6 mason jar meals you don't want to miss

Mason jar meals Nº1

Greek Chopped Salad

Notes:

If you’re only planning on making 1-2 jar lunches at a time, this is a great way to get exactly what you need, at a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ cup sliced Kalamata olives
• 3-4 canned artichokes, sliced
• 1 roasted red bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup chickpeas
• 3 tbsp chopped red onion
• 3 tbsp crumbled feta
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1-2 cups lettuce greens

Method:

Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper in the bottom of a quart mason jar. Layer in the olives, artichokes, roasted red bell pepper, chickpeas, onion, feta, tomato, and then lettuce greens to the top.

Mason jar meals Nº2

Vegan Sushi Roll

Notes:

Sushi for lunch just got easier. This deconstructed bowl features all of the healthy favorites: seasoned brown rice, toasted nori, edamame, tofu, and creamy avocado. To save on prep time, purchase pre-baked tofu in the refrigerated produce or deli section of your supermarket.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup brown rice
• 1 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 sheet toasted nori, cut into strips
• ½ large avocado, diced
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• ¼ cup shelled edamame
• 2oz baked teriyaki tofu, cubed
• ¼ cup peeled and seeded cucumber, sliced thin
• wasabi, pickled ginger and/or sesame seeds, for topping

Method:

1. Place the brown rice and ½ cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook until rice is tender and water is evaporated. While still warm, stir in rice vinegar and soy sauce. Let cool to room temperature.
2. Place half of the nori strips on the bottom of a quart mason jar. Layer with half of the brown rice and press down. Toss diced avocado with lime juice, to prevent browning. Add in half of the shredded carrots, edamame, teriyaki tofu, and cucumber, and press down until packed.
3. Add in the avocado, then repeat with rice, carrots, edamame, tofu, and cucumber. Layer with the rest of the nori sheets, wasabi, ginger, and sesame seeds, if using. Cover and place in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Mason jar meals Nº3

Vegan Burrito Bowl

Notes:

Enjoy all the flavors of a veggie-packed burrito, without the heavily caloric tortilla wrap. Protein-rich quinoa and seasoned black beans played a starring role in this easy-to-assemble lunch. A serving of avocado offers a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as fibre.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp garlic clove
• ¼ large avocado, pitted
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, plus more to taste
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1/8 tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
• 2 tbsp diced white onion
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/8 chopped fresh tomato
• 1/3 cup cooked black beans
• 1/2 cup cubed sweet potato
• 1 tbsp. salsa
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp. pepitas
• ½ cup chopped romaine lettuce

Method:

1. Place the garlic clove, avocado, lime juice, water, salt and 1 tbsp. of the olive oil in a small blender and puree until creamy and smooth. Place in the bottom of a quart mason jar.
2. Heat a small, non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cayenne, tomatoes and black beans until onion is tender, about 5-8 minutes. Set aside to cool and wipe out the pan.
3. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the potato cubes, then cook until seared on every side, about 4-5 minutes. When the potatoes are browned, reduce the heat to medium-low then cover with a lid and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
4. Layer the filling ingredients into the mason jar in this order on top of the avocado dressing: black bean mixture, sweet potatoes, 1 tbsp. salsa, ¼ cup quinoa, 1 tbsp. pepitas, and ½ cup chopped romaine lettuce. Tighten the lid and place in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Mason jar meals Nº4

Overnight Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups oatmeal quick or rolled
• 2 1/2 cups soy milk or other non-dairy milk
• 5 tbsp chia seeds
• 5 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 1/4 tsp vanilla

Toppings:

• 2 1/2 cups fresh fruit
• 5 tbsp nuts toasted

Method:

1. Scoop 1/2 cup oatmeal into each of 5 mason jars (I used 1/2 pint jars).
2. Add 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla to each jar.
3. Stir contents of each jar; cover and refrigerate overnight. Top each jar with 1/2 cup of fruit and 1 tablespoon of nuts.

Mason jar meals Nº5

Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

Notes:

I filled mine a little over the top and got 6 jars, you could fill them a little less and get 7 or 8. You could even use the 1/2 cup mason jar for a small serving.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried elbow macaroni (8 ounces)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• dash of nutmeg
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 tbsp snipped fresh sage or 1`/2 teaspoon dried
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated armesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tbsp olive oil sage leaves for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Cook pasta in a large pot following package directions.
2. Drain cooked pasta, then return to pot.
3. For cheese sauce, in a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add whipping cream and milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly.
4. Stir in cheese, pumpkin, and sage until cheese is melted. Stir cheese sauce into pasta to coat. Transfer macaroni and cheese to an ungreased 2-quart rectangular baking dish 0r 6 – 8 one cup ramekins or mason jars. In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, Parmesan, walnuts, and oil; sprinkle over pasta.

Mason jar meals Nº6

Lazy Lasagna

Notes:

This is also good with cooked ground beef or sausage thrown in, or even some veggies. This recipe is perfect for an 8-ounce wide-mouth mason jar.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounce wide egg noodles
• 1 pound ricotta
• 1 egg
• 1 hand full Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 3 cups favorite marinara sauce
• 12 (8 ounce) wide-mouth mason jars or 1 9×13 inch baking dish

Method:

1. Boil noodles according to package directions. Drain and add back to the pot.
2. Mix in 2 cups of sauce. In a bowl mix together ricotta, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and mozzarella. Fold cheese mixture gently into the noodles, do not over stir. Place in greased jars or baking dish and top with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.
3. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.