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These filling make ahead dinners will help make your weeknights a breeze. Make a double batch or prep the meals ahead of time and store them in the freezer or fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them.

Make Ahead Dinners
Make Ahead Dinners. Meatball Casserole. Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry

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For busy weeknights when you don’t have time to cook, these make ahead dinners will come in handy. You can thaw them out and reheat them for a filling dinner the family will love.

Stove Top Lasagna Soup

A bowl of soup garnished with cheese and herbs, set on a light-colored surface next to a spoon and dark green cloth.
Stove Top Lasagna Soup. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A bowl of hearty soup is good for the soul and it’s an easy to make meal. Loaded with your favorite lasagna flavors, you can make the soup ahead of time and freeze it for later.

Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup

Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

sausage balls with cream cheese and baking mix
Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Sausage, biscuit mix, and cheese is all you need to make these flavorful sausage balls. After they’re cooked, flash freeze them, and then store them away for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them serve alongside a salad.

Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Chicken enchilada soup in a bowl with tortilla chips and guacamole, perfect for National Chili Day recipes.
HEALTHY CROCKPOT WHITE CHICKEN CHILI. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

This healthy white chicken chili is slow cooked in the crockpot for an easy dinner. You can also freeze them as part of your make ahead dinners. Once cooked, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi

A bowl of linguine pasta topped with shrimp and garnished with parsley, perfect for last-minute dinner ideas.
DAIRY-FREE SHRIMP SCAMPI. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

You don’t have to skip out on your favorite shrimp pasta dish if you’re looking for a make ahead meal. You can make this shrimp scampi over the weekend and enjoy it throughout the week or even freeze.

Get The Recipe: Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi

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Air Fryer Hand Pies (Air Fryer Sloppy Joes)

Mini meat pies on a cooling rack with one pie cut open, surrounded by fresh tomatoes, parsley, a plate with a pastry cutter, and a small bowl of meat filling, set on a checkered cloth.
Easy Sloppy Joe Air Fryer Hand Pies. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A meaty sloppy joe filling tucked inside a flaky crust is a delicious option for dinner. You can make these sloppy joe hand pies ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Reheat them in the air fryer for best results.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Hand Pies (Air Fryer Sloppy Joes)

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

dutch oven chicken pot pie
Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Make a double batch of this chicken pot pie so that you can freeze the leftovers for an easy reheat weeknight meal. The tender vegetables with the flaky buttery pot pie crust is a filling and comforting dish to enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Chicken Korma

An instant pot chicken curry with rice and naan.
INSTANT POT CHICKEN KORMA. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Bring those amazing Indian flavors to the dinner table with this chicken korma. It’s a quick and easy instant pot recipe that you can make ahead of time and freeze or store in the fridge.

Get The Recipe: Quick and Easy Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Hot Girl Summer Salad

Hot Girl Summer Salad Viral TikTok Recipe by Food Plus Words
Hot Girl Summer Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A salad to make for the week, this summer salad is loaded with veggies and a creamy dressing that seeps right into them. Make this over the weekend and enjoy the leftovers for dinner throughout the week.

Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad

Nigerian Fried Rice

African recipes
AUTHENTIC NIGERIAN FRIED RICE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

With a mixture of long-grain rice, Nigerian curry powder, a handful of spices, mixed veggies, prawns, and liver, this Nigerian fried rice is a filling dinner to enjoy. You can also serve it as a side with your favorite chicken meal.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese

How To Store Crockpot Tortellini with Spinach and Cream Cheese
Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

With soup being one of the most popular dishes to make ahead and freeze for later, this crockpot tortellini soup is an easy soup that’s rich and creamy. Make the soup and freeze the leftovers so that you have a cozy dinner ready to enjoy any time.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Tortellini Soup With Cream Cheese

Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

What is Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, this hashbrown breakfast casserole is and easy to make breakfast for dinner meal that’s filling.

Get The Recipe: Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix

slow cooker beef stew recipe with onion soup mix
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A hearty beef stew that’s slow cooked in a rich savory broth is the perfect meal for when you want something cozy and comforting. It can be stored in the freezer so that you just have to reheat and eat.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix

Slow Cooker Hoppin John Recipe

A bowl of food in front of a crock pot.
SLOW COOKER HOPPIN JOHN. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

A make and freeze dinner idea, this slow cooker meal is loaded with meaty sausage, rice, and other goodies. Freeze in an airtight container and reheat when you’re ready for a filling family meal.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John Recipe

Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs by Food Plus Words
INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Spaghetti is one of those quick and easy meals already and you can make the sauce of ahead of time and freeze. When you’re ready to eat, just boil the noodles and reheat the sauce to enjoy for dinner.

Get The Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos

summer dinner recipes
BLACK BEAN SWEET POTATO BURRITOS. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

A healthy burrito to enjoy for dinner and one that’s make ahead friendly. You can store these burritos in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Get The Recipe: Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos

Quick and Easy Seitan

Two plates of cooked soy curls are placed on a table with a striped cloth. The focus is on the plate in the foreground, which contains a mix of whole and shredded soy curls.
Quick and Easy Seitan. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Good for up to 3 months in the freezer, this quick and easy seitan is a great replacement for chicken in many of your dishes or enjoyed like chicken tenders.

Get The Recipe: Quick and Easy Seitan

Vegetarian Chili

chili bar ideas
CHILI BAR IDEAS. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

You’re definitely going to want to double the batch when making this vegetarian chili so that you have leftovers to freeze. The delicious bean loaded chili is a hearty and delicious dinner idea.

Get The Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

Easy Meatless Meatballs

A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce and three vegetarian meatballs, garnished with basil and grated cheese, perfect for February food recipes. A fork rests on the plate, and a small bowl of grated cheese is beside it.
Easy Meatless Meatballs. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

It’s always great to have meatballs on hand and if you want the best meatless version, this is an easy and delicious recipe. Freeze the meatballs and use them later on for meatballs subs or to go with your pasta dishes.

Get The Recipe: Easy Meatless Meatballs

Vegan Coconut Lentil Curry

30 minute meals
COCONUT LENTIL CURRY. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

With that famous coconut lentil curry sauce, this curry is a delicious dinner for any night of the week. It’s also freezer friendly. It’ll keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Coconut Lentil Curry

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet pan dish with seasoned chicken pieces, sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers, onions, and a lime wedge. Flour tortillas are on the side.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks

With tender chicken, veggies, and a flavorful fajita sauce, this is one dinner that’s going to be a hit. You can make the fajita mixture ahead of time and freeze for a quick and delicious dinner idea when you’re short on time.

Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

summer meal ideas
CHEESEBURGER TATER TOT CASSEROLE. PHOTO CREDIT: BAKING BEAUTY.

Freezer friendly, filling, and delicious, this cheeseburger tater tot casserole is one dinner idea the family will love. Make a double batch for freezing so that you have a quick weeknight dinner when you need it.

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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

King Ranch Chicken Casserole by The Forked Spoon
King Ranch Chicken Casserole. Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

Assemble and refrigerate or you can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to make it, thaw it out overnight and cook for dinner.

Get The Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Tuna and Ricotta Frittata

Tuna and Ricotta Frittata by Like Hot Keto
Tuna and Ricotta Frittata. Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto

Portion, arrange, and store tuna and ricotta frittatas in the freezer for up to 3 months. Layer the frittatas with parchment paper between so that they don’t stick together when freezing.

Get The Recipe: Tuna and Ricotta Frittata

Meatball Casserole

Meatball Casserole by Recipes From A Pantry
Meatball Casserole. Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry

Once baked, this meatball casserole can be cooled and kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen casserole in the fridge overnight and then reheat it in the oven.

Get The Recipe: Meatball Casserole

Chicken Meatloaf

Chicken Meatloaf by Budget Delicious
Chicken Meatloaf. Photo Credit: Budget Delicious

Best baked fresh, you can prep the chicken meatloaf and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months and bake it when you’re ready to eat.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Meatloaf

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Make dinner easy with these make ahead dinners. You can store the leftovers in the freezer or prep and store so that you have a quick and easy dinner ready to enjoy.

25 Simple Dinner Ideas to Make Your Weeknight Meals Effortless

A sheet pan with shrimp, sausage slices, zucchini, red bell peppers, and green beans, garnished with herbs.
Simple Dinner Ideas. Sheet Pan Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Dinner. Photo Credit: Budget Delicious

These simple dinner ideas make a delicious weeknight meal. Theyโ€™re easy, loaded with flavor, and donโ€™t require many steps to create a filling meal the family will love.

Read it here: 25 Simple Dinner Ideas to Make Your Weeknight Meals Effortless

25 Meal Planning Ideas to Make You Feel Like a Kitchen Wizard

A plate of vegetable fried rice with mushrooms, carrots, and chopped chives, accompanied by a fork.
Meal Planning Ideas. Vegetarian Rice Casserole. Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes

Plan all the family meals with these meal planning ideas. From lunches to dinners, these ideas will help you plan and prep ahead of time to make sure everyone is full and satisfied.

Read it here: 25 Meal Planning Ideas to Make You Feel Like a Kitchen Wizard

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

A woman in a kitchen writes on a notepad beside a grocery bag with a Walmart logo and various groceries on the counter.
Photo Credit: La Passion Voutee.

Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.

Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

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