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  5. 20 Make-Ahead Family Recipes

20 Make-Ahead Family Recipes

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated December 12, 2017
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Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup
Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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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1 of 20

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Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup

Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

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

Get the recipe.

1 of 20

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Oven-Baked Fish Sticks

Oven-Baked Fish Sticks
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

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

Get the recipe.

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Toasty Mac and Cheese

Toasty Mac and Cheese
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

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

Get the recipe.

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Bean, Spinach, and Quinoa Burritos

Bean, Spinach, and Quinoa Burritos
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

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

Get the recipe.

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Ziti and Meatballs

Ziti and Meatballs
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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Chicken and Gruyère Turnovers

Chicken and Gruyère Turnovers
Credit: Romulo Yanes

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

Get the recipe.

6 of 20

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Cottage Pie

Cottage Pie
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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Slow-Cooker White Bean and Kielbasa Stew

Slow-Cooker White Bean and Kielbasa Stew
Credit: Sang An

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

Get the recipe.

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Spicy Chipotle Meatballs With Rice

Spicy Chipotle Meatballs With Rice
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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Sunday-Night Chili

Sunday-Night Chili
Credit: Raymond Hom

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

Get the recipe.

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Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades

Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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Turkey and Corn Enchiladas

Turkey and Corn Enchiladas
Credit: David Prince

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

Get the recipe.

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Sausage and White Bean Casserole

Sausage and White Bean Casserole
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes

Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes
Credit: Kan Kanbayashi

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

Get the recipe.

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Baked Penne With Spinach

Baked Penne With Spinach
Credit: Hans Gissinger

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

Get the recipe.

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Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago

Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago
Credit: Christopher Baker

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

Get the recipe
.

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Chicken With Tomatoes and Thyme

Chicken with Tomatoes and Thyme
Credit: Kana Okada

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

Get the recipe.

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Sausage, Cauliflower, and Kale Potpie

Sausage, Cauliflower, and Kale Potpie
Credit: Jonny Valiant

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

Get the recipe.

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Chicken Posole

Chicken Posole
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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Pasta With Kale and Walnut Pesto

Pasta With Kale and Walnut Pesto
Credit: 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.

Get the recipe.

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    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 20 Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup
    2 of 20 Oven-Baked Fish Sticks
    3 of 20 Toasty Mac and Cheese
    4 of 20 Bean, Spinach, and Quinoa Burritos
    5 of 20 Ziti and Meatballs
    6 of 20 Chicken and Gruyère Turnovers
    7 of 20 Cottage Pie
    8 of 20 Slow-Cooker White Bean and Kielbasa Stew
    9 of 20 Spicy Chipotle Meatballs With Rice
    10 of 20 Sunday-Night Chili
    11 of 20 Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades
    12 of 20 Turkey and Corn Enchiladas
    13 of 20 Sausage and White Bean Casserole
    14 of 20 Spiced Braised Beef With Sweet Potatoes
    15 of 20 Baked Penne With Spinach
    16 of 20 Eggplant Lasagna With Herbed Ricotta and Asiago
    17 of 20 Chicken With Tomatoes and Thyme
    18 of 20 Sausage, Cauliflower, and Kale Potpie
    19 of 20 Chicken Posole
    20 of 20 Pasta With Kale and Walnut Pesto

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