爆料TV

50 meals you can prep ahead of time

路爆料TV

nelea33 // Shutterstock
nelea33 // Shutterstock

Between school drop-offs, pets that need walking, and long work days, our already full plates are simply overflowing these days鈥攚hich means some items on those pesky to-do lists, like prepping lunches or cooking dinner, will fall by the wayside. In turn, that can lead to an increasing reliance on snacking rather than full meals. A January 2026 trends report from Kroger predicted that "," or eating one-bite snacks and mini meals, would gain prevalence this year.

While there's certainly a time and a place for snacking, there's nothing quite as satisfying as a meal made from scratch. And 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, 爆料TV compiled a list of 50 meals you can prepare in advance from . 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.

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1 / 50

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
-

2 / 50

Angel's Old Fashioned Beef Stew

- Prep: 1 hr
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
-

3 / 50

Sous Vide Egg Bites

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
-

4 / 50

Awesome Ham Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Total: 27 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
-

5 / 50

Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 4
-

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6 / 50

Angela's Awesome Enchiladas

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 5 enchiladas
- Number of ingredients: 17
-

7 / 50

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
-

8 / 50

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
-

9 / 50

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
-

10 / 50

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
-

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11 / 50

Breakfast Egg Muffins

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 24 muffins
- Number of ingredients: 13
-

12 / 50

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
-

13 / 50

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
-

14 / 50

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
-

15 / 50

Bircher Muesli (Swiss Oatmeal)

- Prep: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
-

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16 / 50

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
-

17 / 50

Healthy Ham and Egg Muffins

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Number of ingredients: 9
-

18 / 50

Slow Cooker Oats

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
-

19 / 50

Egg White Breakfast Casserole

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9X13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 9
-

21 / 50

Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 6
- Number of ingredients: 5
-

22 / 50

Freeze-and-Reheat Breakfast Burritos

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 burritos
- Number of ingredients: 12
-

23 / 50

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
-

24 / 50

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
-

25 / 50

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
-

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26 / 50

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
-

27 / 50

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
-

28 / 50

Make-Ahead Manicotti

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
-

29 / 50

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
-

31 / 50

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
-

32 / 50

Raw Chia 'Porridge'

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 7
-

33 / 50

Make Ahead Lunch Wraps

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 wraps
- Number of ingredients: 8
-

34 / 50

Ratatouille

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 4
- Number of ingredients: 11
-

36 / 50

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
-

37 / 50

Overnight Eggnog French Toast

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
-

38 / 50

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
-

39 / 50

Elegant Brunch Chicken Salad

- Prep: 30 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
-

40 / 50

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
-

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41 / 50

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
-

42 / 50

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
-

43 / 50

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
-

44 / 50

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
-

45 / 50

Freezer-Friendly Frittata

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 frittata squares
- Number of ingredients: 11
-

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46 / 50

Make-Ahead Breakfast Bars

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 8x11-inch dish
- Number of ingredients: 8
-

47 / 50

Southwest Breakfast Burritos

- Prep: 50 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 20
- Yield: 20 burritos
- Number of ingredients: 13
-

48 / 50

Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats

- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 7
-

49 / 50

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 12 ounces
- Number of ingredients: 6
-

50 / 50

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
-

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