154 ahead recipes

Maritime-style seafood chowder brimming with mixed seafood, garden vegetables, and a splash of wine in a creamy bacon-kissed broth that freezes beautifully for make-ahead meals.

Three-ingredient banana condiment with lemon and raisins simmers into a thick, jammy spread for jolof rice. Make it ahead and store for weeks of West African flavor.

Chocolate tortoni is a frozen Italian dessert with two kinds of chocolate, whipped cream, beaten egg whites, toasted almonds, and candied cherries. Elegant, no-churn, and make-ahead.

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with a buttery pecan praline sauce cooked to soft ball stage. A make-ahead Southern side dish that belongs on every holiday table.

Pinwheel slice-and-bake cookies with a chocolate oat layer swirled around a peanut oat layer. Make the dough ahead, chill overnight, then slice and bake in minutes.

Slice-and-bake chocolate icebox cookies rolled in chopped pecans and topped with melted milk chocolate. Make the dough ahead, chill overnight, and bake 8 dozen in minutes.

No-cook cranberry relish with crisp celery, fresh apple, and a hit of lemon. Make it a day ahead and let the flavors meld for your Thanksgiving spread.

Rice pudding tart with red wine-poached pears fanned on top, finished under the broiler for a caramelized sugar crust. An elegant dessert that can be made ahead.

Greek-style beef stew braised in red wine with cinnamon, cumin, cloves, and currants, topped with melted Muenster cheese and toasted walnuts. A warmly spiced, make-ahead casserole.

Chocolate shots slice-and-bake cookies with oats, butter, and powdered sugar rolled in chocolate sprinkles. A make-ahead icebox cookie with a fun, crunchy sprinkle-coated edge.

A no-cook marinated string bean salad with mushrooms, cucumber, cauliflower, and pimentos in a tangy champagne vinegar dressing. Make ahead, fat-free, perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Bean burrito casserole layers tortillas with pinto beans, brown rice, and scallions under a homemade chili-spiked enchilada sauce. Vegetarian make-ahead Mexican casserole baked in one dish.

Southern cornbread dressing done right: make-ahead cornbread and homemade turkey giblet broth prepped the night before for Thanksgiving day assembly with rice, mushrooms, pecans, and fresh herbs.

Five-bean salad with green, navy, lima, garbanzo, and kidney beans tossed with bell pepper, celery, and onion in a sweet-tangy vinegar marinade. The make-ahead potluck classic, vegan friendly.

Make-ahead tofu noodle casserole in a creamy Parmesan poppy seed sauce with pimientos. Assemble the night before, bake the next day. Retro comfort food with a vegetarian twist.

Spicy pear relish simmered with whole cloves, cinnamon, lemon slices, and sugar. A make-ahead condiment that pairs with roast chicken and turkey, or doubles as a warm dessert.