Quick answer
Use Mepal Cirqula rectangular bowls to portion, store, and reheat meals efficiently. Their stackable shape and leak-resistant lids make them ideal for fridge and freezer storage.
Why rectangular bowls work for meal prep
Rectangular containers pack more efficiently in the fridge than round ones, leaving less wasted space. The Cirqula design also makes it easy to stack multiple bowls without them sliding around.
The 500 ml size is a practical single-serving portion for soups, stews, casseroles, or overnight oats. You can prep several days' worth of lunches or dinners in one go.
What to keep in mind
The bowls are microwave-safe only without the lid, so you need to remove the lid before reheating. The lid has a clear window that lets you see the contents without opening it, which is handy for quickly grabbing the right meal.
While the bowls are freezer-safe, the lid seal is tight but not vacuum-tight. For liquid-heavy dishes, leave a little headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
Step-by-step meal prep with Cirqula rectangular bowls
- 1. Choose your recipes and portion sizes: Select meals that freeze or refrigerate well, such as soups, curries, casseroles, or grain bowls. Use the 500 ml bowl for single servings or smaller sides. Common mistake: Overfilling the bowl. Leave about 1 cm headspace for liquids to expand during freezing.
- 2. Cook and cool before filling: Cook your meals as usual, then let them cool to room temperature before transferring to the bowl. Hot food can create condensation inside the sealed container, which may affect texture. Checkpoint: Never seal a hot bowl — always cool first to avoid pressure buildup and lid damage.
- 3. Fill, seal, and label: Spoon the cooled meal into the bowl, snap the lid on securely, and write the date and contents on a piece of masking tape or a label. The clear window helps you see the food, but a label prevents guessing. Common mistake: Skipping the label. After a week in the freezer, all bowls look the same.
- 4. Store in the fridge or freezer: Stack the sealed bowls neatly in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The rectangular shape allows efficient stacking without wasted space. Checkpoint: For freezer storage, place bowls upright and avoid stacking too high to prevent lids from popping open.
- 5. Reheat safely: Remove the lid before microwaving. Reheat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until piping hot. The bowl itself is microwave-safe, but the lid is not. Common mistake: Forgetting to remove the lid before microwaving — it can warp or cause steam burns.
Product facts
-
Multischüssel Cirqula rechteckig 500 ml - Vivid lilac: The Multischüssel Cirqula rectangular 500 ml has a tight-sealing lid with a viewing window and can be used in the fridge, freezer, or microwave (without lid). You can prep, freeze, and reheat in the same container, saving time on dishwashing and reducing food waste.
Multischüssel Cirqula rechteckig 500 ml - Vivid lilac
