40 Make-Ahead Meals for Easy, Breezy Weeknight Dinners
Now dinner is ready when you are.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Even if you love to cook, you may not love to prepare dinner from start to finish at the end of a long day (hello, Mondays). Enter: make-ahead meals designed to take the stress out of weeknight cooking and free up some precious hours in your after-work routine.
Our favorite easy dinners can either be fully prepared ahead of time or feature elements that can be made in advance and quickly put together before eating. We also included a few party-ready picks if you're looking for a potluck-style dish. So what food can be prepared in advance? Stash a family-friendly dinner such as a casserole, baked pasta, stew or soup in the freezer or stock your fridge with pre-cooked proteins, chopped veggies and homemade dips, dressings or sauces so you can make healthy (easy!) choices all week. Plus, everyone loves comfort food like homemade meatballs, lasagna and saucy enchiladas — and all of those dinners reheat well, meaning they're 100% meal-prep friendly.
These make-ahead dinners will streamline the cooking process so you can spend less time at the stove and more time lingering at the dinner table, lounging on the couch... the possibilities are (now) endless. And the joy of make-ahead meals isn't limited to dinner: Check out our easy make-ahead breakfasts so you never have to skip fueling up first thing.
Balsamic-Glazed Mini Meatloaves
A splash of balsamic vinegar in the ketchup glaze adds extra zing to these mini loaves, which can be formed up to three days in advance.
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
Make-ahead meals don't have to be all meat and cheese. Marinate everything in this salad except the greens and toss it all together when you're ready to eat.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
RELATED: 37 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Chicken pot pie on a weeknight? It's possible with this pot pie-inspired soup recipe that you can store in your freezer for even faster prep.
Get the Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe.
Air Fryer Falafel Salad
Looking for a vegetarian protein to store in your freezer? Homemade falafel balls — which you cook in the air fryer — are just the thing.
Get the Air Fryer Falafel Salad recipe.
RELATED: 78 Essential Air Fryer Recipes
Smoky Split Pea Soup
Cook the soup in the same pot as the bacon to infuse the whole thing with smoky flavor, then top it off with the crispy pieces.
Get the Smoky Split Pea Soup recipe.
Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers
This flavorful salad is made with crunchy cucumbers, fresh cherry tomatoes and a bright lemon dressing. It won't get soggy in the fridge, so you could definitely meal prep this one.
Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Throw together this bronze-lidded beauty on a weekend and reheat portions throughout the week. Or, you can refrigerate the unbaked lasagna overnight, then bake and serve the next day.
Get the Lasagna with Meat Sauce recipe.
RELATED: 75 Easy Family Dinner Ideas for Any Day of the Week
Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup
Put the "instant" in noodle soup with this make-ahead version: Pile all of the ingredients into a jar, store in the fridge, then add hot water before slurping.
Get the Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup recipe.
Creamy Chicken Potpies
The best part about chicken potpies (Besides the creamy, gooey filling and the flaky, buttery crust)? The entire thing can be assembled and then frozen whole for those nights when you literally just can't.
Get the Creamy Chicken Potpies recipe.
Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Ginger Vinaigrette
We’d eat anything tossed in this sweet and tangy ginger-laced vinaigrette, so this shrimp and veg-filled noodle salad is a shoe-in. For best results, we like to dress it right before serving.
Get the Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Ginger Vinaigrette recipe.
Quick White Bean and Sausage Stew
Sausage and beans are a classic pairing. This kielbasa-and-cannellini soup takes just 30 minutes to whip up, and stores well in the fridge or freezer.
Get the Quick White Bean and Sausage Stew recipe.
RELATED: 27 Best Dutch Oven Recipes: Cozy Dinners and Decadent Desserts
Picnic Sandwich Pinwheels
Make party-size sandwiches for your next gathering: Store unsliced wraps in your refrigerator and slice into pinwheels the next day.
Get the Picnic Sandwich Pinwheels recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde
Slow cookers are great for making big-batch meals ahead of time. Case in point: this flavorful stew made with chicken thighs, tomatillos and poblano peppers.
Get the Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde recipe.
RELATED: 80 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
Roasted Eggplant Veggie Burgers
Roasted eggplant creates a flavorful, "meaty" base for these veggie burgers that you can keep in your freezer.
Chicken Curry
This savory favorite heats up so well. Save on delivery by making it yourself!
Get the Chicken Curry recipe.
Quiche Lorraine
If you're planning a big brunch, great news: You can totally prep this quiche ahead of time! Quiche can be stored in the fridge for a few days, or frozen for a few months.
Get the Quiche Lorraine recipe.
Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Casserole
If you have trouble waking up in time to make a filling, balanced breakfast (or breakfast-for-dinner!), try making this casserole the night before.
Get the Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Casserole recipe.
RELATED: 50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food
Good Housekeeping Easy Meal Prep: The Ultimate Playbook for Make-Ahead Meals
If you really want to become a meal prepping pro, check out Good Housekeeping's Easy Meal Prep cookbook. Not only has each recipe been vetted and approved by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, but we're also offering tips and techniques to help you flawlessly execute batch-cooking, freeze-ahead meals, ready-to-serve dinners and grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches.
Spaghetti and Air Fryer Meatballs
These juicy meatballs fry up in as little as 10 minutes and keep beautifully in the fridge or freezer. We’d highly recommend making a double batch.
Vegan Lasagna
With a mix of mushrooms and a thick, luxurious cashew cream, this vegan lasagna gives cheese-based versions a run for their money.
Get the Vegan Lasagna recipe.
45 Easy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day
15 Healthy, High-Protein Meal Prep Recipes
75 Family Dinner Ideas for Any Day of the Week
7 Healthy Mason Jar Salad Recipes
