Moving week can make you want to grab takeout or order delivery all the time. But you can still cook easy meals at home without too much effort. Here are some quick and simple meal ideas to help you get through the week.
Tips for Cooking During a Move
- You’ll likely be tired and busy, so stick to easy meals.
- Your schedule might be all over the place, so go for flexible food options.
- Since most of your kitchen stuff will be packed, choose meals that need little cooking or cleanup.
By keeping things easy, you can still enjoy home-cooked meals—even with all the stress of moving week!
7 Tips for Cooking During Moving Week
Cooking while moving can be tough when you’re low on time, energy and kitchen tools. Here are some easy tips to help make it less stressful:
Stick to Simple Meals
Go for meals that are fast and only need a few ingredients. One-pot or sheet-pan dishes are perfect since they make cleanup easier.
Prep Ahead
If possible, cut up veggies, marinate meat or get ingredients ready in advance to make things easier later.
Use Ready-Made Foods
When you’re low on time, things like rotisserie chicken, bagged salads, canned soups and frozen meals can really help.
Use Pantry Staples
Make easy meals using things like pasta, rice, canned beans, tomatoes and spices. It’s a smart way to use them up before the move and reduce what you have to pack.
Leverage the Microwave
When you don’t have much cookware, the microwave is super handy. You can use it to reheat food, steam veggies or even cook rice or quinoa fast.
Cook in Batches
Prepare big portions of things like soups, stews or casseroles so you can store and reheat them later. It helps save both time and energy.
Treat Yourself
If you’re too tired to cook, it’s totally fine to get takeout or delivery. Give yourself a break and concentrate on your moving to-do list.
Bonus Tips
Keep Snacks Handy
Keep simple snacks like fruit, nuts, granola bars or crackers nearby to help keep your energy up.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure to drink lots of water during the day, especially while packing and moving. Keep a water bottle with you.
These tips can help you stay fed and less stressed during the busy moving week!
Meal Ideas for Moving Week – Breakfast
When things get hectic during a move, breakfast should be fast and simple to give you the energy you need. Here are a few easy ideas:
Pancakes or Waffles
Cook a bunch ahead of time, freeze them and just pop them in the toaster or microwave for a quick breakfast.
Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches
Make sandwiches with scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon or sausage using English muffins, bagels, or croissants. Wrap them in foil and freeze for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Egg Muffins
Beat some eggs and mix in veggies, cheese and cooked meat like ham or bacon. Pour the mix into a muffin tray and bake. You can reheat them quickly later.
Breakfast Burritos
Take a tortilla and fill it with scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon or sausage and some salsa. Roll it up, wrap it in foil and you’ve got a breakfast you can take with you.
Cereal or Instant Oatmeal
Just add milk and toss in some fruit or nuts for a quick and healthy breakfast.
Fruit & Nut Bars
Keep a bunch of these on hand for a fast, no-mess breakfast when you’re in a hurry.
These breakfast ideas help keep things easy and stress-free during your busy moving week!
Easy Lunch Ideas for Moving Week
Lunch during moving week should be fast, easy and low-effort. Here are a few simple meals to keep you going without much trouble:
Sandwich Bar
Set out some bread, deli meat, cheese, spreads and toppings like lettuce, tomato or pickles. Let everyone build their own sandwich how they like it.
Wraps or Burritos
Grab a tortilla and fill it with things like grilled chicken, beans or tofu, plus veggies, rice or quinoa, and any sauce or dressing you like. Roll it up for a quick, easy meal you can hold in your hand.
Pasta Salad
Boil some pasta and mix it with chopped veggies, cheese, olives and Italian dressing. You can make it ahead of time and eat it cold or at room temperature.
Cold Cut Platter
Put together some deli meats, cheeses, crackers, bread and condiments on a tray. It’s an easy lunch where everyone can make their own plate.
Quesadillas
Stuff tortillas with cheese, beans, cooked chicken or veggies. Fold them over and cook in a pan until they’re crispy and the inside is melted.
These lunch ideas are fast, filling and great for a hectic moving week!
Easy Dinner Ideas for Moving Week
After a long day of moving, you’ll want dinner to be simple, fast and filling. Here are a few easy options to help keep your evenings stress-free:
Sheet-Pan Chicken & Veggies
Season some chicken breasts or thighs and put them on a baking sheet with chopped veggies like bell peppers, broccoli and potatoes. Add some olive oil, a little salt and pepper then roast everything in the oven until it’s fully cooked.
One-Pot Pasta
Boil pasta in a big pot. A few minutes before it’s done, add veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach or peas. Drain the water then mix in olive oil, garlic, Parmesan and any seasonings you like.
Tacos or Burrito Bowls
Cook ground beef, turkey or chicken with taco seasoning. Serve in taco shells or tortillas with toppings like cheese, lettuce, salsa and guacamole. For burrito bowls, just layer rice, beans, meat and toppings in a bowl.
Stir-Fry
Quickly cook sliced chicken, beef or tofu with veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, carrots and broccoli. Add some soy sauce, garlic or ginger for flavor, and serve it over rice or noodles.
Frozen Pizza & Salad
Just bake a frozen pizza and serve it with a quick salad made of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes and your favorite dressing.
Rotisserie Chicken with Sides
Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store and pair it with simple sides like mashed potatoes, steamed veggies or dinner rolls.
Tip
Give each person just one plate, cup and set of utensils to use for the week. It makes cleaning up faster and easier.
These dinner ideas are great when you’re low on time and energy but still want a good meal.
Take a Load Off with STI Movers
Moving comes with a lot to deal with and it can feel like too much. At STI Movers in Dallas, we’re here to make your move easy and stress-free. The faster you pack up your kitchen and the rest of your home, the sooner you can settle in and get back to normal life. Let us take care of the heavy lifting so your move goes smoothly and quickly.
Our trained moving experts handle your belongings with great care and make sure everything is moved safely and on time. We’re proud to offer better service than other moving companies by focusing on quality and the small details.
Ready to start your move? Give us a call or request a free moving quote online today!
