Best Make-Ahead Recipes for Company

When it comes to hosting dinner guests, I try to do everything I can to not get stuck in the kitchen all night. I mean, it’s pretty tough to be a gracious hostess if you’re stressed-out and hopping from dish to dish. Am I right? Preparing one of these tasty make-ahead recipes will leave you time to enjoy your guests and be a part of the conversation. Just let your oven do all the work!

There is something for everyone on this yummy list. For a more casual affair, I’d recommend savory meatloaf or beer can chicken. If you’re looking to impress, you simply can’t lose with melt-in-your mouth pot roast or steamed tilapia! Need to go meatless? The vegetarian lasagna is to die for!

5 make-ahead recipes for house guests

Best homemade meatloaf

Do all of the assembly ahead and refrigerate until about an hour before dinner—then pop this in the oven and the main course is served!

Slow cooker beef roast

Start the slow cooker in the morning and forget about it. If you want to make it really easy, add some potatoes and carrots into the slow cooker about 3–4 hours before serving and they’ll cook alongside the roast. You will have meat, starch, veg and gravy all in one.

Baked tilapia and veggies

Assemble these pouches and store in refrigerator until ready to bake. Great presentation, and veggies and sauce are right in the packet. Allow guests to open the pouches at the table or plate the perfectly steamed fish and veggies before serving.

Beer can chicken

Everyone loves chicken. The earlier you coat the chicken with dry rub, the more flavorful the chicken will be. Just coat with spice and refrigerate until ready to roast. The best part is that you can fit several in your oven or grill, so you can feed a crowd!

Zucchini lasagna

Everyone loves lasagna, and this one will even make the vegetarians happy…just make it ahead and refrigerate. Lasagna also does best when allowed to rest after baking, so don’t be afraid to have it all baked off before