Get a Jump Start on Dinner by Preparing One of These Easy Make-Ahead Recipes That Can Be Reheated in the Oven

For homemade comfort food on demand, follow one of our key dinner strategies: meal prep. We aren't talking about preparing a bunch of elements and then putting them together during the week. Instead, make it easy and delicious by baking one cohesive meal on the weekend, or even earlier in the month if you have room to freeze it, then reheat it in the oven when it's time to serve. This prep technique lends well to larger portioned comfort foods, including cheesy baked pasta, creamy chicken studded pot pie, and enchiladas, which can serve a crowd or be reheated over the course of multiple meals.

Sausage and Kale Stuffed Shells

Is there anything more satisfying than a cheesy baked pasta dish? Stuffed shells meet kale in our incredibly satisfying pasta and sausage casserole, pictured above, that's smothered in marinara sauce and cheese. It is a dish that keeps giving and is well-suited to preparing in large batches. If you're serving four, prepare the recipe in two smaller baking dishes and refrigerate one for later in the week and freeze the other for the coming months.

Easy Chicken Pot Pies

More than the buttery crust and delicious creamy chicken filling, we love that this particular pot pie recipe because it is made in individual portions. It's much less of an investment than making an entire pie, especially if you tend to dine alone or as a couple. These minis let you choose when you want to eat them and how many. It's just as easy to reheat one as it is all eight.

Tex Mex Beef Enchiladas

Wrap and roll these beef enchiladas right into your weeknight repertoire by preparing them on the weekend and then reheating them in the oven when you're ready to dine. It never hurts to top them with a little extra cheese before they go back in the oven and they are perfect served warm with fresh condiments like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. To bake from frozen, thaw the enchiladas overnight in the refrigerator then put in the oven, see the recipe for more reheating notes.

Broccoli-and-Samosa Pie

Reheating this ingenious pre-baked Broccoli-and-Samosa Pie in the oven crisps the beautiful flaky crust and warms the filling. It tastes just as good as if you were taking it out of the oven for the first time and it heats faster than the other recipes on this list. After baking, cool completely, slice then refrigerate or freeze portioned into slices. The result is a meatless dinner that hits the spot is ready to reheat and eat at a whim.

Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms with Egg Noodles

Just because you're making something ahead doesn't mean it has to take a great deal time. This one skillet dish of chicken, mushrooms, and egg noodles is enveloped in a cream cheese sauce and fast to prepare. It reheats equally well in the oven in the same skillet (make sure it's oven-safe!) or baking dish. For an extra perfect finish, treat the prepared recipe like a casserole by topping it with crunchy toasted breadcrumbs or panko before reheating in the oven to add a crisp texture.