Real Food Whole Life: A Simple & Nourishing Weeknight Bake

Introduction

When life gets busy but you still crave a nourishing meal, this Real Food Whole Life Weeknight Bake delivers. It’s packed with wholesome, minimally processed ingredients, comes together easily in one pan, and provides delicious leftovers—making it ideal for anyone looking to streamline dinner without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Real Food, Real Flavor: Why This Recipe Works

This dish highlights the heart of real food cooking: focusing on whole ingredients that shine on their own. Fresh veggies, lean protein, and a medley of herbs and spices come together in a hearty oven-baked casserole. With plenty of satisfying flavor and no artificial additives or fillers, you’ll feel great about serving this meal to your family—or bringing it to a potluck.

How to Choose and Prep Your Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you can swap in whatever vegetables and proteins you have on hand. Choose fresh or frozen produce, mindful of seasonality for the best taste. Lean proteins like chicken or beans keep it filling, while a simple olive oil and herb blend adds brightness without masking the pure flavors of real food.

Assembling Your Weeknight Bake

Start by prepping your vegetables and protein of choice, then toss them with olive oil and seasonings. A single baking pan keeps cleanup minimal, and as the ingredients roast together, their natural juices meld into a flavorful sauce. If you like extra crunch, sprinkle with seeds or nuts before serving.

Serving Suggestions: Make It Your Own

Serve this Real Food Whole Life Bake over whole grains like brown rice or quinoa for added staying power. A dollop of plain yogurt or a squeeze of lemon brings a refreshing brightness. Pair leftovers with a crisp salad for lunch the next day.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and provides a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Depending on your protein and veggie choices, each serving lands around 350–400 calories—fitting seamlessly into a whole food, balanced lifestyle.

Real Food Whole Life Weeknight Bake (Recap)

Simple assembly, customizable ingredients, and big flavor make this bake a go-to for real food enthusiasts. It’s the kind of recipe that speaks for itself—minimal fuss, maximum nourishment, and crowd-pleasing results.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with every ingredient, sorted by store section—making grocery trips and healthy meal planning a breeze!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a large baking pan or casserole dish.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the prepared vegetables, chickpeas, and chicken (if using). Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle in garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
3. Spread the mixture in an even layer across your baking dish. If using, sprinkle seeds or nuts over the top for added crunch.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes (stirring halfway) until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through (if using).
5. Serve warm, with a squeeze of lemon, over grains or greens as desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Real Food Whole Life Bake is perfect for meal prep—make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy simple, real food meals throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to seamlessly plan when you’ll make it and generate a unified shopping list tailored to all the healthy recipes on your calendar.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total ingredient needs across your week’s recipes
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery section (produce, pantry, etc.)
• Minimizes duplicate purchases and forgotten staples
• Streamlines your weekly meal prep and shopping routine

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, schedule your recipes together—CookifyAI will combine and update ingredient totals so you buy exactly what you need. No more midweek store runs or wasted groceries!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

This Real Food Whole Life Weeknight Bake is the answer to simple, wholesome, and delicious meals—even on your busiest days.