Autumn is upon us again, bringing with it the beautiful colors of nature, cool, crisp weather, and often times a little craziness to your day. With work, the kids going back to school, all of their after-school activities, and everything else life throws at you, fall is a pretty busy time of year for many families!

Full days mean not a lot of time for meal planning. However, you and your family shouldn’t have to settle on take-out and fast food meals because of it! Focus on making make-ahead meals to help support evenings when there is just no time for planning an elaborate dinner.

What makes a great make-ahead meal? Well, it has to check a couple of boxes: simple instructions, big portions, great for leftovers, and ingredients that help you stretch your dollar. Randall Beans helps any recipe check that final box! Just one jar of our beans can help provide the base for a week’s worth of meals.

Don’t believe it? Check out some of our favorite recipes for make-ahead meals, perfect for families on the move.

Meat, Bean, and Potato Casserole

Much like chili, the large portions and great staying power of a hearty casserole makes them a winning choice for any autumn dinner. A casserole is a real no-frills kind of meal, but when you are combining comfort-food staples like meat, potatoes, and beans there is no need to be fancy.

This recipe combines many big and bold flavors that will warm you to the bone and remind you of amazing homecooked meals from your past and can easily be reheated in the microwave or the oven. Just like comfort food should! We call for great northern beans in the recipe but try using our pinto beans for your own spin on it.

Spicy Shrimp and Corn White Bean Chowder

Chowder is such a warm and satisfying dish, but oftentimes full of starchy potatoes and heavy cream that make it not so delightful for those looking to eat a little healthier. Fortunately, white beans, which when blended in a food processor make a pitch-perfect substitute for the thick, creamy base help make this seafood chowder not only delicious but seriously cuts back on the fat.

This recipe comes together in about an hour but is so full of flavor everyone will think you spent all day in the kitchen the night you serve it, and the next day, and the next day! Heat this chowder back up on the stove to help keep the shrimp moist and tender and be sure you keep some nice crusty bread on hand to soak up the broth.

Pot Roast with White Beans

Pot roast is a classic Sunday dinner that is perfect for Monday and Tuesday too! This Randall Beans spin on classic pot roast pairs rich chuck roast with carrots, onions, and our great northern white beans in the broth.

Perfect as a stew over some mashed potatoes, this is a comfort recipe that warms not only your body but also your soul and helps you go back to simpler times and homecooked meals just like your mom or grandmother used to make.