Top 20 Make-Ahead Beef Recipes for Any Day of the Week

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Mardi Michels

Prep these satisfying beef dishes on the weekend to get you set up for the busy week ahead. Rely on your slow cooker or pressure cooker for a helping hand with these easy-to-prepare recipes that will please the whole family!

1 of 20

Alton Brown’s Shepherd’s Pie

Comfort food doesn’t get more comforting than shepherd’s pie, with savoury ground beef topped with fluffy mashed potatoes baked until golden brown. Alton Brown’s recipe for this culinary classic is the perfect dinner for a chilly winter night. Simple to prepare in a big batch, this is a great dish to include in your weekly meal plan when the temperatures dip! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/alton-browns-shepherds-pie/15959/" target="_blank">Alton Brown’s Shepherd’s Pie</a>
2 of 20

Anna Olson's Beef Stroganoff

This rich, creamy pasta with beef is simple to prepare, but so full of flavour. Cook up a big batch on the weekend and let the flavours develop over a couple of days. Best leftovers ever! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/anna-olsons-beef-stroganoff/12806/" target="_blank">Anna Olson's Beef Stroganoff</a>
3 of 20

Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls

This classic Eastern European cabbage roll recipe is sure to satisfy. The slow cooker variation is loaded with rice, onions, carrots, beef and plenty of herbs and spices. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/blog/slow-cooker-cabbage-roll-recipe/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls</a>
4 of 20

Slow Cooker Bean and Barley Soup

Beans and barley are a match made in heaven in this comforting soup, which is perfect for chilly winter evenings. Let your slow cooker do all the work while you relax. Then enjoy this hearty soup all week! Get the recipe for <a href =“https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-bean-and-barley-soup/17470/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Bean and Barley Soup</a>
5 of 20

Mexican Beef Pie with Cheddar Crust

This pie makes a hearty, delicious meal: golden brown crust on top of ground beef, beans and vegetables. Prepare it the night before and you've got dinner (and lunches!) covered for the week. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/mexican-beef-pie-with-cheddar-crust/13745/" target="_blank">Mexican Beef Pie with Cheddar Crust</a>
6 of 20

Eat-Your-Veggies Italian Meatballs

Meatballs are not only the perfect make-ahead meal, but they're a family favourite. Here, black beans and collard greens are added to ground beef for a nutritious and delicious option. Make a big batch on the weekend for easy weekday dinners that the kids will love. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/eat-your-veggies-italian-meatballs/22101/" target="_blank">Eat-Your-Veggies Italian Meatballs</a>
7 of 20

Valerie Bertinelli’s Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders

Enjoy all the flavours of barbecue even when it’s not quite warm enough to grill! These saucy, beefy slider sandwiches are a winning appetizer for a casual get-together or a tasty family-friendly dinner. Added bonus: they're easy to prepare in your slow cooker. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-sloppy-joe-sliders/19808/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders</a>
8 of 20

Rachael Ray's Chili Mac

Pasta meets chili in this ultra-comforting recipe that’s easy to make ahead of time and doesn't skimp on the beef. Pair the hearty dish with a green salad for a quick weeknight dinner or lunch. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chili-mac/19764/" target="_blank">Rachael Ray's Chili Mac</a>
9 of 20

Beef and Cheddar Casserole

A favourite combo comes together in one comforting, cheesy dinner bake. Delicate egg noodles soak up all the flavour of this creamy, tomato-filled sauce as it bubbles away in the oven. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/beef-and-cheddar-casserole/19091/" target="_blank">Beef and Cheddar Casserole</a>
10 of 20

Anna Olson's Coffee Braised Beef Stew

We all know beef that stews away in a pot of aromatic broth is the best kind of beef, but that is especially true when there’s a dash of coffee in the mix. This coffee-infused pot of comfort will easily become one of your new winter favourites. Get the recipe for <a href=" https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/coffee-braised-beef-stew/18994/" target="_blank">Anna Olson's Coffee Braised Beef Stew</a>
11 of 20

Chinese Crispy Beef and Broccoli Noodles

If crispy beef, chow mein, kung pao, and beef and broccoli made a baby, it would be this recipe. It's the perfect meal to make in bulk, where you can enjoy the leftovers for days to come. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/chinese-new-year/blog/chinese-crispy-beef-broccoli-noodles-with-kung-pao-chili-oil-33933/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chinese Crispy Beef and Broccoli Noodles</a>
12 of 20

Slow Cooker Stout and Alberta Beef Stew

When you're craving something warm and comforting, this delicious stew is just the thing. Tender beef and mixed veggies simmer away in your slow cooker to make the most flavourful meal. Bonus? It tastes even better the next day! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-canadian-stout-and-alberta-beef-stew/20790/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Stout and Alberta Beef Stew</a>
13 of 20

Cornbread-Topped Chili Pot Pie

Cornbread and chili are the ultimate comfort-food duo, and this pot pie marries the two in a dish that's like a warm hug on a cold day. A cornbread batter covers a classic beef chili recipe with both ground beef and stewing beef. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/cornbread-topped-chili-pot-pie/20804/" target="_blank">Cornbread-Topped Chili Pot Pie</a>
14 of 20

The Pioneer Woman's Slow Cooker Sunday Stew

Beef, bacon and beer are at the heart of this slow cooker stew. Hearty enough to serve on its own, but even better: try it on top of delicious, buttery lemon noodles. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-sunday-stew/20685/" target="_blank">The Pioneer Woman's Slow Cooker Sunday Stew</a>
15 of 20

Alton Brown’s Pressure Cooker Chili

Sure, you could spend a whole day simmering your chili on the stove – or you could serve up a flavourful, homemade bowl of comfort in under an hour. Alton Brown’s chili is packed with tender beef, chili in adobo, cumin, salsa and a bottle of ale for good measure and added flavour. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pressure-cooker-chili/19766/" target="_blank">Alton Brown’s Pressure Cooker Chili</a>
16 of 20

Slow Cooker Beef Paprikash

Set your cooker on low in the morning and return from work to a pot full of tender, pull-apart beef infused with smokey paprika flavour. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-beef-paprikash/19609/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Beef Paprikash</a>
17 of 20

Giada De Laurentiis' Classic Italian Lasagna

Giada makes her classic Italian lasagna with béchamel sauce, ground beef, ricotta, spinach and a simple tomato sauce. Bake until golden and bubbly. It tastes even better the next day! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/classic-italian-lasagna/21211/" target="_blank">Giada De Laurentiis' Classic Italian Lasagna</a>
18 of 20

Barefoot Contessa’s Beef Bourguignon

Taking some time over the weekend to prepare meals that can be frozen and defrosted in the fridge is a great way to ensure you get dinner on the table even on busy weeknights. For an elegant meal you can make ahead of time, beef bourguignon is a perfect choice. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the juices. Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/beef-bourguignon/15398/" target="_blank">Barefoot Contessa’s Beef Bourguignon</a>
19 of 20

The Pioneer Woman's Tamale Pie

This make-ahead Tex-Mex dish is perfect to serve family style. With corn, ground beef, tomatoes, poblano peppers, veggies and kidney beans baked into a savoury crust made from corn flour, it's easy to prep in advance. Your house will smell amazing come dinnertime. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/tamale-pie-/18531/" target="_blank">The Pioneer Woman's Tamale Pie</a>
20 of 20

Beef and Roasted Root Vegetable Stew

Put a new spin on beef stew by adding root vegetables like beets and parsnips. Packed with herbs and spices, this comforting dish pumps up the volume with red wine and peppercorns for a delicious night in, any night of the week! Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/beef-and-roasted-root-vegetable-stew/10958/" target="_blank">Beef and Roasted Root Vegetable Stew</a>
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