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These healthy make ahead dinner ideas are the perfect way to plan your meals throughout the week without feeling stressed. They are easy to meal prep for the whole family as they are quick to assemble, and even your kids would love them!
With all the workload over your head, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen making dinner when you reach home.
That’s where these make ahead dinner recipes come in handy.
And the best thing about these meal prep dinner ideas is that they not only save you time and money but also reduces food wastage and help you eat healthier.
Honestly, they can be a lifesaver!
Whether it’s soup, pasta, or casserole, you’ll be blown away by how much meal prepping can keep your weeknights a breeze, simply by implementing straightforward tips and planning ahead of time.
The only question is…
How To Meal Prep?
When pondering over how to meal prep dinner ideas, these are the bullet points to keep in mind as they can be a total game-changer in your cooking journey.
Make a plan: Planning is the most crucial element in meal prepping as it helps you save future headaches when cooking. Create a menu clearly mentioning the dinner meals and all the ingredients required.
Keep it simple: You don’t want to overcomplicate your make ahead dinner with recipes that have many components and techniques to make it. Look for one-pot or crockpot recipes.
Cook in batches: Batch cooking in large portions is the key to meal prep dinner recipes as it can save you a lot of time and effort throughout the week.
Invest in quality containers: A good quality container can extend your food’s life greatly and keep the flavors intact. Glass containers, mason jars, and glass bottles are great because they are microwave-friendly and they don’t release any harmful chemicals.
25 Make Ahead Dinner Ideas
It doesn’t matter if you are a novice cook or a seasoned chef, there are plenty of easy and healthy make ahead dinner recipes that would fit your lifestyle.
Say hi to meal prepping!
1. Easy Beef Stir Fry
Ready in: 30 mins
I adore meal prep dinner recipes that don’t require much effort and are ready in a flash, and this beef stir fry is just that.
The savory stir fry sauce perfectly pairs with tender beef and crunchy veggies to create a nutritious and balanced meal that is full of flavor.
Meal prep tip: Cut the beef and veggies ahead, and store them in the fridge. Stir fry them with the sauce at the time of eating.
2. Tuna Egg Salad Meal Prep
Ready in: 5 mins
This salad is a nourishing marriage between a (you guessed it!) tuna salad and an egg salad.
Other than being ridiculously healthy, it delivers on all the flavor fronts and is quite effortless to put together.
It can be a great cold lunch option on a picnic or a light dinner to pair with meat or a sandwich.
Make ahead tip: Portion the salad into 3-4 air-tight containers and you can store them for 4 days. Couple them with your favorite sides for more indulgence.
3. Eggplant Rollatini
Ready in: 1 hr
Bringing you from the exquisiteness of Italy, this baked eggplant rollatini is one of the meal prep dinner recipes that is tangy, savory, and completely oil-free.
The ricotta, parmesan, and fresh basil are engulfed in thin slices of eggplant, submerged in lots of marinara sauce, and then baked to creamy cheesy goodness.
Make ahead tip: Assemble the rollatini in the baking dish, cover it with foil, and refrigerate it for 2 days. At the time of dinner, simply bake it till the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
4. Healthy Taco Salad
Ready in: 25 mins
Make your lunches and dinners fun with a taco salad that is brimming with fresh and vibrant veggies, beans, cheese, and ground turkey.
But what makes this salad such an irresistible make ahead dinner are the various layers of crunchy tacos and compliments of creamy homemade avocado dressing.
Make ahead tip: Prep the salad ingredients and store them in the fridge in separate containers. When ready, assemble them, and drizzle the dressing at last.
5. Pasta Primavera
Ready in: 30 mins
This pasta is an excellent light and veggie-loaded dinner full of bright colorful ingredients and various textures.
Combining sauteed peas, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, and zucchini with boiled pasta, and finally topped with lemon zest and shredded cheese to make a wholesome meal.
Make ahead tip: You can put together the pasta and then refrigerate it in an air-tight container or store the boiled pasta and chopped veggies separately and saute them later during dinner time.
6. Easy Minestrone Soup
Ready in: 50 mins
This minestrone soup is one of the best make ahead dinner ideas I’ve ever come across!
It is loaded with hearty vegetables and elbow macaroni and is satisfying enough to keep you full for hours.
Make ahead tip: Prepare a large batch, and store it for 4-5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. Reheat it in a microwave or a pot.
7. Baked Spaghetti And Meatballs
Ready in: 40 mins
Ready to be blown away? This spaghetti and meatballs recipe is going to rock your world with juicy meatballs and cheesy character.
The marinara sauce is obviously a must and the golden mushroom soup ups the ante!
Make ahead tip: Set the meatballs and cooked pasta in a baking dish and store it for 3-4 days. When ready, pour the marinara sauce and shredded cheese, and bake it till its golden.
8. Chicken Pot Pie
Ready in: 1 hr 5 mins
I’ll never get tired of chicken pot pie. Whether it is holidays or a normal Sunday dinner, this meal is always a banger!
A filling of shredded chicken and veggies is stuffed into a pie crust and then baked to its crispy and decadent glory.
Make ahead tip: Make the filling a day ahead before storing, reheat it in a pan, pack it in the pie crust, and finally bake the pie.
9. Beef Burritos
Ready in: 30 mins
When it comes to meal prep dinner ideas, these beef burritos are hands down my go-to.
Simply mix the veggies, sauces, spices, and beef together, and wrap it in tortillas before toasting. Viola!
Make ahead tip: Make the filling and store it. Assemble the burritos when it’s time for a feast.
10. Quinoa Bowl
Ready in: 25 mins
For a nourishing and vegan-friendly dinner, a quinoa bowl is a no-brainer.
You can mix and match different veggies with quinoa to attain your desired flavor profile.
Make ahead tip: Cook the quinoa, cut the veggies, and store them in separate containers for an easy assembly throughout the week.
11. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Ready in: 2 hrs 5 mins
I adore make ahead dinner recipes that require as little effort as possible, and these chicken tacos need just 5 minutes of prepping.
Consisting of only 5 ingredients, all you need to do is throw them all in a slow cooker and stuff them in tacos for a delicious dinner.
Make ahead tip: Cook the chicken, cut the onions, and store them separately. In the end toast the tortillas and layer them with the filling.
12. BBQ Chicken Salad
Ready in: 1 hr 10 mins
This make ahead dinner is overflowing with a myriad of summer ingredients and leftover BBQ chicken.
The avocado ranch dressing is the secret element here that makes this salad hyper-palatable and tingles your taste buds.
Make ahead tip: Store the chopped veggies and BBQ chicken separately and bring them together with a drizzle of ranch dressing on top.
13. One Pot Beef Stroganoff Pasta
Ready in: 2 hrs 30 mins
When dinner time rolls around, try this beef stroganoff which is the ultimate comfort food around here.
Beef, pasta, mushrooms, onions, and cream come together to form this beautiful warm dish.
Make ahead tip: Whip up this meal and store it. Lasting for up to 5 days, simply reheat it in a pan.
14. Sheet Pan Lemon Pepper Chicken
Ready in: 30 mins
This sheet pan chicken is up there with the easy meal prep dinner recipes if you’re into low-effort high-yield results.
The panko breadcrumbs make the chicken super crunchy and the lemon pepper seasoning is to die for.
Make ahead tip: Store the cut chicken and veggies separately. When ready to eat, coat the chicken with breadcrumbs and bake it in the oven.
This lentil soup is a plant-based powerhouse that is full of protein and fiber.
This one-pot wonder is so versatile and can be served with anything ranging from naan bread and rice to even quinoa.
Make ahead tip: As the soup freezes well, you can make a large batch and reheat it at your convenience.
16. Paneer Chilli Masala
Ready in: 30 mins
Ready to eat at your dinner fest in just 30 minutes, this paneer recipe is unbelievably good!
To make it, fry the paneer, make the chilli sauce in a skillet, and combine them with the compliments of green onions and bell peppers in the mix.
Make ahead tip: Store the sauce and unfried paneer separately for 4 days. Fry the paneer and mix with sauce later.
17. Shakshuka
Ready in: 30 mins
Shakshuka is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish made of poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce with onions, peppers, and spices.
It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, and needs to be in your repertoire of make ahead dinner ideas.
Make ahead tip: Make the tomato sauce and put it away in the fridge for up to 3 days. You just have to heat up the sauce and cook the eggs on top till poached.
18. Gluten-free Chicken Parmesan
Ready in: 40 mins
If you’re hunting for a gratifying entree that your whole family would love, you’ve got the one!
Other than being high-protein (thanks to chicken), this dish is also gluten-free and can be made dairy-free as well.
Make ahead tip: Assemble the chicken but don’t bake it until you’re ready. Place it in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for a longer duration.
19. Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Ready in: 30 mins
When in doubt, I always lean on my trusty teriyaki chicken bowl comprising rice, broccoli, green onions, carrots, chicken, and teriyaki sauce.
Meal prep dinner ideas have never been this straightforward and scrumptious.
Make ahead tip: Portion the chicken, rice, and veggies in separate meal prep containers and enjoy when in the mood.
20. Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ready in: 20 mins
Air-fried salmon bites coated with lemon garlic butter are just what you need on busy weeknights.
Might be one of my favorite make ahead dinner recipes that does not lag behind in any department.
Make ahead tip: Coat the salmon chunks with lemon garlic butter and let it sit in the fridge prior to air frying for 4-5 days. Cook the salmon at dinner time in your comfort.
21. Stuffed Peppers
Ready in: 45 mins
These stuffed peppers are ridiculously comforting, healthy, and hold up insanely well in the fridge.
Fill bell peppers with a mixture of beef, onions, rice, tomatoes, and spinach for a succulent weeknight dinner.
Make ahead tip: This meal lasts for 5 days in the fridge, so make it store it, and enjoy it throughout the week.
22. Chicken Fajitas Meal Prep Bowls
Ready in: 30 mins
With a whopping 32 g of protein per serving, I’m all up for these chicken fajitas.
This recipe makes it easy for you to have a disciplined diet, eat out less, and have a stress-free dinner plan.
Make ahead tip: These bowls stay fresh for 6 days in an air-tight container, making them great meal prep dinner recipes when you have no time for cooking.
23. Baked Ziti
Ready in: 1 hr
If you are searching for a total crow-pleasing dish for your late night dinner party, baked ziti passes with flying colors.
It requires a bit more effort during the prep time but the end result will knock your socks off!
Make ahead tip: Arrange the baking dish with all the ingredients, cover with aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for a month before baking. Thaw and bake it at the end.
24. Chicken And Rice Casserole
Ready in: 1 hr 20 mins
This chicken bonanza layers cooked chicken, rice, mushrooms, and spices, and is topped with a generous amount of sour cream, producing a family favorite and a great make ahead recipe.
Make it once and relish this super moreish dish for the rest of the week.
Make ahead tip: Assemble the casserole and tightly enfold it with foil before keeping it in a fridge (4 days) or freezing (3 months). Bake it directly from the fridge or frozen, adjusting the time and temperature of the oven.
25. The Best Chili Recipe
Ready in: 1 hr 50 mins
Saving the best for the last is this chili recipe that is the winner in my books for make ahead dinner options all the time!
The extravagant blend of protein-heavy beef, beans, and flavor spices turns it into a great party meal when you have guests over or a wholesome dish to have around your family members.
Make ahead tip: Cook a large batch and portion it into sizes. Freeze the chili for up to 3 months, and reheat it in a pot. Serve with sour cream, green onions, and cheese.
What Do You Think?
By now you know how these make ahead dinner ideas can make your astronomically busy days manageable, and there are lots to choose from.
By doing planning and prepping a little in advance can ensure a healthy lifestyle without relying on any take-out food.
How many of these meal prep dinner ideas will you try? Which one has become your ideal make ahead dinner? Let me know in the comments section below!
