10 Make-Ahead Side Dishes for Effortless Weeknight Meals

Freezer-Friendly Twice-Baked Potatoes

Craving carbs? Prepare a batch of this freezer-friendly recipe on Sunday during your meal prep session. You’ll do the initial baking, then stuff and freeze the potatoes. When it’s time for dinner, just thaw them in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave for 3 minutes or bake in a 350-degree oven for about 25 minutes until hot and ready to serve with your favorite protein.

Make-Ahead Instant Pot® Cauliflower Rice

For those following a low-carb lifestyle, this make-ahead side dish is a game-changer. You can create your own cauliflower rice from a budget-friendly head of cauliflower! Simply chop the cauliflower into florets, steam them in your Instant Pot®, then pulse the tender pieces into rice-sized grains. Drain excess water and freeze in single-serving portions to easily add to your meals all week.

• How to Make Cauliflower Rice

Roasted Vegetables for a Crowd

Roasting a large tray of vegetables on Sunday is a foolproof way to create a versatile side dish or grain bowl topping for the week ahead. This easy method shows you exactly when to add each vegetable to the mix, ensuring they all cook evenly and finish at the same time. Store in single servings for quick lunches or larger portions for family dinners. Reheat in the microwave or pop them back in a 425-degree oven for about 15 minutes until heated through.

• How to Roast Every Vegetable

Greek Pasta Salad

Pasta salad isn't just for picnics! This Mediterranean-inspired dish makes the perfect quick dinner when paired with leftover chicken or shrimp. Packed with bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, and green onions, it serves as both your vegetable and starch side in one dish, making it a hearty and flavorful choice for a busy weeknight.

• More Pasta Salad Recipes

Red Broccoli Salad

This crowd-pleasing broccoli salad is perfect for prep-ahead meals, as it benefits from chilling to let the flavors blend. We love serving it as a side dish for lunch or dinner all week long. Dinogo home cooks rave about the savory maple-bacon pieces, the crunchy slivered almonds, and the sweet bursts of grape halves that make each bite irresistible.

• More Broccoli Salad Recipes

Dill Gazpacho

Meal prepping is all about making your week easier, so why not start with this refreshing chilled gazpacho? Packed with summer's finest produce—tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, jalapeños, and fresh herbs—this soup is a cooling, vibrant way to stay on track. We like to mix up a big batch, chill it in the fridge, and serve it daily with a sandwich or salad for a quick, delicious lunch.

• More Gazpacho Recipes

Cold Soba Noodle Salad

This simple yet flavorful side dish pairs perfectly with Asian takeout or your favorite grilled protein. Make meal prep even easier by picking up pre-cut matchstick carrots and frozen edamame, as Dinogo fan Frances C. recommends: "It comes together quickly and packs a punch of flavor!" Prepare a couple of batches on Sunday, then store in individual servings. The best part? No reheating needed—this noodle dish is meant to be enjoyed cold.

• Essential Pantry Ingredients in the Japanese Kitchen

Make-Ahead Spinach Salad in a Jar

For an easy, grab-and-go lunch side, mason jar salads are a top choice. This version is especially satisfying with quinoa, adding hearty whole grains alongside fresh veggies. Walnuts, goat cheese, dried cherries, and a tangy orange-curry vinaigrette bring the whole dish together, making it perfect for a week's worth of lunches or dinners.

• How to Make Mason Jar Salads

Mother Earth's Baked Beans

Turn canned beans into a crave-worthy, make-ahead side dish. With the savory flavors of bacon, ground beef, and a rich barbecue sauce, this slow-cooked recipe is a family favorite. Cook everything on low for 6 hours over the weekend, then reheat in the slow cooker for 1 hour when you're ready for a hearty, filling side that pairs well with any protein.

• Quick Protein-Packed Dinners with Canned Beans

Mediterranean Zucchini and Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas, one of our budget-friendly pantry essentials, take center stage in this vibrant salad. To make this no-cook side dish, simply combine drained chickpeas with an assortment of fresh vegetables, crumbled feta, aromatic herbs, and a zesty vinaigrette for a light, refreshing dish that's perfect as a side or light entrée.

• A Full Week's Worth of Menus for the Mediterranean Diet

More Recipes and Meal Prep Ideas

• How to Plan Ahead for a Week's Worth of No-Stress Dinners
• Smart Ideas for Pre-Prepping Frozen Foods for Quick and Easy Dinners
• Create Easy One-Pot Meals With This Simple Formula
• The Groceries You Need for Quick and Easy Meals
• How to Meal Prep for a Week Using the Grill