5-Ingredient Fall Meal Prep Bowls | Easy & Delicious!
Introduction
When the weather cools and autumn flavors abound, having simple, make-ahead meals packed with seasonal goodness is a blessing. These 5-Ingredient Fall Meal Prep Bowls strike the perfect balance between ease and irresistible flavor, showcasing ingredients like roasted veggies and hearty grains that highlight the best of the season. Whether you’re meal-prepping for busy work weeks or just want a cozy, nourishing lunch at your fingertips, this easy recipe will quickly become a go-to in your fall meal rotation.
Why These Fall Meal Prep Bowls Are a Must-Try
Busy week? These bowls come together quickly, and each bite is bursting with autumn comfort—think sweet roasted butternut squash, nutty quinoa, and a protein of your choice. With just five core ingredients, this recipe eliminates kitchen fuss while ensuring every meal delivers warmth and plenty of nutrition. Perfect for meal prep, it’s equally great for families or solo cooks wanting to simplify their week.
Simple and Seasonal: Building the Perfect Meal Prep Bowl
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in fall vegetables, while a protein and a hearty grain provide energy and satisfaction. Pick your favorite additions, but this combination offers unique flavor with no extra fuss: roasted butternut squash, cooked quinoa, baby spinach, shredded rotisserie chicken (or chickpeas for a plant-based alternative), and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
Ideal Make-Ahead Lunches for the Week
After preparing a batch of ingredients, assembling these bowls is a breeze. Portion out your roasted vegetables, cooked grain, leafy greens, protein, and dressing — and you’re set for grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners all week long. Store the vinaigrette on the side to keep everything fresh.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
Serve your bowl warm or chilled. For extra flavor, top with roasted seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower) or a sprinkle of feta cheese. If you’re craving more crunch, add a handful of sliced apples or dried cranberries before serving—these autumnal touches make the meal even more special.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
Each bowl serves one, and the recipe as written makes four meal prep bowls. Calories per serving will vary depending on your choice of protein and dressing, but each bowl averages around 400-480 calories, full of fiber, vitamins, and balanced macros to keep you energized all day.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and weekly meal planning.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread cubed butternut squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil (optional, or use spray), season with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and tender.
- Meanwhile, cook the quinoa according to package instructions (generally, simmer 1 cup dry quinoa in 2 cups water until fluffy, about 15 minutes).
- Divide baby spinach among four meal prep containers as the base.
- Add even portions of roasted butternut squash, cooked quinoa, and shredded chicken (or chickpeas) atop the greens.
- Pack vinaigrette separately. When ready to eat, drizzle with dressing, toss, and enjoy!
Weekly Meal Planning
Meal prepping these bowls makes it easy to stick to healthy eating habits all week long! Save and schedule this recipe to build a weekly meal plan and generate a smart shopping list that consolidates ingredients from all your planned meals.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes.
- Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections for faster trips.
- Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten items.
- Makes meal prep efficient and stress-free for the whole week.
Pro tip: When planning multiple recipes for the week, schedule your recipes to see what overlaps—for example, both this recipe and a planned salad might use spinach, automatically adjusting your shopping list to minimize food waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40-45 minutes
Enjoy the flavors of fall, simplified and prepped for your week!