10+ Make Ahead Camping Recipes for Stress-Free Outdoor Meals

Camping is a wonderful way to enjoy nature, but mealtime can sometimes be tricky. Make ahead camping recipes can save you time and hassle, allowing you to focus on having fun with family and friends.

Preparing meals in advance means you can enjoy delicious food without the stress of cooking from scratch at the campsite. With a little planning, you can have tasty meals ready to go, making your outdoor adventure even more enjoyable.

1) Ultimate Tailgating Breakfast Sandwiches

Ultimate Tailgating Breakfast Sandwiches are a fantastic choice for camping. You can prepare them ahead of time, making your mornings easier. These sandwiches are filling and delicious, packed with flavors you’ll love.

To make these sandwiches, you need eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat. Feel free to add veggies for extra taste. Assemble the sandwiches and store them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to enjoy.

When you’re ready to eat, simply heat them up over your campfire or on a portable stove. They’re great to enjoy while gathering with friends or family at your campsite.

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Cheese (your choice)
• Bacon, sausage, or ham
• Bread or English muffins
• Optional: Vegetables (like spinach or bell peppers)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the meat until done and set aside.
2. Scramble the eggs and cook them in a skillet.
3. Layer the eggs, cheese, and meat on your bread.
4. Wrap each sandwich tightly and store them.
5. When ready to eat, heat them on the stove or over a fire until warm.

2) Breakfast Burritos with Avocado

Start your camping day with tasty breakfast burritos filled with avocado. These burritos are easy to make ahead and pack for your trip. They are a great way to fuel your morning adventures.

To make them, use flour tortillas as the base. Fill them with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, and fresh avocado. You can also add cheese and salsa for extra flavor.

Wrap each burrito tightly in foil to keep them fresh. When it’s time to eat, heat them over the campfire or on a portable grill. You’ll love the warm, creamy taste of avocado mixed with all the other ingredients.

Ingredients

• Flour tortillas
• Eggs
• Cooked bacon or sausage
• Avocado
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa

Cooking Instructions

1. Scramble the eggs in a bowl.
2. Cook your bacon or sausage in a pan.
3. Mash or slice the avocado.
4. Lay out the tortillas and add eggs, meat, avocado, and cheese.
5. Roll the tortillas tightly and wrap in foil.
6. Store in a cooler until ready to heat at camp.

3) Make-ahead French Toast Casserole

Make-ahead French toast casserole is perfect for camping trips. You can prepare it the night before and enjoy a hearty breakfast without much fuss.

Start with a loaf of French bread, cut into cubes. Mix eggs, milk, and your favorite spices together. Pour this mixture over the bread and let it soak.

You can add nuts, fruits, or syrup for extra flavor. When you’re ready to cook, place it in your Dutch oven or on a grill. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown.

This dish is easy to serve and great for a group. Plus, it’s filling and delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of French bread
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups of milk
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• Optional: nuts or fruits

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the French bread into cubes.
2. In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, and cinnamon.
3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes.
4. Add brown sugar and mix well.
5. Allow it to soak in the fridge overnight.
6. Bake in a Dutch oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes.

4) Campfire Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Campfire grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic and easy meal for your camping trip. You can make them using a pie iron or simply wrap them in foil and place them over the fire.

To start, choose your favorite bread and cheese. You can add extras like sliced apples or herbs for more flavor.

The warm, melted cheese and crispy bread create a delicious experience after a day outdoors. It’s perfect for sharing around the campfire.

Ingredients

• Bread (any type)
• Cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella)
• Butter or oil
• Optional: Sliced apples, herbs, or other fillings

Cooking Instructions

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
2. Place cheese between two slices, buttered sides out.
3. If using a pie iron, clamp and cook over the fire for about 5-7 minutes.
4. If using foil, wrap the sandwich and place it over the fire for the same time.
5. Check for golden brown bread and melted cheese before serving.

5) Spaghetti with Pre-made Meatball Packets

For a fun and easy camping meal, try spaghetti with pre-made meatball packets. This dish saves you time and energy at the campsite.

You can pack pre-cooked meatballs in vacuum-sealed packets. Just heat them over the campfire while cooking your spaghetti.

To cook the spaghetti, boil water in a pot. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions.

Combine the cooked spaghetti with your favorite marinara sauce. Then, add the heated meatballs and mix everything together.

Serve it hot and enjoy a tasty meal with friends or family!

Ingredients

• 1 package spaghetti noodles
• 20-30 pre-made meatballs
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• Water for boiling

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot over the campfire.
2. Add spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente.
3. Heat the pre-made meatballs in a separate pot.
4. Drain the spaghetti and mix with marinara sauce.
5. Add meatballs and stir well before serving.

6) Chili Con Carne in Foil Packs

Chili con carne is a hearty and tasty meal perfect for camping. Making it in foil packs is simple and convenient. You can prep these ahead of time to save time at the campsite.

Start by choosing your favorite chili ingredients. Ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices make a great base. You can customize it by adding peppers or onions.

To prepare, layer the ingredients in foil packs. Seal them tightly to keep everything together. When you’re ready to cook, place the packs over the campfire or on a grill.

Cook for about 20-30 minutes at a medium heat of 350°F (175°C). Give them a little time to cool before carefully opening. Enjoy your delicious chili right out of the pack!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• Chili powder
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix ground beef, beans, tomatoes, onion, and spices.
2. Place mixture in foil packs and seal.
3. Cook over campfire or grill for 20-30 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
4. Cool slightly before opening and serve.

7) No-bake Granola Bars

No-bake granola bars are perfect for your camping trip. They are easy to prepare and require no oven, making them a great snack on the go. You can customize them with your favorite ingredients.

Use oats, nut butter, and honey as your base. They provide a good mix of energy and nutrients. Add in chocolate chips or dried fruit for a tasty twist.

These bars are simple to pack and transport. Just slice them into bars and store them in an airtight container. You’ll have a quick snack ready whenever you need it.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup nut butter
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the oats, nut butter, and honey together.
2. Stir in chocolate chips or dried fruit and salt.
3. Press the mixture into a lined baking dish.
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Cut into bars and enjoy!

8) Mason Jar Overnight Oats

Mason jar overnight oats are a great make-ahead camping breakfast. They’re simple to prepare and packed with nutrients. You can customize them easily to suit your taste.

Start by combining rolled oats, chia seeds, and your favorite milk. Almond milk works well, but you can use any kind you like.

Add in some honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Toss in your favorite fruits, like berries or bananas, for extra flavor and nutrition.

Once you mix everything in a mason jar, seal it and store it in the cooler. In the morning, you’ll have a tasty breakfast ready to go.

Ingredients

• Rolled oats
• Chia seeds
• Almond milk (or milk of choice)
• Maple syrup or honey
• Fresh fruits (berries, bananas, etc.)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a mason jar, combine rolled oats and chia seeds.
2. Pour in your milk of choice.
3. Add maple syrup or honey to sweeten.
4. Stir in fresh fruits.
5. Seal the jar and refrigerate or store in a cooler overnight.

9) Pasta Salad with Fresh Veggies

Pasta salad is a great make-ahead meal for camping. You can pack it with fresh vegetables to add color and flavor. This dish is filling and easy to prepare.

Start with your favorite pasta, like rotini or penne. Cook it according to the package instructions. Once cooked, let it cool before mixing in the veggies.

Chop up cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. You can also add olives and cheese for extra taste. Toss everything together with a light dressing of olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

For best results, let the salad chill in the fridge overnight. This helps the flavors blend together.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rotini or pasta of choice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, cubed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions and cool.
2. Chop the vegetables and cheese.
3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, veggies, and cheese.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
6. Chill in the fridge before serving.

10) Foil Packets of Lemon Herb Chicken

Foil packets of lemon herb chicken are perfect for your camping trip. They are easy to prepare and make clean-up a breeze. You can enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort.

To make these packets, you’ll need chicken breasts, fresh herbs, potatoes, and lemon. Simply season everything and wrap them tightly in foil. You can cook them on a grill or over a campfire.

Cooking time is about 25-30 minutes. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like thyme or rosemary)
• 2 small potatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the grill or campfire.
2. Place the chicken and vegetables on a sheet of foil.
3. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over everything and top with lemon slices.
5. Wrap the foil tightly to seal.
6. Cook on the grill or campfire for 25-30 minutes.
7. Check that the chicken is fully cooked and serve.