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Home » Trending

Make-Ahead Dinners That Save Your Weeknight Sanity

Published: May 18, 2025 by Yuan

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Prep these meals in advance and breathe easy when dinner rolls around. They’re simple, reliable, and designed to reheat beautifully. You’ll spend less time in the kitchen without giving up flavor. It’s a win for your schedule and your appetite.

Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

A white bowl with slow cooker Italian pork roast, potatoes and carrots.
Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This dish features a boneless pork shoulder seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic, and white wine, slow-cooked alongside baby potatoes and carrots. The result is tender, flavorful meat that pairs perfectly with the vegetables. Ideal for meal prep or a comforting family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

A lamb shepherd's pie served in a glass dish.
Lamb Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

This hearty pie combines tender chunks of lamb with colorful carrots and peas in a rich red wine gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Finished under the broiler for a golden crust, it's a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings. A satisfying meal that brings warmth to the table.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These enchiladas feature slow-cooked chicken breasts shredded and mixed with a tangy enchilada sauce, then rolled in tortillas and topped with melted cheese. The crockpot simplifies the process, making it an easy weeknight meal. Customize with your favorite toppings like sour cream or avocado.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Burrito Bowls

A bowl of cauliflower rice with meat and vegetables on a cutting board.
Burrito Bowls. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

These bowls are a low-carb alternative to traditional burritos, featuring seasoned ground beef, cauliflower rice, and fresh vegetables. Topped with cheese and sour cream, they offer all the flavors of a burrito without the carbs. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Burrito Bowls

Brisket Fried Rice

Brisket fried rice in black serving dish on white background.
Brisket Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This dish repurposes leftover brisket by stir-frying it with rice, vegetables, and soy sauce for a flavorful meal. It's a creative way to transform leftovers into something new and delicious. Quick to prepare and satisfying to eat.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice

Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Chicken breast with herbs, cheese and tomatoes.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This bake combines chicken breasts with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives, seasoned with Mediterranean herbs. Baked until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld together, it's a healthy and flavorful dish. Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan meal features sliced sausage, bell peppers, zucchini, and onions roasted together with olive oil and spices. It's a low-carb, keto-friendly dish that's easy to prepare and clean up. Great for meal prep or a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili in white bowl.
Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This chili is packed with beans, vegetables, and spices, all simmered together in a slow cooker for a hearty, meatless meal. It's vegan, gluten-free, and full of flavor. Perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

A white bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Stew sits on a rustic wooden cutting board with a red linen on a white marble counter.
Instant Pot Chicken Stew. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This stew combines chicken, potatoes, carrots, and celery in a savory broth, all cooked quickly in the Instant Pot. It's a comforting dish that's ready in under an hour. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells in a cast iron skillet.
Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta cheese and spinach, then baked in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella. It's a vegetarian dish that's both comforting and flavorful. Great for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Basil Fried Rice: Delicious Thai-Inspired Recipe

Basil fried rice with toamto and fresh basil on the top.
Basil Fried Rice: Delicious Thai-Inspired Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This Thai-inspired fried rice features jasmine rice stir-fried with garlic, chilies, and fresh basil leaves, along with your choice of protein. The dish is aromatic and spicy, offering a quick and flavorful meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Basil Fried Rice: Delicious Thai-Inspired Recipe

Chinese Braised Beef Stew With Daikon Recipe

Tender and hearty Chinese braised beef stew with daikon radish in a bowl with fluffy rice.
Chinese Braised Beef Stew With Daikon Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This stew features tender beef chunks simmered with daikon radish in a savory broth infused with soy sauce and spices. It's a comforting dish that's rich in flavor and perfect for colder days. Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Braised Beef Stew With Daikon Recipe

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me

Hey there! Welcome to SassyChopsticks.com!

I'm Yuan, a writer, world traveler, web developer, and photographer based in the U.S. My journey has taken me across multiple countries, from Malaysia to England, before I settled in Tennessee, where I've called home for nearly two decades.

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