🍲 Sunday big batches tap to open
~ salsa chicken week ~
Salsa Shredded ChickenCrock pot · 15 min of your time · feeds 3 dinners
What you need- 2.5 lb chicken breast
- 1 big jar of salsa (about 2 cups)
- 1 tsp cumin · 1 tsp garlic powder · ½ tsp chili powder
How- Everything in the crock pot. HIGH for 4 hours (or LOW for 7).
- Shred the chicken with two forks, right in the pot. Stir.
- That's the whole recipe — bowls tonight, tacos, and the enchilada bake.
Your portion: Tonight's bowl: a fist of rice + a big helping of chicken + half a cup of beans + slaw + a spoon of yogurt + lime.
Good to know: Same chicken works as a big taco salad, or over a baked potato.
Taco Turkey — one pan, two dinnersStove · 25 min · feeds a bowl night + taco night
What you need- 2 lb 93/7 ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion + 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped — chop 1 extra for your eggs
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning + ¼ cup water
How- Brown the turkey, breaking it up. Push aside; soften onion and peppers 4 minutes.
- Seasoning + splash of water, stir 2 minutes.
- Cool. Two labeled containers: BOWLS and TACOS.
Your portion: Bowl: fist of rice + big helping of turkey + beans + salsa + spoon of yogurt + slaw. Tacos: 3 corn tortillas, same toppings, salad on the side.
Chicken Enchilada BakeOven · 10 min to build, 20 to bake
What you need- The rest of the salsa chicken
- 4 corn tortillas, torn up
- ½ cup black beans · ½ cup salsa
- A good sprinkle of cheese
How- Layer: tortillas, chicken, beans, salsa. Cheese on top.
- 375° for 20 minutes until bubbly.
- Serve with a spoon of yogurt and a salad. Freeze the rest in single servings.
Your portion: Your square: about a quarter of the dish + a big salad.
~ meatloaf week ~
Turkey Meatloaf + Roasted VeggiesOven · 20 min to build, 1 hour to bake
What you need- 2 lb 93/7 ground turkey
- 1 egg + ½ cup oats
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped fine
- 3 tablespoons ketchup (plus 2 more for the top)
- Garlic powder, salt, pepper
- About 2 lb chopped veggies or baby potatoes for the pan
How- Mix gently — overmixing makes it tough. Shape into a loaf on a sheet pan.
- Thin ketchup layer on top. Veggies around it, touched with olive oil.
- 375° for about an hour, until the middle reads 165°. Rest 10 minutes, slice.
Your portion: Your plate: 1 thick slice (or 2 thin) + half a plate of the roasted veggies + a fist of potatoes.
Good to know: Slices freeze beautifully — wrap two for the stash.
Deli Chicken Salad — the cold half of the weekNo cooking · 15 minutes with a rotisserie chicken
What you need- 1 rotisserie chicken, skin off, pulled
- ½ cup Greek yogurt + 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 celery stalks, chopped · 1 cup red grapes, halved
- Squeeze of lemon, salt, pepper
How- Pull the chicken while it's warm — it's easier.
- Stir everything together. Taste. A little more lemon is usually the answer.
- Fridge in a lidded bowl — it's dinner twice this week and lunch whenever.
Your portion: Wrap night: a big scoop folded into one mini naan. Plate night: a big scoop + fruit + a few crackers.
~ mediterranean week ~
Mediterranean Chicken + RiceOne sheet pan + a pot of rice · 45 min
What you need- 2.5 lb chicken breast, cut into big chunks
- 3 tablespoons olive oil + juice of 1 lemon + 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon oregano · 1 teaspoon paprika · salt · pepper
- Pot of rice (4 servings)
- Cucumber + tomatoes + red onion for the chopped salad
How- Toss chicken with oil, lemon, garlic, spices. Sheet pan, 425° for 20–22 minutes.
- Rice in the cooker or pot while it roasts.
- Chop the cucumber-tomato salad; dress with olive oil, lemon, salt.
- Stir the tzatziki (card below). Bowls tonight; the rest in containers.
Your portion: Your bowl: fist of rice + big helping of chicken + half the bowl chopped salad + 2 big spoonfuls of tzatziki.
Good to know: Wrap night: same parts folded into one mini naan.
2-Minute TzatzikiStir, done
What you need- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- Half a cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 garlic clove, grated · lemon squeeze · pinch of salt · dill if you have it
How- Stir everything. That's it. Better tomorrow than today.
Your portion: Unlimited-ish: it's mostly yogurt — 2 big spoonfuls per bowl is the sweet spot.
~ lasagna week ~
Turkey Lasagna (Banza noodles)Oven · 30 min to build, 45 to bake · feeds 3 dinners + freezer
What you need- 1 box Banza lasagna noodles (no pre-boil needed)
- 1.5 lb 93/7 ground turkey
- 1 jar Rao's marinara
- 1 tub (24 oz) cottage cheese (the secret — creamy, huge protein)
- 1 egg · 2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella · 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
How- Brown the turkey; stir in the marinara.
- Mix cottage cheese with the egg and seasoning.
- Layer: sauce, noodles, cottage cheese mix, repeat. Mozzarella on top.
- Covered at 375° for 35 min, uncovered 10 more. Rest 15 minutes — it needs it.
Your portion: Your piece: a square about the size of your palm, tall as it comes + big salad every lasagna night.
Good to know: Cut the leftovers into singles before you fridge them — future you says thanks.
Beef Taco Batch — the other half of the weekStove · 20 min
What you need- 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning + ¼ cup water
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
How- Brown, season, stir in the beans. Two containers: BOWL and TACOS.
Your portion: Bowl: fist of rice + big helping + salsa + yogurt + slaw. Tacos: 3 corn tortillas, same toppings.
~ fajita week ~
Sheet-Pan Chicken FajitasOne sheet pan · 35 min · feeds 4 dinners
What you need- 2.5 lb chicken breast, sliced into strips
- 3 bell peppers (mixed colors) + 2 yellow onions, sliced
- 1 packet fajita seasoning (3 tablespoons) + 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Limes
How- Everything tossed with oil and seasoning on one big pan (use two pans rather than crowd one).
- 425° for 22–25 minutes, stir once.
- Lime over the pan. Tonight fresh; the rest into containers.
Your portion: Bowl: fist of rice + a big scoop of fajita mix + beans + yogurt. Taco night: 3 corn tortillas. Salad night: over the biggest bowl of greens.
~ pulled pork week ~
Crock-Pot Pulled Pork TenderloinCrock pot · 10 min of your time
What you need- 2 pork tenderloins
- 1 jar salsa verde
- 1 teaspoon each: cumin, garlic powder
- Squeeze of lime at the end
How- Tenderloins + salsa verde + spices in the crock pot. LOW for 6–7 hours.
- Shred with two forks; stir back into the juices with the lime.
- Tonight over rice; the rest feeds tacos, a baked potato night, and a salad.
Your portion: Tonight: fist of rice + a big helping of pork + slaw + a spoon of yogurt.
Good to know: Tenderloin is as lean as chicken breast — this is the leanest pulled pork there is.
~ greek meatball week ~
Greek Turkey Meatballs + RiceOven · 30 min · feeds 4 dinners
What you need- 2 lb 93/7 ground turkey
- 1 egg + ½ cup oats
- 1 small yellow onion, grated
- Oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper · lemon zest if you're feeling fancy
- Pot of rice · cucumber-tomato salad · tzatziki (2-minute card)
How- Mix gently, roll into golf-ball meatballs on a sheet pan.
- 400° for 18–20 minutes.
- Rice + chopped salad + tzatziki while they bake. Bowls tonight.
Your portion: Your bowl: fist of rice + 4–5 meatballs + half the bowl chopped salad + 2 big spoonfuls of tzatziki.
Good to know: Wrap night: 4 meatballs in one mini naan. They also freeze perfectly.
~ beef taco week ~
Beef Taco Meat, Big BatchStove · 25 min · feeds 4 dinners
What you need- 2.5 lb 93% lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning + ½ cup water
- 2 cans black beans, stirred in
How- Brown the beef with the onion, breaking it up.
- Seasoning + water, then the beans. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Tonight's taco bowls; the rest feeds tacos, taco salad, and the enchilada bake.
Your portion: Bowl: fist of rice + a big helping + salsa + spoon of yogurt + slaw. Tacos: 3 corn tortillas. Salad: over the biggest bowl of greens, crushed tortilla chips on top (a small handful).
Beef Enchilada BakeOven · 10 min to build, 20 to bake
What you need- A third of the taco beef
- 4 corn tortillas, torn
- ½ cup salsa · cheese sprinkle
How- Layer, cheese on top, 375° for 20 minutes.
- Yogurt spoon + salad. Freeze the extra.
Your portion: Your square: a quarter of the dish + big salad.
~ white chili week ~
White Chicken ChiliCrock pot · 20 min of your time · makes 6 bowls (eat 3, freeze 3)
What you need- 2.5 lb chicken breast
- 3 cans Great Northern beans, rinsed
- 1 jar (16 oz) salsa verde
- 1 yellow onion + 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tsp cumin · 1 tsp oregano · 1 tsp chili powder
How- Everything except toppings into the crock pot. HIGH 4 hours (or LOW 7).
- Shred the chicken right in the pot with two forks. Stir.
- Top each bowl with a spoon of Greek yogurt (that's the creamy), cheese sprinkle, lime.
Your portion: Your bowl: two big ladles + one mini naan OR a fist of rice + side salad.
Good to know: Chili on a baked potato night: one ladle over a split russet.
~ wild rice soup week ~
Chicken Wild Rice SoupCrock pot · 25 min of your time · the Minnesota classic, lightened
What you need- 2 lb chicken breast
- 1 cup Minnesota wild rice (L&B brand), rinsed
- 3 carrots + 3 celery stalks + 1 yellow onion, all chopped
- 6 cups chicken stock · 1 teaspoon thyme · salt · pepper
- To finish: ¾ cup Greek yogurt stirred in (the creamy, without the cream)
How- Everything except the yogurt into the crock pot. LOW 6–7 hours.
- Shred the chicken in the pot; ladle a little hot broth into the yogurt, then stir it in (keeps it silky).
- 6 bowls: 3 fridge, 3 freezer.
Your portion: Your bowl: two big ladles + one mini naan OR half a sandwich on soup-and-sandwich night.
Deli Chicken SaladNo cooking · rotisserie + 15 minutes
What you need- 1 rotisserie chicken, pulled
- ½ cup Greek yogurt + 2 tablespoons mayo
- Celery + grapes · lemon, salt, pepper
How- Mix. Fridge. It's the cold wrap night and lunches.
Your portion: A big scoop in one mini naan, fruit on the side.
~ turkey chili week ~
Turkey ChiliOne pot · 40 min, mostly simmering · makes 6 bowls
What you need- 2 lb 93/7 ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion + 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cans kidney or black beans, rinsed
- 1 big can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups stock · 2 tablespoons chili powder · 2 teaspoons cumin · 1 teaspoon oregano
How- Brown the turkey with the onion and garlic.
- Everything else in; simmer 30 minutes with the lid half on.
- Cheese sprinkle + yogurt spoon per bowl. 3 fridge, 3 freezer.
Your portion: Your bowl: two big ladles + a fist of rice OR over a baked potato + side salad.
Good to know: Chili taco bowl night: a ladle over rice with slaw and salsa on top.
~ broccoli cheese week ~
Broccoli Cheese Soup, LightenedOne pot · 40 min · still creamy, promise
What you need- 2 crowns broccoli, about 1.5 lb (or a 1 lb frozen bag), chopped small
- 1 yellow onion + 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 cups stock + 2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons flour (or 1 potato, grated, for thickening)
- 1.5 cups sharp shredded cheddar — sharp means less does more
How- Soften onion and carrots; stir in flour a minute.
- Stock, milk, broccoli — simmer 15 minutes until tender.
- Off the heat, stir in the cheese. Blend half the pot if you like it smoother.
Your portion: Your bowl: two big ladles + rotisserie chicken on the side or stirred in — the soup is the side, the chicken is the protein.
~ cold week (barely any cooking) ~
Big-Batch Deli Chicken SaladNo stove · 20 minutes · the summer special
What you need- 2 rotisserie chickens, skin off, pulled
- 1 cup Greek yogurt + 3 tablespoons mayo
- 3 celery stalks, chopped + 1 cup halved red grapes + ½ cup chopped pecans if you like
- Lemon, salt, pepper
How- Pull the chickens while warm.
- Mix everything. Taste — more lemon is usually the answer.
- Big lidded bowl in the fridge: it's 4 dinners and every lunch.
Your portion: Wrap night: big scoop in one mini naan. Plate night: big scoop + fruit + crackers. Tomato night: stuffed into 2 halved tomatoes.
Good to know: Hard-boil 6 eggs alongside — fridge snacks all week.
~ creamy chicken soup week ~
Creamy Chicken + Veggie SoupCrock pot · 20 min of your time
What you need- 2 lb chicken breast
- 3 carrots + 3 celery stalks + 1 yellow onion + 1 potato, all chopped
- 1 frozen veggie bag, whatever's in the freezer
- 5 cups stock · thyme, salt, pepper
- To finish: ¾ cup Greek yogurt (the creamy)
How- Everything but the yogurt in the crock pot. LOW 6 hours.
- Shred the chicken; temper the yogurt with hot broth, stir in.
- 3 bowls fridge, 3 freezer.
Your portion: Your bowl: two big ladles + one mini naan OR half a sandwich.