154 ahead recipes

Sweet potatoes simmered in apple cider with brown sugar, butter and a cinnamon stick, then pureed and baked. A make-ahead Thanksgiving side without the marshmallows.

Make-ahead spaghetti and meatball casserole that assembles in 15 minutes with uncooked pasta. Refrigerate overnight, bake the next day, and enjoy bubbly, cheesy comfort food.

German stuffed cabbage rolls (Gefullt Krautroladen) filled with brown rice, dill seed, marjoram, and paprika. Baked in a tomato-vermouth sauce and best made a day ahead for deeper flavor.

Frozen cranberry souffle with Italian meringue and whipped cream, garnished with spun sugar cranberries. A showstopping holiday dessert that's made ahead and served frozen.

Potato and green bean salad tossed in a garlicky white wine vinaigrette with red onion and oregano. A make-ahead side that improves overnight in the fridge.

Quinoa tabbouleh swaps bulgur for pressure-cooked quinoa, packed with finely minced parsley, celery, carrots, and scallions in a lemon-mustard-mint vinaigrette. Gluten-free, protein-rich, and make-ahead friendly.

A vibrant marinated shrimp and vegetable linguine with bell peppers, Roma tomatoes, broccoli, peas, fresh dill, and a lemon-herb olive oil dressing. Marinate ahead, toss with hot pasta, and serve.

Quick-pickled baby carrots in a honey, white wine vinegar, and whole mustard seed dressing with fresh dill. A make-ahead side dish or relish that keeps for up to 3 days.

Italian lasagna with ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan layered with a homemade tomato meat sauce. A big-batch recipe that makes four 8x8 pans, perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing ahead.

Three bean salad with chunky salsa-lime dressing, kidney, black, and chickpeas tossed with red pepper, scallion, and carrot. A protein-packed make-ahead picnic side.

Christmas stollen with raisins, almonds, walnuts, lemon and orange zest in a buttery yeast dough, frosted with powdered sugar glaze. Make two to three days ahead for best flavor.

A creamy red potato salad with sweet pickle crunch, chopped egg, celery, and a tangy mustard-mayo dressing. Skin-on red potatoes hold their shape. A make-ahead picnic and barbecue classic.

Kentucky bourbon cake with raisins soaked in whiskey, toasted pecans, and a bourbon brush after baking. A make-ahead Southern Bundt that gets better as it ages, wrapped in a bourbon-soaked cheesecloth.

Hearty homemade beef and vegetable soup made with tender short ribs, carrots, parsnips, green beans, and leeks in a rich, defatted broth. Simmered low and slow with fresh dill and parsley for deep, comforting flavor.

Heirloom walnut icebox cookies with warm spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Make-ahead slice-and-bake cookies that keep frozen for weeks until ready to bake.

Homemade apple pie filling for freezing or canning combines sliced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a clear cornstarch syrup. Make-ahead pantry filling for instant pies all year.