41 Make-Ahead Recipes for Your 13×9

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41 Make-Ahead Recipes for Your 13×92/41 Sausage-Rice Phyllo Casserole 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Sausage-Rice Phyllo Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this recipe to use up the ingredients I had stocked in my cupboards. You can mix up the herbs and spices to fit any taste. Add rosemary or cayenne to give it a little more kick. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 451 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 1085mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (6g

sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein

sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. 3/41 Shrimp & Crab Casserole 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp & Crab Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 376 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 1127mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.

4/41 Zucchini Pizza Casserole 347 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza, and I grow lots of zucchini. So this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you’ve tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 315 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat),

119mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 5/41 Herbed Oatmeal Pan Bread 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 107 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 6/41 Chicken Cornbread Casserole 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Cornbread Casserole Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this super easy chicken slow-cooker

recipe because it tastes like Thanksgiving, but without all the hassle

recipe because it tastes like Thanksgiving, but without all the hassle. It’s such a hearty and delicious meal for the fall or winter season. —Nancy Barker, Peoria, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 500 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 1657mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 27g protein. 7/41 White Chocolate Cranberry-Orange Bars 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved White Chocolate Cranberry-Orange Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my take on my mother’s recipe for chocolate chunk bars, which she made

every Christmas Eve

every Christmas Eve. Our family is scattered across the country now; making these reminds me of home. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, you can use two sharp knifes or a potato masher. My mom makes this with semisweet chocolate chunks. —Erin Powell, Amarillo, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 214 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. 8/41 Chicken Enchilada Casserole 110 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 10 servings Go to

It’s real comfort food!

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 428 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 709mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. 9/41 Italian Pasta Bake 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Pasta Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to make this pasta bake

whenever I need to bring a dish to pass

whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that’s missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.—Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 489 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 702mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. 10/41 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 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was in the Navy, a co-worker’s wife shared this recipe with me.

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

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. 11/41 Make-Ahead Cabbage Rolls 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 12 rolls Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve relied on this recipe for years, and my cabbage rolls never fail to impress. As the host

of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree

of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 2 cabbage rolls: 492 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 176mg cholesterol, 1376mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein. 12/41 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole 77 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy, cheesy casserole is so hearty that second helpings are a must! —Lynne German, Buford, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 549 calories, 25g

14/41 Sausage

fat (11g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 957mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein. 13/41 Texas-Style Lasagna 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland For Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s wonderful with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 349 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1041mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. 14/41 Sausage

It’s so tasty and easy to fix

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 protein. 15/41 Microwave Fudge 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 10 min Servings about 2-1/3 pounds (81 pieces) Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: You’re moments away from a pan of creamy fudge

the Recipe Creator: You’re moments away from a pan of creamy fudge. Just microwave, stir and spread. This easy homemade fudge recipe is the best. —Sue Tucker, Edgemoor, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 59 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 12mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 16/41 Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 2 pizzas (8 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I tried to duplicate the deep-dish pizza recipe from a

The secret is baking it in a cast-iron skillet!

popular restaurant, and I think our Chicago-style deep-dish pizza turned out even better. The secret is baking it in a cast-iron skillet! —Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 407 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 872mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 17/41 Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders 57 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the

recipe in half if you want one batch

recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 380 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein. 18/41 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

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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