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These make ahead dinners for company let you host without the hustle and stress of trying to get everything done. You’ll be able to spend more time enjoying the party and not trying to get dinner on the table in a hurry.

Make Ahead Dinners for Company
Make Ahead Dinners for Company. Crock Pot Barbacoa Pork. Photo Credit: GypsyPlate

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From dishes that you can make a few days in advance to meals that you can prep and bake when you’re ready, these make ahead dinners for company will help you host a tasty gathering with friends and family.

Slow Cooker Hoppin John

A bowl of food in front of a crock pot.
Slow Cooker Hoppin John. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A simple and filling dinner idea that’ll make guests happy, this hoppin john is made in the slow cooker to give you an impressive meal to serve company.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John

Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

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

Paired with a side salad, these sausage balls are an easy to make dinner idea. All you need are a few simple ingredients like ground sausage, cream cheese, biscuit mix, and shredded cheese.

Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

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

Easy to make, you can prep and cook these air fryer sloppy joes ahead of time and then reheat when you’re ready. They’re also freezer friendly so you can make them way in advance.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Sloppy Joes

Stove Top Lasagna Soup

A bowl of soup with meat and cheese in it.
Stove Top Lasagna Soup. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Make this lasagna soup ahead of time so that you have a filling dinner to serve company when they come over. Add a salad or soup side for a complete meal.

Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup

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Juicy Chicken

summer chicken recipes
Juicy Chicken. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

One of the best things about chicken is that you can do a lot with it. Turn this chicken into other filling main dishes that you can make ahead of time. Think pasta salads, hearty chicken salads, soups, and more.

Get The Recipe: Juicy Chicken

Potato Soup with Hash Browns

potato soup with hash browns
Potato Soup with Hash Browns. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Use hashbrowns to make a quick and easy potato soup for guests to enjoy. It’s easy to make this soup ahead of time so you can reheat it when you need an easy meal to serve.

Get The Recipe: Potato Soup with Hash Browns

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs by Food Plus Words
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Enjoy a hearty helping of spaghetti and meatballs with friends and family for your laid back gathering. It’s easy to make in the instant pot and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Crockpot Shepherdโ€™s Pie

step 14b Crockpot Shepherd's Pie
Crockpot Shepherdโ€™s Pie. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Shepherd’s pie is an easy and satisfying dinner idea that can be made ahead of time. Just reheat it in the oven when you need it for dinner.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Shepherdโ€™s Pie

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

Loaded with tender potatoes, carrots, and beef, this stew is made in the slow cooker for an easy meal that you can make for guests.

If you’re making for the night ahead, just let the slow cooker keep it warm.

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

Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl

shrimp sushi bowls
Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

When it comes to sushi bowls, you can prep everything ahead of time and then put it all together when you’re ready to feed company.

Get The Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl

Ghanaian Meat Pie

Three empanadas on a stone board with more in a wooden tray, spices in wooden spoons, and a folded cloth nearby.
Ghanaian Meat Pie. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Make these meat pies ahead of time and you’ll have an easy meal to enjoy. You can prep ahead of time and bake when ready or they can also be made in advance and frozen.

Get The Recipe: Ghanaian Meat Pie

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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Enjoyed cold, make this bacon ranch pasta salad ahead of time so that you can enjoy it with company. It’s a simple dish that’s packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Nigerian Salad

The Best Nigerian Salad Recipe by Food Plus Words
Nigerian Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Loaded with veggies, beans, and eggs all tossed with a creamy mayo dressing, this Nigerian salad will be a party favorite that you can easily make ahead of time.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Salad

Chili

best damn chili ever recipe
Chili. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A batch of chili can go a long way when you’re feeding a group and it’s easy to make it ahead of time. Keep it warm all day in a slow cooker or make ahead of time and reheat when ready.

Get The Recipe: Chili

Vegan Tacos

Lunch ideas: A row of beef tacos garnished with lettuce, cheese, and tomato, accompanied by lime wedges.
Vegan Tacos. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Make the taco filling ahead of time so that you can reheat it when everyone is ready for a filing dinner idea.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Tacos

Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing

Easy Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing by Happy Food Healthy Life
Easy Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Put together a hearty vegan cobb salad with ranch dressing to enjoy. Loaded with chickpeas, tofu, and crunchy vegetables, it’s a healthy and filling dinner.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

A lentil sloppy joe on a plate with a whole wheat bun, topped with red and white cabbage slaw. Another sandwich and slaw bowl in the background.
Easy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Add some fun to your gathering and go with a laid back option of vegetarian sloppy joes. The hearty sandwiches are made with lentils instead of beef.

Get The Recipe: Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

A bowl of quinoa salad with black beans, edamame, chopped vegetables, and leafy greens on a checkered cloth.
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Filled with fresh veggies, quinoa, and black beans, this salad is an easy make ahead dinner for company that’s light and healthy.

Get The Recipe: Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

Sweet Corn Gazpacho

easy summer meals
Sweet Corn Gazpacho. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

A no cook chilled soup that’s perfect for when you need some ideas on make ahead dinners for company. This sweet corn soup gazpacho is easy and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Sweet Corn Gazpacho

Meatball Casserole

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

A hearty dinner idea for company, this meatball casserole is an easy to make dish that’s filling and loaded with cheesy meaty goodness.

Get The Recipe: Meatball Casserole

Curry Chicken Salad

make ahead meals for a crowd
Curry Chicken Salad. Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

Spice up your chicken salad and serve up this curry chicken salad for your company. It’s a made ahead dinner for company that you can make a few days in advance if needed.

Get The Recipe: Curry Chicken Salad

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Vegetable Stew

A skillet with roasted vegetables, featuring red onions, broccoli, and zucchini, is topped with a sunny-side-up eggโ€”a delightful February food idea perfect for brightening up winter meals.
Vegetable Stew. Photo Credit: Refresh My Health

Loaded with veggies like broccoli, onion, and cauliflower, this vegetable stew is a delicious and easy to make meal you can make ahead of time.

Get The Recipe: Vegetable Stew

Hamburger Casserole

Hamburger Casserole by Foodess
Hamburger Casserole. Photo Credit: Foodess

A super easy make ahead dinner for company is this hamburger casserole. The cheese pasta dinner idea will have everyone going back for seconds.

Get The Recipe: Hamburger Casserole

Shredded Beef Chuck Roast

make ahead meals for a crowd
Dutch Oven Shredded Beef Chuck Roast. Photo Credit: My Chef’s Apron.

Make shredded beef chuck roast ahead of time and then reheat when you’re ready to serve dinner. You can use the shredded beef for tacos, served with potatoes, and more.

Get The Recipe: Shredded Beef Chuck Roast

Crock Pot Barbacoa Pork

Crock Pot Barbacoa Pork by GypsyPlate
Crock Pot Barbacoa Pork. Photo Credit: GypsyPlate

Barbacoa pork is one of the best things you can make when serving a crowd. You can make it ahead of time and turn it into healthy salad bowls, tacos, and so much more.

Get The Recipe: Crock Pot Barbacoa Pork

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These make ahead dinners for company will help you create a filling meal without all the work before the gathering.

25 Make Ahead Freezer Meals So Good Youโ€™ll Forget They Were Frozen

Make Ahead Freezer Meals
Make Ahead Freezer Meals. Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

These make ahead freezer meals are so tasty, youโ€™ll forget they were every frozen. Theyโ€™ll be great for weekday dinner idea when you want something easy and filling to make.

Read it here: 25 Make Ahead Freezer Meals So Good Youโ€™ll Forget They Were Frozen

25 Make Ahead Lunches for Busy Weeks and Big Appetites

Make Ahead Lunches
Make Ahead Lunches. Easy Fried Rice. Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud

Make your busy weeks easy with these make ahead lunches. Theyโ€™re filling, satisfying, and will help make your lunch routine stress free.

Read it here: 25 Make Ahead Lunches for Busy Weeks and Big Appetites

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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