27 Make-Ahead Dinners That Come Together in Record Time

Read Time: 12 mins

27 Make-Ahead Dinners That Come Together in Record Time1/27 Turkey Gnocchi Soup 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings (about 2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While trying to find a creative use for leftover turkey, we decided to add gnocchi instead of noodles. My 8-year-old daughter always asks for more. If you don’t have leftover turkey, a rotisserie chicken works just as well. —Amy Babines, Virginia Beach, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups soup with 4 teaspoons cheese: 307 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 782mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (8g

sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein

sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 2/27 Bacon and Cheese Quiche 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With a quiche like this, you don’t need a lot of heavy side dishes. It’s got everything—eggs, bacon, cheese and a touch of apple juice for a salty-sweet fix. —Colleen Belbey, Warwick, Rhode Island Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 739 calories, 60g fat (31g saturated fat), 359mg cholesterol, 781mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. 3/27 Cajun

For picky eaters, try using less Cajun seasoning

Beef Casserole 31 Reviews Cajun Beef Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Your little ones who refuse to eat veggies won’t complain one bit when you bring this cheesy casserole with a cornbread crust to the table. For picky eaters, try using less Cajun seasoning. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 449 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 916mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 6g fiber), 25g protein. 4/27 Chicken Aloha 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings

6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken is a welcome way to cook a quick, delicious meal. —Beth Corbin, Sarasota, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 288 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 992mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 5/27 Sirloin Strips over Rice 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I found this recipe in a movie magazine some 20 years ago. It was the favorite of some male star, but I don’t remember which one. Its great

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

flavor and the fact that leftovers just get better have made it a family favorite! —Karen Dunn, Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 318 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 595mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 6/27 7/27 Beef Stroganoff Sandwiches 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Beef Stroganoff Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For an American take on classic Russian

comfort food, we turn beef Stroganoff into a sandwich

comfort food, we turn beef Stroganoff into a sandwich. It comes together fast, and our family devours it. —Alison Garcia, Beatrice, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 443 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1124mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 8/27 Sweet-and-Sour Meat Loaf 79 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I like basic, hearty meat-and-potatoes meals. The sweet-and-sour flavor adds a deliciously different twist to this longtime standby. —Debbie Haneke, Stafford, Kansas Nutrition Facts:

It’s so tasty and easy to fix

1 slice: 419 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 146mg cholesterol, 969mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. 9/27 Sausage Manicotti 38 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This classic Italian entree comes together in a snap but tastes as if it took hours. It’s so tasty and easy to fix. My family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 489 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 1232mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g

This cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream

protein. 10/27 Chicken Broccoli Shells 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream. Just assemble it ahead of time and put it in the oven when company arrives. I round out the meal with a tossed salad and warm bread. —Karen Jagger, Columbia City, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 3 shells: 355 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 453mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. 11/27 Taco Twists 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home

Total Time 40 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Why serve tacos only in ordinary flour or corn tortillas? For a mouthwatering change of pace, bake the taco beef in flaky, golden crescent rolls. My family enjoys these for a warm lunch or light dinner.—Carla Kreider, Quarryville, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 taco twist: 214 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 463mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. 12/27 Lasagna Casserole 91 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lasagna Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings

Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage if you want more spice

8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While growing up, I always wanted this meal on my birthday. Mother made the sauce from scratch, but now I use store-bought spaghetti sauce to save time. Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage if you want more spice. —Deb Morrison, Skiatook, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 667 calories, 30g fat (14g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 1209mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 44g protein. 13/27 Simple Creamy Chicken Enchiladas 71 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time

He was so impressed!

1 hour Servings 2 casseroles (5 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken enchilada recipe is one of the first dishes I created and cooked for my husband right after we got married. He was so impressed! We fix these creamy enchiladas for friends regularly. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 2 enchiladas: 828 calories, 40g fat (17g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 1738mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 42g protein. 14/27 Chicken Noodle Casserole 92 Reviews Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to

It’s so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I’m cheating!

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It’s so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I’m cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 632 calories, 35g fat (12g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 751mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein. 15/27 Fiesta Chicken 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fiesta Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chili powder and picante sauce add just the right dash to this hearty

It’s a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods

main dish. It’s a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods. —Teresa Peterson, Kasson, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 324 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein. 16/27 Jambalaya 164 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Forgotten Jambalaya Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 50 min Servings 11 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: During chilly times of the year, I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the

slow cooker and forget it!

slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup jambalaya: 230 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1016mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 17/27 Bavarian Pot Roast 57 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bavarian Pot Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 45 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since all my grandparents were German, it’s no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to

Folks love the crunchy chow mein noodles on top

me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked beef: 281 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 633mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. 18/27 Baked Nectarine Chicken Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Folks love the crunchy chow mein noodles on top. I love that I can make it a day in advance and refrigerate until it’s time to

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