Busy days don’t have to mean scrambling for dinner. With these 27 easy make-ahead meals, you can prep everything now and enjoy it later. Whether you’re looking to save time on weeknights or just want to have meals ready to go, these dishes make it simple. Prepare ahead, then sit back and enjoy a delicious meal when you need it most.
Beer Cheese Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Craving a meal that’s hearty and easy to prepare ahead? This creamy chickpea tomato soup combines rich tomatoes and tender chickpeas for a flavor-packed dish that holds up beautifully. Prep it early, and you’ll always have a warm and satisfying option ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Looking for a fresh and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy days? Tomato quinoa salad mixes fluffy quinoa, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers into a dish that stays flavorful for days. Make it now, and you’ll always have a refreshing and nutritious option at hand.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Hearts of Palm Salad
Want a crisp and light dish that’s perfect for making ahead? Hearts of Palm salad brings together fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing that only gets better as it sits. Prep it early, and enjoy a vibrant, healthy meal whenever you like.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Need a flavorful meal that works for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls? Slow cooker pulled pork is tender, and smoky, and stores beautifully, making it ideal for prepping ahead. Make it in advance, and enjoy a stress-free, ready-to-go meal whenever you want.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Beer Cheese Soup
Craving a creamy and rich soup that’s easy to make ahead of time? Beer cheese soup is packed with bold flavors and a velvety texture that reheats wonderfully. Prep it now, and you’ll always have a comforting meal ready to warm you up.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Looking for a hearty and wholesome dish that’s simple to prepare ahead? Instant Pot lentil soup is filled with protein-rich lentils, savory vegetables, and deep flavors that improve over time. Make it in advance, and enjoy a nutritious and satisfying meal that’s ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Craving comfort food that’s perfect for meal prep? Chicken stew with biscuits combines tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy biscuits into a dish that holds up beautifully in the fridge. Prepare it early, and you’ll have a warm and filling dinner ready without any last-minute work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Chicken Curry
Need a dish with bold flavors that’s even better the next day? This creamy chicken curry blends aromatic spices and tender chicken into a meal that reheats perfectly. Make it ahead, and enjoy a satisfying, flavorful dinner whenever you like.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Cream of Celery Soup
Looking for a smooth and flavorful soup that’s great for storing? Cream of celery soup has a rich, savory taste that only gets better as it sits, making it ideal for prepping ahead. Prepare it now, and you’ll always have a cozy meal ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Celery Soup
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Want to turn a comfort food classic into a make-ahead favorite? This mac and cheese, loaded with bacon and tomatoes, is creamy, rich, and holds up beautifully when stored. Prep it early, and you’ll always have a satisfying dish ready for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Need an easy way to prepare a crowd-pleasing dish? These cheesy chicken enchiladas use rotisserie chicken for bold, comforting flavors that hold up beautifully in the fridge. Make them ahead, and you’ll always have a delicious dinner waiting whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Looking for a hearty soup that’s packed with flavor and stores well? Chicken tortilla soup combines tender chicken, beans, and corn into a meal that’s perfect for making in advance. Prep it now, and you’ll always have a warm and satisfying dish ready when you need it.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Crockpot Chili
Craving a chili that’s rich, hearty, and easy to prepare ahead of time? Crockpot chili is filled with tender meat, savory beans, and bold spices that only get better as they meld. Make it in advance, and enjoy a comforting meal whenever hunger strikes.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Spinach Orzo Salad
Need a dish that’s fresh, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep? Spinach orzo salad combines leafy greens, tender pasta, and savory ingredients into a dish that stores beautifully. Make it now, and you’ll have a light and satisfying option ready for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad
French Onion Soup
Want a classic soup that’s simple to prepare and stores wonderfully? French onion soup features caramelized onions in a rich, savory broth that reheats perfectly. Prep it early, and you’ll always have a comforting, restaurant-quality dish waiting for you.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Craving lasagna without all the fuss? These lasagna roll-ups are cheesy, hearty, and perfect for prepping ahead, storing, and reheating beautifully. Make them in advance, and you’ll always have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Tomato Basil Bisque
Looking for a creamy soup that’s perfect for making ahead? Tomato basil bisque combines tangy tomatoes and fresh basil into a dish that only gets richer with time. Prep it early, and you’ll have a warm and comforting meal waiting whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Need a creamy soup that’s filling and easy to prepare in advance? Chicken tortellini soup combines cheesy pasta and tender chicken in a flavorful broth that reheats wonderfully. Make it ahead, and you’ll always have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Want a smoky and versatile dish that’s great for meal prep? Shredded BBQ chicken works perfectly in sandwiches, salads, or wraps and stores beautifully for busy days. Prep it now, and you’ll have a flavorful, ready-to-use option whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Looking for a healthy and flavorful option that’s simple to prepare in advance? Spinach and Parmesan quinoa combine tender grains, leafy greens, and savory cheese into a dish that stores well for days. Make it now, and you’ll have a nutritious meal waiting when hunger strikes.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Craving a zesty dish that’s simple to prep and easy to store? Lemon garlic chicken is juicy, flavorful, and reheats perfectly, making it a great option for busy nights. Prep it ahead, and you’ll have a delicious dinner ready to go whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Tomato Soup
Want a classic soup that’s rich and perfect for making ahead? Tomato soup combines ripe tomatoes and simple ingredients into a smooth dish that only gets better with time. Make it in advance, and you’ll always have a comforting meal ready when you need it.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Chicken and Rice Soup
Need a hearty soup that’s easy to prepare and stores beautifully? Chicken and rice soup brings together tender chicken, savory broth, and filling rice into a dish that reheats perfectly. Prep it ahead, and you’ll always have a satisfying meal waiting for you.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Perfect Pot Roast
Craving a meal that’s hearty and ideal for prepping in advance? This pot roast is tender, flavorful, and slow-cooked with savory vegetables, making it perfect for reheating. Make it early, and you’ll always have a filling dinner ready to enjoy with ease.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Pot Roast
Potato Corn Chowder
Looking for a creamy soup that’s simple to prepare and stores well? Potato corn chowder blends smoky bacon, tender potatoes, and sweet corn into a dish that only gets better with time. Make it ahead, and you’ll have a warm and satisfying meal ready when you need it.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Veggie Pasta Salad
Need a refreshing dish that’s easy to make and holds up beautifully? Veggie pasta salad combines tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and tangy flavors into a meal that’s perfect for prepping ahead. Make it now, and you’ll always have a vibrant and flavorful option ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pasta Salad
Chicken Taco Wraps
Want a meal that’s flavorful, quick, and great for storing in advance? Chicken taco wraps are filled with seasoned chicken and bold spices, making them a convenient option for busy days. Prep them early, and you’ll have a delicious wrap ready whenever hunger hits.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps