Life’s a whirlwind, right? Between work, kids’ soccer games, and the never-ending list of errands, dinner can feel like an afterthought. (Oh, if only there were more hours in a day!
) But fear not! These 25 make-ahead meals are like tiny miracles—ready to rescue your busiest nights with a hug of homemade goodness. From lasagna that tastes like a cozy winter evening to casseroles that whisper, “I’ve got your back,” this collection is a culinary lifeline.
So, grab your apron and dive into a world where dinner’s ready before you even say, “What’s for dinner?
Steps
- Greek Baked Ziti: Prepare the Greek tomato sauce with spices like oregano and cinnamon over the weekend. Add a layer of creamy white sauce, then freeze the dish. Before baking, let it stand for 30 minutes to reach room temperature.
- Quick Beef Chili: Cube steak and combine with spices and five cans of chilis for a flavorful chili. Prepare this dish in advance to allow flavors to meld. Top with fried onion rings for a fun twist before serving.
- Chicken-And-Wild Rice Casserole: Mix chicken, wild rice, and toasted almonds in a casserole. Freeze the dish without almonds and Cheddar cheese, adding them only during the last five minutes of baking.
- Easy Taco Soup: Reheat this simple soup and serve with your favorite taco toppings. Enhance the flavors with a bottle of beer or substitute with chicken broth. Pair with chips or a quesadilla for a more filling meal.
- Extra Easy Lasagna: Utilize no-boil noodles and prepare the beefy tomato sauce ahead of time. Assemble the lasagna the day before and bake it when ready. This allows for quick preparation after a long day.
- Pizza Spaghetti Casserole: Prepare this spaghetti casserole topped with turkey pepperoni and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight and let stand for 30 minutes before baking. Kids will enjoy this fun twist on pizza.
- Baked Smokin’ Macaroni And Cheese: Combine smoked ham, pasta, Gouda, and sharp Cheddar cheese in a mac and cheese dish. Top with crushed buttery cornflakes and assemble ahead of time for convenience.
- New Tuna Casserole: Use fresh vegetables, creamy broth, and chopped herbs for a revamped tuna casserole. Freeze for up to a month, but add the potato chip topping just before baking.
- Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche: Cook creamy grits in bacon drippings, topped with custard. Bake this quiche up to two days in advance to save time. Enjoy as a breakfast-for-dinner option.
- Easy Chili: Begin this slow-cooker chili in the morning with a simple ingredient list. Keep extra quarts in the freezer for future meals. Forget about it until dinner time and enjoy the ease of preparation.
- Lasagna Roll Ups: Prepare cheesy lasagna roll-ups ahead of time and freeze. These are suitable for both elegant dinners and casual meals with kids. Bake them when ready for a delicious meal.
- Quick And Easy Spaghetti Bolognese: Use a quality jarred sauce for quick preparation. Boil your choice of noodles and add the prepared Bolognese sauce when ready. Enjoy a speedy spaghetti dinner.
- White Chicken Chili: Soak beans overnight and use a slow cooker to prepare this chili. Start the slow cooker in the morning, and add your favorite corn bread when serving for a complete meal.
- Our Best Jambalaya: Combine andouille sausage, Creole seasonings, tomatoes, shrimp, and chicken in one dish. Prepare and store in a baking dish for a quick one-dish dinner. Customize with your family’s favorite ingredients.
- Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole: Prepare this casserole in about 20 minutes and keep it in the freezer. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a full meal. This is perfect for busy days or unexpected guests.
- Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie: Make the filling ahead of time and store it. When ready to bake, roll out refrigerated pie crust over the filling. This homemade pie is worth the effort for a comforting meal.
- Chicken Enchiladas: Prepare the spicy sauce with blistered peppers and roasted tomatoes ahead of time. Fill enchiladas with deli-roasted chicken and sauce, then bake for a savory dish with deepened flavors.
- Soulful Chicken Soup: Simmer bone-in chicken, vegetables, and herbs in a slow cooker. Add noodles and chopped chicken for a hearty soup. A squeeze of lemon juice adds brightness to the flavor.
- Peppered Beef Soup: Slow-cook roast in a rich beer broth with potatoes and carrots. Serve in a bread bowl for added satisfaction. Freeze leftovers for up to three months for future meals.
- Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder: Sear pork, then slow-cook with brown sugar, soy, and vinegar syrup. Shred and serve on buns or over grits with extra sauce. This sweet and tangy dish is a potential new favorite.
- Slow-Cooker Pot Roast: Cook the roast and vegetables in a slow cooker for a hands-off meal. Enhance the broth with Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and hot sauce. Simmer on high for 30 minutes for a thicker sauce.
- Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder: Use fresh corn, herbs, bacon, and potatoes for a light dinner. Prepare the salsa topping in advance and serve with bread. This chowder is filling yet not heavy.
- Cheesy Broccoli And Rice Casserole: Prepare the casserole with ingredients for both kids and adults. Chill overnight and bake when ready. Add broccoli and breadcrumbs before broiling for a golden finish.
- Navy Bean And Ham Soup: Load pre-soaked beans, ham, and vegetables in a slow cooker. Cook until tender and shred ham for serving. This one-step recipe is simple and delicious.
- Slow Cooker Lentil Soup: The slow cooker makes this vegetable and herb-packed soup a breeze. Blend two cups of soup before serving for thickness. Serve with Parmesan and bread.
- Grilled Pork Chops: Marinade pork chops with Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and paprika. Grill them for a smoky sweetness. Pair with your favorite sides for a complete meal.
- Old-Fashioned Meatloaf: Prep and freeze the meatloaf raw or cooked. Let it defrost in the fridge before reheating or baking. This versatile dish is ideal for make-ahead meals.
- Cowboy Casserole: Prepare the beef and bean filling a day or two in advance. Top with taters before baking or freeze the assembled dish. This casserole is sure to be a hit at the table.
- Chicken Casserole D’Iberville: Make this casserole ahead and either bake or microwave it later. Save time with this convenient dish, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Cajun Shrimp Casserole: Mix okra, bell peppers, and cayenne for Cajun flair in this seafood casserole. Use cream of mushroom soup if needed. Prepare a day ahead for easy baking.
Ingredients
- Ziti pasta
- Greek tomato sauce
- Oregano
- Cinnamon
- White sauce
- Cubed steak
- Assorted spices
- Five cans of chilis
- And-Wild Rice Casserole Ingredients
- Chicken
- Wild rice
- Toasted almonds (added last five minutes of baking)
- Cheddar cheese (added last five minutes of baking)
- Beer or chicken broth
- No-boil noodles
- Beefy tomato sauce
- Spaghetti
- Turkey pepperoni
- Smoked ham
- Pasta
- Gouda cheese
- Sharp Cheddar cheese
- Crushed buttery cornflakes
- Fresh vegetables
- Creamy broth
- Chopped herbs
- Potato chip mixture (added before baking)
- and-Cheddar Grits Quiche Ingredients
- Grits
- Bacon drippings
- Rich custard
- Basic chili ingredients list
- Traditional lasagna ingredients
- High-quality jarred sauce
- Choice of noodles
- Bone-in chicken thighs
- Chopped vegetables
- Fresh herbs
- Lemon juice
- Andouille sausage
- Creole seasonings
- Tomatoes and chilis
- Shrimp
- Chicken
- Ground beef
- Side salad
- Crusty garlic bread
- Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients
- Homemade pot pie filling
- Refrigerated pie crust
- Blistered pepper sauce
- Roasted tomatoes
- Deli-roasted chicken
- Bone-in chicken thighs
- Chopped vegetables
- Fresh herbs
- Noodles
- Lemon juice
- Slow-cooked roast
- Beer broth
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Cooker Pork Shoulder Ingredients
- Pork roast
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar syrup
- Grits or buns
- Cooker Pot Roast Ingredients
- Roast
- Vegetables
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Seasonings
- Cooker Corn Chowder Ingredients
- Fresh sweet corn
- Herbs
- Bacon
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Cheesy topping
- Broccoli
- Breadcrumbs
- Pre-soaked navy beans
- Ham
- Vegetables
- Aromatic vegetables
- Herbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Crusty bread
- Worcestershire sauce
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Fashioned Meatloaf Ingredients
- Basic meatloaf ingredients
- Seasoned beef and bean base
- Tater topping
- Basic casserole ingredients
- Okra
- Bell peppers
- Cayenne pepper
- Cream of shrimp soup or cream of mushroom soup
FAQ
- Can I freeze make-ahead meals for later use?
- Absolutely! Many of the recipes mentioned, such as Greek Baked Ziti and Pizza Spaghetti Casserole, can be prepared in advance and frozen. Typically, these dishes can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. Just ensure to thaw them properly before baking or reheating.
- How do I ensure the best flavor in make-ahead meals like chili?
- For meals like Quick Beef Chili, prepping in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully. For an added twist, consider using fried onion rings as a topping. Allowing the chili to sit after cooking enhances its depth of flavor.
- What is the best way to reheat frozen casseroles?
- For casseroles like Chicken-And-Wild Rice, it’s recommended to let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, allow them to stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as instructed. This ensures even cooking without compromising texture.
- Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?
- Yes, substitutions can be made based on preference or availability. For instance, in Easy Taco Soup, you can swap a bottle of beer with chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. Similarly, for Cajun Shrimp Casserole, cream of mushroom soup can replace cream of shrimp if needed.
- Are there vegetarian options among these make-ahead meals?
- While most recipes feature meat, you can adapt them for vegetarian preferences. For example, you can replace meat with plant-based proteins or additional vegetables in dishes like Slow Cooker Lentil Soup or Cheesy Broccoli And Rice Casserole to suit vegetarian diets.
Tips
- For casseroles that include toppings like almonds or potato chips, add these just before baking to maintain their crunchy texture.
- If you’re freezing a dish that needs to be baked later, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before putting it into the oven.
- Enhance the flavor of soups or stews by preparing them a day in advance, allowing time for the flavors to meld, and then reheating just before serving.
- When using a slow cooker, start preparations the night before by soaking beans or chopping ingredients, so you can quickly assemble everything in the morning.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker – Many of the recipes, such as various chilis and soups, are designed to be cooked in a slow cooker.
- Lasagna Pan – A deep, rectangular baking dish may be needed for lasagna and other casseroles.
- Food Processor – Useful for chopping vegetables quickly or blending soups as suggested in some recipes.
- Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch Oven – Essential for dishes that require searing meats before slow cooking, like the Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder.
- Grill Pan – For recipes like the Grilled Pork Chops, a grill pan can be useful if you don’t have an outdoor grill.
- Immersion Blender – Handy for blending soups directly in the pot, as mentioned in the Slow Cooker Lentil Soup recipe.
- Baking Sheets – Needed for baking items like the Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche or for roasting components.
- Pie Dish – Used for quiches and pot pies.
