55 Healthy Make-Ahead Dinners for Busy Nights

Read Time: 28 mins

55 Healthy Make-Ahead Dinners for Busy Nights1/55 Baja Pork Tacos 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Baja Pork Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 320 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium,

26g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein

26g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 starch. 2/55 Korean Beef and Rice 108 Reviews Korean Beef and Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A friend raved about Korean bulgogi, which is beef cooked in soy sauce and ginger, so I tried it. It’s delicious! You’ll dazzle the table with this tasty version of Korean beef and rice. —Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup beef mixture with 2/3 cup rice: 413 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated

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

fat), 71mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 3/55 Chicken Mole 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Mole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re not familiar with chicken mole (pronounced mo-LAY), don’t be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this chicken mole recipe because it’s a great one to experiment with. —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken thigh with 1/3 cup sauce: 311

calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. 4/55 Quinoa Unstuffed Peppers 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This deconstructed stuffed pepper dish packs a wallop of flavor. I truly make it all the time, and I make sure my freezer is stocked with single-serve portions to take to work. —Rebecca Ende, Phoenix, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 261 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat

protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat. 5/55 Chicken Pesto Meatballs 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They’re short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup meatball mixture with 1 cup spaghetti: 422 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic

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

Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 6/55 Southwest Turkey Patties with Beans 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Southwest Turkey Patties with Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These turkey patties are delicious and low in calories. Skip the rice if you’re looking to cut carbs. —Dot Carpenter, Washington, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 356 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 693mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat. 7/55 Arrabbiata Sauce with

The results were amazing!

Zucchini Noodles 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This popular Italian dish is flavorful and spicy. We decided to re-create one of our favorite jarred sauces and serve over zucchini pasta for a lighter, healthier meal that’s naturally gluten-free. The results were amazing! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup sauce with 1 cup zucchini noodles: 287 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 708mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 8/55 Easy

It makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special

Chana Masala 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this quick and healthy Indian-inspired dish so much I always make sure to have the ingredients stocked in my pantry. It makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special. —Janeen Judah, Houston, Texas Nutrition Facts: 0.750 cup garbanzo bean mixture with 3/4 cup rice: 359 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 9g fiber), 10g protein. 9/55 Sassy Salsa Meat Loaves Test Kitchen Approved

You can make these loaves ahead, and they’ll last for a few days

Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 2 loaves (6 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a twist on classic meat loaf. You can make these loaves ahead, and they’ll last for a few days. Make meat loaf sandwiches with the leftovers, buns and a little Monterey Jack cheese. —Tasha Tully, Owings Mills, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 237 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 634mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 10/55 Lemony Chickpeas 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time

They’re especially good over hot, fluffy brown rice

30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These saucy chickpeas add just a little heat to meatless Mondays. They’re especially good over hot, fluffy brown rice. —April Strevell, Red Bank, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 cup chickpea mixture with 1 cup rice: 433 calories, 9g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 679mg sodium, 76g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 12g fiber), 13g protein. 11/55 Roasted Vegetable Strata 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Vegetable Strata Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Cheesy and rich, the warm, classic breakfast dish is sure to please!

With the abundance of zucchini my family has in the fall, this is the perfect dish to use some of what we have. Cheesy and rich, the warm, classic breakfast dish is sure to please! —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 349 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 642mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat. 12/55 Broccoli Tuna Casserole 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Broccoli Tuna Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was in the Navy, a co-worker’s wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my family away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 271 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 13/55 Shrimp & Broccoli Brown Rice Paella 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp & Broccoli Brown Rice Paella Recipe photo by Taste

of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Years ago my husband and I were vacationing in France and came across an open market where a man from Spain was making paella in a skillet; we’ve been hooked ever since. I love to whip this up for a large group, but if the gathering is small, I know I can easily freeze leftovers for another time. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 331 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 693mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g

fiber), 27g protein

fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch. 14/55 Tender Salsa Beef 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tender Salsa Beef Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my Mexican-style twist on comfort food. To keep it kid-friendly, use mild salsa. —Stacie Stamper, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup rice : 259 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 356mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2

My family loves New Orleans-style cooking, so I make this dish often

lean meat. 15/55 All-Day Red Beans & Rice 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved All-Day Red Beans & Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 9 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves New Orleans-style cooking, so I make this dish often. I appreciate how simple it is, and the smoky ham flavor is scrumptious. —Celinda Dahlgren, Napa, California Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup bean mixture with 2/3 cup rice: 297 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 441mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 12g fiber), 17g protein 16/55 Chicken

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