154 ahead recipes

Buttery slice-and-bake cookies studded with candied fruit, walnuts, and raisins. Freeze the dough ahead, slice thin, and bake for festive sparkle in every bite.

Marinated asparagus salad with red pepper, red onion, and tangy raspberry vinaigrette. A make-ahead cold side dish that gets better overnight. No oil, naturally light.

A smooth, from-scratch tomato sauce simmered with garlic, green pepper, thyme, and basil, pureed silky and ladled over spaghetti. Freezes beautifully for busy weeknights ahead.

Sauteed striped bass escabeche marinated in white wine, sherry vinegar, and citrus with bell peppers, green olives, and crisp green beans. A stunning make-ahead dish.

Two crisp meringue discs sandwiched with dark chocolate-coffee cream and served on a pool of raspberry sauce. A showstopping make-ahead dessert for special occasions.

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.

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.

Three-cheese ball with blue cheese, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese rolled in chopped walnuts or pecans. A classic make-ahead party appetizer with bold, savory flavor.

Freezer slaw is a make-ahead cabbage slaw that freezes without going soggy. Salt-cured cabbage, carrots, and peppers in a sweet-tart vinegar dressing. Lasts months in the freezer.

Slice and bake chocolate chip cookies with a make-ahead freezer dough. Shape four logs, freeze for up to 6 months, and bake fresh cookies anytime in 10 minutes.

Black bean, roasted pepper, and corn salad tossed with roasted garlic, cilantro, and a triple-citrus dressing of lemon, lime, and orange juice. Vegan, high-fibre, makes ahead overnight.

Rolled lasagna noodles stuffed with seasoned chicken, spinach and mushrooms, smothered in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce and broiled until golden. A make-ahead Italian comfort classic.

Cold chicken pasta salad loaded with creamy avocado, tangy sour cream dill dressing, and Parmesan. Make it ahead overnight for potlucks, picnics, or easy summer meal prep.

Split pea soup brightened with lemon zest and juice, loaded with carrots, potatoes, bacon, and Canadian bacon. A hearty, make-ahead soup with an unexpected citrus lift.

Frozen cranberry slices with cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, sour cream, and pecans. A make-ahead holiday salad that slices clean and keeps for weeks in the freezer.

Asparagus shrimp salad with herb dressing marinates plump shrimp and crisp-tender spears in a vinaigrette sharp with basil, oregano, and chervil. Cool, make-ahead salad served over lettuce with diced tomato and Monterey Jack.