21 Make-Ahead Recipes That Work All School Year
School days often come with full schedules and little time to cook. These make-ahead recipes help keep meals on track without adding more to the evening rush. They’re easy to prep, store well, and taste just as good when reheated, making them a reliable option during the busiest weeks.
Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas Verdes
Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas Verde is light and delicious. It is perfect for leftover turkey or chicken, or you can buy a rotisserie chicken.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Or Chicken Enchiladas Verdes.
Mexican Turkey Soup with Leftovers
Tired of the same old turkey leftovers? This Mexican Turkey Soup will change your mind! It’s incredibly easy to make yet packed with bold flavors that make every spoonful exciting. It’s a perfect way to revitalize leftover turkey and turn it into a flavorful meal that’s anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Turkey Soup With Leftovers.
Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup
This Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup is wonderfully delicious and simple to make with just a few ingredients. It’s naturally vegan and contains no cream, making it a lighter yet satisfying option. The flavors meld beautifully in the Instant Pot, creating a creamy texture without the dairy. It’s a perfect dish for anyone looking for a comforting meal that’s both healthy and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup.
Venison Chorizo
Nothing beats the satisfaction of adding top-quality chorizo to your dishes. Have you ever tried making your own? Now’s your chance! We’re introducing Venison Chorizo – a spin on the classic recipe – crafted with lean venison and essential spices. It’s perfect for enhancing your favorite Mexican meals. Bring this irresistible chorizo to your table, from tacos to chili and more.
Get the Recipe: Venison Chorizo.
Chili Bar
Spice up your next gathering with the ultimate comfort food station: a DIY chili bar. This fun and interactive party experience allows guests to customize their favorite bowl of hearty chili with various delicious toppings and sides.
Get the Recipe: Chili Bar.
Slow Cooker Venison Chili
Chili con carne, often referred to as chili, is believed to have originated in the American Southwest, particularly in Texas, during the 19th century. This version embraces venison’s lean profile – contrasting with traditional recipes -creating a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Venison Chili.
Butternut Squash Soup Vegan, with Apple & Coconut
This Vegan Butternut Squash Soup is a comforting, creamy dish that’s not only packed with flavor but also completely gluten and lactose-free, making it perfect for various dietary needs. You can easily follow the step-by-step directions to prepare it on the stovetop, in your instant pot, or using a crockpot, ensuring a cozy and delicious soup with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup Vegan, With Apple & Coconut.
Venison Soup – Barley and Vegetables
Looking for a hearty soup? Try Venison Soup with Barley and Vegetables. Perfect for chilly days, this recipe utilizes often-overlooked meat and pairs it with nutritious veggies and barley. Customize with your favorite ingredients and enjoy a delicious, low-cost meal that’s sure to satisfy!
Get the Recipe: Venison Soup – Barley and Vegetables.
Chili for a Crowd
This beef and chorizo chili is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for feeding a large group! Its hearty mix of rich beef and spicy chorizo simmered with a blend of tomatoes and beans creates a robust flavor ideal for chilly autumn days. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, a family dinner, or just need a warming meal, this chili delivers satisfaction in every spoonful. It’s not just a meal; it’s a cozy, filling experience that promises to warm you from the inside out.
Get the recipe: Chili for a Crowd.
Split Pea Soup Slow Cooker
Split Pea Soup is so easy to make in your slow cooker. This hearty, creamy soup is perfect for cold weather, offering rich flavors with minimal effort. Just toss in the ingredients and let your slow cooker do the work. Enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of deliciousness! Get the Recipe: Split Pea Soup Slow Cooker.
Get the Recipe: Split Pea Soup Slow Cooker.
Oven Braised Meatball Stew
This classic oven meatball stew is a vintage dish that’s incredibly simple to prepare and absolutely tasty! It’s a full meal served in one pot, combining hearty meatballs with a rich, savory stew. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe offers both ease and flavor, ensuring a satisfying dining experience with minimal cost and cleanup.
Get the recipe: Oven Braised Meatball Stew.
Venison Stew
Enjoy the wild taste of this Venison Stew! It’s a satisfying meal for any gathering. Just brown venison stew meat, combine it with veggies and broth, and let it simmer. You can pick whatever veggies you like in your stews; quantities are optional. It’s a much healthier alternative to beef and tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Venison Stew.
Chorizo Tacos
Chorizo Tacos are a quick and tasty option for dinner any night of the week. The beauty of chorizo is that it cooks up fast, allowing you to whip up a meal in no time. This way, you’ve got a head start on tomorrow’s meal—no need to cook again! Just heat up the leftover chorizo, and you’re ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Tacos.
Easy Cauliflower Cheese Soup
This Cauliflower Cheese Soup couldn’t be easier! It’s creamy and delicious without heavy cream! To make it vegan, just use a vegan cheese substitute or nutritional yeast!
Get the Recipe: Easy Cauliflower Cheese Soup
Venison Enchiladas
One of our family favorites is Venison Enchiladas. Another great slow-cooking recipe, the meat gets wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in a zesty enchilada sauce- it’s a flavor explosion! What’s great is that the venison, with its lean profile, stays moist and delicious. Get the Recipe: Venison Enchiladas.
Chicken Minestrone Soup
Chicken minestrone soup is rich, hearty and flavorful. It’s a classic Italian soup with fresh veggies and tender chicken simmered in a savory broth. Easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep, this comforting soup is a nostalgic favorite that can brighten up any night of the week!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Minestrone Soup.
Arroz con Pollo (Latin One Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice)
This Arroz con Pollo is an easy one-pot meal full of Latin flavors, combining juicy chicken, fluffy yellow rice, and vegetables for a complete meal. With savory spices like cumin and paprika, plus smoky bacon, each bite bursts with flavor. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and comes from my Venezuelan family.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Pollo (Latin One Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice).
One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet
An easy taco skillet that’s like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect to make on busy weeknights. Plus, you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want!
Get the Recipe: One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet.
Boeuf Bourguignon (French Beef Stew)
This Boeuf Bourguignon is straightforward and tastes like none other. We’ve simplified the instructions while retaining the same classic flavors of Julia Child’s famous Boeuf Bourguignon.
Get the Recipe: Boeuf Bourguignon (French Beef Stew).
Buffalo Chicken and Rice Meal Prep
This easy buffalo chicken and rice meal prep with roasted garlic cauliflower makes for such a healthy, flavorful and satisfying meal that you can make in advance and store for a quick and convenient meal. Serve it up as a bowl, or take it on the go! The spicy shredded buffalo chicken is cooked in the crockpot, and it’s so flavorful you’ll want to eat it for lunch or dinner every day!
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken and Rice Meal Prep.
Feta Sweet Potato and White Bean Soup
Feta Sweet Potato and White Bean Soup – a savory and comforting soup recipe. This soup is so flavorful and good that it might be one of my favorite soup recipes ever. The combination of the fresh herbs and salty feta is to die for.
Get the Recipe: Feta Sweet Potato and White Bean Soup.
Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole
If you’re looking for a comforting, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that the whole family will love, this Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole is the perfect choice. Juicy, flavorful meatloaf topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese makes for the ultimate one-pan meal. It’s hearty, easy to make, and packed with smoky, tangy flavors your family will love.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole.
