15 Easy Make Ahead Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

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Busy weeknights can be tough, but these 15 make ahead dinner recipes make it easy. You can enjoy tasty meals without the stress of last-minute cooking. This collection includes everything from classic chicken casseroles to hearty Italian dishes and Mexican favorites that freeze well.

Meal prepping can change your weeknights for the better. It lets you spend more time with your family and enjoy homemade dinners with ease.

Why Make Ahead Dinner Recipes Are a Game-Changer for Busy Families

Make ahead dinner recipes are a lifesaver for busy families. They offer convenience, letting parents enjoy stress-free evenings. Meal prepping saves time and money, and reduces stress.

Benefits of Meal Prepping

Meal prepping has changed family routines for the better. It improves eating habits and saves money. A few hours on the weekend can make meal prep easier.

Planning meals ahead means healthier choices. Families eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Time and Money Savings

Meal prepping saves money and cuts down on dining out. Making a shopping list after planning meals helps avoid impulse buys. This ensures all ingredients are ready.

Batch cooking and portioning meals make weeknights easier. Families can enjoy homemade meals without hassle.

Stress Reduction Benefits

Having freezer-friendly dishes ready can change everything for busy families. It reduces meal planning stress. Parents can spend more time with their kids in the evenings.

This approach to mealtimes improves family well-being. It makes evenings more relaxed and organized.

“Meal prepping has transformed the weekly routines of families, improving eating habits and saving money along the way.”

Essential Tools and Equipment for Make Ahead Meals

Batch cooking and making homemade ready meals are easier with the right tools. You’ll need slow cookers, casserole dishes, and more. These items help you prepare meals ahead of time and ensure they’re perfect every time.

A slow cooker is key for make-ahead meals. It cooks ingredients slowly, making dishes like chipotle chicken and kalua pork even better. Choose a quality slow cooker with different heat settings and a big capacity for your needs.

You’ll also need durable casserole dishes. They’re great for layered meals like lasagna and enchiladas. You can prepare these dishes ahead and bake them when you’re ready to eat.

Glass food storage containers in various sizes, from $35 to $130, are crucial for portioning and storing meals.
Silicone trays like Souper Cubes, around $36, help freeze individual portions of soups, stews, and sauces.
Reusable storage bags from Stasher, priced at $46, are perfect for marinating meats or storing ingredients in the fridge or freezer.

No meal prep station is complete without clear glass baking dishes. They let you watch your dishes cook and check if they’re done easily.

With these tools, you’ll get better at batch cooking. You’ll have a stockpile of homemade meals ready for busy weeknights.

Classic Chicken Casserole Variations

Classic chicken casserole variations are a lifesaver for busy families. They’re comforting and easy to grab on hectic weeknights. These dishes are perfect for satisfying your cravings for home-cooked meals.

Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini is a creamy, savory pasta casserole with tender chicken. It’s great because you can make it ahead and bake it when you’re ready. It’s the ultimate easy meal planning solution.

Creamy Chicken Potpie

The Creamy Chicken Potpie is a hearty, satisfying option. It has a flaky, buttery crust with chicken and fresh veggies inside. Make it ahead and bake it for a grab-and-go dinner everyone will love.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Try the Buffalo Chicken Casserole for a spicy twist. It mixes Buffalo sauce with tender chicken for a bold, flavorful meal. Prepare it in advance for those busy weeknights.

These classic chicken casserole variations are a tasty, convenient way to plan meals. Whether you want a creamy pasta, a comforting potpie, or something spicy, these dishes are perfect for your meal rotation.

“Having these classic chicken casserole variations on hand makes dinner time a breeze. The ability to prepare them in advance and simply reheat when needed is a game-changer for busy families.”

Hearty Italian-Inspired Make Ahead Dishes

If you love Italian food, you’ll be excited to try these make-ahead meals. Classics like lasagna and baked ziti are great for busy nights or big gatherings. They’re perfect for batch cooking and homemade ready meals.

The Lasagna with Meat Sauce is a standout dish. You can make it ahead, chill it overnight, and bake it when you’re ready. It’s packed with pasta, ground beef, and ricotta, making it a satisfying meal.

The Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno is another favorite. It’s a cheesy, creamy pasta dish. Like lasagna, it’s easy to prep ahead and bake when needed.

For a veggie option, try the Spinach Manicotti. It’s filled with spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan, then baked in tomato sauce. It’s tasty and great for adding more veggies to your meals.

These batch cooking and homemade ready meals are perfect for any occasion. They’re sure to become family favorites.

Recipe	Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings
Lasagna with Meat Sauce	30 minutes	1 hour	1 hour 30 minutes	8-10
Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno	25 minutes	45 minutes	1 hour 10 minutes	6-8
Spinach Manicotti	40 minutes	50 minutes	1 hour 30 minutes	6-8

“These Italian-inspired batch cooking and homemade ready meals are a game-changer for busy families. They offer the flavors we love with the convenience of make-ahead prep.”

Freezer-Friendly Mexican Favorites

Freezer-friendly dishes like Mexican favorites make meal planning easy. Enchilada casserole and burritos are great for busy nights or guests. They’re full of flavor and easy to make ahead.

Enchilada Casserole

This enchilada casserole can be made with chicken or beef. It uses organic grass-fed ground beef for quality and nutrition. You can choose 90% lean or 85% lean beef for different tastes.

The beef enchiladas freeze well for up to 2 months. They can be reheated later, making them convenient. The recipe details how to prepare the beef and beans for the best taste and texture.

Make Ahead Burritos

Make-ahead burritos are another great option. They can be wrapped individually for easy reheating. You can fill them with seasoned beef, chicken, or veggies for everyone’s taste.

Assemble the burritos, wrap them tight, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat them straight from the freezer for a quick, satisfying meal.

Adding these Mexican favorites to your meal plan is easy. Enchilada casserole and burritos are delicious and versatile. They make meal prep simple, so your family can enjoy Mexican flavors any night.

Make Ahead Dinner Recipes for Slow Cooker Success

Slow cookers are a big help when you’re short on time. With a bit of prep, you can have a tasty meal ready when you get home. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights.

Try chuck roast with vegetables, pork green chili, or chicken pozole verde. They’re all easy to make and full of flavor. Just mix the ingredients in the morning, and let the slow cooker do the rest.

These recipes are great because they’re easy to prepare ahead of time. They’re perfect for Sunday prep or a potluck. The slow cooker makes the meat tender and the flavors blend beautifully, with hardly any work.

Recipe	Cook Time	Serving Size
Chuck Roast with Vegetables	8-10 hours	6-8
Pork Green Chili	6-8 hours	4-6
Chicken Pozole Verde	4-6 hours	6-8

Looking for a comforting stew, a hearty casserole, or a versatile shredded protein? These recipes have you covered. Enjoy the ease of time-saving cooking and the joy of a homemade meal.

“The slow cooker is a busy parent’s best friend. These make ahead recipes make it easy to enjoy a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.”

Vegetarian Options for Batch Cooking

Meal prep isn’t just for meat lovers. Vegetarian dishes can also be prepped ahead, offering tasty meals for everyone. Eggplant parmesan and vegetable lasagna are great for batch cooking.

Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant parmesan is a beloved Italian dish perfect for batch cooking. It’s made with breaded and baked eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Baked until golden, it’s ready to serve.

Roasted eggplant veggie burgers are another tasty option. They freeze well, making them easy to grab and go.

Vegetable Lasagna

For a dairy-free lasagna, try a veggie-packed version with cashew cream sauce. It has noodles, roasted veggies, and a creamy sauce. This vegan lasagna freezes well for grab-and-go meals.

Eggplant parmesan and vegetable lasagna are great for meal prep. They offer plenty of servings for the week. These dishes make it easy to add more plant-based meals to your diet without losing flavor.

Pasta Bakes and Casseroles

Pasta bakes and casseroles are perfect for quick, homemade meals. Dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, baked ziti, and tuna noodle casserole are great. They can be made ahead and stored for busy weeknights.

These recipes use a variety of pasta, from ziti and lasagna to gnocchi and ravioli. They’re also filled with tasty ingredients. Cheese is in 85% of them, and chicken is in 45%.

25% of the recipes have meat-based sauces, and 30% have creamy elements. This makes them hearty and satisfying.

These dishes are easy to make. They take about 45 minutes to prepare and use just one baking dish. They’re perfect for feeding a crowd or for leftovers. They’re sure to be a hit in your weeknight meals.

FAQ

What are the benefits of make ahead dinner recipes?

Make ahead dinner recipes save time and money. They also reduce stress. Plus, they offer homemade meals even on busy weeknights.

What are some essential tools for make ahead meals?

You’ll need slow cookers, casserole dishes, and freezer-safe containers. Clear glass baking dishes are also key. They make meal prep, storage, and reheating easy.