things I could prep ahead of time, especially from the condo

max 5 days ahead

• cook rice and store it in the fridge/freezer (or freezer)
• mirepoix
• cut veggies for a stir fry, and cook the sauce if you're not using a commercial one (similar to making my own stir-fry kit)
• DIY noodle cup

max a week ahead

• (expand?) a stir-fry sauce, a marinade, or just about any sauce

any time ahead

• compote, stored in the freezer [▶2] [3] [4] [▶5] [6-add pectin]
• candied bacon [archive]
• home-made sausage, possibly fresh and frozen (sausage is unique because it's a pre-packaged mix of protein, fat, salt, and seasoning)

      — These are "flavor bombs", they're a quick and easy way to add a ton of flavor. They're also things we really enjoy eating.

frozen slow cooker recipes

Slow cooker recipes in a bag, that are then frozen.   [2]

Requires no extra steps. It doesn't require browning, cooking pasta, or otherwise.

• [NYTimes] Spicy black bean soup
• [NYTimes] Slow cooker salsa verde chicken
• Sweet potato & peanut butter vegan stew

Requires extra steps, such as browning or cooking noodles:

• chili
  • [NYTimes]
• [NYTimes] BBQ pork and beans
• [NYTimes] The viral Mississippi roast
• [NYTimes] Braised pork with prunes and orange
• [NYTimes] Hoisin garlic chicken (you have to reduce the sauce for 10-15 mins at the end)
• [NYTimes] Lentil soup with sausage and greens