The day after Halloween = the start of the holiday season! Do yourself a favor and get your Thanksgiving prep started early. From cranberry sauce to pie crusts to even mashed potatoes, all of these recipes can be made in advance and frozen in preparation for the big day. Get the recipes here!
Home-Style Macaroni and Cheese
This creation from Allrecipes has all the makings of a fabulous mac and cheese—a cheddary, creamy sauce, bite-sized noodles, and a crispy-herby topping—it just also happens to freeze well, meaning you can make it far in advance of the big day. Wrap the baked dish tightly with plastic wrap, cover with tin foil, and be sure to hold off on the breadcrumbs until the last 15 minutes of reheating before serving.
Recipe-Free Cranberry Sauce
For all the impromptu make-ahead recipe people out there, this roasted cranberry sauce from Bon Appétit is about as easy as it comes. With the secret ingredient of a slivered shallot, you can put the ingredients in a pan and make your life easier by having it ready well before Thanksgiving!
Freezer Mashed Potatoes
We learned a little make-ahead trick from our friends at Taste of Home. For these in-advance taters, cream cheese is added to keep the texture moist and creamy before freezing. The recipe even offers a variety of ways to thaw and reheat in case you have two hours before your guests arrive or just minutes to spare.
Root Vegetable Casserole
If you usually make a gratin for the holidays, you’ll love this healthy and affordable variation from Delicious on a Dime. The blend of root vegetables gives this side dish a creamy texture, and then there’s the satisfying crunch of the panko or breadcrumbs on top. If you’re making this ahead to freeze, hold off on the breadcrumb topping until it’s time to reheat so the casserole doesn’t lose its crispness.
Easy Pie Crusts
Pie crusts are not only easy peasy to make but highly freezable, so you can save time on actual holidays by prepping them in advance with these tips from Martha Stewart.
Make-Ahead Parker House Rolls
Calling all Parker roll lovers! We found the ultimate make-ahead dinner rolls for you to stock in your freezer. Food Network‘s simple steps will create melt-in-your-mouth results that will be a sure hit at the table.
Jeff Blackwell says
Hi Tanji. What is the name, of the frozen pie you showed and tasted, on “Houston Life”, Thursday, Nov. 7th? I think you said it was available at “House of Pies”.
Connie says
Bayou Goo