Easy Make-Ahead Meals

By Real Simple
Updated February 09, 2018
Kan Kanbayashi
No time to cook when you get home? Stock up on these fridge- and freezer-friendly meals ahead of time, and you’ll never go hungry again. For more family-friendly meals you can prepare in advance, check out these 20 make-ahead recipes.
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Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Kan Kanbayashi

Cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne give this comforting stew plenty of warming, spicy flavors. Make a batch and freeze for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe: Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes

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Baked Penne With Spinach

Credit: Hans Gissinger

The whole family will love this cheesy, gooey pasta casserole with wilted spinach and sweet sun-dried tomatoes. The unbaked pasta can be frozen, tightly sealed, for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe: Baked Penne With Spinach

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Dijon Salmon Cakes With Couscous

Credit: Romulo Yanes

Form these tasty patties—made with salmon, scallions, bread crumbs, and mustard—up to a day in advance.

Get the recipe: Dijon Salmon Cakes With Couscous

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Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Con Poulos

This spicy chili is bursting with so many filling ingredients, including peppers, black beans, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes, you won’t even miss the meat. Serve topped with sliced radishes, tortilla chips, and a dollop of sour cream. The chili can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes

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Chicken and Potatoes With Mustard Vinaigrette

Credit: Beatriz Da Costa

A hearty meal on a plate, the salad can be prepared (without the watercress) and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Fold in the watercress before serving.

Get the recipe: Chicken and Potatoes With Mustard Vinaigrette

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Tomato, Olive, and Scallion Pizza

Credit: Yunhee Kim

You can make and bake this cheese-free pizza a day in advance. Simply cool to room temperature, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

Get the recipe: Tomato, Olive, and Scallion Pizza

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Sausage and Potato Pockets

Credit: Con Poulos

Portable pastries filled with meat and potatoes make a fun and satisfying meal. Bake the pockets and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe: Sausage and Potato Pockets

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Farro Soup With Chorizo

Credit: Petrina Tinslay

Farro is a wheat variety popular in Italian cuisine; it adds a pleasantly chewy nuttiness to this hearty soup, which can be refrigerated for 3 days.

Get the recipe: Farro Soup With Chorizo

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Turkey and Roasted Red Pepper Meat Loaf

Credit: Kana Okada

Mix the meat loaf ingredients together, without the egg, a day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to cook, mix in the egg, shape, and bake.

Get the recipe: Turkey and Roasted Red Pepper Meat Loaf

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Steak Fajitas

Credit: Kana Okada

You can prep all the ingredients for this Mexican meal in advance and freeze for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe: Steak Fajitas

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Shrimp With Roasted Peppers and Feta

Credit: Quentin Bacon

The shrimp and peppers can be assembled and refrigerated, unbaked, for up to 1 day.

Get the recipe: Shrimp With Roasted Peppers and Feta

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Chicken and Pepper Stew With Olives

Credit: Hans Gissinger

Briny olives and golden raisins lend savory-sweet flavors to the tender chicken and sauce. You can freeze it for up to 3 months, so make a big batch and save the leftovers for another night.

Get the recipe: Chicken and Pepper Stew With Olives

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Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago

Credit: Christopher Baker

This meatless casserole can be baked, then wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Get the recipe: Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago

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Beef Quesadillas With Watercress and Corn Salad

Credit: Romulo Yanes

These quick quesadillas can be assembled up to a day ahead. When ready to eat, simply broil until crisp and the cheese melts; serve with a fresh, bright salad on the side.

Get the recipe: Beef Quesadillas With Watercress and Corn Salad

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Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades

Credit: Ellie Miller

This quick and easy take on Chicken Cordon Bleu is sure to be a hit at the table. The roulades can be refrigerated, uncooked, for up to 1 day.

Get the recipe: Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades

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Chopped Steak Salad

Credit: Charles Masters

This lively main-course salad can be prepared without the dressing and refrigerated up to a day ahead.

Get the recipe: Chopped Steak Salad

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Cannellini Bean Stew

Credit: Christopher Baker

Overflowing with carrots, spinach, and white beans, this healthy stew can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Get the recipe: Cannellini Bean Stew

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Turkey and Corn Enchiladas

Credit: David Prince

If you don’t have turkey, you can also use shredded roasted chicken. The unbaked enchiladas can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.

Get the recipe: Turkey and Corn Enchiladas

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Roasted Tomato Spaghetti

Credit: Maria Robledo

The flavorful sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe: Roasted Tomato Spaghetti

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Sausage and White Bean Casserole

Credit: Jose Picayo

This easy baked meal can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Get the recipe: Sausage and White Bean Casserole

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