11 Make-Ahead Meals You’ll Actually Want to Eat All Week

A well-thought-out meal plan, complete with make-ahead and big-batch dishes that double as dinner and leftovers, will get you through the busiest of weeks. Because if anything is going to get you through the week, it’s a recipe that can do more than one thing. These are our favorite dishes that save time, reduce stress, and make eating healthy simple and straightforward.

The versatile recipes include hearty soups and stews, pasta sauces, and vegetarian-friendly staples like beans. Many work double duty, adding a few extra components transforms the original dish into an entirely new meal. Each is simple, satisfying, and perfectly suitable for everyone’s busy schedules.

Chili

Chili is a versatile meal in its own right. It can be cooked on the stovetop for hours with chuck roast, or turned into a quick weeknight dinner with ground meat and a handful of simple vegetables and canned goods. We love it because you can make a big batch and serve it several days of the week—not to mention, it freezes beautifully. Chili can be served on its own or with bowls of rice or cornbread, and can be repurposed into a flavorsome pasta sauce, taco filling, or nacho topper. 

Curry

By using flavor-boosting ingredients like good-quality curry paste and plenty of onions, ginger, and garlic, a good curry can come together in a hurry. And it only gets better with time, so it’s the perfect make-ahead dish. Whatever you add to the curry base will soak up all of those flavors, so reach for your favorite proteins (we love shrimp, tofu, and chicken) and whatever vegetables are in season. 

Beans

Beans are one of the most affordable ingredients you can buy, especially dried beans. Throw them in a stock pot, slow-cooker, or pressure-cooker with water and any seasonings you like, and it won’t be long until you’re building burrito bowls, bean salads, and more. They can be prepped days ahead, and any leftovers can and should wind their way into that week’s tacos, salads, and soups. It’s a simple way to amp up the fiber in any meal. 

Bolognese

If you have a few hours of hands-off time to spare, bolognese will reward you for your effort, if you can even call it that. All you really need to do is keep an eye on the sauce as it simmers away on the stovetop. Scoops of the sauce can be piled onto plates of spaghetti, baked into lasagna, used for Shepherd’s pie, or spooned into stuffed peppers. 

Soup

Soup is the ultimate big-batch, make-ahead dish. It's one of our favorite freezer meals. As long as no dairy products are added before storing, the soup will last several months in the freezer without compromising texture or flavor. Rather than freezing a whole batch together in a large pot, portion it into individual servings or enough for one meal—your future self will thank you. 

Enchiladas

Whether you roll up your filling of choice into individual tortillas or stack and layer the tortillas with fillings in a baking dish, enchiladas are always a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy them for dinner one night, then fry a few eggs and serve them as a savory breakfast the next morning. That small change will guarantee your family never complains about leftovers. 

Meatballs

Meatballs are a great way to get the family involved with meal prep. Have them help you make a simple batch of your favorite meatball mixture, roll the meatballs, and store them in the freezer until you need them. They can be simmered with marinara sauce and served over pasta or piled into warm, toasty rolls with red sauce and melted mozzarella. 

Lasagna

Whether you’re craving meaty layers or opting for something vegetarian-friendly, no one can resist the cheesy tops and crispy curled edges of a lasagna fresh out of the oven. It can get a bit tiresome after a few nights in a row, so to keep things fresh, use this simple strategy. Instead of making one large pan of lasagna, divide the noodles and béchamel between two smaller pans, using different fillings for each—maybe one is made with a classic meat sauce, while the other has added layers of vegetables and basil pesto sauce. 

Burritos

The beauty of the burrito is that the possibilities for fillings are endless. Beans, rice, ground meat, and cheese are only the beginning. Leftover meatballs, chili, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, and even rotisserie chicken can be added to the mix. Wrap them well and freeze them for dinner later. 

Brisket

If you find yourself with leftovers from something meaty like brisket or pot roast, it’s super easy to transform them into a brand-new meal. Shred the meat and pile it into breakfast tacos, stir some into soup, or use it in stroganoff. 

Spatchcocked Chicken

Spatchcocking is one of the most foolproof ways to roast a chicken, and a good roasted chicken will take you far. Enjoy leftovers by stirring bite-size pieces into risotto, adding them to a pasta bake, or stirring them into a creamy sauce and topping with a pie crust to make pot pie.