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Easy Meal Prep: Save Time and Eat Healthy with Over 75 Recipes
Conquer your healthy eating plan while saving time and money!
In Easy Meal Prep, nutrition coach and meal prep expert Erin Romeo, the Food Prep Princess (@foodprepprincess on Instagram), guides you through the essentials of meal prep, a key component to any diet—whether you’re high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, or just trying to eat healthy. This highly accessible guide includes:
How to prep a week’s worth of meals in a few hours
Over 75 healthy and delicious recipes
How to meal-prep in 5 easy steps
5 meal-prep plans to get you started
Tips and tricks for food planning
So, skip the takeout and never be at a loss for a healthy meal again with this essential guide to easy meal prep.
In Easy Meal Prep, nutrition coach and meal prep expert Erin Romeo, the Food Prep Princess (@foodprepprincess on Instagram), guides you through the essentials of meal prep, a key component to any diet—whether you’re high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, or just trying to eat healthy. This highly accessible guide includes:
How to prep a week’s worth of meals in a few hours
Over 75 healthy and delicious recipes
How to meal-prep in 5 easy steps
5 meal-prep plans to get you started
Tips and tricks for food planning
So, skip the takeout and never be at a loss for a healthy meal again with this essential guide to easy meal prep.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
6978 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 26, 2024
Easy Meal Prep: Save Time and Eat Healthy with over 75 Recipes is an OK cookbook. Actually, author Erin Romero doesn’t include that many prep hints and the advanced prep isn’t built into any of the recipes; she expects you to deduce the prep for yourself. That said, the recipes are OK.
For those really looking to learn how to prep ahead and save lots of time, Skinnytaste Meal Prep: Healthy Make-Ahead Meals and Freezer Recipes to Simplify Your Life: A Cookbook by Gina Homolka would be a better choice even if they’re not on a diet.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point in exchange for an honest review.
For those really looking to learn how to prep ahead and save lots of time, Skinnytaste Meal Prep: Healthy Make-Ahead Meals and Freezer Recipes to Simplify Your Life: A Cookbook by Gina Homolka would be a better choice even if they’re not on a diet.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2025
This is a great cookbook perfect for anyone who wants to learn new easy recipes! The photos are great throughout and the recipes are easy to follow. I tried the 'Chocolate Granola' and really enjoyed it. The recipes I'm excited to try are the 'Apple Cinnamon Waffles' and the 'Not Your Mama's Meatloaf Muffins'. Special Thank You to Erin Romeo, Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2025
I loved this meal prep book. What I really liked was in each recipe the author tells how long it will last in the fridge or freezer. The recipes are easy to follow. I do wish there were more pictures because the ones included were awesome.
December 12, 2024
As you might expect, this book is a cookbook with a meal-prep-focused twist—it's 80% recipes, 20% an intro to meal prep guide for the uninitiated. As a member of said uninitiated masses, I was excited to check it out!
Ultimately, though, I didn't feel that the book excelled in either area—recipes OR meal prepping guidance. And I really wish it had!
First, I'll start with a disclaimer: I'm a vegetarian, so I of course look at all cookbooks through a lens of how good their vegetarian offerings look. "Easy Meal Prep" appealed because it specified that it was vegetarian-friendly ("whether you’re high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, or just trying to eat healthy"), but it turns out that that list really just refers to a few pages of individual potential meal plans at the beginning of the book—a cool inclusion (we'll get to that later), but perhaps overselling how much dietary flexibility the book offers. Recipes are definitely included for all of these dietary needs/choices, but it never felt like this book prioritized catering to these different audiences. It didn't feel like there was a particularly large number of dishes offered for most of the diets listed, and there weren't nice touches I've seen in other cookbooks like labels on dishes for various diets or notes about possible adaptations that would make recipes accessible to other diets, even when such adaptations might be fairly straightforward). Most recipes seemed designed to cater to the "standard" U.S.-based healthy eater above all else.
In a similar vein, I'm sad to say that none of the recipes included lit me up or got me excited to get meal preppin'. I'm guessing the goal was to present recipes for familiar dishes, but it's almost a vegetarian cliché at this point to joke about how everyone just wants to serve us black bean burgers, falafel, and salads (three of the four main dishes in the proposed meal plan). There are definitely plenty of other veggie-friendly dishes in the book, but many just feel very basic or boring, especially compared to meal prep recipes found online—the breakfast section starts by teaching us to scramble eggs, for instance. Ultimately, I think this may have been a disconnect in vision/execution—it's certainly helpful to share strategies for prepping/reheating cooking staples, but presenting them as recipes has the potential to feel confusing or disappointing (particularly when the strategies for prepping these staples didn't feel particularly unique—I was hoping for more tips to keep things fresh and delicious over time, but those were surprisingly lacking).
(Vision/execution felt like it may have been a challenge overall, in fact. My biggest qualm with this book was its unintuitive organization. My favorite detail? Snacks and Sides starts with Peanut Butter Brownies and Chocolaty Quinoa Squares, then transitions into Healthier Tuna Salad and Vegetables with Greek Yogurt Dip. I understand that TECHNICALLY these are all smaller bites, but turning the page from desserts to tuna salad sure is something.)
All of this would be totally fine if the book fulfilled its main goal, actually demystifying meal prep. And it's certainly a nice intro! It makes a good case for meal prep (in case you picked up the book with no idea what you were getting into) and lays out some solid basics—I particularly appreciated the great breakdown of recommended containers. It also, as I mentioned earlier, includes some lovely sample meal prep meal plans for various diets (all compiled from various recipes from the book itself) to get us newbies started with the meal-prep process. The problem, though, is that this ends up feeling like a handful of blog posts on the topic of meal prepping, not an in-depth enough guide to actually teach the skill of meal-prepping for someone who wants to apply it long-term. The book contains brief directions for planning a prep without the specific step-by-step instructions from the specific plan breakdowns, but I still found myself left with questions and a vague sense of overwhelm: How do I handle dishes and mess? How do I prevent mid-prep overwhelm? How do I solve common food prep challenges (like, we all burn things sometimes—then what?). Even some of the instructions from the book that should have felt reassuring felt a little iffy—"If a recipe instructs you to cook something at 400ºF (200°C) and something else at 450ºF (230°C), it's completely acceptable to
set your oven temperature in the middle at 425°F (220°C)." is exactly the kind of tip I picked up the book for, but there must be a learning curve there, right? I would have preferred a longer meal prepping section where more was explained, even if it meant we lost out on an egg recipe or four.
I can see this being a great starter cookbook for folks interested in beginning a cookbook collection or young people looking for one go-to guide to start cooking food for workweeks. But I wouldn't expect it to be your one-stop shop! Pick it up, learn the tips, and then expect to keep researching to get really good at meal prepping and find recipes you're really excited about. I know that's my plan!
✨Who is this cookbook great for?✨
• Fans of Erin Romeo, I'm sure!
• Folks interested in meal prepping who want to start with more basic recipes
• Health-conscious meal preppers—this is one of those cookbooks that tells you to buy dates :)
✨Who isn't this cookbook great for?✨
• Fellow vegetarians (or, I'm assuming, folks looking for unique high-protein, dairy-free, gluten-free, or low-carb recipes)—unless you just want to use this as a jumping-off point, in which case it might be great for ya!
• Folks with preexisting meal prep experience looking to take their meal preps to the next level
• Folks who are TOTALLY new to meal prepping and need extensive guidance
✨Standout recipes✨
• Biggest recipe win for me so far: Cheesy Egg Bites
• Most Intrigued By: Tomato, Egg, and Lentil Bowls
• Honorable mention: Lemony Pasta Salad with Asparagus
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are, of course, my own.
Ultimately, though, I didn't feel that the book excelled in either area—recipes OR meal prepping guidance. And I really wish it had!
First, I'll start with a disclaimer: I'm a vegetarian, so I of course look at all cookbooks through a lens of how good their vegetarian offerings look. "Easy Meal Prep" appealed because it specified that it was vegetarian-friendly ("whether you’re high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, or just trying to eat healthy"), but it turns out that that list really just refers to a few pages of individual potential meal plans at the beginning of the book—a cool inclusion (we'll get to that later), but perhaps overselling how much dietary flexibility the book offers. Recipes are definitely included for all of these dietary needs/choices, but it never felt like this book prioritized catering to these different audiences. It didn't feel like there was a particularly large number of dishes offered for most of the diets listed, and there weren't nice touches I've seen in other cookbooks like labels on dishes for various diets or notes about possible adaptations that would make recipes accessible to other diets, even when such adaptations might be fairly straightforward). Most recipes seemed designed to cater to the "standard" U.S.-based healthy eater above all else.
In a similar vein, I'm sad to say that none of the recipes included lit me up or got me excited to get meal preppin'. I'm guessing the goal was to present recipes for familiar dishes, but it's almost a vegetarian cliché at this point to joke about how everyone just wants to serve us black bean burgers, falafel, and salads (three of the four main dishes in the proposed meal plan). There are definitely plenty of other veggie-friendly dishes in the book, but many just feel very basic or boring, especially compared to meal prep recipes found online—the breakfast section starts by teaching us to scramble eggs, for instance. Ultimately, I think this may have been a disconnect in vision/execution—it's certainly helpful to share strategies for prepping/reheating cooking staples, but presenting them as recipes has the potential to feel confusing or disappointing (particularly when the strategies for prepping these staples didn't feel particularly unique—I was hoping for more tips to keep things fresh and delicious over time, but those were surprisingly lacking).
(Vision/execution felt like it may have been a challenge overall, in fact. My biggest qualm with this book was its unintuitive organization. My favorite detail? Snacks and Sides starts with Peanut Butter Brownies and Chocolaty Quinoa Squares, then transitions into Healthier Tuna Salad and Vegetables with Greek Yogurt Dip. I understand that TECHNICALLY these are all smaller bites, but turning the page from desserts to tuna salad sure is something.)
All of this would be totally fine if the book fulfilled its main goal, actually demystifying meal prep. And it's certainly a nice intro! It makes a good case for meal prep (in case you picked up the book with no idea what you were getting into) and lays out some solid basics—I particularly appreciated the great breakdown of recommended containers. It also, as I mentioned earlier, includes some lovely sample meal prep meal plans for various diets (all compiled from various recipes from the book itself) to get us newbies started with the meal-prep process. The problem, though, is that this ends up feeling like a handful of blog posts on the topic of meal prepping, not an in-depth enough guide to actually teach the skill of meal-prepping for someone who wants to apply it long-term. The book contains brief directions for planning a prep without the specific step-by-step instructions from the specific plan breakdowns, but I still found myself left with questions and a vague sense of overwhelm: How do I handle dishes and mess? How do I prevent mid-prep overwhelm? How do I solve common food prep challenges (like, we all burn things sometimes—then what?). Even some of the instructions from the book that should have felt reassuring felt a little iffy—"If a recipe instructs you to cook something at 400ºF (200°C) and something else at 450ºF (230°C), it's completely acceptable to
set your oven temperature in the middle at 425°F (220°C)." is exactly the kind of tip I picked up the book for, but there must be a learning curve there, right? I would have preferred a longer meal prepping section where more was explained, even if it meant we lost out on an egg recipe or four.
I can see this being a great starter cookbook for folks interested in beginning a cookbook collection or young people looking for one go-to guide to start cooking food for workweeks. But I wouldn't expect it to be your one-stop shop! Pick it up, learn the tips, and then expect to keep researching to get really good at meal prepping and find recipes you're really excited about. I know that's my plan!
✨Who is this cookbook great for?✨
• Fans of Erin Romeo, I'm sure!
• Folks interested in meal prepping who want to start with more basic recipes
• Health-conscious meal preppers—this is one of those cookbooks that tells you to buy dates :)
✨Who isn't this cookbook great for?✨
• Fellow vegetarians (or, I'm assuming, folks looking for unique high-protein, dairy-free, gluten-free, or low-carb recipes)—unless you just want to use this as a jumping-off point, in which case it might be great for ya!
• Folks with preexisting meal prep experience looking to take their meal preps to the next level
• Folks who are TOTALLY new to meal prepping and need extensive guidance
✨Standout recipes✨
• Biggest recipe win for me so far: Cheesy Egg Bites
• Most Intrigued By: Tomato, Egg, and Lentil Bowls
• Honorable mention: Lemony Pasta Salad with Asparagus
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are, of course, my own.
December 31, 2024
3.5-4 stars
I thought this book was good but not great. It starts off strong with 5 steps for success with helpful tips and tricks like “shop on a full stomach.” These “tips” can be helpful for beginners. Now, I put tips in quotation marks because realistically they may not work for everyone, and they also seemed a bit self-explanatory.
The layout of the book made sense for my brain since I enjoyed that the beginning has helpful charts with options for meal plans that are gluten-free, high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, and even low carb. It then directs you to which page you can find the corresponding recipe. The recipes could also be used as a standalone rather than for the specific meal plans since they are organized by meal type or use (breakfast, mains, snacks and sides, dressings, dips, and sauces,).
If someone though has no dietary restrictions and is simply looking to eat healthier or just meal prep, it would be nice to have a less focused meal plan rather than needing to choose the specified diets.
One thing that struck me as I was reading was that realistically I could find all of this information online. In fact, the author is a nutritionist known for their Instagram page @foodprepprincess. However, it is definitely convenient to have it in a book and less overwhelming than searching on Pinterest or Instagram for a meal plan.
The recipes themselves are very simple which is great for beginners. I easily made the cheesy egg bites and thought they were a fun breakfast. However, the recipes are typical items like roast vegetables, crispy tofu, hummus, teriyaki salmon. There are only a few unique recipes like peanut butter brownies, tropical energy balls, and soba noodle stir fry. Also, not every recipe has a photo.
One thing that made me stop and really think about the book was Page 17 that has a “food prep princess approved food list” which is supposed to be helpful for planning grocery shopping. The word “approved” stuck out to me. Are there unapproved foods? I could just be being sensitive, but I think there are better words that could’ve been used that don’t connote the idea that readers should be restricted. Why not say “recommended foods,” or “food prep princess favourite items?”
Readers who are beginners with meal prep, looking for specified dietary meal plans, or fans of the authors social media would most likely enjoy the book.
Please note I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book was good but not great. It starts off strong with 5 steps for success with helpful tips and tricks like “shop on a full stomach.” These “tips” can be helpful for beginners. Now, I put tips in quotation marks because realistically they may not work for everyone, and they also seemed a bit self-explanatory.
The layout of the book made sense for my brain since I enjoyed that the beginning has helpful charts with options for meal plans that are gluten-free, high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, and even low carb. It then directs you to which page you can find the corresponding recipe. The recipes could also be used as a standalone rather than for the specific meal plans since they are organized by meal type or use (breakfast, mains, snacks and sides, dressings, dips, and sauces,).
If someone though has no dietary restrictions and is simply looking to eat healthier or just meal prep, it would be nice to have a less focused meal plan rather than needing to choose the specified diets.
One thing that struck me as I was reading was that realistically I could find all of this information online. In fact, the author is a nutritionist known for their Instagram page @foodprepprincess. However, it is definitely convenient to have it in a book and less overwhelming than searching on Pinterest or Instagram for a meal plan.
The recipes themselves are very simple which is great for beginners. I easily made the cheesy egg bites and thought they were a fun breakfast. However, the recipes are typical items like roast vegetables, crispy tofu, hummus, teriyaki salmon. There are only a few unique recipes like peanut butter brownies, tropical energy balls, and soba noodle stir fry. Also, not every recipe has a photo.
One thing that made me stop and really think about the book was Page 17 that has a “food prep princess approved food list” which is supposed to be helpful for planning grocery shopping. The word “approved” stuck out to me. Are there unapproved foods? I could just be being sensitive, but I think there are better words that could’ve been used that don’t connote the idea that readers should be restricted. Why not say “recommended foods,” or “food prep princess favourite items?”
Readers who are beginners with meal prep, looking for specified dietary meal plans, or fans of the authors social media would most likely enjoy the book.
Please note I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy.
I requested this book to review because I am desperate for guidance on easy and healthy meal prep for my workday lunches. Plus, the book cover is gorgeous and appealing.
Overall, it's well organized and designed, but I do wish it had more photos for the recipes. It's at 145 pages, so perhaps may add too many pages and additional costs.
This is a great introduction to someone new to meal prep, including those who may be wondering why they should meal prep and what it is.
I like her concept of mini-preps for those of us who don't want to eat the same thing five days in a row.
I like her food prep princess-approved food list because it makes for easy shopping.
She includes four-day plans (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner) for high-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and low-carb.
I like the cooking instructions about what to start and when.
Once the recipes are listed, there are photos, and they are great photos. Each recipe includes the yield, prep time, and cook time, all of which I appreciate. Not all of the recipes contain a photo, sadly. I like photos - they inspire me to cook.
While I haven't tried any of the recipes, they all look appealing and several are similar to some things I do now.
The table of contents include
-The Five Steps to Meal-Prep Success (this isn't broken down in the table of contents and it should be, so I'm adding them)
--get containers
--grocery shop
--clean and cut
--cook
--portion and pack
-Food Prep Princess Approved Food List
-Five Meal-Prep Plans to Get You Started
-Breakfast
-Mains
-Snacks and Sides
-Dressings, Dips and Sauces
Honestly, I had no idea that there were meal prep books. I've been trying to figure it out on my own. After all, I grew up in a time when female students took home ec, and I grew up in a home where meals were cooked from scratch.
I like the simplicity and the "you can do this" vibe of the book.
This book is great for busy singles, couples, and families. It features, simple, healthy, and appealing meal prep ideas, including quick breakfast bites and smoothies.
Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to review this book.
#EasyMealPrep #NetGalley
I requested this book to review because I am desperate for guidance on easy and healthy meal prep for my workday lunches. Plus, the book cover is gorgeous and appealing.
Overall, it's well organized and designed, but I do wish it had more photos for the recipes. It's at 145 pages, so perhaps may add too many pages and additional costs.
This is a great introduction to someone new to meal prep, including those who may be wondering why they should meal prep and what it is.
I like her concept of mini-preps for those of us who don't want to eat the same thing five days in a row.
I like her food prep princess-approved food list because it makes for easy shopping.
She includes four-day plans (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner) for high-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and low-carb.
I like the cooking instructions about what to start and when.
Once the recipes are listed, there are photos, and they are great photos. Each recipe includes the yield, prep time, and cook time, all of which I appreciate. Not all of the recipes contain a photo, sadly. I like photos - they inspire me to cook.
While I haven't tried any of the recipes, they all look appealing and several are similar to some things I do now.
The table of contents include
-The Five Steps to Meal-Prep Success (this isn't broken down in the table of contents and it should be, so I'm adding them)
--get containers
--grocery shop
--clean and cut
--cook
--portion and pack
-Food Prep Princess Approved Food List
-Five Meal-Prep Plans to Get You Started
-Breakfast
-Mains
-Snacks and Sides
-Dressings, Dips and Sauces
Honestly, I had no idea that there were meal prep books. I've been trying to figure it out on my own. After all, I grew up in a time when female students took home ec, and I grew up in a home where meals were cooked from scratch.
I like the simplicity and the "you can do this" vibe of the book.
This book is great for busy singles, couples, and families. It features, simple, healthy, and appealing meal prep ideas, including quick breakfast bites and smoothies.
Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to review this book.
#EasyMealPrep #NetGalley
January 8, 2025
A BIG THANK YOU to Quarto Publishing Group, Rock Point, and NetGalley for the ARC of Easy Meal Prep: Save Time and Eat Healthy with over 75 Recipes by Erin Romeo, a fantastic resource for anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine while staying committed to a healthier lifestyle.
This book shines in its straightforward approach, walking readers through the meal prep process step by step. Erin’s five-step system is particularly helpful, breaking down everything from grocery shopping to portioning meals in a way that feels approachable for beginners yet useful for seasoned meal preppers. The introduction and her concept of "mini-preps" stand out as key takeaways, making the idea of meal prep feel less overwhelming and more adaptable to busy schedules. Erin’s flexible approach to dietary preferences ensures this guide will resonate with a wide audience.
The recipes are another strong point, with standout options like the Pineapple Ginger Green Smoothies, Apple Cinnamon Walnut Muffins, and Thai Bowls with Peanut Sauce offering flavor-packed, nutritious solutions for meal prep. The recipes are easy to follow, with clear instructions and approachable ingredients, making them accessible even to those who don’t consider themselves culinary experts. Erin’s tips for using the right containers and her advice on food storage are also incredibly useful for ensuring meal prep success. That said, some of the side options, such as a single piece of fruit or a handful of almonds, feel overly restrictive and might leave certain readers wanting more variety or substance.
Easy Meal Prep remains a valuable tool, filled with practical advice and plenty of recipes worth returning to time and again. For anyone interested in making meal prep a sustainable part of their routine, this book is an excellent starting point. Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.
4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 14 January 2025
#NetGalley #EasyMealPrep
This book shines in its straightforward approach, walking readers through the meal prep process step by step. Erin’s five-step system is particularly helpful, breaking down everything from grocery shopping to portioning meals in a way that feels approachable for beginners yet useful for seasoned meal preppers. The introduction and her concept of "mini-preps" stand out as key takeaways, making the idea of meal prep feel less overwhelming and more adaptable to busy schedules. Erin’s flexible approach to dietary preferences ensures this guide will resonate with a wide audience.
The recipes are another strong point, with standout options like the Pineapple Ginger Green Smoothies, Apple Cinnamon Walnut Muffins, and Thai Bowls with Peanut Sauce offering flavor-packed, nutritious solutions for meal prep. The recipes are easy to follow, with clear instructions and approachable ingredients, making them accessible even to those who don’t consider themselves culinary experts. Erin’s tips for using the right containers and her advice on food storage are also incredibly useful for ensuring meal prep success. That said, some of the side options, such as a single piece of fruit or a handful of almonds, feel overly restrictive and might leave certain readers wanting more variety or substance.
Easy Meal Prep remains a valuable tool, filled with practical advice and plenty of recipes worth returning to time and again. For anyone interested in making meal prep a sustainable part of their routine, this book is an excellent starting point. Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.
4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 14 January 2025
#NetGalley #EasyMealPrep
July 5, 2025
This book is a practical, health-focused introduction to meal prepping. Author Erin Romeo presents a straightforward five-step process of planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, and storing.
Five customizable meal-prep plans—high-protein, low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free—ensure readers can eat healthily regardless of their needs. Over 75 simple recipes cover breakfasts, mains, snacks, sides, dressings, dips, and sauces. Along with menu ideas, the author offers essential pantry and tool checklists, food planning tips, container guides, storage tricks, and budget-friendly shortcuts to tackle takeout temptation.
5-Step Process
1. Get containers
2. Grocery shop
3. Clean and cut
4. Cook
5. Portion and pack
The five-step process is designed to be straightforward and adaptable, catering to the needs of individuals or families while supporting your health objectives. You don’t have to prep for an entire week; you can start with just one meal during the work week. The author provides “pro prep tips” for ultimate time saving and efficiency.
As the title indicates, this book is ideal for beginners with easy, quick-prep recipes. For readers with an established meal prep routine, the basics and step-by-step breakdowns might seem too simple or repetitive. And, while there is a good variety of recipes, they may not appeal to all preferences and tastes or may be too simple for more advanced cooks or chefs. Be sure to double-check if the recipes fit within your parameters. For example, the low-carb plan has recipes with bread, tortillas, and dates; there are no carb counts for the recipes.
While the book includes some photos for inspiration, not every recipe has a picture, which can be a downside for visual cooks who like to see what the final dish should look like.
Five customizable meal-prep plans—high-protein, low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free—ensure readers can eat healthily regardless of their needs. Over 75 simple recipes cover breakfasts, mains, snacks, sides, dressings, dips, and sauces. Along with menu ideas, the author offers essential pantry and tool checklists, food planning tips, container guides, storage tricks, and budget-friendly shortcuts to tackle takeout temptation.
5-Step Process
1. Get containers
2. Grocery shop
3. Clean and cut
4. Cook
5. Portion and pack
The five-step process is designed to be straightforward and adaptable, catering to the needs of individuals or families while supporting your health objectives. You don’t have to prep for an entire week; you can start with just one meal during the work week. The author provides “pro prep tips” for ultimate time saving and efficiency.
As the title indicates, this book is ideal for beginners with easy, quick-prep recipes. For readers with an established meal prep routine, the basics and step-by-step breakdowns might seem too simple or repetitive. And, while there is a good variety of recipes, they may not appeal to all preferences and tastes or may be too simple for more advanced cooks or chefs. Be sure to double-check if the recipes fit within your parameters. For example, the low-carb plan has recipes with bread, tortillas, and dates; there are no carb counts for the recipes.
While the book includes some photos for inspiration, not every recipe has a picture, which can be a downside for visual cooks who like to see what the final dish should look like.
December 31, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this eCopy to review
Easy Meal Prep: Save Time and Eat Healthy with over 75 Recipes by Erin Romeo is a practical guide for anyone looking to streamline their meal preparation process. This book offers a comprehensive approach to meal prepping, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned cooks
Romeo, known as the Food Prep Princess on Instagram, shares her expertise as a nutrition coach and meal prep specialist. The book includes over 75 healthy recipes that cater to various dietary needs, such as low-carb, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Each recipe is easy to follow, with clear instructions and helpful tips to make meal prepping efficient and enjoyable.
In addition to recipes, valuable insights into the essentials of meal prep, including how to plan, shop, and organise your kitchen. It also offers shortcuts to reduce time spent in the kitchen and budget-friendly ideas to make meal prepping more affordable
Easy Meal Prep is perfect for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet while saving time and money. Whether you're aiming for weight loss, managing a specific diet, or simply trying to eat healthier, this book is a valuable resource
Easy Meal Prep: Save Time and Eat Healthy with over 75 Recipes by Erin Romeo is a practical guide for anyone looking to streamline their meal preparation process. This book offers a comprehensive approach to meal prepping, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned cooks
Romeo, known as the Food Prep Princess on Instagram, shares her expertise as a nutrition coach and meal prep specialist. The book includes over 75 healthy recipes that cater to various dietary needs, such as low-carb, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Each recipe is easy to follow, with clear instructions and helpful tips to make meal prepping efficient and enjoyable.
In addition to recipes, valuable insights into the essentials of meal prep, including how to plan, shop, and organise your kitchen. It also offers shortcuts to reduce time spent in the kitchen and budget-friendly ideas to make meal prepping more affordable
Easy Meal Prep is perfect for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet while saving time and money. Whether you're aiming for weight loss, managing a specific diet, or simply trying to eat healthier, this book is a valuable resource
January 4, 2025
Here's the thing: I really wanted to like this book. I struggle with meal prepping, because I often overthink it and get lost in the weeds.. so I wanted this to be a book of easy tips and tricks, like sheet pan fajitas and the best ways to roast veggies en masse.
And while those tips ARE in the book.. it also had a lot of other recipes that left me scratching my head wondering why it was in a meal prep book. Many of the recipes were centered around fish, which is just an absolute no-no for reheating. (Yes, I know you technically CAN. But just because you can does not mean you should! No one likes it when the office smells like microwaved fish.)
Many of the intro paragraphs at the beginning had serious food-blogger vibes, in that they felt a lot more wordy than necessary. There was also a list of "approved foods" which screamed "privileged fitness influencer."
If you're a fan of Erin Romeo, aka the "foodprepprincess", then I assume you'll enjoy this book. And if you're looking for some quick, easy meal prep ideas.. you'll probably find at least two or three of the recipes in this book useful. But if I'm being perfectly honest: there's nothing in this book you can't already find on the internet, so don't waste your money.
And while those tips ARE in the book.. it also had a lot of other recipes that left me scratching my head wondering why it was in a meal prep book. Many of the recipes were centered around fish, which is just an absolute no-no for reheating. (Yes, I know you technically CAN. But just because you can does not mean you should! No one likes it when the office smells like microwaved fish.)
Many of the intro paragraphs at the beginning had serious food-blogger vibes, in that they felt a lot more wordy than necessary. There was also a list of "approved foods" which screamed "privileged fitness influencer."
If you're a fan of Erin Romeo, aka the "foodprepprincess", then I assume you'll enjoy this book. And if you're looking for some quick, easy meal prep ideas.. you'll probably find at least two or three of the recipes in this book useful. But if I'm being perfectly honest: there's nothing in this book you can't already find on the internet, so don't waste your money.
January 16, 2025
Meal prep is the buzz word of the kitchen in recent months, and I can understand how it could really help an active family. Being retired, I really don't need to plan whole weeks of menus ahead, but I could stand to have a few meals prepped in the freezer for busy times. And I certainly could learn to use up all the produce I buy without waste. Last winter I hosted a Saturday meal prep with my daughter and two DILs. We each brought ingredients for one meal(enough for the four families) and spent the morning chopping, prepping, etc. It was FUN and I didn't even mind the dishes. So when I got a chance to read an advance copy of this book, I was hoping to score some new recipes and ideas.
But on the most part I was disappointed. Photos are colorful and fun to look at, but the book is divided into different types of diets (high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, or just trying to eat healthy). That is a different set up from other meal prep books which focus on lists of ingredients to make multiple meals at once and then freeze them cooked or uncooked for future eating. If your family fits into one of the above diet catefories, then give this book a try. Otherwise, I say gather a few friends and have your own meal prep experience. It will be fun.
But on the most part I was disappointed. Photos are colorful and fun to look at, but the book is divided into different types of diets (high-protein, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, or just trying to eat healthy). That is a different set up from other meal prep books which focus on lists of ingredients to make multiple meals at once and then freeze them cooked or uncooked for future eating. If your family fits into one of the above diet catefories, then give this book a try. Otherwise, I say gather a few friends and have your own meal prep experience. It will be fun.
December 6, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this!!!
This book has easy to follow instructions and is so well organized. I’ve struggled with meal prep books feeling disorganized so this was a huge relief to me. I love the inclusion of dairy-free, high protein, vegetarian, low-carb, and gluten free diets!! They recipes look so delicious, I can’t cook all of them right now, but I’m definitely starting with the pesto tilapia!!
I’ve been trying to find a way to make meal prep not terrifying and I think Erin Romeo hit the spot for me!! As I said before the organization of this makes so much more sense to me than books I’ve read previously. While reading through it, every time I had a question, it was answered or the answer was extremely easy to find in no time!
For more detail on how the organization worked better for me, the meal plans were all in one place, and after that ALL the recipes were listed together. The last book I read had a meal plan, then all the recipes for that plan, then another meal plan, then those recipes, and that might work better for someone else, but Erin’s organization is top-tier for me!!!!
Thank you for writing this!!!
This book has easy to follow instructions and is so well organized. I’ve struggled with meal prep books feeling disorganized so this was a huge relief to me. I love the inclusion of dairy-free, high protein, vegetarian, low-carb, and gluten free diets!! They recipes look so delicious, I can’t cook all of them right now, but I’m definitely starting with the pesto tilapia!!
I’ve been trying to find a way to make meal prep not terrifying and I think Erin Romeo hit the spot for me!! As I said before the organization of this makes so much more sense to me than books I’ve read previously. While reading through it, every time I had a question, it was answered or the answer was extremely easy to find in no time!
For more detail on how the organization worked better for me, the meal plans were all in one place, and after that ALL the recipes were listed together. The last book I read had a meal plan, then all the recipes for that plan, then another meal plan, then those recipes, and that might work better for someone else, but Erin’s organization is top-tier for me!!!!
Thank you for writing this!!!
December 16, 2024
I will start off by saying that this book is not what I expected it to be. If you are looking for a book that is mostly recipes, with some diet plans, and a small intro to the method of meal prep, this book is for you. I, being a busy mom of 2, was looking for a more in depth book on meal prepping and easy to make meals without lists of 'approved foods' and diet plans. While the book does claim to reduce your prepping/cooking/cleaning time down to just 2 hours or so per week, it also means that the majority of your meals are eaten as reheated leftovers. While I appreciated the inclusion of a gluten free option, as someone who lives with Celiac Disease, it seemed much more geared to those who were eating that way by choice, rather than necessity. I did not try the recipes, or get much past the merely 4-5 pages of instructions in the introduction, as I personally found my current collection of family favourite recipes were sufficient for my needs. I read this digital book through NetGalley.
January 12, 2025
This book was fine. I think for young people or people trying to eat less processed food and maybe bring lunches from home more to work, it is a good starting point. It gives a brief overview of meal prepping at the start and then has a lot of recipes. Most of these recipes are pretty basic, but those are often some of the ones that work great for meal prepping, so again, I do think it is a good starting point for someone who is more of a beginner in the kitchen or someone who wants to eat less store bought food.
Before Workweek Lunch was sold, it really was the best place for meal prep resources. Another great place is Skinnytaste - she has a cookbook dedicated to meal prepping as well. I think even just taking the dieting and weight loss element out of it, eating homecooked food and learning how to make time and plan to do that in a way that is affordable is an important skill for all of us, since eating out all the time is going to be more expensive and less healthy but we all are so low on time and extra funds!
Before Workweek Lunch was sold, it really was the best place for meal prep resources. Another great place is Skinnytaste - she has a cookbook dedicated to meal prepping as well. I think even just taking the dieting and weight loss element out of it, eating homecooked food and learning how to make time and plan to do that in a way that is affordable is an important skill for all of us, since eating out all the time is going to be more expensive and less healthy but we all are so low on time and extra funds!
December 4, 2024
This book can be a great time saver for people who are organized - or who want to learn to be. And she provides healthy recipes that can be prepared ahead of time.
The author begins with some help on how to get started. You're going to need some sort of containers to store your food. what do you have on hand and what should you acquire? Glass or plastic? She's even provided some meal plans for special needs, including a High Protein Plan, a Gluten-Free Plan, a Dairy Free Plan, a Vegetarian Plan, and a Low Carb Plan with options from the provided recipes for Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, and Dinner.
She provides recipes for make ahead breakfast meals that I wouldn't have thought of, including omelets and breakfast sandwiches. Likewise for main meals and snacks.
However, for me, this book isn't terribly helpful. I'd actually make only a few of the recipes, and I'd like more instruction on how to plan multiple meals and prep for those.
The author begins with some help on how to get started. You're going to need some sort of containers to store your food. what do you have on hand and what should you acquire? Glass or plastic? She's even provided some meal plans for special needs, including a High Protein Plan, a Gluten-Free Plan, a Dairy Free Plan, a Vegetarian Plan, and a Low Carb Plan with options from the provided recipes for Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, and Dinner.
She provides recipes for make ahead breakfast meals that I wouldn't have thought of, including omelets and breakfast sandwiches. Likewise for main meals and snacks.
However, for me, this book isn't terribly helpful. I'd actually make only a few of the recipes, and I'd like more instruction on how to plan multiple meals and prep for those.
January 8, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for an E-arc in exchange for an honest review
Easy Meal prep is a simple, yet accommodating guide on how to successfully complete the daunting task of meal prepping. For a long time I believed that meal prepping had to take up a whole day, cost so much more energy that I can put out, and requires meticulous planning. Erin broke down the process into more manageable portions. From the containers, chopping prep, and portioning, it made meal prepping so much easier to think about. The steps are straightforward, and the meals are healthy. There are some aspects where the meal prepping instructions are chopped, where the reader should insert some self-guidance as to where to move forward. It definitely has the concept, but initially looking at the breakfast it felt like something people already do. Not truly innovative or novel recipes but they can get you by through the week.
Easy Meal prep is a simple, yet accommodating guide on how to successfully complete the daunting task of meal prepping. For a long time I believed that meal prepping had to take up a whole day, cost so much more energy that I can put out, and requires meticulous planning. Erin broke down the process into more manageable portions. From the containers, chopping prep, and portioning, it made meal prepping so much easier to think about. The steps are straightforward, and the meals are healthy. There are some aspects where the meal prepping instructions are chopped, where the reader should insert some self-guidance as to where to move forward. It definitely has the concept, but initially looking at the breakfast it felt like something people already do. Not truly innovative or novel recipes but they can get you by through the week.
January 28, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I loved this book. It is not life-changing or exceptionally original, but it is perfect if you want to start meal-prep and you are feeling overwhelmed because it guides you step by step. It explains everything you need to do, and everything you need to have at hand, and it is really helpful to build a good routine for it.
I like the idea of meal-prepping, even if routines do not apply to my weekly schedule, but from time to time I do it because it is helpful and it can help with eating healthier, that's for sure.
And this book is not only full of good advice about the technical aspects, but it is also full of yummi recipes, and I am pretty curious to try some of them out. This book made me famished!
But that aside, it was an interesting and informative read. And I recommend it if you are in search of a good guide to meal-prepping.
I loved this book. It is not life-changing or exceptionally original, but it is perfect if you want to start meal-prep and you are feeling overwhelmed because it guides you step by step. It explains everything you need to do, and everything you need to have at hand, and it is really helpful to build a good routine for it.
I like the idea of meal-prepping, even if routines do not apply to my weekly schedule, but from time to time I do it because it is helpful and it can help with eating healthier, that's for sure.
And this book is not only full of good advice about the technical aspects, but it is also full of yummi recipes, and I am pretty curious to try some of them out. This book made me famished!
But that aside, it was an interesting and informative read. And I recommend it if you are in search of a good guide to meal-prepping.
December 20, 2024
A wonderful easy cookbook. I think this is particularly good for anyone setting up their first kitchen, organizing their already disorganized space, beginner cooks or those looking to spend less time in the kitchen yet still want easy delicious healthy meals with little waste. Easy to follow steps all along the way, a variety of meals, multiple food and diet types accompanied by delicious looking photos. Made a few of the recipes and easy and delicious. Nothing over the top with respect to ingredients or steps to prepare and yet delicious outcomes. This would have been perfect for me when I moved into first apartment. Enjoyable easy meals and snacks throughout the day that are tasty and easy without taking a million hours.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Easy Meal Prep features straightforward steps to make meal prep easier, plus a good range of different recipes suitable for different diets. All in a sleek style with mouthwateringly pretty pictures.
What I, as someone who already meal preps. mostly enjoyed were the “pro prep tips” included in some of the recipes, and the instructions on how and how long to store the prepped food.
This book is well suited to beginners to meal prepping. It has all the info you need to get started. It is especially valuable to those with different dietary restrictions.
Thank you Quarto Publishin Group and Erin Romeo for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Easy Meal Prep features straightforward steps to make meal prep easier, plus a good range of different recipes suitable for different diets. All in a sleek style with mouthwateringly pretty pictures.
What I, as someone who already meal preps. mostly enjoyed were the “pro prep tips” included in some of the recipes, and the instructions on how and how long to store the prepped food.
This book is well suited to beginners to meal prepping. It has all the info you need to get started. It is especially valuable to those with different dietary restrictions.
Thank you Quarto Publishin Group and Erin Romeo for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 5, 2024
I absolutely loved this beginner's guide to meal prepping! It was incredibly easy to follow, making the concepts approachable for someone just starting. I gained valuable insights into batch cooking, organising meals for the week, and planning grocery lists efficiently. The tips and techniques shared in the guide have inspired me to take the plunge into meal prepping.
I’m genuinely excited to put these new skills into practice and transform how I approach cooking and nutrition. Once the paper copy is released, I plan to purchase it so I can refer back to it whenever I need it.
I’m also eager to share this resource with my friends and family to help them simplify their meal planning too!
I’m genuinely excited to put these new skills into practice and transform how I approach cooking and nutrition. Once the paper copy is released, I plan to purchase it so I can refer back to it whenever I need it.
I’m also eager to share this resource with my friends and family to help them simplify their meal planning too!
December 29, 2024
"Easy Meal Prep" is a fantastic book, featuring colorful and attractive photos, it has a positive "You Can Do It" attitude, making it feel achievable. It emphasizes that while meal prepping may take some practice, it's not hard. The book explains how incorporating meal prep into your weekly routine saves time and promotes healthy eating. I appreciated the variety of menus and recipes tailored for different dietary requirements, ensuring that they fit everyone's lifestyle. I tried two recipes from this book: the Apple Cinnamon Waffles and the Tropical Energy Balls. Both were easy to follow, and the results were excellent, earning praise from my family.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
January 14, 2025
This book contains some great information on how to get started with meal prepping, giving examples of suggested containers and meal plans for a variety of diets to get you started.
I like how the recipes are formatted to include information on how to store and use the food when you're ready to eat the meal later in the week - something that some recipes omit! It was also great to see imperial and metric measures included, and some beautiful imagery of the recipes (my only wish was that each recipe had an image, although I suppose that would make it even harder to narrow down your weekly meals!)
This book would be perfect for someone who is trying to be more mindful of what they're eating for their health, busy families or people who want to prevent the amount of food they waste.
I like how the recipes are formatted to include information on how to store and use the food when you're ready to eat the meal later in the week - something that some recipes omit! It was also great to see imperial and metric measures included, and some beautiful imagery of the recipes (my only wish was that each recipe had an image, although I suppose that would make it even harder to narrow down your weekly meals!)
This book would be perfect for someone who is trying to be more mindful of what they're eating for their health, busy families or people who want to prevent the amount of food they waste.
February 2, 2025
Easy Meal Prep includes a number of straightforward recipes with clear instructions that look easy to follow.
There are suggested meal plans (including vegetarian and high protein) at the start, and advice about shopping and the best containers to use.
I’m vegetarian, and although this book does contain meat and fish recipes, there are still plenty of vegetarian options or recipes that would be quite easy to adapt.
The accompanying photos make the food look appetising, and overall there are a number of recipes I am keen to try - for example: granola, protein banana bread, Thai bowls, and I'm looking forward to being more organised with meal prep in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
There are suggested meal plans (including vegetarian and high protein) at the start, and advice about shopping and the best containers to use.
I’m vegetarian, and although this book does contain meat and fish recipes, there are still plenty of vegetarian options or recipes that would be quite easy to adapt.
The accompanying photos make the food look appetising, and overall there are a number of recipes I am keen to try - for example: granola, protein banana bread, Thai bowls, and I'm looking forward to being more organised with meal prep in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
January 5, 2025
I got this as an ARC through Netgalley. Honestly, I wish I had this book before the holidays! It gave me some good ideas for what I can use for future meals, though. I cannot wait to make all of them! The possible meal prep schedules at the beginning was nice - lots of variety to choose from. The one critique I have is this - while the book had recipes that could be reheated later if needed, I would have liked to have more tips about maybe pre-cutting/pre-prepping items before the actual meals are made. There is some of that at the beginning of the book, but having tips sprinkled throughout the book would be nice.
Read
December 31, 2024A book full of super easy, simple, healthy recipes that also look delicious. It includes several very basic meal plans rotating through a handful of dishes (e.g. a high-protein plan -- it includes two breakfasts, four snacks, two lunches, and two dinners in rotation). The book also includes some basic guidelines / tips to get started pre-prepping food. There's nothing super innovative here necessarily (e.g. cheesy egg bites, overnight oats, baked salmon with paprika and lemon) but provides a range of options to get you going!
February 15, 2025
I was incredibly excited to look thru this cookbook! The photographs are absolutely beautiful. There are so many recipes I want to try with a wide variety from banana chocolate chip bread to the apple cinnamon muffins to pesto to fajitas. It all looks amazing! The cookbook is organized in a traditional order that has a sensible flow. I’m eager to put some of the suggestions to good use for meal preparation in order to save time and money, especially with our days getting busier as my kids get older and get more involved in activities!
Read
February 28, 2025I'm currently monitoring my nutrition as much as possible, so I found the information in the book quite useful. In addition to changing my diet to a healthy one, I take the necessary supplements and vitamins from Canadian Pharmacy B2B Partner
to help me keep my immune system in good condition. Being in partnership with this resource has made it much easier for me to keep track of which health products are good and what to try for myself.
to help me keep my immune system in good condition. Being in partnership with this resource has made it much easier for me to keep track of which health products are good and what to try for myself.
October 28, 2025
I love the step-by-step instructions Erin Romeo provides for the meal-prep plans. The steps take the guess work out of which parts of the meals to start first and it reduces the amount of time you are spending prepping.
I wish that the recipes calling for nut flours had a tip for substituting regular flour. I would love to be able to make these recipes, but I find that most healthy recipes call for nut flours, so this is a problem, for me, for all healthy cookbooks.
Overall, a great collection of recipes to get your week off to a good start.
I wish that the recipes calling for nut flours had a tip for substituting regular flour. I would love to be able to make these recipes, but I find that most healthy recipes call for nut flours, so this is a problem, for me, for all healthy cookbooks.
Overall, a great collection of recipes to get your week off to a good start.
December 2, 2024
3* - generally enjoyable.
I recommend this for meal prep beginners to intermediate, as the book steps you through what meal prep is and how to do it, but also has some interesting recipes if you are looking for some variety or inspiration. There are sample meal plans with complete order of operation for how to make all of the meals in one session, which I loved.
ARC copy received via netgalley, thank you to the publisher.
I recommend this for meal prep beginners to intermediate, as the book steps you through what meal prep is and how to do it, but also has some interesting recipes if you are looking for some variety or inspiration. There are sample meal plans with complete order of operation for how to make all of the meals in one session, which I loved.
ARC copy received via netgalley, thank you to the publisher.
December 20, 2024
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. There are so many cookbooks out there, but this one is a time saver and also full of amazing recipes. It's just what me and my partner need. We are both creating healthy eating habits, plus he needs help getting a quick meal together, and this was perfect.
Thanks so much for sharing this gem with the world and I'll definitely be in the look out for your next book.
#EasyMealPrep #NetGalley
Thanks so much for sharing this gem with the world and I'll definitely be in the look out for your next book.
#EasyMealPrep #NetGalley
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