20 Make-Ahead Recipes for Family Dinners and Parties

Oven-Baked Fish Sticks

It can't get simpler than this, and store-bought fish sticks aren't required. Coat the fish in seasoned bread crumbs, then freeze. To cook, bake until crisp and opaque throughout, about 20 minutes.

Decadent Mac and Cheese

Believe it or not, if frozen correctly, this decadent dish is a great candidate for the freezer. The best way to freeze this rich meal is to cook it according to the recipe, let it cool completely, then wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil and pop it in the freezer. It will stay fresh for about three months.

When you're ready to eat the mac and cheese, let it defrost first. Once defrosted, remove the plastic wrap and re-cover the dish with the foil. Then, bake in a 350-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes until it's warmed through.

Chicken Noodle Soup

This classic soup—a must during cold and flu season—keeps for about four to six months in the freezer if stored in airtight food storage containers. For the best results, freeze without noodles, then add freshly cooked pasta once you defrost the rest of the soup. While the previously frozen noodles won't go bad, they may be a bit mushier than you like if you freeze them along with the broth.

Sweet Potato and Bean Burritos With Corn Salsa

Instead of purchasing frozen burritos, make your own to freeze. These burritos are stuffed with crisp-tender shoestring sweet potatoes, fresh tomato-corn salsa, beans, and plenty of cheese. 

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

Since tomato sauce freezes well, it's no surprise that this pasta recipe (filled with the classic Italian topper) freezes well too. Freeze it as you would mac and cheese, and defrost and reheat it the same way. If frozen properly, this dish will stay fresh for about six months—just garnish it with fresh basil when ready to eat.

Sweet Potato and Gruyère Turnovers

These stuffed pastry pockets make a great handheld snack. The sweet potatoes mix with cheese for a savory and creamy filling. Make a batch and freeze them for a quick anytime nosh or easy party appetizer.

Cottage Pie

Filled with potatoes, beef, and butternut squash, this stick-to-your-ribs casserole can be assembled and frozen up to three months in advance. It's a perfect dish for cooler nights or when you want something hearty and filling.

Winter Lentil Soup

This hearty winter soup recipe freezes and thaws splendidly. The best way to freeze any leftover soup is to transfer it to resealable plastic bags and stack them flat in the freezer to save space. When ready to eat more soup, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove until thoroughly heated.

Turkey-and-Rice Meatballs

These meatballs, made of turkey, rice, olive oil, and seasoning, are easy to freeze and work well in various dishes. Make them with the salad featured in the recipe, or serve them stirred into a brothy soup, twirled into pasta, or beneath a blanket of melted cheese atop a garlic-rubbed roll. You can't go wrong!

Slow-Cooker Black Bean and Zucchini Chili

As any chili fan knows, this favorite game-day food is a great meal to freeze. It'll stay fresh in the freezer for up to six months and can be defrosted and reheated in a slow cooker or on low in the microwave. Once the chili is thoroughly reheated, garnish it with sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, and any other fixings you like.

Crispy Chicken Cutlets

These cutlets take just 40 minutes to make, and if you happen to have leftovers, feel free to freeze them. The best way to freeze these tasty, crispy cutlets is to place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for about an hour.

Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight food storage container with parchment paper between each cutlet. They'll stay fresh in the freezer for about three months and go great with a fresh salad, a side of pasta, or grilled vegetables.

Green Chile Enchiladas

These vegetarian enchiladas are filled with a cumin-spiced vegetable and bean mixture, which becomes deeply caramelized and savory after a long sauté. They are then baked in spicy green sauce and a blanket of melty cheese.

The easiest way to freeze this delicious vegetarian meal is before you pop it in the oven. Be sure to cover the enchiladas with aluminum foil in an oven-proof dish so you can cook them straight from frozen once ready to chow down. They'll keep in the freezer for about three months.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Also known as funeral potatoes, this cheesy potato casserole can be enjoyed for dinner or breakfast and works wonderfully as a holiday side dish. While it's best to freeze after assembly and before baking, you can also freeze baked leftovers.

Fajita Burgers

These flavorful burgers combine typical beef patties with Tex-Mex spices, creating a meal that's both delicious and easy to prepare. To freeze the uncooked patties, place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer until firm. Then, wrap each burger patty in plastic and put all of them in a resealable freezer bag, where they will last for about two months.

Allow the burgers to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. While they cook, whip up the sautéed bell pepper and onion mixture, and the avocado spread.

Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna

This lasagna recipe is filled with tender mushrooms and silky wilted spinach in a cream sauce and can be frozen and stored in the freezer for up to three months. For the best results, freeze the lasagna after it's assembled but before baking. That way, the cheese and noodles will better maintain their texture.

Four Cheese Classic Lasagna

If you prefer a more traditional lasagna (with beef), try this classic lasagna recipe. Assemble and freeze before baking for an easy, hearty dinner ready to cook.

Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Thighs

Any cut of cooked chicken can be safely kept in the freezer for three to four months, meaning these flavorful chicken thighs are a perfect make-ahead meal. If you can, freeze individual portions for easier defrosting. With this particular recipe, make the creamy garlic yogurt sauce and browned onions when ready to eat.

Beef and Beer Potpie

Delicious and easy, this meaty casserole may be assembled (except for the puff pastry) and refrigerated up to one day in advance. When ready to cook, add the puff pastry on top before baking.

Slow Cooker Black Bean Posole

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

Spinach-and-Lamb Meatballs

Freeze these flavorful meatballs raw or after baking, then pop them into sandwiches, soups, and pasta dishes, or use them to make kebabs. They'll stay fresh in the freezer for approximately three to four months.