Keep calm and get your meal prep on. This batch of make-ahead Christmas recipes takes the chaos out of having company over.
26 Make-Ahead Christmas Recipes
1/26
Overnight Reindeer Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love helping in the kitchen. This year, have a little fun making these reindeer-shaped rolls with your little bakers. And make sure to take pictures because the treats will be gone before you know it! —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 116 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 155mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
2/26
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
From the Recipe Creator:
An overnight marinade provides a savory seasoning for this tenderloin. I've served this simple elegant roast on many special occasions. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked beef: 193 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
3/26
Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy
From the Recipe Creator:
Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
8 ounces cooked turkey with about 2-1/2 tablespoons gravy: 480 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated fat), 218mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 64g protein.
4/26
Christmas Day Chicken
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve been fixing this delicious chicken for Christmas dinner for over 10 years. It’s convenient since you refrigerate it overnight, then simply coat with crumbs and bake. It comes out crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. —Marcia Larson, Batavia, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half : 324 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 464mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
5/26
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 354 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
6/26
Make-Ahead Butterhorns
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 239 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 178mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
7/26
Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Salad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup salad with 1 egg: 199 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 200mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
8/26
Mud Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's one of those "looks like you fussed" desserts that is so easy it's become a standard for me. I love the mocha version, but pure chocolate lovers may prefer using chocolate chip ice cream. The cookie crust is a snap to make.
—Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 381 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
9/26
Overnight Pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
3 pancakes: 319 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 862mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
10/26
Ginger Pear Freezer Jam
From the Recipe Creator:
At dinner with friends one evening, one of our hosts served some pears she had preserved with ginger and lemon. The flavor was so heavenly I decided to use the fresh pears she gave us to try my hand at a ginger and lemon freezer jam.—Jeni Pittard, Commerce, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 64 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 9mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
11/26
Broccoli Grape Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 344 calories, 26g fat (4g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 268mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein.
12/26
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves gravy, so I can never have enough of this make-ahead turkey gravy recipe on hand for a holiday dinner. The base is prepared with turkey wings and can be prepped in advance. —Linda Fitzsimmons, Fort Edward, New York
Nutrition Facts:
3 tablespoons: 61 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
13/26
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 278 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 262mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
14/26
Cherry Danish
From the Recipe Creator:
These rolls with their cherry-filled centers melt in your mouth and store well unfrosted in the freezer. —Leann Sauder, Tremont, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 pastry: 218 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
15/26
Make-Ahead Tiramisu
From the Recipe Creator:
This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. It's convenient, too, since you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck. —Linda Finn, Louisville, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 321 calories, 21g fat (14g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 149mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
16/26
Rich Cranberry Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When our children come home for the holidays, I make sure to bake this cranberry coffee cake. I always use fresh berries in season, then put a few bags in the freezer for later on. That way, we can enjoy this moist cake any time we want! —Mildred Schwartzentruber, Tavistock, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 337 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
17/26
Sage & Prosciutto Pinwheels
From the Recipe Creator:
I love, love, love to make appetizers and I especially like this recipe because I can make the rolls ahead, freeze them, and then slice and bake when needed. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 90 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 131mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
18/26
Overnight Baked Oatmeal
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I spent a long weekend at a bed-and-breakfast not far from our home. The owners shared this delicious recipe with me, which I made my own with a couple of simple changes. —Jennifer Cramer, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 331 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
19/26
Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Biscuits and gravy are usually prepared separately but served together. I created a way to bake them all at once in this scrumptious casserole. —Nancy Mcinnis, Olympia, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 373 calories, 26g fat (11g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
20/26
Sausage and Apple Quinoa Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves the variety this casserole offers. It’s unlike anything else I’ve made. —Brenna Norby, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 443 calories, 29g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.
21/26
Almond Cheddar Appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
I always try to have a supply of these appetizers on hand in the freezer. If guests drop in, I just pull some out and reheat to serve. They work great as a snack, for brunch or along with a lighter lunch. —Linda Thompson, Southampton, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 81 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
22/26
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Recipes that don't tie me to the kitchen—that’s what I’m all about. I make this luscious dish the night before breakfast or brunch with guests. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 302 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 342mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
23/26
Sausage Pinwheels
From the Recipe Creator:
Filled with sausage, sweet pepper and cream cheese, these roll-ups are excellent for unexpected visitors, a cocktail party or a halftime snack. Besides being easy to make, they can be done way ahead and kept in the freezer. All you have to do is pop them into a hot oven! —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 46 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
24/26
Make-Ahead Maple & Sage Gravy
From the Recipe Creator:
Save those turkey wings! Then use this richly flavored stock in my pour-it-on-everything herbed gravy. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 89 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 216mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
25/26
Holiday Brunch Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
If you'll be having overnight company during the holidays, you may want to consider this hearty casserole. Guests will be impressed with its bountiful filling and scrumptious flavor. It's the perfect Easter breakfast or Christmas casserole. —Nelda Cronbaugh, Belle Plaine, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 366 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 971mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.
26/26
Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
When I’m planning party menus, I appreciate dessert recipes like this; you can make and freeze it up to two weeks before serving. A refreshing slice is welcome after a big meal.—Cassie Alexander, Muncie, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 349 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
