Cook Once, Feed the Family for Days

Shortcut dinners save time and stress

Like my mother always said, why spend extra time in the kitchen making dinner when you don’t have to? Many strategic home cooks employ a strategy that we call “cook once, eat for days.” In this idea, you prep the main ingredient for several meals in one day, and then that main ingredient yields tasty — and easy — dinners for several more days. You can eat your “leftover” recipes a couple of days later and a couple of days after that, or freeze the primary component for future meals. Genius!

This roundup features recipes where the main make-ahead ingredient is meat, but not to worry, we also have a veg version of cook once, eat for days for vegetarian or vegetarian-leaning families.

First up: slow-cooker brisket

Brisket week

1. Slow cooker beef brisket

There are many great things about the slow cooker beef brisket from Life Is But a Dish: It’s easy to make (the slow cooker does all of the work for you), it’s easy on the wallet and it tastes even better the second (or third or fourth) day after it’s made. If you don’t have a slow cooker, don’t worry, this can be made in the oven, too. 

Core ingredients: brisket, onions, tomatoes, marinara sauce, shredded cheeses, garlic and beef broth

2. Italian roast beef sandwiches

Swap in your brisket for the roast beef in The Gunny Sack’s Italian roast beef sandwiches and buy a big jar of marinara sauce to use here and later in the week. Melt your favorite cheeses on top — et voilà! — dinner is served.

3. Shredded beef and bean tacos

Mix some of the brisket leftovers with black beans and spices to make tacos, using Meatloaf and Melodrama’s recipe. During prep, chop some fresh tomatoes to add to your tacos and save some for dinner No. 4 …
 
4. Pappardelle with leftover beef ragù

Everyone loves pasta, and with your leftover brisket, chopped onions, tomatoes and marinara sauce from the week’s prep, this recipe from Kids Eat by Shanai is a breeze. Top the pasta and sauce with any leftover shredded cheese (it doesn’t have to be Parmesan) and you will have finished up your leftover ingredients from the week.

Next up: roast chicken

Chicken week

1. Crispy roast chicken with vegetables

Roast chicken is a favorite “turn one dish into another” staple — and for good reason. Chicken is versatile, tasty and budget-friendly, and by roasting the veggies and chicken together, you’ve got a one-dish wonder. The Seasoned Mom is able to pull this recipe together in just 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time to prep food for the rest of the week. Make a double or triple batch of rice to use throughout the week, as well.

Core ingredients: chicken, vegetables, fresh herbs, garlic, rice, and frozen peas and carrots

2. Chicken casserole

Night two takes that same chicken and rice and turns it into a warm, hearty and creamy casserole. Bonus: There is only one saucepan and one casserole to clean up at the end of the night with this recipe from Genius Kitchen. Toss in a few frozen peas and carrots and save the rest for night three …

3. Chicken and rice soup

Take a bit of your leftover chicken and remaining rice and use this recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod as inspiration to throw together a quick soup. Simmer the chicken bones with the stock for an extra-rich and nutrient-dense broth.

4. Better-than-takeout chicken fried rice

Instead of ordering takeout, stretch that first meal into something that is even better than takeout: The Recipe Critic’s chicken fried rice. This recipe is a great way to use up the remaining tasty bits from your first night’s meal, and anything else in the fridge you would like to toss in.

Next up: meatloaf

Meatloaf week

1. The best meatloaf with mashed potatoes

Spend With Pennies has perfected meatloaf with just a few simple ingredients. Make a double-batch while you’re at it — whatever leftovers you don’t use during the week will freeze well wrapped in individual slices for quick future meals. Make a double portion of the sauce and your favorite mashed potato recipe, too!

Core ingredients: ground beef, potatoes, onions, eggs, ketchup, cheese and spinach

2. Meatloaf grilled cheese sandwiches

Everyone loves grilled cheese sandwiches, and Mrs. Happy Homemaker just made them a thousand times better by adding a slice of homemade meatloaf into the mix. Instead of serving your grilled cheese with a bowl of tomato soup or marinara sauce, pass around a bowl of the meatloaf sauce for dipping.

3. Meatloaf shepherd’s pie

Using both your leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes, turn the first nights’ dinner into something totally different. Yummy suggests using any of your favorite veggies (classics are peas, corn and carrots), or add spinach or anything else you like to your final night’s dinner …

4. Mashed-potato-crust quiche

By this time, you’ve either eaten all the meatloaf or frozen it for later. But what to do with the leftover mashed potatoes and veggies? Take a break from meat and make a lighter vegetarian meal, such as this delicious quiche from MI Gluten-Free Gal.
 

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2019, and updated for busy families in 2023.