Need dinner ideas you can prep ahead, set-and-forget, or just count on to be crowd-pleasers? In this video, Nicole shares five easy and comforting make-ahead meals that are perfect for busy weeks, cozy nights, or feeding a full house with minimal stress.
She starts with a flavorful Slow Cooker Thai Chicken that’s packed with peanut sauce and fresh veggies, followed by a hearty Hot Tamale Pie with spiced beef and cornbread topping. Next up is a cheesy Make-Ahead Manicotti you can prep the night before, a creamy Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup perfect for chilly nights, and finally, a Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole that’s ideal for weekend brunch or holiday mornings. Whether you’re meal prepping or just planning ahead, these five recipes make dinner easier—and way more delicious.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction
0:16 – Slow Cooker Thai Chicken
2:56 – Hot Tamale Pie
6:41 – Make-Ahead Manicotti
9:44 – Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
11:22 – Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Get the recipes here:
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken:
Hot Tamale Pie:
Make-Ahead Manicotti:
Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup:
Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole:
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September 11th. 🇺🇸
I LIKE TO PUT THE CHEESE FILLING IN A PLASTIC BAG JUST CUT THE TIP OFF MUCH MUCH EASIER
September 11th. 🇺🇸
I've been making stuffed manicotti shells for years without cooking the hard shells…
My mother made him this way as long as I can remember
Just add a little water..
September 11th. 🇺🇸
Taco Tuesday sounds good to me I'd like to make a
Taco salad with that..
Love you Nicole
❤❤❤❤❤❤
How long can I leave the manicotti in the fridge before I bake it? Could I make it the night before???
The link to the recipe for the Ham and Potato Soup is a completely different recipe. It uses a ham hock instead of ham, tomatoes, whole yukon gold potatoes (instead of hash browns), to name a few things.
Thanks, great ideas!
What type of cookware are you using in this video?
I love all of Nicole's recipes. I have already saved a couple of her videos. Now I'm adding this one to my list. Can't wait to make that tamale pie. 😋
Thank goodness you didn’t use canned mushrooms! They are so wrong!
Thank you
I honestly love watching each and every one of your videos and have downloaded, made and loved plenty of the dishes that you've made on here. That being said, I just can't get down with using croutons for that last casserole lol. Is there anything you can suggest as an alternate because the rest of the casserole looks fantastic!
I made the Tamales pie using Pillsbury Biscuits and it came out great as well.
I love your quick recipe for Thai chicken. I have a better suggestion for the topping instead of cilantro which is fine but more Mexican, instead too with Thai basil or regular basil and peanuts, of course, can’t do without them!💚
I tried the breakfast casserole and it was great! Using croutons is the secret I didn't know I needed to know. Thank you!
Try some High River sauce hot sauce! Yum!
Can you cook this in insta pot? What would be the time frame you would recommend. Thanks
Love your meals and recipes. Can you make some natural foods. Don’t use preservatives or chemicals in the food or seasonings. I’d love to watch them. Thank you.
The Slow Cooker Ham and Potato soup recipe you linked doesn't seem to be much at all like the recipe you made. I wish there was a written source for your version. I will save and make the other recipes you linked.
Perfect make ahead recipes! Thank you! You are the Best & you have a devoted following!❤
Hi. Your all recipes are looking v delicious. Thanks.one thing I want to say please wash properly the chicken before marination or direct cooking.hopefully you care next time..
Cute shirt, can you share where it was purchased from? Love all Nicole recipes
In my opinion, this is a good week plan , made day for premade
The Tamale Pie… I'd be charring that corn first!! It completely adds a new layer of flavour!!
I got some great ideas!!!
My son wanted to me to tell
You. 5 stars. He loves the ham and potato soup. It’s a keeper
MORE FALL COFFEE CREAMER RECIPES PLEASE
Great, but very American.
LOVE ❤🎉the manicott hack …thank u!
Tamale pie will be my next taco Tues meal!
Make ahead meals are great. When my neighbor was having a baby, I brought several of these types of dishes and stocked her freezer. You can also share with someone who is sick or recuperating. All they gotta do is pop it in the oven.
Don’t the croutons get soggy?
All pretty nasty, I had hope for the potato soup but it also looked pretty nasty by the end, cheddar cheese really ?
I can't get those croutons for the Breakfast Casserole where I live so I buy garlic bread (when it's reduced), cut it up and place the pieces at the bottom of the casserole before adding the other ingredients. It turns out remarkably well. Great recipes, as always – thank you!
These all look real easy & tasty plus simple to make low carb!🙌❤️❤️❤️
I just found your channel, you got yourself a new subscriber, as a busy mom i need this
Thank you for your recipes and the delivery is something that just simply clicks for me. I love that you’re detailed , to the point and done method. Please keep going.
11:18 add bacon diced and some diced jalapeños on a dollop of sour cream
5:30 if you don’t have room in the freezer or fridge premake and label the meat mixture, then thaw the day you plan to assemble. I suggest gallon or quart freezer bags.
I have a bag of stuffing mix that needs used and I just may have to try turning it into a breakfast casserole. I never would have thought to do that.
I make the tamale pie and I also make a chicken or pork verde version. It’s basically meat, a jar of salsa verde, a layer of pepper jack and the topping. Easy peasy!