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Let's have a dinner party! Here are 12 easy and elegant recipes you can make ahead for no-stress entertaining!
Hosting a dinner party doesn't have to be hectic! These are some of our favorite make-ahead recipes that are perfect for the holiday season.
Each dish is simple to prepare in advance but impressive enough to feel special, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time savoring good food and great company. From salads to desserts, we've got you covered. And if you need appetizer ideas, be sure to check out this post. Here's to actually enjoying your own gathering!
Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad with Pecan Pumpkin Seed Brittle
This bright, beautifully balanced salad features shaved Brussels sprouts, tender kale, plumped cranberries, a zesty lemon-garlic dressing, Parmesan, and a sprinkle of crunchy Pecan Pumpkin Seed Brittle. One bite and you'll understand the obsession!
Karen's Grapefruit Avocado Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
This Grapefruit Avocado Salad is bursting with fabulous flavor, a perfect blend of fresh, sweet, and savory with layers of great texture. On top of all that, it's super healthy!
No-Knead Porridge Bread and Beet Butter (so pretty, it could win a beauty contest!)
This charming, old-fashion porridge bread has a buttery crisp crust, a soft tender interior and lots of fabulous flavor. The no-knead dough comes together with minimal effort! It's wonderful for toast, sandwiches and in the bread basket!
Potato Focaccia (Focaccia Pugliese)
This Potato Focaccia, aka Focaccia Pugliese, is a beloved bread from the sunny heel of Italy with a fluffy interior, large artisan air holes and a crisp, golden crust. Normally an overnight affair, this recipe uses a few secret tricks so it can be made in an afternoon with minimal hands-on time!
Make-Ahead, Slow-Roasted Boneless Short Ribs Bourguignon
Perfect for entertaining or for a delicious relaxed meal with family and friends, these melt-in-your-mouth Boneless Short Ribs Bourguignon can be made a day or two in advance!
Marry Me Chicken and Spinach Risotto
The ultimate marriage of elegance and comfort, this Chicken and Spinach Risotto is so delicious I'm pretty sure my husband would propose all over again if we weren't married! It's the perfect prep-ahead, let-the-oven-do-the-work meal for entertaining!
Oven-Roasted Pork Tenderloin
This Roasted Pork Tenderloin is a delicious way to make juicy, tender, golden brown pork tenderloin with NO searing and mess on the stovetop!
Slow-Braised Sunday Sauce
This fabulous Slow-Braised Sunday sauce requires only 30 minutes of hands-on time and will transform your kitchen into a fragrant Italian trattoria!
French Mustard Chicken Breasts (Poulet à la Moutarde Française)
This French Mustard Chicken Breasts recipe will make you feel like a fancy chef, but it comes together quickly and can be prepped in advance. You'll want to eat the luxurious mustard sauce like it's soup!
Salted Butterscotch Panna Cotta
Although this silky-smooth, crazy-delicious Salted Butterscotch Panna Cotta has a fancy name and beautiful presentation, it may go down in history as one of the easiest desserts you'll ever make!
Ridiculously Easy Cream Cheese Brownie Tart
This fabulously delicious Caramel Cream Cheese Brownie Tart is ridiculously easy to make, comes together in minutes and looks like a work of art from a fancy bake shop!
Italian Raspberry Jam Ricotta Crumb Cake (Torta Sbrisolona)
This delicious Italian Ricotta Crumb Cake features a layer of creamy ricotta topped by a ribbon of raspberry jam nestled between a crisp, buttery dough that forms both the bottom crust and pretty crumb topping.
Shop Our Café Loves
We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!
