1,078 ahead recipes

Cajun shrimp Creole simmered for hours in a homemade shrimp stock with fresh tomatoes, three peppers, thyme, basil, and the holy trinity. Even better made a day or two ahead.

Make-ahead chicken and wild rice casserole loaded with mushrooms, red bell pepper, celery, and low-fat cheddar. Assemble the night before and bake when you're ready. Feeds a crowd.

A colorful spiral pasta salad with tomatoes, green pepper, black olives, and hard-boiled eggs in a tangy paprika mayo dressing. Make it ahead and let the flavors mingle overnight.

Shredded carrots and turnips baked in a rich Parmesan custard with scallions and parsley until golden and bubbling. An elegant, make-ahead side dish for holiday tables or weeknight dinners.

Crispy pan-fried chicken dumplings stuffed with napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and ginger served with a sweet-tangy orange marmalade dipping sauce. A lighter homemade potsticker you can prep ahead.

Christmas Lizzies are boozy Southern fruitcake cookies loaded with candied cherries, raisins, dates, pecans, and citrus zest, soaked in whiskey. Make them weeks ahead and drizzle with spirits to age.

Canned corned beef, elbow macaroni, and cheddar cheese in a creamy mushroom soup base, topped with buttered crumbs and baked until bubbly. A retro make-ahead casserole that feeds six.

Frozen coffee ice cream cake layered on a chocolate wafer crust with amaretti whipped cream, toasted almonds, and a rich Amaretto dark chocolate sauce. Make-ahead elegance for any celebration.

Chilled wild rice chicken salad tossed with sweet green grapes, crunchy water chestnuts, and cashews in light mayo. A refreshing make-ahead lunch or potluck crowd-pleaser that serves six.

Make-ahead wild rice chicken casserole loaded with crunchy water chestnuts, tender celery, and a creamy mushroom soup topping baked until golden and bubbly. Freezer-friendly comfort food for two.

Slice-and-bake cheddar cheese biscuits with Worcestershire and hot sauce, topped with poppy, sesame, or celery seeds. Make the dough ahead and bake crispy, golden rounds whenever guests arrive.

Ginger icebox cookies with molasses, three teaspoons of ground ginger, and a slice-and-bake method. Make the dough ahead, chill, and bake crisp rounds whenever you want fresh cookies.

Creamy potato soup with cumin, shallots, and half-and-half, pureed smooth and garnished with fresh cilantro. Serve warm or chilled for a versatile, make-ahead soup with earthy spice.

Make-ahead baked French toast coated in crushed corn flakes for an ultra-crunchy shell. Prep the night before, bake in the morning, no standing at the stove flipping slices.

Roast beef tortilla roll-ups with bacon horseradish dip and crisp lettuce, sliced into pinwheels. A no-cook appetizer or lunch that chills ahead and cuts clean for party platters.

Pickled black-eyed peas marinated in a garlic-infused oil and red wine vinegar dressing with red onion and cayenne. A Southern make-ahead appetizer that improves over several days.