Clear Some Freezer Space and Try These Easy Make-Ahead Meals

When life gets busy, it helps to have a make-ahead meal (or two!) in the fridge or freezer that you can quickly heat and eat without much trouble. Other requirements? It should be tasty, not take too long to prepare, and fill you up when you need it most! That's why we've compiled a list of the best meals to make and save for later — including sheet pan dinners, slow cooker recipes, and easy breakfasts. With these simple recipes, it's never been easier to dive into the world of meal prepping.

Whether you're looking to make a big batch of chili to freeze for your family or a soul-warming casserole recipe that'll keep you full for a week, our list is sure to have something that suits your needs. We've included dishes that will feed meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans (some can be adapted as well), so you're prepared to feed just about everyone. If you want to spend a little less time in the kitchen every day, here are some delicious and insanely easy make-ahead meals.

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On the following slides, you'll find some amazing make-ahead meal ideas, but if you really want to become a meal prepping pro, check out Good Housekeeping's Easy Meal Prep cookbook. Not only has each recipe been vetted and approved by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, but we're also offering tips and techniques to help you flawlessly execute batch-cooking, freeze-ahead meals, ready-to-serve dinners, and grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches.

If you have trouble waking up in time to make a filling, balanced breakfast, try making this casserole the night before!

Get the recipe for Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Casserole »

Packed with plenty of good-for-you veggies, this soup turns a traditional comfort food into a healthy meal. Plus, the recipe yields six servings, so you're basically set for the week.

Get the recipe for the Supergreen Mushroom & Orzo Soup »

Unlike regular salads that get soggy by lunch, this jarred salad separates the greens from the dressing, so it's sure to stay fresh. Just shake up this Pinterest-worthy mason jar meal and you're good to go!

Get the recipe for Chickpea Pasta Salad in a Jar »

Protein, greens, and whole grains, this earthy bowl really is a well balanced meal. Just heat it up, and you've got a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Get the recipe for Chicken Quinoa Bowls »

This savory favorite actually heats up super well. Save on delivery by making it yourself!

Get the recipe for Traditional Chicken Curry »

Creamy and cheesy, you're going to be wanting leftovers from this pasta dish, anyway.

Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Peas »

No need to feel guilty about having these sweet, berry muffins for breakfast — the recipes calls for quinoa and almond flower for a lighter way to start off your day.

Get the recipe for Very Berry Quinoa Muffins »

Baked rigatoni is the ultimate comfort food make-ahead meal. Try this easy freezer trick: Line a casserole dish with foil, leaving an overhang on two sides before adding the prepared pasta and freezing until just firm. Then, use the overhangs to lift the casserole out of the dish so it can stay in the freezer up to two months and simply pop back into the dish when it's time to cook.

Get the recipe for Baked Butternut-Squash Rigatoni »

RELATED: 17 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food

Who says meatballs have to be paired with red sauce? Cook up a big batch and freeze them (up to two months!) to use any way you want for a quick and easy addition of protein to any weeknight meal.

Get the recipe for Skillet Meatballs »

Calling all meal preppers! Sausage and broccoli can be roasted up to three days in advance and stored in the fridge. Quinoa also stays up to three days in the fridge once cooked. Mix up the yogurt sauce and use it to top the bowl just before serving.

Get the recipe for Sausage and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl »

RELATED: Is Quinoa a Grain? 100% Yes, According to Nutritionists

Save this make ahead meal for a night when company's coming. You can stuff the chicken breasts up to a day ahead, refrigerate, and cook them just before guests arrive, leaving you ample time to focus on your Spotify playlist instead.

Get the recipe for Cheesy Tex-Mex Stuffed Chicken »

RELATED: 60+ Chicken Breast Recipes That Are Anything But Boring

Turkey chili like this smoky, maple one can be made ahead of time and frozen in smaller portions. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake up the tortilla cups just before serving so they stay super-crisp.

Get the recipe for Smoky Maple Chili & Tortilla Cups »

RELATED: 35 Super Easy Chili Recipes That Are Perfect for Cold Winter Days

Want a super simple and satisfying make-ahead meal? Bake a batch of sweet potatoes ahead of time and store in the fridge. They reheat beautifully, and can be topped with anything for a fast and fresh weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe for Supercarb Loaded Sweet Potatoes »

RELATED: 35 Best Sweet Potato Recipes You'll Ever Try

Pasta is the ultimate comfort food make-ahead meal. Pesto can be made up to one day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, so all you have to do for dinner tonight is boil some pasta and open a bottle of wine.

Get the recipe for Pea Pesto Pappardelle »

RELATED: 26 Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Keep You Full All Night

The best part about chicken potpies? (Besides the creamy, gooey filling and the flaky, buttery crust?) The entire thing can be assembled and then frozen whole for those nights when you literally just can't.

Get the recipe for Creamy Chicken Potpies »

Bake this beauty for brunch Sunday morning, then portion it out to reheat a square (or two!) for breakfast all week long. Bonus: the fresh blueberry syrup can stay in the fridge up to a week, and it is also delicious over pound cake or even ice cream.

Get the recipe for Sheet Pan Pancake with Blueberry Syrup »

Ragu is the perfect hearty make-ahead sauce, because it can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to make, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it in a large saucepan, then boil up the pasta and toss it all together just before serving.

Get the recipe for Pork Ragu Rigatoni »

Get your fiesta on faster with these make-ahead enchiladas. The tortillas can be filled, wrapped, and frozen up to two months without the sauce. Or, you can keep the whole casserole assembled in the fridge for up to a day before baking.

Get the recipe for Butternut Mole Enchiladas »

RELATED: 30+ Easy Enchilada Recipes Your Dinner Rotation Has Been Missing

Here's a reason to break out your Dutch oven: Soups and stews can be frozen up to three months, then thawed in the fridge overnight and reheated, covered, on the stovetop. Simply add more water or broth if it seems too thick.

Get the recipe for Five-Spice Beef Stew »

Impress your brunch guests by making this frittata the night before and topping it with crème fraîche in the morning. Serve it cold, or heat it up slightly in the oven — either way, it's delicious!

Get the recipe for Spring Herb Frittata »

RELATED: 45+ Easy Egg Recipes for Your Best Brunch Ever

For the ultimate make-ahead meal that's ready when you get home from work, look to your crock pot! Slow cooker shredded pork can be turned into tacos, or you can use it in tons of other meals all week long.

Get the recipe for Citrusy Shredded Pork »

RELATED: 50 Best Ways to Have Pork for Dinner Tonight

Sleep in an extra hour with this delicious make-ahead breakfast. Savory bread pudding (also called a strata) can be assembled a day in advance, then covered and refrigerated overnight before baking in the morning.

Get the recipe for Mushroom and Spinach Bread Pudding »

Who needs the heat? This salad tastes delicious cold. To make it ahead, simply assemble and refrigerate it the day before, omitting the mint, cilantro, sesame seeds, and scallions. Instead, fold them in just before serving.

Get the recipe for Asian Steak Noodle Bowl »

RELATED: 8 Best Spiralizers for Making Zoodles, Sweet Potato Noodles, and More

These dumplings are just asking to be frozen for a fast, future dinner: The trick is to freeze them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper before transferring them to a container so that they freeze individually, which is perfect for portioning!

Get the recipe for Spiced Lamb Dumplings »

Marinating beans and broccolini in a combo of olive oil, lemon juice, and honey mustard makes this veggie-packed dish extra flavorful. Assembling it ahead of time only intensifies the flavors and gives them more time to develop, so you save time and get a tastier dish.

Get the recipe for White Bean and Broccolini Salad »

For the perfect grab-and-go breakfast, throw together a bunch of these make-ahead breakfast burritos. Wrap them in foil and pop them in the freezer for up to three weeks, then unwrap and microwave until warm for a fast and easy way to start the day.

Get the recipe for Breakfast Burritos »

RELATED: 55 Quick and Easy Healthy Breakfasts for Your Busiest Mornings

Who needs takeout when you can put together a big batch of this veggie-packed ramen soup instead? It can keep in the fridge up to three days, so you can pour yourself a bowl whenever a craving strikes. Just stir in herbs and add your egg before serving.

Get the recipe for Vegetable Ramen with Mushrooms and Bok Choy »

This produce-packed soup lasts up to five days in the fridge, making it a great way to use up all your extra fresh veggies and also have a delicious, fast dinner every night of the week.

Get the recipe for Summer Minestrone »

Icebox cake gets better with time, making it the ultimate prepare-ahead dessert. As it sits in the fridge (or icebox), the cream and pudding seep into the graham crackers, softening the whole thing into a cake-like consistency.

Get the recipe for S'mores Icebox Cake »

Braising beef means cooking it low and slow ... we're talking 3–4 hours. So if you're not starting your dinner prep at, say, 2 p.m., simply stew your short ribs ahead of time, then reheat both the meat and veggies just before serving with the reserved sauce.

Get the recipe for Red-Wine-Braised Short Ribs »

PSA: Meatloaf can be frozen for up to three months! Which means you should make a few batches at a time so you always have some in the freezer to heat up for a cozy meal, or slice cold into a sandwich.

Get the recipe for Healthy Makeover Meatloaf »