36 Make-Ahead Meals to Enjoy While Camping in Your RV

Country-Style Barbecue Ribs

These get a good sear under the broiler, then go into the slow cooker to become fall-apart tender. Enjoy them with great sides, or shredded on a bun. Either way, they're the most amazing ribs you'll ever have. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Don’t forget to check out these easy meals for RV camping.

BBQ Bacon Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

This simple recipe tastes amazing. We prefer putting mayo on the bun and adding cheddar or Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. Several of us put ranch dressing on our sandwiches, too. —Jennifer Darling, Ventura, California

Game-Stopper Chili

This hearty chili with sausage, beef, beans and barley is perfect for the halftime food rush. People actually cheer when they see me coming with my slow cooker! —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania

If you’re an experienced camper, you know that some of the best recipes for RV camping are wrap-and-cook foil pack meals.

Make-Ahead Hearty Six-Layer Salad

This salad is an all-time favorite. I reach for the recipe whenever I need a dish to pass. It is easy to make, can be assembled ahead of time and looks marvelous. —Noreen Meyer, Madison, Wisconsin

Cincinnati Chili Dogs

My in-laws are from Ohio, so we have Cincinnati chili at many of our family gatherings. I spiced up this family classic with cinnamon and cocoa powder and then ladled it over hot dogs. It's perfect for game day, tailgates and potlucks. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Wondering what are easy foods to take camping? We have the recipes!

Brunch Burritos

I like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas

Overnight Layered Lettuce Salad

This layered salad is a family favorite from a church cookbook I've had for 40 years. The bacon adds a fabulous crunch. —Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida

Turkey Taco Macaroni

This is a nice little twist on a classic dish. If you love cheese, feel free to add more, and green peppers are a great taste if you want some vegetables. —Barb Kondolf, Hamlin, New York

Italian Steak Sandwiches

My sister came up with these quick sandwiches that use minced garlic and other seasonings to bring pizzazz to deli roast beef. Add some carrot sticks or a tomato salad for a fantastic lunch in no time. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts

Healthy Turkey Chili

I've taken my mother's healthy turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It's a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Slow-Cooked Blueberry French Toast

Your slow cooker can be your best friend on a busy morning. Just get this recipe going, run some errands and come back to the smell of French toast ready to eat. —Elizabeth Lorenz, Peru, Indiana

Hawaiian Kielbasa Sandwiches

If you are looking for a different way to use kielbasa, the sweet and mildly spicy flavor of these sandwiches is a nice change.—Judy Dames, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Sweet & Smoky Pulled Pork Sandwiches

My primo pork is smoky, tender and tastes like it came from a barbecue joint. Without much help from me, it basically shreds itself. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah

Farm-Style BBQ Ribs

Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe similar to this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and our friends. It got even better when I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, OR

Grilled Spinach Feta Burgers

Turkey burgers have their fans, but we prefer feta burgers with ground beef and spinach. We serve them on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

Cheddar Bean Burritos

My family goes meatless several nights a week, and this recipe is one of our favorites. I usually puree a can or two of chipotle peppers in adobo and freeze them in ice cube trays so I can use a small amount when I need it. —Amy Bravo, Ames, Iowa

Slow-Cooker Honey Nut Granola

I lightened up a friend's recipe and changed the add-ins to our tastes. This honey nut granola is now a family favorite! You can vary the recipe as you like, changing the nuts, seeds or dried fruits. —Tari Ambler, Shorewood, Illinois

Southwest Shredded Pork Salad

This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

Upside-Down Frito Pie

Using ground turkey is a smart way to lighten this hearty family pleaser! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Pressure-Cooker Red Beans and Rice

My family loves New Orleans-style cooking, so I make this dish often. I appreciate how simple it is, and the smoky ham flavor is scrumptious. —Celinda Dahlgren, Napa, California

Italian Sub Sandwiches

I serve these sandwiches for a special party treat. The red and green peppers add color along with flavor. — Judy Long, Effingham, Illinois

Chili Macaroni and Cheese

What could be tastier on a cold winter day than chili or mac and cheese? Put them together and you have a terrific dish that warms you up and fills you up as well! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal

I absolutely love this slow-cooked oatmeal. The steel-cut oats have so much flavor and texture. My family sprinkles toasted pecans on top whenever possible. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

Southwest Turkey Patties with Beans

These turkey patties are delicious and low in calories. Skip the rice if you're looking to cut carbs. —Dot Carpenter, Washington, Pennsylvania

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sausages

My family loves this recipe. It’s such a good all-around dish, either for sandwiches like these or served with hot cooked spaghetti.

Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

To jazz up ham, I slow-cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Buttermilk Pancakes

You just can't beat the best buttermilk pancakes for a down-home hearty breakfast. Pair it with sausage and fresh fruit for a mouthwatering morning meal. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan

Baja Pork Tacos

This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas

Texas Beef Barbecue

A boneless beef roast simmers for hours in a slightly sweet sauce before it's shredded and tucked into rolls to make hearty sandwiches. This is a family favorite. —Jennifer Bauer, Lansing, Michigan

King Burgers

My husband and I like to make up recipes together. The sauce for this juicy burger tastes even better when it has been refrigerated overnight. —Mary Potter, Sterling Heights, Michigan

Deluxe Cheeseburger Salad

I was planning to grill burgers, and then it dawned on me: How about a cheeseburger salad? The original recipe doesn't call for a tomato, but it's awesome here. —Pam Jefferies, Cantrall, Illinois

Best Italian Sausage Sandwiches

Need a different type of Italian dinner? This rich tomato sauce simmers all afternoon in the slow cooker, ready to top freshly grilled Italian sausages. It's a fantastic combination with lots of crowd appeal! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes

My husband didn't like sloppy joes until he tried my rendition with its smoky heat. If you need to dial down the fiery zip, cut down on or eliminate the peppers. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Sausage & Chicken Gumbo

This recipe for classic southern comfort food was the first thing I ever cooked for my girlfriend. It was simple to make but tasted gourmet—definitely love at first bite. —Kael Harvey, Brooklyn, NY

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

With four small children at home, I need quick yet filling meals. This family-favorite BBQ chicken sandwich filling is a cinch to make. For a spicier taste, eliminate the ketchup and increase the amount of salsa to 1 cup. —Leticia Lewis, Kennewick, Washington

Denver Omelet Frittata

This frittata is filled with the classic ingredients of a Denver omelet—peppers, onion and ham—along with potatoes to make it hearty. It’s the perfect brunch dish to serve company after church or another early outing. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania