50 Meals You Can Prep Ahead of Time

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50 meals you can prep ahead of time

Between school drop-offs, pets that need walking, and long work days, our already full plates are simply overflowing these days—which means some items on those pesky to-do lists, like prepping lunches or cooking dinner, will fall by the wayside. But just because our schedules are jam-packed, that doesn't mean we can't have homemade lunches and dinners every day of the week; it just requires a little planning ahead of time.

Below, Stacker compiled a list of 50 meals you can prepare in advance from Allrecipes. From breakfast casseroles to freezer-friendly dinner entrees, these easy recipes will ensure there's always something delicious to eat in your home, no matter how pressed for time you may be.

Nana's Green Chile Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 casserole
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Angel's Old Fashioned Beef Stew

- Prep: 1 hr
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Sous Vide Egg Bites

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Awesome Ham Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Total: 27 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

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Angela's Awesome Enchiladas

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 5 enchiladas
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here

Overnight Asparagus Mushroom Strata

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Homemade Lox

- Prep: 20 mins
- Additional: 2 days 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 2 days 1 hr 50 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs 30 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Chicken Pot Pies with Puff Pastry

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

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Breakfast Egg Muffins

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 24 muffins
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Clark's Quiche

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 2 (9 inch) pies
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Baked Ziti

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Bircher Muesli (Swiss Oatmeal)

- Prep: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

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Overnight Bacon Brunch Casserole

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 20 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Healthy Ham and Egg Muffins

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Slow Cooker Oats

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Egg White Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9X13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Farmer's Casserole

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 2-quart casserole
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 6
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Freeze-and-Reheat Breakfast Burritos

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 burritos
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Chef John's Cheese Blintzes

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 10 or 12 blintzes
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here

Pumpkin Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Apple Raisin French Toast Strata

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs 10 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

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Lorne-Style Fresh Breakfast Sausage

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Susie's Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Make-Ahead Manicotti

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 1 hr 20 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Make-Ahead Baked Egg Sandwiches

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 sandwiches
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Raw Chia 'Porridge'

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Make Ahead Lunch Wraps

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 wraps
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Ratatouille

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 4
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Overnight Chia Oats

- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

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Breakfast Strata

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Overnight Eggnog French Toast

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Overnight Oats Blueberry Smoothie Bowl

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 2 bowls
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Elegant Brunch Chicken Salad

- Prep: 30 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Bake

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

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Orange Pecan French Toast

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 55 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Overnight Light PB&J Oats

- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Oven-Baked Caramel French Toast

- Prep: 9 hrs
- Cook: 40 mins
- Additional: 20 mins
- Total: 10 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Ham and Cheese Overnight Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Freezer-Friendly Frittata

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 frittata squares
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

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Make-Ahead Breakfast Bars

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 8x11-inch dish
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Southwest Breakfast Burritos

- Prep: 50 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 20
- Yield: 20 burritos
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats

- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 12 ounces
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Eggs Benedict Casserole

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

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