I Rely On 33 Christmas Meal Prep To Get Ahead
The holidays can sneak up fast, and nobody enjoys scrambling around the kitchen in a panic. That’s why having 33 go-to Christmas meal prep plans is like finding extra hours in your day. Instead of juggling pots and pans, you get to enjoy the music, the chatter, and maybe even a cookie you didn’t have to bake at midnight.

Fruit Cake

Bricks get sliced and handed out to smiling faces while chats turn toward favorite holiday desserts. Pieces of Fruit Cake usually get packed up for later or snuck on with a hot drink. Some folks always ask if there’s a secret ingredient. Crumbs end up on every counter for days.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Cake
Eggs Benedict Casserole

Creamy squares slide onto breakfast plates early enough to keep the morning rush easy. Sharing Eggs Benedict Casserole sets up a cozy meal for hungry friends. Extra sauce is a must for those who love more flavor. It’s the dish people talk about long after the meal ends.
Get the Recipe: Eggs Benedict Casserole
Matcha Tiramisu

Green layers stand out on dessert trays, keeping conversations going after dinner ends. When Matcha Tiramisu shows up, folks trade stories about new flavors. People scoop up every last bit. Moments linger over each slice.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Tiramisu
Stuffing Balls

Round bites roll off the platter and always spark questions about who made them this year. Popping Stuffing Balls into your mouth helps fill up before the main feast begins. It’s hard not to grab extras for the ride home. Every single one disappears by the end of the day.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing Balls
Waffles

Steamy stacks pile high on tables with chatter rising up during brunch. Pouring syrup on Waffles starts off the day with plenty of smiles. Crispy edges get snatched first. Brunch wraps up with plates wiped clean.
Get the Recipe: Waffles
Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Plates fill up fast when big cuts fall apart after hours in the slow cooker and gravy is passed around. Everyone crowds the table for Slow Cooker Pot Roast because no one wants to miss out. The aroma gets people moving. There’s barely ever a leftover bite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Apple Pie Stuffed Cheesecake

Bites come out creamy and sweet at dessert time with forks tapping for a second helping. Layered slices of Apple Pie Stuffed Cheesecake combine two favorites for a treat that earns extra smiles. Slices vanish before anyone gets a chance to claim leftovers. The story of this dish is retold all year long.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Stuffed Cheesecake
Turkey Chili

Bowls brimming with thick comfort get snapped up by hungry hands while folks trade stories from the past year. Turkey Chili always hits the mark with those looking for something hearty. Seconds fly off the stove. Old friends always ask for the recipe again.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili
Chicken and Waffles

Plates with hot stacks and crispy bites sit center stage when breakfast crowds need something special. Passing out Chicken and Waffles means hands grab for every piece. Families talk about this one for days after. The last crumbs are fought over in good fun.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffles
Dauphinoise Potatoes

Creamy layers slide onto plates as soon as the oven timer dings and hungry faces line up. Cheesy scoops of Dauphinoise Potatoes help keep the table extra full and conversations rolling. The crunchy edges win every time. The pan sees no leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes
Banana Pudding Brownies

Smooth plates hit the counter with eager forks waiting for a bite of something sweet. Squares of Banana Pudding Brownies show up at brunch or dessert tables with no complaints. People sneak extras into their pockets. Plates are cleaned out in no time.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Brownies
Baked Brie

Gooey bites melt on crackers, drawing out chats over cups of coffee in the living room. Pulling apart Baked Brie perks up the crowd after dinner. The soft center wins fans every year. The platter gets cleaned out before anybody asks for more.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie
Chocolate Cheesecake

Slices run out fast when dessert trays pass from table to couch and plates fill with thick creamy goodness. Forkfuls of Chocolate Cheesecake always seem to spark smiles. Leftovers are rare around this one. Friends share stories between bites every time.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cheesecake
Turkey Pinwheels

Rolled bites stack up for snackers and meal preppers looking for something quick during busy days. Laying out Turkey Pinwheels means people come back for more. These make for easy lunches. Not one pinwheel stays on the plate for long.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pinwheels
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Warm rounds disappear straight off the baking sheet with everyone grabbing extras before dinner is served. Plates of Chocolate Chip Cookies get passed through all rooms. The last cookie starts a fair fight. Sometimes there’s not even time to cool.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Caprese Skewers

Colorful sticks add brightness and flavor to big gatherings, perfect for balancing out heavier sides. Forks reach for Caprese Skewers as soon as they hit the tray. Talking gets easier while munching these. Most trays are empty by the main meal.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Skewers
Orange Rolls

Sweet smells catch attention from every corner of the house well before breakfast begins. Hands reach for Orange Rolls whenever a snack is needed or company stops by unexpectedly. Icing is gone by the end of the batch. Morning starts on a good note when these show up.
Get the Recipe: Orange Rolls
Sweet Potato Wedges

Crispy hand-cut pieces make snacking simple while everyone waits for something heartier. Bowls of Sweet Potato Wedges spark arguments about the best dipping sauce. Plates stack up quickly. Not a single wedge gets left behind.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Wedges
Cinnamon Sugar Blondies

Squares pop out on dessert tables to loud chatter and snacky hands reaching for something sweet. Serving Cinnamon Sugar Blondies seems to bring out new friends every year. Gone in a flash. The tray rarely sees leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Blondies
Mushroom Wellington

Golden slices fill plates with rich pie at any main meal, making this perfect for vegetarians in the crowd. Hands reach for slices of Mushroom Wellington without hesitation. Everyone at the table tries a piece. There are lots of happy comments after the first bite.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Wellington
Chocolate Truffles

Balls show off on platters once party time hits with people grabbing one after another between games. Passing Chocolate Truffles around gets conversations going faster. Empty trays prove their popularity. A handful always go missing for later snacking.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Truffles
Vegetable Beef Soup

Steaming bowls warm hungry faces and hands during quicker meals between the big events. Sharing Vegetable Beef Soup keeps bellies full while folks wait for dessert. No cold leftovers sit around. Everyone wants a refill once it is set out.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Beef Soup
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Swirly stacks on a plate bring smiles as soon as icing melts, with hands grabbing extras for later. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls go fast at breakfast or brunch. Sharing means someone sneaks a second. Plates always come back clean.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ham and Potato Casserole

Cheesy pans display hearty layers at family lunches for quick serving before the crowd arrives. Cutting into Ham and Potato Casserole means fast conversation about favorites. Slices are passed out with no hesitation. Clean up goes quickly every time.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole
Strawberry Cheesecake

Slices of this pink dessert draw out sweet cravings as soon as the plates get set down on the table. Spoonfuls of Strawberry Cheesecake turn every meal into a quick celebration. Extra fruit topping wins fans. Each slice gets snapped up fast.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake
Baked Ziti

Pans bubbling away before dinner time make serving a breeze, even if there’s a crowd. Baked Ziti survives any meal rush while feeding everyone well. Bowls empty with smiles. Asking for seconds is automatic.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti
Tiramisu Ice Cream

Cups scoop up something cold and creamy for dessert, drawing out smiles long after dinner ends. Spoonfuls of Tiramisu Ice Cream lead to friendly debates about the best flavors. No leftovers remain. The freezer always gets raided for extra.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Ice Cream
Turkey Tetrazzini

Loaded trays help stretch leftovers and fill out plates for hungry mouths coming and going all week. Bringing out Turkey Tetrazzini gets fast comments about comfort food. Bowls clean up quick. Nobody tries to save leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini
Chocolate Pie

Sweet slices disappear as plates circulate through the kitchen and living room with plenty of happy chatter. Every piece of Chocolate Pie sparks stories. Extra whipped cream goes fast. The pan sees lots of forks before dinner starts.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pie
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Bowls line up along the counter with steamy broth and savory bites tempting hungry folks before the main meal. Filling up on Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup wins over dinner guests. No bowl sits untouched. Second helpings are normal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Cinnamon Applesauce

Little jars dollop onto plates for snacking or dinner sides, making an easy prep win for every meal. Talking about Cinnamon Applesauce gets everyone remembering grandma’s kitchen. No leftovers stick around. Extra gets tossed into lunchboxes fast.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Applesauce
Egg Bites

Puffy cups sit easily on breakfast trays, tempting early risers with something quick and savory. Snacking on Egg Bites makes mornings fulfilling and simple. No plate stays full. Guests always want to know the secret.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites
Mississippi Mud Pie

Fluffy slices scoop out fast for evening snacks and slow desserts after busy dinner. Everyone wants a piece of Mississippi Mud Pie the minute you roll out the tray. Layers bring up lots of chat. Only crumbs remain by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
