"'Tis the season when life gets really busy, yet you're still trying to figure out how to get dinner on the table," says Senior Producer Nicole McLaughlin. As we transition from lazy summer days to bustling fall afternoons and evenings, we need to make the most of every spare second. That's why Nicole rounded up five of her favorite make-ahead meals, from slow cooker dump dinners to freezer-friendly casseroles.

Frank's Favorite Slow-Cooker Thai Chicken

Here's a true dump and go dinner. Made with cheap ingredients like chicken thighs and served over rice, Nicole calls the creamy coconut milk sauce "liquid gold."

Hot Tamale Pie

"This will for sure feed my family with leftovers," Nicole says of this easy casserole that comes together quickly in your trusty 9x13-inch pan.

Make-Ahead Manicotti

This easy dinner is the "fastest manicotti I've ever made," according to Nicole. Shortcut ingredients, like jarred spaghetti sauce and frozen spinach, are key.

Easy Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup with Ham

This slow cooker soup starts with a convenient secret ingredient from the freezer aisle. "A shortcut of the frozen hash browns is just genius," Nicole says. "This tastes like the ultimate loaded baked potato. It's also like a little southern flair with that ham.

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Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast for dinner, anyone? "This does not feel like a breakfast casserole, which is why it is the perfect choice for an easy make ahead weeknight dinner," says Nicole. "It feels very hearty, very healthy."