Ever feel like a kitchen wizard? You will once you’ve mastered these 15 make-ahead meals. Perfect for anyone looking to streamline their weekday routine, these recipes guarantee you’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying. It’s like having a magic wand for your weekly meal plan—just prep, store, and serve when you’re ready!
Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate those addictive bites from Domino’s at home, you’re in luck. Getting those cheddar bacon loaded tots just right means you can have your favorite treat any day of the week. With Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots, you’re not just making a side dish; you’re bringing one of the crowd’s favorites to your table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots
Pizza Pasta Salad
Ever thought about combining two favorites, pizza and pasta, into one dish? It sounds like a dream, but it’s entirely possible. This Pizza Pasta Salad takes all the beloved pizza toppings and tosses them with pasta for a dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Make it ahead, and you’ve got a lunch or dinner that’s ready to go, filled with flavors everyone loves, and without the last-minute kitchen hustle.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
Who says you need to dine out to enjoy some of the best recipes from your favorite restaurants? Bring the flavors of Outback Steakhouse right into your kitchen with less stress and more joy. Copycat Alice Springs Chicken is not only a breeze to prepare ahead of time but also a guaranteed win for any meal. You get to relish the restaurant taste at home, making your weeknights a bit more special without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
Wild Rice Salad
There’s something about a cold salad that feels refreshing, especially when it’s filled with flavors. That’s where this salad comes in. With a rich mixture of textures and tastes, Wild Rice Salad stands out as a hearty side or even a main dish. Prepare it in advance, and watch how it saves you on those days when cooking is the last thing on your mind. Plus, it’s a great way to include a wholesome and healthy option into your rotation.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup
On days you’re yearning for a little Italian flair without leaving home, there’s a soup that brings comfort and taste together. Serving up a bowl of Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup means you’re dishing out love, warmth, and flavors that remind you of an Italian kitchen. It’s perfect for prepping over the weekend, then warming up for a cozy meal anytime you need a pick-me-up during the week.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup
Salmon Pasta Salad
When you’re looking for something that bridges the gap between hearty and refreshing, a pasta salad with the richness of salmon hits just right. Salmon Pasta Salad is that dish you want at your fingertips for a quick lunch or a light dinner, offering both nourishment and ease. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to get ahead of the week, knowing you’ve got a delicious option ready to go in your fridge.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad
Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich
Sometimes, it’s the simplest dishes that bring the most joy and nostalgia. That’s exactly what you get when you bring the classic diner experience to your kitchen with a recipe that’s easy to love. Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich offers a taste of simplicity and comfort, making your meal preparation a breeze while ensuring smiles around the table. It’s the perfect make-ahead option for busy days when you want something fulfilling without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich
Diner Style Salisbury Steak
Craving that hearty, comforting diner-style meal without actually going to a diner? Now you can replicate that feel-good vibe right in your own kitchen. Diner Style Salisbury Steak does just that, blending simplicity with a touch of nostalgia. Preparing this dish ahead means you can come home to a meal that’s ready to serve, offering a comforting end to any day.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of soup to make everything feel alright, and when it’s creamy, rich, and filled with noodles, even better. Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic turned up a notch, ready to give you comfort and flavor without a long wait. It’s one of those recipes that’s perfect for making ahead, ensuring you have a comforting meal on standby, waiting to warm you up and fill you up when you need it most.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Bringing a piece of family tradition to your table doesn’t have to mean spending all day in the kitchen. With a recipe that’s as heartwarming as it is delicious, getting that homemade taste becomes a joy. Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole is the side dish that goes with anything and everything, making your meal planning a lot more straightforward. Make it in advance, and experience the ease of having a crowd-pleaser ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers
For a touch of Italian-American flare any night of the week, look no further. This dish is all about bold flavors and homely comfort, wrapped up in a recipe that’s a nod to a beloved restaurant classic. Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers can easily be prepped ahead of time, leaving you with nothing but a simple reheat away from a meal that feels like a celebration. It’s a hassle-free way to bring some sophistication to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers
Pickled Yellow Beans
Ever wanted to add something a little tangy and crunchy to your meals but thought it would be too much effort? This recipe changes the game. Pickled Yellow Beans are surprisingly easy to prepare and can brighten any meal with their vibrant flavor and crunch. Make a batch over the weekend, and you’ve got a wonderful side that jazzes up lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Yellow Beans
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
There’s something about a French Dip Sandwich that’s just so fulfilling. When you can make it at home, it feels like a true win. Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich brings you all the fulfilling flavors and tender textures you love, with none of the dining out hassle. This make-ahead marvel is perfect for those nights when you want a fulfilling meal without the fuss, proving that some classics are best enjoyed at home.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Imagine sitting by the sea in a quaint Mediterranean village, savoring the flavors of the region. You can bring that experience home with a dish that’s as easy to love as it is to prepare. Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp is light, flavorful, and perfect for those days you want a meal that’s both refreshing and fulfilling. This is the kind of dish that you can whip up ahead of time for a quick, wonderful escape from the everyday.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Who knew comfort food could be so simple to make and still pack a punch of flavor? This dish is about getting cozy, with the added bonus of being incredibly straightforward. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe mixes convenience with coziness, offering a warm, fulfilling dinner option. It’s the perfect recipe to prepare in advance for those evenings when you want something hearty but don’t want to start from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe