65 Make-Ahead Weeknight Dinner Recipes

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson1/65Make-Ahead Sheet-Pan Meatballs
This is the simplest way to make a large batch of meatballs that you can turn into a variety of dinners, from pasta to soup to sandwiches.
2/65Sunday Stash Braised Beef
This simple braise is a weeknight savior. Make a big batch and stash it in the fridge or freezer, then turn it into a different dinner every night of the week.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone3/65Quick Chicken Tikka Masala
The flavors in this quick version of an Indian take-out favorite will only deepen as it sits. Keep in the fridge for up to three days; while it reheats, toast some naan or make a pot of basmati rice to serve on the side.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell4/65Hummus Dinner Bowls With Spiced Ground Beef and Tomatoes
Top shallow bowls of hummus with crispy spiced beef and fresh tomato salad for an easy, protein-filled dinner.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/65Curried Chickpea and Lentil Dal
This super-easy recipe is a perfect canvas for punchy, crunchy toppers like toasted coconut and mustard seeds with turmeric oil and a zingy chutney. The dal is vegan but full of hearty protein thanks to the chickpeas, lentils, and coconut milk.
6/65Beef Chili
Skip that dusty bottle of chili powder. Instead, soak and purée whole dried chiles to stir into this authentic Texas beef stew.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Ali Nardi7/65Slow-Cooker Chicken Congee
A slow cooker and boneless, skinless chicken thighs make easy work of comforting Chinese rice porridge.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/65Cold Beef Tenderloin with Tomatoes and Cucumbers
Designed to be grilled and chilled, this is the perfect lazy weeknight steak dinner.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova9/65Baked Sweet Potatoes
This simple preparation of sweet potatoes can become the base for many lunches and weeknight meals.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks10/65Miso-Tahini Squash Soup With Brown Rice
Rich with nutty tahini, savory miso, and plenty ginger and garlic, this comforting vegetarian soup is just what the doctor ordered for a chilly weeknight.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson11/65Herby Chicken Kofta Meatballs
Stash these meatballs in your freezer so you always have the building blocks of a great meal on hand. Simmer in tomato sauce, serve over grains or greens, or pack into pita sandwiches with cucumbers, red onion (if they'll eat it), and a tangy yogurt sauce.
Photo by JP Bevins, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone12/65Slow-Cooker Green Chicken Chili
Made with chicken, sweet potatoes, tomatillo salsa, and pinto beans, this easy chili is a cross between chile verde and white chicken chili.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova13/65Make-Ahead Crispy Chicken Cutlets
Stash a big batch of these easy breaded cutlets in the freezer and dinner will always be just a few minutes away.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks14/65Spicy Black Bean and Corn Tacos
Prep the black beans and the corn salsa in advance and dinner is as easy as warming taco shells and setting out the toppings.