Hi Reader,

Meal prep does not mean spending all day in the kitchen. For me, it often looks like planning my menu using similar ingredients and leftovers in new ways.

On this week's meal plan, I am keeping things simple by making one large batch of protein, a pot of rice, and homemade refried beans. Those three basics do the heavy lifting, while a few familiar toppings help each meal feel completely different.

For the protein, you can choose what works best for your family:

• ​Instant Pot Barbacoa (slow cooker instructions provided in meal plan notes)
• ​Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Shredded Tex-Mex Chicken​
• ​Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Carnitas​

Then prepare a batch of rice and refried beans. While I like using the Instant Pot to make Instant Pot white rice or brown rice and homemade refried beans, you can make the rice on the stove, or keep things simple by picking up bags of frozen rice and a few cans of refried beans. I do that myself at times😉

Here is how I turn those ingredients into several meals:

• Night One: Meat and Rice Bowls: Layer rice, meat, beans, and your favorite toppings. We usually add shredded cheese, salsa, shredded cabbage, avocado, or sour cream.
• Night Two: Torta Sandwiches: Spread refried beans on rolls, then add the leftover meat and some shredded cabbage and avocado from the rice bowls.
• Night Three: Taco Pizza: Use the leftover refried beans in place of pizza sauce, then top with meat and cheese. After baking, add lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, or avocado.
• Night Four: Bean Burritos: Mix the remaining rice and refried beans together, spoon the mixture into tortillas, and roll into burritos. And if you are sick of Tex-Mex at this point, I have instructions for freezing the burritos for future dinners or packing lunches.

This plan helps cut grocery costs because one larger cut of meat stretches across several meals, and the same affordable sides and toppings are used throughout the week. Less waste, less prep, and fewer random ingredients hiding in the refrigerator.

And easier dinners without making every night feel like a repeat of leftovers.

For even more help, be sure to check out this week's meal plan, which includes more money-saving tips and prep suggestions. (I used the Barbacoa for the plan, but feel free to swap out the meat as desired.)