Meal Prep a Week's Worth of Sweet Potato, Tofu, Chickpea, Broccoli Buddha Bowls in Just 1 Hour

By Jenny Sugar

Updated on 11/24/2018 at 1:15 PM

We love the idea of meal prepping a week's worth of mason jar salads because they're quick to make, packed with nutrients, and a great way to get in your veggies. But with cold weather blowing in, sitting down to a cold salad doesn't really sound that appealing. You're gonna want to skip the raw veggies and make these Winter-inspired Buddha bowls instead.

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Hearty and satisfying with so many textures and flavors, these Buddha bowls come together in one hour. Your taste buds will delight in roasted sweet potatoes, baked tofu, sautéed spiced chickpeas, steamed broccoli, red peppers, kale, and quinoa. Topped with an easy-to-make creamy peanut sauce, lunch is going to be so awesome!

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

This recipe makes enough ingredients to create four large, 527-calorie bowls of yumminess, offering almost 30 grams of protein and 10.2 grams of fiber. Since I do intermittent fasting and don't eat until noon, this larger bowl is exactly what I crave. Or you can make five smaller, 422-calorie bowls, offering 23.4 grams of protein and more than eight grams of fiber. Your protein, healthy fats, carbs, and fiber are all covered, and you'll feel satisfied and energized for hours.

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Just prepare the sweet potatoes, tofu, chickpeas, broccoli, red peppers, kale, and quinoa, grab four (or five) glass containers, and have fun assembling your bowls. They'll keep fresh for up to five days in the fridge.

Make the peanut sauce and store it in four little containers. At lunchtime, drizzle the sauce on top; warm it up for one to two minutes in the microwave or enjoy it cold — both taste amazing!

Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Broccoli Buddha Bowl Meal Prep

Yield4 servings
Calories527

Jenny Sugar

INGREDIENTS

    • For the sweet potatoes:
    • 1 medium sweet potato, diced (about 2 cups)
    • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    • For the tofu:
    • 16 ounces extrafirm tofu, cubed (I used Trader Joe's High Protein Organic Super Firm Tofu)
    • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • For the quinoa:
    • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa (any variety)
    • 1 cup water
    • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
    • For the chickpeas:
    • 15-ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/8 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
    • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
    • For everything else:
    • 3 cups broccoli, steamed
    • 4 cups massaged kale
    • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
    • For the peanut sauce:
    • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 5 tablespoons warm water
    • 1 tablespoon tamari
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

    2. Place sweet potatoes on one side of a cookie sheet and toss with olive oil and salt.

    3. Add cubed tofu to the other side and toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.

    4. Roast for 20 minutes. Stir sweet potato, then tofu, and roast for another 10 minutes.

    5. While that's roasting, add uncooked quinoa and water to a covered saucepan on high heat. Once it comes to a boil, lower heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

    6. Add chickpeas to a cast-iron pan and sauté with cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt for about five minutes, stirring often.

    7. Steam broccoli.

    8. Assemble Buddha bowls.

    9. Mix the sauce together and divide into four individual containers.

    10. When you're ready to eat, warm up the bowl, add the sauce, and enjoy!