Between shopping, decorating, parties, and family gatherings, the holidays are a whirlwind. Oftentimes, dinner is an afterthought. Instead of hitting the drive-thru, prep with make-ahead meals for busy nights. Each of these dinner recipes can be made ahead of time and reheated when you need them. Whether you’re leaving dinner for the babysitter when heading out to a holiday party or need something handy for when the calendar has an activity every night, having these make-ahead dinner recipes is a gift.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
“This is more like chicken enchiladas. Easy to prepare and always a huge hit! Great for a potluck or picnic too. Adjust heat for your particular taste by adding more green chiles or using tomatoes without chiles. To save time, use a rotisserie chicken from your local deli.” – Kathy
Crock Pot Honey Chicken and Rice
“An easy and delicious Crock Pot chicken.” – Opal
Grandma’s Italian Meatballs
“My grandma gave me this Italian meatball recipe years ago. I keep them stocked up in the freezer and when I need them there they are. Delicious! I make the balls bigger if I’m using them for meatballs subs. I slice them in half, flat side down on a hoagie roll, add sauce, and cheese, and broil for about 10 minutes. I also smash them up and add them to my sauce for lasagna.” – Cassie
White Chicken Chili
“I love savory soups, stews, and chili – especially when the weather turns cold. This is a savory chili packed with flavor and a little kick. This is the perfect comfort food and game day recipe. A one bowl dish that satisfies hungry football fans.” – Shauna
Beef Enchilada Bake
“My family absolutely loves my enchiladas. Can adjust the heat of the dish by going a step up or down on the heat in the enchilada sauce. Great served with a salad and refried beans.” – Dawn
Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Cupcakes
“My sons love to eat these cupcakes for dinner. They are fun for the whole family and can be adapted by making them with ground turkey or chicken and adding other veggies to the mixture.” – Cara
Tanya’s Tex-Mex Chili
“Easy and a family favorite!” – Tanya
Pineapple Chicken Stir-fry
“This is a great recipe if you’re craving stir-fry for dinner. The soy sauce gives it flavor, while the pineapple gives it a bit of sweetness!” – Rachel
Taco Stewp
“I came up with this version when I didn’t have all the ingredients for another recipe.” – Cindy
Shepherd’s Pie
“If you want a taste of Ireland? Taste this Irish favorite comfort food.” – Cari
Taco Potato Casserole
“This easy Taco Potato Casserole is cheesy, hearty, and full of flavor! A quick weeknight meal made with ground beef, potatoes, and taco seasoning.” – Debbie
Bacon Cheesburger Skillet
“In trying to teach my daughter that you can make your own Hamburger Helper without the box, I came up with this dish. It is now a regular on our menu and we love it.” – Janet
Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma
“Shawarma is traditionally a meat preparation on a vertical spit, slow roasted for the day. This is an easier oven version; a bit more practical when feeding the family. The marinade ingredients are indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean region.” – Brenda
Chicken Spaghetti
“This is a great recipe for a cold day. My kids devour it! There are many easy substitutes; I have used cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, cooking wine with a bouillon cube, etc. Always tastes great!” – Leslie
Pasta E Fagioli Zuccaro Family
“This is my family’s quick and personal take on a great soup. I used small shells the first time, and the beans disappeared in the shells. I added another can, thinking they had cooked out… turned into a very musical soup. This soup can be frozen and reheated.” – Leslie
Skillet Chicken Fajita Rice
“Fajita-style chicken, peppers, and onion in a one-pan rice meal!” – Kevin