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Happy Strong Home

Family Life & Travel, Food, Kids' Activities

My Make-Ahead Taco Bar Saves our Suppertime!

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Rubbermaid®.

I love eating, and I love food. But there are weeks when I do NOT love food prep. For those heavily scheduled weeks, I try to save our suppertime by choosing make-ahead meal ideas! These meals are usually simple, like my Make-Ahead Taco Bar that saved not one, but TWO suppers and a lunch last week! I teamed up with Rubbermaid and their new BRILLIANCE meal prep containers to show you how easy it is to gather your family around the table, even on busy nights.Make Ahead Taco Bar

Make-Ahead Taco Bar Will Save your Suppertime Too!

Now, as I’m sure you know, making tacos is not that hard to do. But as it does tend to use a large variety of ingredients, it can sometimes be hard to pull out of your hat last minute. Here’s what I did one weekend to get dinner ready in advance so I wouldn’t rush around and get stressed.

Make-Ahead Taco Bar

Make Ahead Taco Bar

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 package taco seasoning
  • 2 heads lettuce
  • 2 packages taco shells or soft wraps
  • 1 tub sour cream
  • 1 jar salsa
  • 1 8-oz bag of shredded cheddar cheese (I like to use the finely shredded because it sticks into the little grooves easier!)
  • 1 cup of sliced black olives (or substitute another favorite topping of choice).

Directions

Prepare the meat by browning in a pan, then draining the fat. Mix seasoning packet according to directions and simmer a few minutes. Cool.

Slice lettuce finely and run through a salad spinner to remove all water.

Store. Heat. And dinner is saved! Er, served! Well… both, actually!

Store and Serving is the key to Saving Suppertime!

Make Ahead Taco Bar

Now here’s the brilliant part. Pun intended. I used our new Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE storage containers to store the individual ingredients since I wouldn’t use them until the following day.

The large container held all my lettuce. The medium containers held meat and cheese. The smaller containers held salsa and black olives. My sour cream was the squeeze variety so that didn’t need a container. And wraps can just go on a plate.Make Ahead Taco Bar

The BRILLIANCE containers are rectangular with nice lines that fit together nicely in the fridge. The tops seal out the air, then snap shut for a firm lock that won’t pop open unexpectedly. The seal pushes the air out, so my food stayed fresh for days! And check out the salsa above – not a drop leaking out! That’s because these containers are 100% Leak-Proof Guaranteed!

When it was time to have our Make-Ahead Taco Bar, I just took my containers out of the fridge and arranged them on the table. The meat container I popped the top off and sat it loosely on top to heat in the microwave (which isn’t really my heating of choice, but just so you know it can be that simple).

I literally had our Make-Ahead Taco Bar ready to eat in minutes. These gorgeously clear containers look fabulous on the table, so you don’t have to empty the food into other serving ware. That means, no extra dishes after dinner! And then? Even better… after dinner, I just popped the tops back on the containers, and clean up was a breeze! And our second dinner was ready to go! I even had enough left for a lunch for hubby after that!Make Ahead Taco Bar

What’s awesome about the Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE containers is that they are crystal clear, and their rectangular shapes are classic and sleek. Their modular design means I save space in my fridge, because all the containers are made to fit together perfectly.

These food storage containers are so clear, they look almost glass-like, and one day when I opened the fridge, I had a shock, thinking someone took the top off the cheese container. No, it was just SO clear I didn’t realize it had a lid on! Ha!

Make Ahead Taco Bar

Okay I could go on about my love for our new containers, but I think you get my point: you don’t have to sacrifice family meal time just because you’re busy. With the right tools, like a good set of store-and-serve containers, and a good make-ahead meal idea, you can sit down and eat dinner without the stress!  This is really what happy, strong family time is all about!

Make Ahead Taco Bar

WIN a set of Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE containers!

Tell me what your favorite make-ahead meal is… and you can be entered to win your own 10 piece set of Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE food storage containers with lids! Enter in the form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Rubbermaid®. I was sent product to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.



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May 22, 2017 Julie Kieras 65 Comments Filed Under: Food

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Comments

  1. BRYAN E. says

    June 1, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Our favorite Make Ahead Meal is Chili…We make a huge pot of chili & freeze individual portions…our kids favorite.

    Reply
  2. Trisha Musgrave says

    June 1, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    My favorite tip is to cook meats like hamburger and sausage ahead of time, then freeze them!

    Reply
  3. Samantha says

    June 1, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    I love to make chili ahead!

    Reply
  4. Lana simanovicki says

    June 1, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    I prep things for the week while my kids are at school

    Reply
  5. Elicia P says

    June 1, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Cut up onions then freeze them. I do this with peppers as well. This way when I want to add it to my dish I just grab and toss in pan.

    Reply
  6. Kathy Pease says

    June 1, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    I like to make ahead and freeze lasagna

    Reply
  7. Terry Cross says

    June 1, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    I like to prepare salad ingredients ahead of time. I do taco ingredients as well.

    Reply
  8. Heather Dawn says

    June 1, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    I really like making burritos ahead of time. They are so easy and you can make different varieties!

    Reply
  9. allison says

    June 1, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Make ahead white chili for us! Thanks so much for the chances to win.

    Reply
  10. Ed says

    June 1, 2017 at 10:49 am

    Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna!

    Reply
  11. accontests6 says

    June 1, 2017 at 9:48 am

    Deviled eggs

    Reply
  12. heather marocco says

    June 1, 2017 at 9:13 am

    salad

    Reply
  13. Erica B. says

    June 1, 2017 at 8:14 am

    Definitely salad.

    Reply
  14. Crissie Woolard says

    June 1, 2017 at 6:44 am

    I love to make spaghetti ahead of time. It is always better the next day

    Reply
  15. Carol says

    June 1, 2017 at 5:30 am

    I make chili ahead of time.

    Reply
  16. Karrie says

    May 31, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    Make ahead for chicken enchiladas

    Reply
  17. cyndi br says

    May 31, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    my favorite make ahead meal is pot roast in the crock pot

    Reply
  18. Lauren U says

    May 31, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    I’ll double a recipe and freeze the extra. Saves a lot of time!

    Reply
  19. barbg says

    May 31, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    When we make tacos I will cook up 3 batches of the meat and taco seasoning mixture and free 2 so they are ready to go. Tacos in the time it takes you to set your bar while the meat simmers to defrost in a skillet.

    Reply
  20. Julie Hawkins says

    May 30, 2017 at 11:33 pm

    I like making a pasta bar ahead of time.

    Reply
  21. Kenya F says

    May 30, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    Chicken breast with salad. I would make enough for 3 days worth of lunch and dinner. But with the dinner, I would add sweet potatoes or broccoli.

    Reply
  22. Cynthia Green says

    May 29, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    I love the chili idea.

    Reply
  23. Laurajj says

    May 29, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    Oh I love the Taco Bar idea! That would be so great for those busy school/sport nights! I have to do that! One that I do sometimes is when I am cooking, I make a double batch and freeze one for the next week!

    Reply
  24. Kim A says

    May 29, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    Potato soup. Keep the cheese onions and bacon separate til needed.

    Reply
  25. paige chandler says

    May 29, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    I make lasagna and freeze half for a later meal

    Reply
  26. Carolsue says

    May 29, 2017 at 4:16 am

    I make things like lasagna and other casseroles and freeze them. But we also love Taco and Potato bars where everyone can help themselves.

    Reply
  27. Susan Smith says

    May 28, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    I make up the Taco ingredients and store them until the night we have it for dinner.

    Reply
  28. James Robert says

    May 28, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Set our every ingredient you will need. I have skipped an item occasionally.

    Reply
  29. Susan P. says

    May 28, 2017 at 2:36 am

    Burritos and salad fixings are my favorite make ahead meals.

    Reply
  30. Leigh Anne Borders says

    May 27, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    I plan ahead each week and make my salads. As a teacher, I need to be ready to go in the morning and since I am not a morning person, it helps me to be ready by planning ahead.

    Reply
  31. Madonna says

    May 27, 2017 at 11:58 am

    salad is my favorite to go meal. Its easy to mix a weeks worth at once.

    Reply
  32. Edye says

    May 26, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    We love making salads ahead of time!

    Reply
  33. Jeffrey says

    May 26, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    I like making pancakes ahead of time, that way they just need a little reheat in the oven and everyone can eat at the same time!

    Reply
  34. Carla W says

    May 26, 2017 at 7:18 am

    Tortellini Salad.

    Reply
  35. Dana Rodriguez says

    May 25, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    We make home made meat sauce for spaghtti or lasagne.. or whatever you want to use it in. So delicious!

    Reply
  36. Cheryl B says

    May 25, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    I like to prep a stir fry ahead of time.

    Reply
  37. Michelle Carlino says

    May 25, 2017 at 6:06 am

    My favorite make ahead meal is Garden Rotinini with 2 meat sauce..

    Reply
  38. Debbie F says

    May 24, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    I like to make extra soup when I do make it, then freeze the extra for a quick lunch. Soup takes a while to make so it’s great to have homemade soup whenever you want without too much fuss.

    Reply
  39. Anne Higgins says

    May 24, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    We have a yummy taco casserole that is a big hit in the family – if I have all the items ready to go the grandchildren will be happy to “make our meal” and it makes them feel good and no room for errors as everything is ready to mix together. It will be great to have containers that won’t spill/leak or dump out due to lids not being secure. THANKS.

    Reply
  40. heather says

    May 24, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    My favorite make ahead meal is either burritos or tacos.

    Reply
  41. Mita says

    May 24, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    I like to make salad and tacos

    Reply
  42. Theresa Jenkins says

    May 24, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    we make ahead >>>> meaty baked ziti

    Reply
  43. Joanna L says

    May 24, 2017 at 10:05 am

    anything in the crockpot!! thai chicken curry.

    Reply
  44. Julie Wood says

    May 24, 2017 at 9:19 am

    I love to make my Baked Ziti recipe that everyone loves!

    Reply
  45. rochelle haynes says

    May 24, 2017 at 8:08 am

    I am loving the taco recipe

    Reply
  46. shelly peterson says

    May 24, 2017 at 5:32 am

    I would use these to meal prep stir fry and definitely taco fixings.

    Reply
  47. Cheryl says

    May 24, 2017 at 5:28 am

    My favorite Make Ahead Meal is Breakfast Burritos.

    Reply
  48. Bill Ryan says

    May 23, 2017 at 10:20 pm

    Fajita fixings for Friday nights!

    Reply
  49. Lauren says

    May 23, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Prep veggies ahead of time.

    Reply
  50. kathy Persons says

    May 23, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    MY make ahead meal is fixings for a chef salad

    Reply
  51. Tim says

    May 23, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Rice is one food that we always make ahead in large batches. We usually cook 10 servings worth at a time and put the rest in containers.

    Reply
  52. Michelle Donovan says

    May 23, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Prep ahead salad and tacos for sure!

    Reply
  53. Sarah Hall says

    May 23, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    My suggestion is a big pot of soup. Make it and reheat it whenever needed.

    Reply
  54. DealinDiva says

    May 23, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    I love to make a huge stir fry for the week, its easy to make ahead and so good!

    Reply
  55. Heather McCurdy says

    May 23, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    We love tacos and they are so perfect to prep ahead!

    Reply
  56. Sandy Klocinski says

    May 23, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    My favorite make ahead meal suggestion is Chili!

    Reply
  57. Christina Sparks says

    May 23, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    I like to make chili for a make ahead recipe.

    Reply
  58. kelly tupick says

    May 23, 2017 at 10:33 am

    I will make a big thing of baked ziti. It’s great to freeze or just store in the fridge for left overs.

    Reply
  59. Cynthia C says

    May 23, 2017 at 7:52 am

    I make a large pot of pasta sauce and freeze it in portions for a quick meal any time.

    Reply
  60. Ashley C says

    May 23, 2017 at 6:59 am

    I love to prep chicken spaghetti beforehand and then cook it when I get home. That doesn’t really call for these awesome containers though! I can use them to store the leftovers 🙂

    Reply
  61. Barbara Montag says

    May 23, 2017 at 12:06 am

    I like making the breakfast egg casseroles the night before serving them.
    Saves me valuable time the next day.
    thank you

    Reply
  62. Stephanie Phelps says

    May 22, 2017 at 11:05 pm

    I love to do make a head broccoli rice and cheese casserole!

    Reply
  63. BusyWorkingMama says

    May 22, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    I meal plan during the week for the week ahead, shop on the weekends and prep a lot on weekends for easy weeknight meals. I also portion out snacks like bagged carrots and hard boiled eggs on weekends for the week ahead.

    Reply
  64. Courtney says

    May 22, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    When I saw this post in my email I had to come comment right away because this is exactly what I’m doing today! Prepping for a taco bar for a dinner this week!

    You forgot the important guac! 🙂

    Reply
  65. Jou says

    May 22, 2017 at 8:17 am

    We love baked potato bars. Pop a bunch of potatoes into the oven, grab all the fillings and toppings from the fridge, and everyone builds their custom meal

    Reply

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