1,078 ahead recipes

Asparagus vichyssoise made in the microwave with fresh asparagus, potatoes, and skim milk. This light, low-fat cold soup is blended silky-smooth and chilled overnight for a refreshing make-ahead starter.

Vanilla-limeade ice cream pie: a chocolate wafer crust ringed with cookies, layered with vanilla ice cream and ribbons of tart green limeade, then frozen firm. A no-bake, make-ahead summer dessert.

Pineapple pudding cake is a tropical poke cake soaked with sweet crushed pineapple and pudding, then topped with whipped cream and coconut. The poke-and-soak trick keeps every bite moist. An easy, make-ahead chilled dessert.

Make-ahead freezer bread sticks shaped, frozen unbaked, and stored for up to 4 weeks. Thaw, rise, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, and bake fresh whenever you need them.

Marinated cucumber and red bell pepper salad: crisp cucumber, sweet pepper, and slippery bean thread noodles tossed in Italian dressing and basil, chilled until they soak up the tang. A light, make-ahead salad.

Blueberries in black pepper Syrah syrup soaks fresh berries in a reduced red-wine syrup laced with vanilla and freshly cracked black pepper. A sophisticated make-ahead dessert for dinner parties.

Easy to prepare, and this German potato salad is very flavorful and tasty. Make it a day ahead, let it marinate in the refrigerator overnight, it tastes even better next day.

A delicious, inexpensive, easy-to-make wine-marinated meatball and mushroom kabob recipe. This delightful make-ahead dish is perfect for a fun evening with friends or a cozy night in.

Make-ahead freezer cheese biscuits are a convenient and delicious solution for busy cooks. Prepare the dough, freeze it, and cut it into biscuits baked fresh on demand in a jiffy.

A showpiece blueberry pie with 7 cups of fresh berries in a glossy orange glaze, nestled in a homemade orange-zest crust. Served chilled and can be made a day ahead.

Creamy green herb dip made with fresh spinach, parsley, watercress, sour cream, and garlic. Serve chilled with a rustic spread of raw and boiled vegetables for a vibrant, make-ahead appetizer.

A slow-simmered lamb chili with black beans, fresh ginger, allspice, and Zinfandel wine. Beans cook with lamb bones for deep flavor. Best made a day ahead for the richest taste.

Intensely rich chocolate silk mousse cake baked in a water bath with a pound of semi-sweet chocolate and a glossy ganache glaze. Make up to 3 days ahead. Serves 8.

Herb crusted chicken breasts with a 7-herb spice crust, pan-sautéed in butter and topped with a make-ahead Dijon and coarse-grain mustard compound butter. Ready in 30 minutes.

Cold bow-tie pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, black olives, cucumbers, radishes, and roasted sunflower seeds in a tangy lemon dressing. A crunchy, make-ahead side dish that's best chilled overnight.

Slice-and-bake coffee shortbread cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth butter crumb and an optional powdered sugar finish. Make the dough ahead and freeze for up to 2 months.