Conquer weekly recipe prep with our favorite make-ahead meals. Whether you go for cheesy lasagna or slow-cooked stew, your future self will definitely thank you.
44 Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Weeknights
Updated on May 14, 2025
1/44
Chicken Cacciatore
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner since the recipe is so simple to prepare. It's inexpensive besides and loaded with lots of vegetables. —Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 517 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 790mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 6g fiber), 39g protein.
2/44
Pot Roast
Total Time
2 hours 55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dutch oven pot roast recipes are the ultimate comfort food. When juicy pot roast simmers in garlic, onions and veggies, everyone comes running to ask, “When can we eat?” The answer? Just wait—it’ll be worth it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked beef with 1 cup vegetables and 3 tablespoons sauce: 459 calories, 20g fat (7g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 824mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 37g protein.
3/44
Hamburger Stew
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves the stew, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 191 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
4/44
Taco Lasagna
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like foods with southwestern flair, this just might become a new favorite. Loaded with cheese, meat and beans, the layered casserole comes together in a snap. There are never any leftovers when I take this dish to potlucks. —Terri Keena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 454 calories, 21g fat (9g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 1138mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein.
5/44
Chicken Tetrazzini
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 casseroles (4 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
A good friend shared a version of this recipe with me 35 years ago. I pay it forward by bringing the second casserole to friends when they are unable to cook. —Helen McPhee, Savoy, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 576 calories, 30g fat (17g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein.
6/44
Pesto Chicken Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 casseroles (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy, flavorful and so easy to fix, this meal-in-one will wow family and friends. Get ready for recipe requests for this easy chicken casserole! —Laura Kayser, Ankeny, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 612 calories, 30g fat (13g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 829mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 42g protein.
7/44
Chicken Potpie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 potpies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
8/44
Best Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 519 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1013mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein.
9/44
Sausage and Lentil Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
During the cooler months of the year, this soup makes regular appearances on our dinner table. It is approved by all, including my picky 6-year-old. —Kalyn Gensic, Ardmore, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 390 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 1242mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 8g fiber), 22g protein.
10/44
Pork, Bean & Rice Burritos
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of spices is key to this slow-cooked pork—it's my family's favorite burrito filling. The aroma that fills the air as the pork slowly simmers is like that in a Mexican restaurant. It's a perfect recipe for tailgate parties. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 575 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1717mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 34g protein.
11/44
Pressure-Cooker Pepper Steak
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pepper steak is one of my favorite dishes, but I was always disappointed with beef that was too tough. This recipe solves that problem! I've stored leftovers in one big container and also in individual portions for quick lunches. —Julie Rhine, Zelienople, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 343 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat.
12/44
Vegetable Strata
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian, we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 677 calories, 36g fat (15g saturated fat), 244mg cholesterol, 940mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 35g protein.
13/44
Moroccan Pot Roast
Total Time
7 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakesh bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 435 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 6g fiber), 38g protein.
14/44
Turkey Meat Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made this recipe when my husband and I had to start watching our diets. Since then, I've been asked to make my turkey meat loaf many times. —Ruby Rath, New Haven, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 195 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
15/44
Barbecue Chicken Sliders
Total Time
4 hours 55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Brining the meat overnight helps make these barbecue chicken sliders taste exceptionally good. Plus, they're so tender, they melt in your mouth. —Rachel Kunkel, Schell City, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
2 sliders: 424 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 993mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
16/44
Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband didn't like sloppy joes until he tried my rendition with its smoky heat. If you need to dial down the fiery zip, cut down on or eliminate the peppers. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 313 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 615mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
17/44
Slow-Cooker Country-Style Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Quick to prep for the slow cooker, this dinner is terrific with a salad and a fresh side. My family practically cheers whenever I make it! —Cheryl Mann, Winside, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked pork with 1/3 cup sauce: 598 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 1443mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.
18/44
Baked Mac and Cheese
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 688 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
19/44
Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 slider: 380 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
20/44
Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost-unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it. —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 335 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein.
21/44
Kalua Pork
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bananas, liquid smoke and soy sauce flavor this fall-apart-tender pork roast. It's just like the kind I enjoyed eating at the luaus I went to in Hawaii. —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked pork: 222 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 207mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
22/44
Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own homemade version—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this recipe and freeze the second pan for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 449 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 960mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein.
23/44
Spinach Manicotti
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed manicotti shells: 363 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 822mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein.
24/44
Thai Coconut Beef
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without rice and toppings): 421 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 731mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
25/44
Make-Ahead Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an old standby when time is limited and guests are expected for dinner. It's a combination of several easy lasagna recipes I have tried over the years. —Mary Grimm, Williamsburg, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 462 calories, 27g fat (12g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 931mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.
26/44
Slow-Cooker Chuck Roast
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooker recipe is terrific. You'll love how flavorful and tender the comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked beef with 1/3 cup gravy: 365 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 787mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein.
27/44
Chicken Thighs with Shallots & Spinach
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What could be better than an entree that comes with its own creamy vegetable side? This healthy supper goes together in no time flat and makes an eye-catching presentation. —Genna Johannes, Wrightstown, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1/4 cup spinach mixture: 223 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 360mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
28/44
Green Chile Shredded Pork
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pork with green chiles made in the slow cooker always makes my hungry family happy. Getting creative with the leftovers is part of the fun. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
2 filled tortillas (calculated without optional toppings): 559 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1032mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 42g protein.
29/44
Shortcut Sausage Jambalaya
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Secret ingredient alert: A pinch of coffee crystals gives my jambalaya its roasty, toasty flavor. This quick and easy dinner is one of my husband’s top picks. —Betty Henagin, Medford, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 297 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1398mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
30/44
Tourtière (French Canadian Meat Pie)
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m a seventh-generation French Canadian, and my ancestors started the tradition of serving this meat pie on Christmas Eve. One year I didn’t make it, and my daughter and I felt something was missing. The savory pie goes well with a salad and fresh rolls for a lighter meal, and it’s good served in small portions with turkey and all the trimmings too.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 501 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
31/44
Broccoli-Cheddar Tassies
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family adores broccoli casserole. I wanted to try it as an appetizer, so I used a pecan tassie recipe for the crust. The result? We’re talking scrumptious. —Gail Gaiser, Ewing, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 tassie: 92 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 101mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
32/44
Mashed Potato Cups
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 pans (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe as a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It's a nice alternative to the standard potatoes or rice. —Jill Hancock, Nashua, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 163 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 345mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
33/44
Chipotle Shredded Beef
Total Time
8 hours 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This beef is delicious whether you serve it all rolled up in a tortilla, with corn salsa in a burrito, in a bun, or over rice or mashed potatoes. So many options! —Darcy Williams, Omaha, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup cooked rice (calculated without optional ingredients): 345 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 194mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
34/44
Slow-Cooker Sweet-and-Sour Pork
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chinese food is a big temptation for us, so I lightened up a favorite takeout dish. As the pork cooks, the aroma is beyond mouthwatering. —Elyse Ellis, Layton, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups (calculated without rice): 531 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (63g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein.
35/44
Simple Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 casseroles (5 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken enchilada recipe is one of the first dishes I created and cooked for my husband right after we got married. He was so impressed! We fix these creamy enchiladas for friends regularly. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
2 enchiladas: 828 calories, 40g fat (17g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 1738mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 42g protein.
36/44
Make-Ahead Burritos
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 burritos
From the Recipe Creator:
We have two children who keep us busy, so I love meals I can just pull out of the freezer. The burritos are wrapped individually so it's easy to take out only the number you need. I serve them with canned refried beans and Spanish rice from a boxed mix. —Jennifer Shafer, Durham, North Carolina.
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 345 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 846mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
37/44
Ham and Swiss Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I prepare this noodle casserole for church gatherings, it’s always a hit. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. —Doris Barb, El Dorado, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 360 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 815mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
38/44
Navy Bean Soup
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves navy bean soup! Beans were a commodity you did not survive without in the '30s. This excellent navy bean and ham soup is a real family favorite of ours and I make it often. —Mildred Lewis, Temple, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 244 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 410mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 10g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
39/44
Blue Ribbon Beefy Burritos
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have a son who lives in Mexico, so we don’t see him very often. When I make these burritos, it feels as if he is right there at the table with us, inhaling them. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 682 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 1166mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 34g protein.
40/44
Satay-Style Pork Stew
Total Time
8 hours 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Thai cuisine features flavors that are hot and sour, salty and sweet. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without rice): 519 calories, 30g fat (10g saturated fat), 135mg cholesterol, 597mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 44g protein.
41/44
Kielbasa Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
2 casseroles (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I first made this dish, my 2-year-old liked it so much that he wanted it for every meal! You can use almost any pasta that will hold the sauce. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 428 calories, 26g fat (11g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 1193mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
42/44
Chicken & Vegetable Fettuccine
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is very simple to make when you have cooked a whole chicken and have leftovers. My boys always loved this comfort food, especially after a busy day of hockey. It's nice with a side salad and breadsticks. —Andrea Bergen, Altona, Manitoba
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup pasta with 3/4 cup chicken mixture: 565 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 954mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein.
43/44
Make-Ahead Cabbage Rolls
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
12 rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
I've relied on this recipe for years, and my cabbage rolls never fail to impress. As the host of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
2 cabbage rolls: 492 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 176mg cholesterol, 1376mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
44/44
Hearty Pork & Black Bean Nachos
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup meat mixture (calculated without chips and toppings): 469 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein.
Make-Ahead Meals FAQs
What are the best make-ahead meals?
The best make-ahead meals retain their flavor and texture, even after storing and reheating. Dishes like chilis, stews and curries are great make-ahead options because their flavors deepen as they sit in the fridge. We also like casserole recipes, lasagnas, enchiladas, potpies and baked pastas, as these types of dishes hold their structure and reheat well. For breakfast, dishes like breakfast burritos and overnight oats are easy to prepare ahead so a meal is ready as soon as you wake up.
How do you make meals ahead of time?
When making meals ahead of time, we like to set aside a specific time for batch cooking (like on the weekends). After cooking, allow the food to cool slightly and divide it into portion-sized containers. Label the containers and store them in the fridge or freezer.
What meals can be made ahead and frozen?
Freezer-friendly meals include casseroles, soups, stews and most pasta dishes. Refrigerated meals last only up to four days, but freezer meals typically maintain quality for up to three months. Before reheating freezer meals, thaw them in the fridge overnight.
