Looking for make ahead dinners that go beyond another plain container of pasta? Think cheesy baked ziti, golden pot pie and little individual casseroles.
These ideas give you plenty to choose from, whether you’re planning one dinner early or making room for a few meals in the freezer.
You can keep things simple or pick something with all the toppings. Save the dishes you like, then use a tested recipe for preparation, storage and reheating instructions.
Dinner ideas worth planning ahead
cheesy baked ziti
We’re starting off strong with this baked ziti. I love the patches of golden cheese over the red-sauced pasta, especially around the edges of the pan.
If you’re choosing make ahead dinners for your freezer, this is a good starting point. Look for a freezer-specific recipe so you know whether to bake it before or after storing.
chicken enchilada casserole
How good does that golden top look? This chicken enchilada casserole has pale layers underneath a generous covering of melted cheese. The chopped green garnish makes it look even prettier.
I’d serve it with a little salsa on the side so you can add as much as you like.
little pasta trays
Don’t want to make one huge casserole? No problem! These little trays hold pasta, chunky red sauce and piles of shredded cheese.
Borrow the smaller-portion idea for your next batch. Label each covered tray with the dish name and date so you’re not guessing later.
golden potato-topped pots
These little handled pots may just be my favorite presentation here. I love the swirls in the pale topping and those browned spots around the edges.
For a similar dinner, try an individual shepherd’s pie recipe. The filling here is hidden, but the potato-topped look gives you a lovely starting point.
marinated chicken bags
If you’d rather prep the main ingredient than a whole casserole, this one is for you. The chicken is divided among bags with differently colored marinades and plenty of green flecks.
Choose a tested marinade recipe for each batch. Keep raw chicken refrigerated while marinating, then follow the recipe’s cooking directions.
chunky stew
This is another dinner idea that doesn’t need a cheese topping. There are chunks of meat, red-skinned potatoes, carrot slices and celery in a glossy brown sauce.
I’d keep the serving simple with a piece of bread on the side. There’s already plenty going on in that container.
ricotta stuffed shells
I am obsessed with how these stuffed shells look. The pale ricotta filling has leafy greens running through it, with red sauce tucked around the pasta.
The whole basil leaves are such a pretty finishing touch. Save those for serving if you want to follow this presentation.
mushroom and greens bread bake
Want something a little different from pasta? This bread bake has big golden pieces, sliced mushrooms and dark leafy greens throughout.
I love the browned edges sticking up from the dish. A savory strata recipe would be a good way to try this idea for dinner.
meatball pasta casserole
The meatball fans are going to love this! Browned meatballs sit over tubes of red-sauced pasta, with melted cheese stretching between them.
If you want to try the dump-and-bake approach named in the picture, use a recipe written for that method. The pasta and liquid amounts need to work together.
golden chicken pot pie
That big square of golden pastry is my favorite part of this pot pie. Underneath it, you can see shredded chicken, peas, carrots and celery in a pale sauce.
If you love a generous pastry topping, save this one. I’d keep the sides simple and let the pie be the main event.
layered tortilla casserole
There’s so much to love in this tortilla casserole, from the black beans and corn to the orange cheese on top. The cut edge shows off all those saucy layers.
Try a spoonful of sour cream or some sliced avocado alongside your serving if you want an extra topping.
turkey chili
Don’t want another baked dish? This turkey chili gives you a different direction.
Kidney beans, corn and chunky tomatoes are mixed through the crumbled turkey.
You could serve yours in a bowl with bread like the one peeking out at the top. Or spoon it over a baked potato for a different dinner.
gnocchi and colorful vegetables
I love all the color on this tray. There are cherry tomatoes, corn, asparagus, red onion and zucchini beside the ridged gnocchi.
This is prep inspiration rather than a finished dinner. Chop your vegetables ahead, refrigerate them properly and follow a sheet-pan gnocchi recipe when you’re ready to cook.
crumb-topped mac and cheese
If you are looking for a dinner with a generous golden topping, this one is for you. The macaroni underneath is coated in cheese sauce, with a thick layer of browned crumbs above it.
Read also: 20 Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas for Two, From Heart-Shaped Pizza to Steak
I’d pair a serving with a green salad. Keep that crumb topping in mind when choosing your make-ahead recipe.
creamy mushroom pasta bake
This is another pasta bake, but it’s a little different from the red-sauce ones above. Long noodles twist around mushroom slices beneath a pale melted topping.
The little green garnish is pretty without being fussy. Save this idea if you’d rather have a creamy-style pasta dinner.
pulled pork sandwiches
How good does this sandwich look? The glossy pulled pork is piled onto a bun with thin red onion slices and chopped green herbs.
For your own prep-ahead version, store the cooked filling separately from the bread. Assemble at serving time so the bun isn’t sitting under the sauce.
rice and black bean casserole
Don’t want a thick layer of cheese on top? No problem there!
This rice casserole is full of black beans, red and green pepper pieces and chopped onion.
I love how you can see all the different vegetables. A squeeze of lime at serving time would be a nice addition.
individually wrapped burritos
These individual wraps are a useful idea to borrow for meal prep. The foil hides the finished fillings, but tortillas, black beans, corn and rice are arranged nearby.
Try that combination with a freezer-burrito recipe. Label the wrapped portions with their fillings, especially if you’re making more than one version.
sausage and pepper ziti
I know the first baked ziti looked good, but this sausage-and-pepper version is another one worth saving. The red sauce and pale melted cheese look so pretty with the chopped green garnish.
Choose this direction when you want a different filling for pasta night without giving up that cheesy top.
cabbage roll casserole
Last but definitely not least, we have this cabbage roll casserole. The cabbage, rice and crumbled meat are mixed through an orange-red sauce rather than arranged in individual rolls.
If you like the idea of cabbage rolls but would rather serve dinner by the scoop, this is the one to save.