10 On-the-Go Meals You Can Make Ahead of Time

Crunched for time and running here, there, and everywhere? No need to skip dinner! Prepare for those nights with these on-the-go meals you can make ahead of time.

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Sports games, weeknight activities, evening outings… there are a number of things that make eating around the dinner table next to impossible sometimes. On those nights, grabbing fast food may seem like the best option, but you don’t want to do that week after week.

When you can’t sit down at the table, but you want to avoid the drive-thru, you need some portable meals in your back pocket. Here are 10 grab-and-go meals you can make ahead of time and eat on the go.

10 On-the-Go Meals You Can Make Ahead of Time

Crunched for time and running here, there, and everywhere? No need to skip dinner! Prepare for those nights with these on-the-go meals.

Mason Jar Salads

These are fantastic for on-the-go meals. I’ve made them for my husband’s lunches, vacations, days we’re going to be out and about, and regular old lunches.

There are dozens of different ways you can go with these and tons of different mason jar salads you can make. Regardless of what you put in them, my biggest tip is to layer from wettest/heaviest ingredients on the bottom to driest/most delicate on the top.

Oh, and if you’ve got big stomachs to fill, get yourself some 1/2 gallon jars. *wink*
Taco/Pizza Rolls

These are super easy to make and convenient to grab-and-go. Divide any kind of dough (homemade or store-bought) into 10-12 pieces, and flatten into rough squares. (You may have to experiment a bit to get the right sized pieces.)

If making taco rolls, top each square with a spoonful of taco sauce, a bit of seasoned taco meat, and a sprinkle of cheese. If pizza rolls, then pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese.

Pull all the sides together and pinch seams. Place seam side down on a pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

They’re best warmed up, but they can be eaten cold, as well!
Ham and Cheese Pockets

Basically, same instructions as above, but with ham and cheese filling. If you prefer a more detailed recipe, here’s one I’ve used from moneysavingmom.com.
Cheeseburger Hand Pies

These self-contained cheeseburgers combine deliciousness + convenience. Who needs fast food when you have these??
Burritos

Burritos are one of my absolute favorite make-ahead meals. They’re easy to make in bulk, and they freeze beautifully! Make a big batch of them on the weekend, stick them in the freezer, and pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes right before you head out the door. They’re so handy to eat on-the-go!
Pizza Muffins

These are also a great option to make ahead and freeze for those extra busy evenings!
Mac & Cheese Cups

Who doesn’t love mac & cheese?? Turn a family favorite into a portable meal with these mac & cheese cups.
Sandwiches or Wraps

It probably goes without saying, but you really can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned sandwich. It’s a classic for a reason! And just so they don’t get old, change up your line-up with a rotation of deli salad (tuna, egg, chicken, beef, etc.), deli meat, and that beloved stand-by — PB&J.

You could also turn your favorite sandwiches into a wrap for a little change of pace!
Roll-Ups

If sandwiches are a bit too blasé for you, though, put a fun twist on them by making roll-ups, instead. The fun thing about these is there are so many different kinds you can make — ham & cheese roll-ups, pizza roll-ups, veggie roll-ups, chicken bacon ranch roll-ups, Italian sub roll-ups, and many more!

Do a quick search on Pinterest, and you’ll find gobs of them.
Homemade Smoothies

Think smoothies are just for tasty snacks or special treats? Think again! With the right ingredients, they can also serve as a filling on-the-go meal!

(To make ahead, blend a large batch and store in the fridge OR freeze for later! If freezing, make sure you leave head space for expansion. I recommend freezing in wide mouth pint jars — NO SHOULDERS — or these freezer containers)