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When it comes to weekdays, sometimes there’s not a lot of time to cook a homemade meal. That’s where these make ahead dinners for the week come in.

Make Ahead Dinners for the Week
Make Ahead Dinners for the Week. Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry

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These make ahead dinners for the week allow you to prep or cook them beforehand so that you can enjoy a filling meal with the family on days you’re short on time.

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

Soup is one of the best make ahead dinners because you can make a lot and either keep it in the fridge or the freezer. When you need something quick, easy, and comforting, this lasagna soup will hit the spot.

Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup

TikTok Juicy Chicken

most popular tiktok recipes - juicy chicken 101
TikTok Juicy Chicken. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

The perfectly seasoned chicken can be made ahead of time and used for a variety of different meals. Heat it up as a main dish or enjoy it cold in your salads, pasta dishes, and more throughout the week.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Juicy Chicken

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

With hearty vegetables and tender beef, this stew is made in the slow cooker with a onion soup flavored broth that’s bursting with flavor.

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

Slow Cooker Hoppin John

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

With sausage, rice, veggies, and a tomato based sauce, this slow cooker dinner idea is comforting and easy to make ahead for the week.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John

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Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

Freshly baked ham and cheese sandwiches on a white plate, perfect for last-minute dinner ideas.
TURKEY BACON RANCH SLIDERS BY fOOD PLUS WORDS.

Sliders are easy to make and these bring in an amazing combination of turkey, bacon, and ranch flavors. They’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

Healthy 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.

Chili is one of the classic make ahead dinners for the week and this healthy white chicken chili is a spicy meal that’ll make your taste buds happy.

Get The Recipe: Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili

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 and meatballs made in the instant pot is an easy dish you can make for your week ahead. Just pull it out when you’re ready and reheat it on the stove.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Vegan Stuffed Eggplant (Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant)

4th of July vegetarian recipes
Vegan Stuffed Eggplant (Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant). Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Filled with a Mediterranean veggie filling, these stuffed eggplants are great for making ahead of time and can be kept in the freezer for even longer.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Stuffed Eggplant (Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant)

Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle

Lazy Dinner Ideas
Easy TikTok Ramen Noodles. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Coming together with just a few ingredients and under 10 minutes, this easy ramen noodle recipe takes it up a notch when it comes to flavor.

Get The Recipe: Easy TikTok Ramen Noodle

Nigerian Ofada Stew (Red Pepper Stew)

African recipes
NIGERIAN OFADA STEW (RED PEPPER STEW). PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Make this Nigerian red pepper stew so that you have a comforting meal to enjoy throughout the week. It’s made with red peppers, onions, meat, fish, and eggs and can be stored in the fridge and is freezer friendly.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Ofada Stew (Red Pepper Stew)

Chicken Panang Curry

Spicy thai red curry with pork and vegetables served in a bowl, perfect for last-minute dinner ideas.
AUTHENTIC CHICKEN PANANG CURRY. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

With robust flavors, this chicken curry dish is easy to make and it can even be frozen so that all you have to do is thaw and reheat.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Panang Curry

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Easy Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

A plate of food on a table.
DUTCH OVEN CHICKEN POT PIE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Comfort food without the work! This chicken pot pie uses rotisserie chicken, frozen vegetables, and puff pastry for a shortcut dinner that’s easy to make ahead for the week.

Get The Recipe: Easy Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup

step 8b Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup
Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Tender chicken and noodles in a seasoned savory broth with vegetables makes this homemade chicken noodle soup so delicious.

Make a large batch over the weekend so that you have plenty to enjoy throughout the week when you need something quick and easy.

Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup

The Best Damn Chili

step 11 best damn chili recipe
The Best Damn Chili. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Get ready to make your taste buds happy with this chili recipe. You can make a big batch of chili over the weekend and everyone can enjoy it for dinner throughout the week.

Get The Recipe: The Best Damn Chili

Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich

camping dinner ideas
Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life.

Use tempeh to make vegan chicken salad sandwiches so that you have a light but healthy dinner to enjoy. You can make the tempeh salad ahead of time and then put it on your favorite bread or bun when you’re ready to eat.

Get The Recipe: Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich

Easy 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

Lentils get cooked in a sweet, savory, smoky sauce that’s nothing short of delicious. Serve it on buns like you would with sloppy joes and add some coleslaw to make it even more flavorful.

Get The Recipe: Easy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

casserole recipes
BLACK BEAN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Make this black bean enchilada casserole over the weekend and you’ll be thankful for the Mexican inspired flavors for dinner throughout the week. It’s a simple casserole that’s easy to make, cheesy, and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Sweet Corn Gazpacho

Easy Summer Recipes
SWEET CORN GAZPACHO. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Freezer friendly and easy to make, this cold summer soup brings in those wonderful sweet corn flavors. It’ll be a refreshing dinner idea the family will love.

Get The Recipe: Sweet Corn Gazpacho

Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos

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

Assemble and freeze or keep in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. These burritos are made with sweet potatoes, corn, and black beans to give you a healthy satisfying weeknight meal.

Get The Recipe: Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos

Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole by Recipes From A Pantry
Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole. Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry

Casseroles are perfect for make ahead dinners for the week because they can be frozen or made in advance so that you can just reheat and eat.

Get The Recipe: Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Shredded Chicken Tacos by Little Sunny Kitchen
Shredded Chicken Tacos. Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

Bursting with flavor, you can make the shredded chicken taco filling ahead of time so that you have a quick meal to enjoy for dinner the entire week.

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Kimchi Burritos

Kimchi Burritos by In The Kitch
Kimchi Burritos. Photo Credit: In The Kitch

A high protein dinner that’s made with black beans, chicken, and rice. The flavorful burritos are both satisfying and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Kimchi Burritos

Beef and Potato Casserole

Beef and Potato Casserole by Corrie Cooks
Beef and Potato Casserole. Photo Credit: Corrie Cooks

This hearty beef and potato casserole is a filling dinner idea that you can make ahead of time for the week. It’s a cheesy dish that’ll make everyone happy.

Get The Recipe: Beef and Potato Casserole

Italian Chicken and Potatoes

Italian Chicken and Potatoes by Sweet and Savory Meals
Italian Chicken and Potatoes. Photo Credit: Sweet and Savory Meals

Make this filing Italian chicken and potatoes casserole dish and you’ll have a meal that the family can eat throughout the week. It can be stored in the fridge or frozen.

Get The Recipe: Italian Chicken and Potatoes

Tuscan Tortellini with Sausage and Spinach

A bowl of tortellini in tomato sauce, topped with shredded cheese and herbs, makes an ideal centerpiece for cozy family dinners.
Tuscan Tortellini with Sausage and Spinach. Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud

Prep this tortellini with sausage and spinach dinner over the weekend and then cook it on a busy weekday when you don’t have much time. It’s made with tender tortellini and veggies in a robust sauce.

Get The Recipe: Tuscan Tortellini with Sausage and Spinach

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These make ahead dinners for the week will help you get a filling meal on the table for the family no matter how busy the schedule is.

The easy dishes can be prepped and made ahead of time so you can reheat, bake, or cook when you’re ready.

25 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas That Make Mornings Easy

Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas
Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas. Easy Breakfast Sliders. Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks

These make ahead breakfast ideas will make your mornings easy as you try to get everyone prepared for the day and out the door.

Read it here: 25 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas That Make Mornings Easy

25 Weekend Meal Ideas That Taste Like a Summer Staycation

Weekend Meal Ideas
Weekend Meal Ideas. Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken. Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud

Savor every bite of these weekend meal ideas. Each dish is bursting with flavor, is easy to make, and will put a smile on their faces.

Read it here: 25 Weekend Meal Ideas That Taste Like a Summer Staycation

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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