14 Make-Ahead Meals That Make Dinner Prep Almost Effortless
Weeknight dinners don’t have to be stressful or last-minute, and these 14 make-ahead meals prove it. Each recipe is designed to be prepared in advance, saving you time and energy without sacrificing flavor or comfort. Get ready to reclaim your evenings and make dinner prep virtually effortless.
Caribbean Peanut Chicken
Midweek dinners don’t get much tastier than Caribbean peanut chicken and rice. Fresh, fabulous and fantastically easy to make, this is the one pot wonder that you need to get in your life!
Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes
Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes make a delicious dinner that brings together smokey turkey sausage and golden potatoes all mixed in a sauce that is creamy and full of flavor. This is comfort food at its finest.
Greek Lamb Stew
It doesn’t get much more comforting, more heavenly, more downright delicious than Greek lamb stew pasta!
Meatloaf Casserole
This Meatloaf Casserole is a family favorite all throughout the year. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have dinner for a crowd on the table in an hour. Perfect to entertain or make ahead on a busy week, it’s a comforting dinner that is guaranteed to be a success.
Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers
Looking for a hearty and family pleasing make ahead dinner recipe? Looks no further! Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers with rice and vegetables will be your new go-to.
Vegan Turkey Roast
This Vegan Turkey Roast is the perfect centerpiece for your plant-based Thanksgiving dinner. Complete with herb-rubbed “skin,” seitan tofu turkey (aka “tofurky”) is tender, meaty, and loaded with savory herbs and seasonings! It’s the perfect make-ahead option for your holiday meal, and leftovers taste fantastic. Bonus: You can bake it in the oven OR use an Instant Pot!
Easy Chicken Crepes with Mushrooms
Make-ahead, savory Chicken Crepes with Mushrooms are perfect for a romantic date night dinner, an elegant brunch, or a dinner party main dish. These chicken and mushroom crepes with mornay sauce are easy to prepare and will impress even the most discerning guests.
One Pot Chicken and Rice
With simple pantry ingredients and plenty of vegetables, this One Pot Chicken and Rice will easily become a family favorite!
Bolognese Pasta Bake
Bolognese pasta bake is the perfect comfort food that can be mastered by anyone. In sum, it is an easy pasta recipe which is perfect for feeding large families. It is also an excellent recipe for cooking large batches of food at a time, which you can defrost and enjoy at a later stage. This Bolognese pasta bake stores and freezes well, so make sure you take advantage of this recipe. In addition, it is perfect for students, because a Bolognese pasta bake is inexpensive to make and it can last for several dinners.
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
Comforting ground beef hamburger hashbrown casserole is a delicious recipe that will quickly become a family favorite! Layers of ground beef and veggies topped with hash browns and cheese create a crispy, cheesy topping for a casserole dish that makes a cozy and filling weekday dinner.
Beef and Guinness Stew
Nothing hits the spot like a delicious, hearty stew when the weather gets cold and there’s snow on the ground. I’m ready to curl up next to the fire and enjoy a bowl along with some crusty Irish soda bread just thinking about it!
Company Casserole (Ground Beef Pasta Casserole)
Company Casserole is a ground beef and pasta casserole in a super creamy, cheesy tomato sauce. This baked casserole earns its name! Make ahead friendly and a favorite of both adults and kids, this is the perfect dish for busy weeknights or dinner parties.
Peanut Noodles with Chicken
These Peanut Noodles with Chicken are tossed in a flavorful sesame peanut sauce with crisp veggies for a fresh, Asian-style cold noodle salad. It’s a great make-ahead choice for potlucks, picnics, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Lamb Shanks Braised in Red Wine
This slow cooked lamb shanks braised in red wine recipe is comfort food at its finest!
