20 Make-Ahead Family Recipes

Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup (make ahead family)

Feeling the dinner crunch? Turn to these make-ahead and freezer-friendly recipes to get a delicious meal on the table in no time.

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Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup

Marcus Nilsson

This hearty, kid-friendly soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.

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Oven-Baked Fish Sticks

Marcus Nilsson

Coat the fish in seasoned bread crumbs, then freeze. To cook, bake until crisp and opaque throughout, about 20 minutes.

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Toasty Mac and Cheese

Marcus Nilsson

Eat this cheesy, creamy meal right away, or freeze unbaked for up to 3 months.

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Bean, Spinach, and Quinoa Burritos

Marcus Nilsson

Make an extra batch of these healthy, filling burritos and freeze for a quick microwavable dinner on a busy weeknight.

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Ziti and Meatballs

Marcus Nilsson

Loaded with carrots, onions, zucchini, and garlic, the tomato sauce is full of robust flavor. You can freeze both the meatballs and the sauce.

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Chicken and Gruyère Turnovers

Romulo Yanes

These stuffed pastry pockets make a great handheld snack. Make a batch and freeze for a quick anytime nosh.

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Cottage Pie

Jonny Valiant

Filled with potatoes, beef, and butternut squash, this stick-to-your-ribs casserole can be assembled and frozen up to 3 months in advance.

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Slow-Cooker White Bean and Kielbasa Stew

Sang An

This warm, comforting meal is great to freeze and keep on hand for last-minute lunches and dinners.

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Spicy Chipotle Meatballs With Rice

Christopher Baker

Add chopped chipotle chilies to the tomato sauce to get that spicy kick. You can cook the meatballs and sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze them separately.

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Sunday-Night Chili

Raymond Hom

Cumin, chili powder, garlic, and tomato paste give this freezable meal-in-a-bowl rich depth.

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Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades

Ellie Miller

Roll up each chicken cutlet with a slice of ham and cheese before cooking for a delicious surprise inside. The uncooked roulades can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.

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Turkey and Corn Enchiladas

David Prince

Stuff each tortilla with shredded roasted turkey, corn, and grated pepper Jack cheese. Refrigerate the unbaked enchiladas for up to 1 day.

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Sausage and White Bean Casserole

Jose Picayo

You can make this simple version of a classic French cassoulet—with carrots, Swiss chard, and a bread crumb topping—up to 2 days in advance.

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Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes

Kan Kanbayashi

Seasoned with cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne, this slow-cooker meal freezes well.

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Baked Penne With Spinach

Hans Gissinger

Chopped sun-dried tomatoes and balsamic vinegar lend sweetness to the pasta casserole. Freeze the unbaked dish for up to 3 months.

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Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago

Christopher Baker

A great alternative for vegetarians, this pasta-free lasagna can be baked, then refrigerated for up to 2 days.

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Chicken With Tomatoes and Thyme

Kana Okada

Prep each portion in individual bags and freeze, then roast in a baking dish when you’re ready to eat.

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Sausage, Cauliflower, and Kale Potpie

Jonny Valiant

Delicious and easy, the casserole may be assembled (except for the puff pastry) and refrigerated up to 1 day in advance.

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Chicken Posole

Dana Gallagher

This fresh, spicy Mexican chicken soup is a meal in itself when served with tortilla chips, chopped avocado, and sliced radishes. For extra-easy re-serving, freeze leftovers in individual portions and let thaw in the refrigerator the night before you serve them.

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Pasta With Kale and Walnut Pesto

Con Poulos

Prepare the unusual pesto—made with walnuts, kale, pecorino, garlic, and olive oil—and refrigerate or freeze. Combine with pasta for a quick meal when you’re too busy to cook.

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Replay gallery

20 Make-Ahead Family Recipes

1 of 21

Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup

2 of 21

Oven-Baked Fish Sticks

3 of 21

Toasty Mac and Cheese

4 of 21

Bean, Spinach, and Quinoa Burritos

5 of 21

Ziti and Meatballs

6 of 21

Chicken and Gruyère Turnovers

7 of 21

Cottage Pie

8 of 21

Slow-Cooker White Bean and Kielbasa Stew

9 of 21

Spicy Chipotle Meatballs With Rice

10 of 21

Sunday-Night Chili

11 of 21

Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades

12 of 21

Turkey and Corn Enchiladas

13 of 21

Sausage and White Bean Casserole

14 of 21

Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes

15 of 21

Baked Penne With Spinach

16 of 21

Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago

17 of 21

Chicken With Tomatoes and Thyme

18 of 21

Sausage, Cauliflower, and Kale Potpie

19 of 21

Chicken Posole

20 of 21

Pasta With Kale and Walnut Pesto

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