Make-Ahead Holiday Menus

It’s an annual paradox: The meals we enjoy at the holidays tend to involve more dishes, complicated methods, and longer cooking times -- all tying cooks to the kitchen precisely when they want to spend some quality time with their guests. That’s where our make-ahead menus come in. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite holiday dishes that let the cook do most of the work in advance.

A Make-Ahead Holiday Brunch

Check out our elegant dinner menu, starring phyllo-wrapped filet mignon (pictured above) and chocolate mousse. Or for a more low-key approach, have the family over for a holiday brunch that won’t have you up at dawn. If you'd rather put together your own menu, choose from our list of festive make-ahead recipes, from appetizing nibbles and main courses, to show-stopping desserts.

Endive Salad with Blue Cheese, Pears & Spice-Candied Walnuts

Drinks, Hors d'oeuvres, & Starters

• Champagne Cocktail
• Spiced Nuts
• Pears & Arugula Wrapped in Prosciutto
• Endive Salad with Blue Cheese, Pears & Spice-Candied Walnuts

French Onion Soup

Soups & Side Dishes

• French Onion Soup
• Tomato Soup with Orange & Cumin
• Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup with Almonds
• Baby Spinach with Scallions & Lemon
• Celery Root & Apple Pureé
• Twice-Baked Potatoes with Cheese & Bacon
• Potato Frittata

Chicken Breast Stuffed with Prosciutto & Fontina

Main Courses & Crusty Breads

• Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Prosciutto & Fontina
• Individual Beef Croustades with Boursin & Mushrooms
• Braised Mediterranean Chicken
• Individual Beef Wellingtons with Mushrooms, Spinach & Blue Cheese
• French Bread Rolls
• Dinner Rolls

Chocolate Roulade with Raspberry Filling

Desserts & Sweets

• Chocolate Roulade with Raspberry Filling
• Pear-Cranberry Linzer Tart
• Individual Apple Charlottes
• Flourless Chocolate & Vanilla Marble Cake
• Individual Mocha Soufflés
• Lemon Tart
• Chocolate Mousse
• Apple-Ginger Streusel Coffee Cake

This Apple Pie with Poached Dried Cherries is one of our make & freeze holiday pies that can be made weeks before you want to serve it and freshly baked the day of your special dinner.

Looking for an elegant dessert that you can make before the holiday rush? This Mocha Soufflé, and the rest of Abby Dodge's impressive make-ahead desserts keep beautifully in the freezer. 

If you're thinking about trying one of our convenient make-ahead desserts but your past make-and-freeze efforts have been plagued by freezer burn, be sure to check out Freezing & Thawing 101, for tips on what foods do and don’t freeze well, and tips on thawing safely.

For the ultimate in menu planning, don’t miss our bonus download of Fine Cooking's Top Ten Make-Ahead Dishes—available free of charge when you register with your email address. From individual beef Wellingtons to twice-baked potatoes to pear-cranberry tart, these memorable dishes are made doable with a little advance planning.