385 ahead recipes

Rhubarb meringue torte with three layers of crisp piped meringue shells stacked with tangy rhubarb sauce. A stunning make-ahead spring dessert that's naturally gluten-free.

Microwave antipasto with tuna, olives, peppers, mushrooms, and carrots in a tangy tomato-ketchup sauce. Make-ahead appetizer that keeps for two weeks in the fridge.

Raspberry angel cake fills and frosts an angel food cake with a fluffy raspberry Jello and whipped cream mixture studded with real berries. Make-ahead friendly.

Mushroom strata with layered bread, sauteed mushrooms, peppers, and a cream-of-mushroom-cheese top. Make-ahead brunch casserole that bakes up tender, savory, and sliceable.

Crisp deep-fried curry puffs filled with cooked lamb, curry powder, and mango chutney syrup. A classic Anglo-Indian party appetizer that can be made ahead.

Marinated mushrooms from Mollie Katzen: briefly simmered button mushrooms soaked in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and thyme. A make-ahead vegetarian antipasto or salad topper.

Honey baked squash: acorn squash rings roasted tender and topped with a honey-pecan oat crunch. Sweet, nutty, and the make-ahead crunch keeps for months.

Marinated shrimp kabobs with picante sauce and Italian dressing, threaded with broccoli florets and cherry tomatoes. A make-ahead cocktail appetizer with three-color visual punch.

Marinated cabbage slaw with green pepper, onion, and pimentos in a sweet-tangy vinegar dressing with mustard seeds. Make-ahead picnic salad that keeps for days.

Polynesian bombe is a three-layer frozen dessert of mango, raspberry, and lime ices molded into a showstopper dome. Make-ahead tropical finale with zero baking.

New Year's Eve polenta squares crisp tube polenta under the broiler, then top each bite with a tangy sun-dried tomato, caper, and parsley pesto. A make-ahead cocktail-party appetizer that feeds a crowd.

Better-than-anything cake with German chocolate base soaked in sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce, topped with whipped topping and crushed Heath or Snickers bars. Make-ahead party cake.

Five-spice tofu simmered in soy sauce, star anise, and molasses for a deeply savory, aromatic Chinese-style appetizer. Make-ahead and keeps in the fridge for a week.

Glazed sweet potato casserole with brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice glaze, scented with cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. Make-ahead Thanksgiving side that saves oven space.

Tofu and rice stuffed peppers fill green bell peppers with brown rice, mixed vegetables, sauteed mushrooms and crumbled tofu, then bake under tomato soup. A vegan, low-fat take on the classic stuffed pepper. Make-ahead friendly.

Slice-and-bake vanilla wafer cookies with powdered sugar, butter, and cream of tartar. Make the dough ahead, chill, slice thin, and bake crispy in 10 minutes.