22 Quick and Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes (or less) + 5 Chef Secrets To Make You A Better Cook!

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Make-Ahead Recipes

There’s nothing better than having a few dishes ready to go when you need them. These make-ahead recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, holiday entertaining, or bringing a meal to a friend. You’ll find everything from chicken cacciatore and creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes to banana bread and New York-style cheesecake—all recipes you can tackle ahead of time and enjoy later.

Plate of chicken cacciatore.

Most Popular Make-Ahead Recipes

  • Beef stew with vegetables in Dutch oven.
    1
    Classic Beef Stew Recipe
  • Slices of Pumpkin Bread on a plate.
    2
    Pumpkin Bread
  • french apple cake
    3
    Apple Cake Recipe (A French Classic)
  • Fork on a plate with a Caesar salad.
    4
    Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
  • Blueberry muffins on a wire rack.
    5
    Blueberry Muffins
  • Two white crocks of potato leek soup.
    6
    Potato Leek Soup
  • Slice of cheesecake on a plate.
    7
    Cheesecake
  • Partially sliced lemon pound cake on a plate.
    8
    Lemon Pound Cake
  • baked ziti in baking dish.
    9
    Baked Ziti
  • Strawberry Cake in a pie pan.
    10
    Fresh Strawberry Cake

22 Quick and Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes (or less)

Latest Make-Ahead Recipes

  • Red beans and rice on wooden table.
    Red Beans and Rice
  • Chicken Paprikash over egg noodles with dollop of sour cream.
    Chicken Paprikash
  • Bechamel sauce in pot with whisk.
    Béchamel Sauce
  • Waldorf salad in serving bowl.
    Waldorf Salad
  • fried chicken on platter
    Fried Chicken
  • Summer Pudding
  • Hibiscus iced tea on picnic table
    Hibiscus Iced Tea
  • Edible Cookie Dough
  • New England lobster rolls on platter.
    New England Lobster Rolls
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream in loaf pan with ice cream scoop
    No-Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
  • bowl of lemon buttermilk sorbet
    Lemon Buttermilk Sorbet
  • Bowl of pineapple fried rice with small bowls of scallions and cashews.
    Pineapple Fried Rice
  • Stack of Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
    Breakfast Sandwiches
  • Peach galette on parchment with sliced peaches and bowl of turbinado sugar nearby.
    Peach Galette
  • Greek spinach rice and feta pie slice on white beaded plate
    Greek Spinach & Rice Pie
  • Mississippi Mud Pie
    Mississippi Mud Pie
  • Jar of blueberry jam with spoon and striped napkin.
    Small-Batch Blueberry Jam
  • Lazy Skillet Dumplings
  • Jar of strawberry rhubarb jam.
    Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
  • Jar of White Balsamic Strawberry Preserve with Black Pepper on charcuterie board
    White Balsamic Strawberry Preserves
  • Fresh chimichurri sauce in blue bowl on wood table.
    Chimichurri Sauce
  • Cheese blintzes stacked on plate with sour cream and berries
    Cheese Blintzes
  • Chicken piccata meatballs with pasta and a glass of red wine.
    Chicken Piccata Meatballs
  • Margarita cocktails garnished with lime slices
    Margarita
  • Hot Cross Buns stacked on serving platter
    Hot Cross Buns
  • bowls of lemon chicken orzo soup
    Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
  • slice of cream cheese pound cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries
    Cream Cheese Pound Cake
  • Jar of homemade strawberry jam.
    Small-Batch Strawberry Jam
  • albondigas in bowl over rice
    Albóndigas in Chipotle Tomato Sauce
  • rye bread on cutting board
    Rye Bread
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22 Quick and Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes (or less)

Plus 5 Chef Secrets To Make You A Better Cook!

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