10 Make-Ahead Family Dinners That’ll Save Your Sanity

Let’s be real – weeknight dinners can feel like an uphill battle. Between work kids’ activities and life in general the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen every single night. That’s where make-ahead meals become your absolute lifesaver. These 25 family-friendly dinner ideas will have you feeling like a meal prep rockstar while keeping everyone at the table happy and fed.

1. Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce

This bronze-lidded beauty is the ultimate make-ahead champion1. You can throw it together on a lazy Sunday and reheat portions throughout the week or refrigerate the unbaked version overnight and pop it in the oven the next day1.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• Italian seasoning salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions
2. Brown meat and mix with marinara sauce
3. Combine ricotta 1 cup mozzarella parmesan eggs and seasonings
4. Layer sauce noodles cheese mixture – repeat twice
5. Top with remaining mozzarella
6. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months

Pro tip: If freezing undercook by 10 minutes then bake covered at 350°F until heated through4.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde

Your slow cooker is about to become your best friend with this flavorful Mexican-inspired stew1. It’s perfect for making big batches ahead of time.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 4 tomatillos husked and quartered
• 2 poblano peppers chopped
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can hominy drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Cumin oregano salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker
2. Cook on low 6-8 hours
3. Shred chicken and return to pot
4. Serve with lime cilantro and avocado

3. Creamy Chicken Potpies

The best part about these potpies? You can assemble the entire thing and freeze it whole for those nights when you literally just can’t1.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken diced
• 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• Salt pepper and thyme

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken vegetables soup and broth
2. Place bottom crust in pie dish
3. Add filling and top with second crust
4. Seal edges and cut vents
5. Freeze unbaked or bake at 425°F for 30-35 minutes

4. Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup

This is genius – pile all ingredients into a jar store in the fridge then just add hot water before slurping1. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners!

Ingredients:

• 1 package ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
• 1 tbsp miso paste or bouillon
• 1/4 cup frozen vegetables
• 2 tbsp cooked protein
• Green onions and sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Layer ingredients in mason jar
2. Store in fridge up to 5 days
3. Add boiling water when ready to eat
4. Let sit 3-5 minutes then stir and enjoy

5. Vegan Tikka Masala

This crowd-pleasing curry is loaded with garlic ginger and cumin4. Make it in your slow cooker or on the stove – either way works perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas drained
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion garlic and ginger
2. Add spices and cook 1 minute
3. Stir in tomatoes coconut milk and chickpeas
4. Simmer 20 minutes
5. Serve over rice

Pro tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for up to 3 months4.

6. Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili

Chili is always a winner for make-ahead meals4. This hearty version freezes beautifully and gets even better the next day.

Ingredients:

• 1 can each: black beans kidney beans pinto beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1 onion diced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Vegetable broth as needed

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and bell pepper
2. Add spices and cook 1 minute
3. Stir in beans tomatoes and broth
4. Simmer 30 minutes
5. Freeze up to 3 months

7. Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

All the flavors of a summer shrimp boil but super quick and easy5! This healthy family dinner hits the table in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp peeled
• 1 lb baby potatoes halved
• 4 ears corn cut into pieces
• 1 lb green beans
• 1 package turkey sausage sliced
• Old Bay seasoning
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Toss potatoes with oil and seasonings
2. Roast at 400°F for 15 minutes
3. Add sausage corn and green beans
4. Roast 10 more minutes
5. Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes

8. Cottage Pie

This great-value family favorite freezes beautifully and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser2. It’s comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 onion diced
• 2 carrots diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Brown meat with onion and carrots
2. Add tomato paste broth and seasonings
3. Simmer until thickened
4. Top with mashed potatoes
5. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes

9. Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

These veggie-packed meatballs are gluten-free and perfect for all ages5. Serve with pasta or stuff them in sub rolls with melted mozzarella.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup finely chopped vegetables (zucchini carrots)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 egg
• Italian seasoning
• 1 jar marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey vegetables breadcrumbs egg and seasonings
2. Form into meatballs
3. Place in slow cooker with sauce
4. Cook on low 4-6 hours

10. Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers

This flavorful salad won’t get soggy in the fridge making it perfect for meal prep1. The bright lemon dressing keeps everything fresh and zingy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas drained
• 2 cucumbers smashed and chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 lemons juiced
• Fresh herbs (parsley mint)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Smash cucumbers with flat side of knife then chop
2. Combine all ingredients
3. Let marinate 30 minutes
4. Stores in fridge up to 5 days

Pro tip: Let these meals cool completely before freezing and always label with the date and reheating instructions. Your future self will thank you!

These make-ahead dinners will transform your weeknight routine. No more staring into the fridge at 6 PM wondering what on earth you’re going to feed everyone. With a little weekend prep you’ll have delicious home-cooked meals ready to go all week long. Now that’s what I call winning at dinner time!