Meal Prep for the Road: Hearty Recipes for the Fall

Fall is the perfect time to cozy up with warm, hearty meals, and when you're on the road, there's no reason to miss out on the comfort of home-cooked dishes! With a microwave and the convenience of a fridge in our sleeper cabs, you can warm up delicious meals right in your truck with little effort. From savory stews to sweet treats, here are easy-to-make fall recipes that you prep at home in advance then take along to keep you full and fueled this fall! We’ve also added some no-cooking-needed recipes you’ll love.

Nothing says fall like a hearty beef stew. This simple recipe is packed with protein, vegetables, and rich flavors that warm you up on those cool autumn evenings. Prep it at home, store it in individual portions, and reheat when you're ready for a comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. beef stew meat
• 4 medium potatoes, cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook all ingredients in a slow cooker at home on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
2. Once cooked, portion the stew into containers and store in your truck's fridge.
3. When you're parked, reheat in the microwave for a quick, warm dinner.

This stew is perfect for reheating when you're ready to unwind after a long day on the road.

Chili is a fall classic, and this recipe adds a seasonal twist with sweet potatoes and a touch of cinnamon. Prepare it at home, then heat it up for a warm, filling meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground chicken (turkey or beef also works)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground chicken in a skillet.
2. Add all ingredients to a pot or slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Store the chili in your fridge in individual containers.
4. When you're parked, reheat in the microwave for a delicious, seasonal meal.

The combination of sweet potato and chili spices makes this dish the perfect fall comfort food, with a little extra kick to keep you warm on those chilly evenings.

This make-ahead Chicken Alfredo Bake is creamy, comforting, and full of fall goodness. You can prepare it in a large batch, store it in portion-sized containers, and reheat it whenever you’re ready for a filling meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded
• 8 oz. cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni work great)
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix the cooked chicken, pasta, Alfredo sauce, and seasoning in a large bowl.
2. Divide the mixture into microwave-safe containers.
3. Sprinkle the top of each container with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
4. Store in your fridge.
5. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Craving a classic home-cooked meal on the road? This microwave mug meatloaf is the perfect solution! It’s a quick, single-serving recipe that gives you all the comfort of meatloaf in a fraction of the time.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb. ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug.
2. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, checking for doneness halfway through.
3. Let it rest for a minute before digging in.

This meal pairs perfectly with a side of instant mashed potatoes, which you can also prepare in the microwave.

Try these pumpkin pie overnight oats for a fall-flavored breakfast that doesn't require reheating. Prep them before your trip, and they’ll be ready to enjoy in the morning—no cooking needed!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 4 cups milk or water
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in individual containers with lids.
2. Store in the fridge overnight.
3. In the morning, stir it, and enjoy!

You can eat these oats cold or warm them up if you prefer. They're the perfect grab-and-go breakfast with fall flavors to start your day.

With our sleeper cabs equipped with a fridge and the right setup for a microwave, on-the-go nutritious, fulfilling, homemade meals have never been so easy to make. These simple, delicious fall recipes will help you enjoy the comforts of home-cooked meals no matter where your route takes you.

FEED-back from Our Associates

Shout-out to all our Averitt associates who sent comments about their favorite on-the-go meals and recipes!

• Ronald Washburn. commented he cooks at home and freezes most of his meals including beef stew, chili, meatloaf, a variety of soups and more.
• Emil Ferino says he carries along his wife’s home-cooked, healthy foods that keep him on track after his heart surgery.
• Chris Gibson offered an interesting invention he dubbed “egg roll in a bowl” that includes ground beef, turkey or chicken plus peppers, onion and a packet of shredded coleslaw mix.
• Christopher Floyd suggested the Factor 75 program which is a meal prep kit subscription box service.
• Jeff Rash carries a small grill along for his longer runs. He gets some relaxation time in while cooking steaks, chicken, pork chops, burgers – you name it!
• Adam Mikels uses a crockpot at home and takes meals on the road to avoid eating junk food.
• James Evans raises his own beef and chickens so he brings along items such as home-canned taco meat, lasagna, eggs, and beans.
• Toby Eaton preps steak, salmon, chicken and veggies as well as eggs, sausage and bacon for meals on the road. He says he preps using crockpots, air fryers, BBQ grills and electric skillets. Biggest recommendations? Mississippi pot roast and chicken using McCormick’s Perfect Pinch Rotisserie seasoning!
• Darrin Moore uses an air fryer to keep it simple for cooking medium-rare steak with ground salt and pepper.
• Tom S. credits his wife with prepping his favorite breakfast: A four-day supply of hashbrowns with spicy sausage, mushrooms and onions. He tops it off with Jimmy Dean scrambled eggs – says he can taste the love!
• Joshua Wallace Faulkner brings along pre-cooked chicken and pairs it with spinach, kale and arugula to make a tasty – and healthy! – salad on the road.

We hope you’ll try some of our fall recipes or take a few of our associates’ suggestions – you’re sure to find a new favorite! If you’re looking for a new career direction or home, check out our open positions: