Holiday Recipes You Can Freeze Ahead To Save Time Later

Recipe: Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Having a lasagna in the freezer is about as dependable as it gets. Pull this recipe together in a flash, then freeze for up to three months. This dish fits perfectly into your crazy holiday schedule.

Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Ham

As far as picking just one of your macaroni and cheese recipes to freeze for the holidays, this smoky dish makes a strong argument. It's full of a creamy smoked Gouda and Cheddar sauce, corkscrew pasta, and chopped smoked ham, making it a crowd-pleaser when whipped out for holiday company. If ham is not your favorite mac and cheese additive, there are options to swap it out for something more to your family's tastes.

Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole is an odd yet beloved Southern holiday mainstay, especially in Texas. Whether you've been wrapping gifts or attending Christmas Eve service, these creamy stacks layered with corn tortillas, cheese, and chicken are there to comfort and celebrate.

Recipe: Greek Baked Ziti

This flavor-packed baked ziti can feed a house full of hungry family members during the holidays with no sweat. Fix and freeze this cheesy pasta bake ahead of time to have on hand. It's a classic Greek comfort dish that every family will love.

Recipe: Southwestern-Style Spoonbread Dressing

This side dish's moist, tender texture is like a cross between spoonbread and cornbread dressing. You won't regret having your freezer stocked with this casserole around Christmastime. It's a simple dish perfect to accompany any holiday meal.

Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

This comforting, classic dish has fresh ingredients that will freeze well, ready to break out for any holiday meal. You can't have a Southern feast without some form of broccoli casserole. Plus, making anything cheesy is an automatic winner.

Recipe: Root Vegetable Gratin

Make sure you have a hearty casserole side dish when you only have time to pick up a honey-baked ham. A breadcrumb-covered vegetable bake will make your entire house smell like the holidays. Refrigerate and bake right before serving.

Recipe: New Turkey Tetrazzini

This freshened-up version of a classic comfort dish is a casserole that doesn't need anything added to make it a new family favorite. Pop some crusty garlic bread in the oven before serving for a warm, savory dish. Around Christmas, that can be a saving grace!

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

There's never a wrong time to put classic green bean casserole on the table. French fried onions top off this dish perfectly but freeze without them for ultimate freshness. It's a year-round casserole dish, but somehow it might taste cheesier during the holidays.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

This smoky stew, made with chicken and brisket, is filling and comforting. It's a perfect make-ahead dish to warm up for your family on a chilly winter night when you don't have time to cook a big dinner.

Recipe: White Lightning Chicken Chili

This chili lives up to its name. This dish is lightning-quick to put together, with only 30 minutes of hands-on time. Make your life even easier by stocking your freezer with it. During the holidays, satisfy your family and guests with this comforting stew with hot cornbread.

Recipe: Hearty Italian Soup with Parmesan-Pepper Cornbread Biscotti

This warm brothy soup makes a great addition to your frozen dinner lineup when you desire a cozy, quick meal. Small plastic freezer jars are perfect for freezing smaller portions of your batch, which is better for thawing beforehand. Hot soup on a cold winter's day is what you and your family need this holiday season.

Recipe: Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls

You can make these tender, fluffy rolls, let them cool, and freeze them in Ziploc freezer bags until you need them for a holiday meal. Make several batches and seal them tightly so you can double up on delicious rolls and spare time in the future.

Recipe: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Gravy

It's rare that you'll find yourself thinking you made too much gravy during the holiday season. Make this meal-topper ahead of time so you have enough for every delicious meal you plan. A one-pot recipe is as easy as it gets for this holiday staple.

Recipe: Party-Perfect Meatballs

These homemade meatballs can be made ahead and frozen until you need to whip them out. All you have to do is prepare the finishing glaze before your guests arrive. In an air-tight freezer bag, you can save these appetizers up to one month ahead of your holiday event.

Recipe: Creamy Crab Dip with Peppadews Recipe

Whether you're attending a church potluck, hosting a holiday party, or just stocking your freezer to plan for your next impromptu guests, this warm and savory dip is the perfect pick. Mix and freeze so you can bake this dip at the last minute and surprise your guests with your cooking skills.

Recipe: Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

This perfect party appetizer gets its kick from spicy, peppery Mexican-style chorizo sausage. These sausage balls can be frozen on a baking sheet, transferred to ziplock plastic freezer bags for storage, and then baked from frozen.

Recipe: Cheese Dreams

You won't ever go wrong with these cheesy bites at any holiday party. The cheesy bread bites are a simple yet satisfying appetizer. Freeze these dreamy snacks for up to three weeks, and have a batch ready to go in the case of a drop-by guest.

Recipe: Tater Tot Bake

Mornings are always busy, especially during the holidays when entertaining guests. Thick-cut bacon, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, and some hearty tater tots—need we say more? Just freeze the whole dish, and pop it in the oven, topped with extra shredded cheese, until warm and melty.

Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

Like our enchilada dinner casserole, this enchilada breakfast bake is a crowd-pleaser. It's especially perfect during the holidays when hosting guests. Make sure to top with halved grape tomatoes, chopped fresh cilantro, and avocado for a stunning finish.

Recipe: Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

This ultimate breakfast casserole will impress your family and holiday guests, even though you pulled it from the freezer already set to go. Hot ground sausage, flaky croissants, and Parmesan and Gruyère cheeses—name a better trio!

Recipe: Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel

We don't even want to think about spending Christmas morning flipping pancakes. Instead, this bread pudding-like casserole sounds much better. Hold off the streusel until baking after freezing.

Recipe: Marbled Pecan Pound Cake

This pound cake is as close as it gets to a leisurely holiday staple. Make this cake and freeze it, but wrap it tightly (no air!) before popping it in the freezer.

Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

These slightly boozy delights are a hybrid of bourbon balls and chocolate truffles. They make the easiest throw-together treat for any occasion with only four ingredients. Make a double batch, and freeze one to have on hand!

Recipe: Pinwheel Cookies

Freeze rounds of this festive dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then store in Ziploc bags until you have a craving for Christmas cookies. These beautifully designed cookies will look like you've visited a bakery without the hassle of fighting the holiday traffic.

Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

This festive cheesecake combines a creamy white chocolate filling, delicious chocolate pie crust, and a tart cranberry topping. Freeze this cheesecake after it's been chilled, without the cranberry topping. When ready to serve, you can prepare the topping the night before and spoon it over the pie right before serving.

Recipe: Rum Balls

These tender, pecan-filled treats are for adults only—made with dark rum and bourbon—they pack a powerful punch! While the recipe states that you can store these in the fridge for up to a month, you can extend that time by stocking them in your freezer. These sweet treats also make great gifts, so double the batch for those last-minute gifting surprises.

Recipe: Chocolate-Pecan Chess Pie

Chess pie and pecan pie are tasty enough on their own. Combining pecans and chocolate into one pie becomes a real Southern treat. Freeze this decadent pie ahead of the holidays, then top with homemade whipped cream when serving.