25 Make-Ahead Recipes To Give You Your Weeknights Back

Weeknights can get chaotic fast, and figuring out dinner every night doesn’t make things easier. Make-ahead meals take the pressure off by giving you solid options that are already done and ready to go. These recipes hold up well in the fridge, reheat without turning into a mess, and actually taste good the next day. They’re practical, reliable, and save you time when you need it most. Cook once, eat multiple times, and spend less time standing over the stove.

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

This pasta is a great option to prep ahead for the week. The sauce holds up in the fridge without getting weird and the rigatoni keeps its shape when reheated. It’s a solid way to get a meatless dinner on the table fast, especially when you don’t want to cook from scratch every night.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Beef Kafta

These are easy to shape and cook in bulk, which makes them perfect for a prep day. They store well in the fridge and can be reheated without losing flavor. Serve them with rice, flatbread or salad for a quick dinner that pulls together fast when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta

Bomb Meatloaf

This meatloaf is great for make-ahead meals because it keeps its texture and flavor after a few days in the fridge. Bake it once and you’ve got dinner covered for at least a couple of nights. It also slices clean, which makes it easy to pack up for leftovers or lunches.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

These meatballs work great as a make-ahead dinner because they hold together well and reheat without drying out. The cheddar adds a punch of flavor and they go with everything from pasta to rice bowls. Make a batch on the weekend and dinner’s handled.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Instant Pot Coconut Pork

This dish is full of flavor and built for advance prep. The pork stays juicy and tender even after sitting in the fridge, and it reheats well with rice or flatbread. It’s a great option to make ahead for a few fast dinners that feel like something more than leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Pork

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of recipe that holds up perfectly for make-ahead dinners. The sauce gets better after sitting and the chicken stays tender, so you can store it in the fridge and reheat with no problem. Serve it over rice or with veggies for a quick dinner that’s already done.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

This one-skillet meal is perfect for cooking in advance and reheating when you’re too busy to start from scratch. The turkey and veggies make it feel balanced and the cheese holds everything together without getting clumpy later. It’s a smart way to get a homemade dinner on the table in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Italian Black Bean Meatballs

These plant-based meatballs are easy to make ahead and freeze, then toss into sauce when you’re ready to eat. They’re packed with flavor and hold their shape, which makes them great for pasta night without the usual prep.
Get the Recipe: Italian Black Bean Meatballs

Cheddar Cauliflower Burgers

These burgers are easy to make ahead and keep in the fridge or freezer until you need them. They’re hearty, packed with flavor, and hold up well after reheating. Add the pesto and toppings when it’s time to eat and dinner’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Cauliflower Burgers

Creamy Tomato Farfalle

This pasta holds well in the fridge, which makes it a great option to prep ahead. The creamy tomato sauce stays smooth and the peas and prosciutto add just enough to make it feel like a real meal. It’s a solid choice for easy weeknight dinners that don’t need any extra work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Farfalle

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

These stuffed peppers are great for prepping ahead since they hold their shape and reheat well without drying out. The filling is loaded with chicken, beans, and cheese, making it a solid all-in-one meal to keep in the fridge and grab on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

This one-skillet meal is built for advance prep. The chicken and chickpeas soak up the sauce even more over time, and everything reheats easily without needing any extra steps. Just pair it with rice and dinner’s done.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage

This meal comes together quickly and keeps well, which makes it a great prep-ahead option. The cheddar polenta stays creamy, the sausage keeps its flavor, and it only needs a quick warm-up to get back on the table.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

This skillet dinner checks every box for a make-ahead meal. The gnocchi, pork, and spinach all hold up well in the fridge and the mozzarella bakes into a solid layer that doesn’t fall apart when reheated.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

This stuffed chicken is easy to prep ahead and reheat when you’re ready to eat. The ham, pineapple, and cheese keep it juicy and flavorful, and it pairs well with rice or roasted veggies for a no-stress dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Lentil Bolognese

This vegetarian bolognese is thick, hearty, and made for batch cooking. It keeps well in the fridge or freezer and tastes just as good later in the week. Serve it over pasta or noodles and dinner’s ready without starting from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Bolognese

Salsa Chicken

This recipe is as low-effort as it gets and perfect for making ahead. Chicken bakes in salsa and cheddar, and once it’s done, it keeps well in the fridge for fast weeknight meals. Just scoop and serve over rice, in tacos, or however you want.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Jalapeño Chicken

This quick stovetop recipe holds up surprisingly well for reheating. The sticky sauce clings to the chicken even after a day or two, and it stays bold and flavorful. Great for prepping ahead and tossing over rice or noodles when time’s tight.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

This one-pan dinner is easy to cook in advance and turn into tacos, bowls, or burritos all week long. The beef stays flavorful and the mix of corn, peppers, and seasoning holds up well in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

This stir fry is built for weeknight backups. The pork, mushrooms, and cabbage all reheat fast without turning mushy, and the sauce keeps everything tasting fresh. Great when you need something that comes together in five minutes flat.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Sheet Pan Roasted Peri Peri Chicken

This is a smart make-ahead option that looks like a full meal without needing more than a baking sheet. The spatchcock method helps it cook faster and more evenly, and leftovers keep well for easy lunches or repeat dinners.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Peri Peri Chicken

Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

This lamb ragu works well for prepping in advance since the flavors deepen as it sits. It holds up in the fridge and reheats easily with pasta, so you can have a filling dinner without starting from zero.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Cheddar Chicken Bake

This casserole is perfect for cooking once and reheating a few times. The quinoa and chicken hold everything together, and the melted cheddar keeps it from drying out. It’s great for busy nights when you want something that just needs to be heated.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

This risotto holds its texture surprisingly well after cooling and reheating. It’s rich and hearty without needing any dairy, and it makes a great base for fast dinners when you’ve already done the work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Ground Beef Stir Fry

This quick stir fry is a strong choice for prepping ahead. The garlic-ginger sauce brings a lot of flavor, and the mix of vegetables stays fresh-tasting even after a couple of days. Just warm it up and dinner’s ready.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry