meals i’d make as a mom counting macros (part 3)

Nov 12

If you’re a busy working mom like me, you know the power of a solid meal lineup. These meals are quick to throw together, loaded with flavor, and balanced to help you hit your macro goals without the stress.

Need a link? Check here!

My meal prep favorites from Amazon

Caraway Saute Pan (love this for BIG dishes! Code is BALANCEDWITHBRITT10)

My Our Place Air Fryer — love this so much!!

My veggie chopper — the BEST invention!

All of my kitchen faves from Amazon

1. Chick-fil-A Egg White Grill Protein Bowl (At-Home Dupe)

This protein-packed breakfast is a game-changer—with over 30g of protein and ready in under 10 minutes. Inspired by my favorite Chick-fil-A sandwich, I ditched the muffin and loaded everything into a bowl: grilled chicken, just bare lightly breaded chicken, egg whites, melty cheese, and of course some CFA sauce.

Full recipe + macros here:
Chick-fil-A Egg White Grill Protein Bowl At-Home Dupe

2. Street Corn Taco Bowls

One of my most viral recipes ever! These bowls are seriously addictive. Featuring grilled chicken, roasted corn, a creamy Greek yogurt sauce, and that crave-worthy Tajín kick.

Grab the recipe here:
Street Corn Taco Bowls

3. Freezer Cleanout Sheet Pan Meal

The easiest way to clear out your freezer and still eat something delicious. Toss whatever frozen veggies and sausages you have on a sheet pan, drizzle with BBQ sauce, roast, and pair with microwaveable rice. Done in 30 minutes—zero mess, all flavor.

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

4 chicken sausages or brats
1 large bag frozen mixed veggies
2 microwave rice pouches
½ cup BBQ sauce
Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings: garlic powder, smoked paprika, etc.

Instructions:
Roast everything at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway through. Pair with your rice and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if you want it saucy.

Macros (approx per serving):

Calories: 400–450
Protein: 28–30g
Carbs: 35–40g
Fat: 18–20g
Fiber: 5–7g

💡 Pro tip: Add more veggies or use cauliflower rice to lighten it up!

4. Ground Beef & Broccoli Bowls

This takeout-inspired bowl is a meal prep favorite—ready in 20 minutes, packed with protein, and easy to customize. The sweet-savory sauce, tender broccoli, and lean ground beef make it both satisfying and macro-friendly.

Ingredients (serves 4):

Protein & Veggies:

1 lb 94% lean ground beef
1 lb frozen broccoli florets
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp ground ginger

Sauces & Seasonings:

2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

Carb:

1 microwaveable rice pouch (white, jasmine, or brown)

Optional Thickener:

1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thicker sauce)

Toppings:

Sesame seeds
Sliced green onion

Instructions:

Prep the Rice:
Microwave the rice according to package directions.
Brown the Beef:
Heat a skillet over medium. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook until fully browned, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper.
Sauté Garlic & Ginger:
Push the beef to one side of the pan. Add garlic and ginger to the empty space and sauté for 1–2 minutes. Stir everything together.
Add Broccoli:
Stir in frozen broccoli. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Add Sauces:
Pour in soy sauce and teriyaki sauce (and red pepper flakes, if using). Mix to coat everything. If using the cornstarch slurry, stir it in and simmer for another 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Assemble Bowls:
Fluff rice and divide between bowls. Top with the beef and broccoli mixture. Finish with sesame seeds and green onion.

Macros (approx per serving):

Calories: ~275
Protein: ~30g
Carbs: ~24g
Fat: ~7.5g

Pro tip: Double the meat and veggies and use two rice pouches for a full week of lunches!

5. One-Pan Creamy Salmon Pasta (with Brami Pasta)

A creamy, protein-packed one-pan dinner that feels cozy and indulgent but still fits your goals. It’s toddler-approved and takes minimal effort—just bake, stir, and serve. This recipe is by @sweatandtell!

Ingredients (serves 6):

1.5 lbs salmon
12 oz Brami pasta (cooked separately)
1 full package Boursin chive cheese (5.2 oz)
3 cups spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp capers
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, pepper, rosemary to taste

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. In a baking dish, add salmon, Boursin, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, capers, olive oil, and seasonings. Bake for 15–20 minutes until salmon is cooked through and veggies are soft. Break up the salmon, mix everything until creamy, then stir in cooked Brami pasta. Done and delicious.

Macros (approx per serving, using Brami pasta):

Calories: ~385
Protein: ~34g
Carbs: ~26g
Fat: ~17g
Fiber: ~7g

💡 Pro tip: Swap in zucchini or roasted broccoli to sneak in extra veggies—or use half Brami pasta, half spiralized veggie noodles to stretch it even further.

6. Smash Burger Tacos (Macro-Friendly Edition)

These viral smash burger tacos are worth the hype—and now they’re macro-friendly too! We swapped in lean ground turkey, low-carb tortillas, and ultra-thin cheese slices to keep it high-protein and balanced without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients (makes 4 tacos):

1 lb 94% lean ground turkey
4 Mission Carb Balance tortillas (street taco or fajita size)
4 slices ultra-thin cheddar cheese (like Sargento)
Olive oil spray or cooking spray

Toppings:

Shredded lettuce
Diced tomato or pickles
Light mayo or yogurt-based burger sauce
Yellow mustard or ketchup (go light or sugar-free for macros)
Optional: diced onions or sautéed onions

Instructions:

Form the Patties:
Divide ground turkey into 4 equal portions. Flatten each portion directly onto a tortilla, pressing it thin and evenly across the surface.
Cook Face-Down:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil. Place each tortilla meat-side down into the pan. Press down with a spatula to “smash” the meat onto the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Flip & Add Cheese:
Flip each taco over so the tortilla side hits the pan. Immediately add a slice of ultra-thin cheddar on top of the cooked meat. Let it melt for 30–60 seconds, then remove from heat.
Top & Serve:
Add shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, sauce, and any other burger fixings you love. Fold and serve warm!

Macros (per taco, approx):