crunch (pack separately to prevent sogginess).

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Burrito Bowl Food Prep Meals

Follow these simple step-by-step photos to easily prepare your burrito bowl food prep meals:

Cook Rice First: Begin by cooking your rice as it takes the longest. Follow package directions for best results. You’ll need about 4 cups of cooked rice for this recipe.
Prepare Taco Meat: While the rice is cooking, brown your ground meat in a skillet. Drain any excess fat. Then, stir in the taco seasoning and water, and simmer until thickened.
Prep Toppings: While the meat simmers, prepare your toppings. This includes thawing corn, rinsing beans, shredding cheese, and slicing green onions. Having everything ready to assemble makes the process quick.
Assemble Bowls: Once the rice is cooked, divide it into your meal prep containers. Then, layer the taco meat and all your prepared toppings evenly over the rice in each container.
Enjoy Your Food Prep Meals: Seal the containers and store in the fridge. When lunchtime (or dinnertime!) rolls around, you’ll have a delicious and healthy burrito bowl food prep meal ready to go!

More Delicious Food Prep Meal Ideas

Looking for more inspiration for your food prep meals? Check out these other tasty and easy recipes:

Mediterranean Turkey Bowls
Roasted Cauliflower Taco Bowls
Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl
Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry Bowls

Burrito bowls are a fantastic entry point into the world of food prep meals. They are quick, easy, and endlessly customizable. Start with this simple recipe and discover how convenient and delicious having pre-prepared meals can be! Enjoy your week of effortless, healthy eating!