17 Big-Batch Dinners That Will Feed You Twice (and Taste Even Better the Second Time Around)

Stocking up on easy meals is a great way to make it through a busy week. But if you can't stand to eat the same thing for days in a row, meal prepping might not be the strategy for you. That's why we love relying on meals that are made in batches large enough to eat for just two days in a row, rather than the whole week. Think, sheet pan dinners, casseroles, dump dinners and more. Plus, preparing foods like meatloaf, lasagna and chicken soup are great because they can feed a crowd but also get more flavorful the second day around.

This tamale pie takes just 20 minutes to prepare and only requires 40 minutes in the oven. It’s dense and filling too, which means that with 8 servings per recipe you can easily enjoy the leftovers for days to come. Flavors like cumin and adobo mean it’s got a little heat and complexity without being too spicy.

Bolognese sauce is a fantastic meal prep option to have on hand for a busy week. It’s freezer friendly, easy to prepare in large batches and tastes even better the second day. All you need to do is make a fresh batch of pasta, rice or potatoes and serve with a heaping spoonful of bolognese for a simple, fresh dinner you can eat for days.

Skip the messy process of frying eggplant and bake it on a sheet pan instead. The thick slices get the same crisp exterior and soft interior, but you'll use a lot less oil and it won’t taste as greasy. While fried foods typically aren’t as good the second day around, this baked version yields tasty and tender leftovers.

Even if meal prepping isn’t your thing, you’ll be thankful to have some of these calzones in your freezer for a busy weeknight. The perfect thing to heat up for an after-school snack or a quick lunch for unexpected guests, they’re hearty and totally versatile. Spend one afternoon prepping a big batch, and you’ll have a supply you can enjoy for days.

If you’re a fan of casseroles, you’ll love this chicken and broccoli casserole. It takes just about 30 minutes to prepare and since it yields about 10 servings, it can easily feed your family for two nights in a row. Better yet, it’s easy to store and warm up in the oven or microwave.

A big batch of meatballs is the perfect thing to keep stocked in your freezer because they’re the ultimate comfort food. Just buy some extra meat and simmer a little extra sauce. Then pack your freezer with an easy dinner that just has to be thawed, reheated and tossed with some pasta.

All your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a comforting casserole that's fast and easy to throw together. It’s an easy dish to prepare in advance and pop in the oven, and while it tastes great straight from the oven, it tastes even better the second day. Reserve some extra garnishes — like cilantro and chopped red onion — to freshen up the leftovers the next day.

While stuffed shells are a great dish to make ahead and freeze, it tastes just as great straight out of the oven. Making stuffed shells is a multi-step process — you need to boil the noodles, make the stuffing, assemble them and bake — so making a big batch is the best way to make good use of your time. Serve with a bit of crusty bread.

This one pot meal is so simple, you can mix it up before you leave for work, pile it in the crockpot and enjoy it for days to come. Ten ingredients are all you need to create cream, tender macaroni and cheese that’s easy to serve alongside salad, grilled chicken or enjoyed simply on its own.

If you’re one of those people who always picks the corner piece of lasagna, you’ll love this version that’s full of crispy edges. Thanks to the increased surface area of the sheet pan, the cheese gets caramelized and the pasta edges get totally crusty and crunchy. It’s easy to make in advance, enjoy a bit and freeze the rest for another day.

If you take the time to chop some extra veggies and sausage, you can make a giant pot of this hearty, perfectly-spiced soup to freeze in batches. On a busy night, a satisfying dinner can be ready in minutes. Serve with a heaping pile of steamed rice.

This baked ziti is perfect for busy families. It’s super easy to prepare, feeds a crowd, tastes great the second day around and freezes easily. Better yet, this version can be baked off directly from frozen, so you won’t need to waste time thawing.

Ten minutes of prep time and just 20 minutes in the oven is all you need to whip up this hearty and flavorful casserole. A combination of cottage cheese and sour cream makes it tender and velvety on the inside, while a topping of shredding cheese gives it a tangy crunch.

Any dish that can be made in the slow cooker and enjoyed for two days in a row is a win in our book. We use chicken thighs instead of breasts because they tend not to dry out and they’re also a lot less expensive. Lemon juice, parsley and thyme add freshness that keeps it tasting great for days to come.

Meatloaf is one of those dishes that’s perfect for guests. It’s easy to prepare in advance, can be made in large batches and tastes even better the second day around. Light brown sugar and chipotle chile powder give complex flavor that’s equal parts sweet and spicy.

While meatballs covered in sauce aren’t for everyone, these all-purpose meatballs are totally versatile. We’ve made them with ground beef but you could easily substitute it for ground turkey or ground chicken instead. A bit of grainy mustard gives these meatballs a bit of tangy flavor and extra moisture.