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More on Make-Ahead Cooking

MAKE-AHEAD COOKING, EXPLAINED

The Best Storage Containers for Your Make-Ahead Meals

When thinking about storing food in a container, there are a lot of questions. Does it fit in the fridge or freezer? Will it leak if it tips over? Can you microwave in it? Should you worry about possible health risks with plastics containing bisphenol-A (BPA)? These are important questions, and finding clear answers can be difficult. READ THE ARTICLE 

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Make-Ahead Meals

Through our thorough testing, we learned a few tricks to guarantee the best possible results when it comes to preparing make-ahead recipes. Whether you are stashing food in the freezer, holding it for a couple days in the fridge, or prepping entrées ahead so they are ready to cook the next day, here are some tips to ensure the very best results. READ THE ARTICLE 

The Best Wraps, Foils, and Storage Bags for Your Make-Ahead Meals

Keeping an organized and well-stocked kitchen is key to successful make-ahead cooking, so it's important to have the right wraps and zipper-lock bags on hand in addition to containers. These items will help you store food easily and safely and prevent contamination and off-flavors. READ THE ARTICLE 

Essential Equipment for Make-Ahead Cooking

Fortunately, you don't need a lot of specialty equipment to make food ahead—but there are definitely things that will make your job easier and more efficient. An array of casserole dishes, baking sheets, and wire racks is essential. And if you plan to make big-batch stews, chilis, pasta sauces, and braises, a good Dutch oven is a must-have. A slow cooker is an added bonus, to use as a hands-off way to get ahead on future meals or when entertaining. Here's a rundown of what you need to stock your make-ahead kitchen. READ THE ARTICLE 

Buy the Book

No Guesswork. No Mistakes. The Complete Make-Ahead Cookbook

How many times have you wanted to make lasagna or chicken pot pie in advance, only to be discouraged by recipe after recipe that doesn’t tell you how? Should you make it, then store it, or vice versa? The experts here at America’s Test Kitchen have eliminated the guesswork of cooking in advance with 500 recipes that spell out all the make-ahead options.