Make-Ahead Tips for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Tuck these recipes in the freezer. Rely on casseroles, pasta sauces and lasagnas that taste as good or better the second time around. Stock up on cooked chicken and meatballs that find their way into many family-pleasing dishes. And, while you’re at it bake some cookies, a cake or your own bread for eating another day!

• Make double portions of your favorite casserole or lasagna.  Look at our Freeze Casseroles to Eat Later tips for those that freeze best. Save these favorites in your Recipe Box:
  
  
• Creamy Chicken Lasagna
• Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese
• "Healthified" Turkey and Wild Rice Casserole
• Italian Fettuccine Pie
• Italian Sausage Lasagna
• Layered Chile-Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  
  
• Cook a big batch of chicken breasts or a turkey breast. Find highly-rated recipes for new family favorites with a ‘leftover chicken’ search. Save these sure-fire basics in your Recipe Box:
  
  
• Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast
• Seasoned Oven-Roasted Chicken
  
  
• Bake your own signature meatballs in advance. The Do-Ahead tip for Salsa Turkey Meatballs gives you all you need to know.  Search for other ‘meatballs’ recipes or save these to your Recipe Box:
  
  
• Impossibly Easy Cheesy Meatball Pie
• Italian Meatball Pie
• One-Pan Pasta and Meatballs
  
  
• Simmer double batches of spaghetti sauce or chili. Freeze in recipe-size portions such as 2 cups.  Or freeze jar or can equivalent portions: 14-oz jar=1½ cups, 24- to 28-oz jar=about 3 cups; 15-oz can chili=1½ cups.  Find plenty of inspiring ways to use with a ‘tomato pasta sauce’ or ‘chili’ search. Save these second-time recipes in your Recipe Box:
  
  
• One-Skillet Spaghetti Mac
• Ravioli Marinara
• Tortilla-Chicken Stack
• California Taco Chili Bake
• Chicken Chili over Corn Muffins
• Cornbread Chili Stacks
• Mashed Potatoes with Mexican Chili-Cheese Topper