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. These easy dinners are either fully prepared ahead of time or feature elements that can be made in advance and quickly put together before eating. We also included party-ready picks if you're looking for a potluck meal to make before the big get-together. These make-ahead dinners are meant to please a variety of tastes, whether you're enjoying a meal solo or with a slew of picky eaters. They 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.
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. 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.
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.
Watch Next
How to Meal Prep Like a Pro
45 Easy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day
75 Family Dinner Ideas for Any Day of the Week
Delicious Appetizers