Sarra Ina Garten make-ahead recipes are the secret to hosting dinners, brunches, and holidays without losing your mind. These 20 favorites can be prepped hours or even a full day in advance, from slow-braised meats that taste better the next day to casseroles you assemble the night before and pop in the oven.
1. Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Cubed bread, eggs, cheddar, and crumbled breakfast sausage layer together in a dish that refrigerates overnight and bakes in the morning. The custard soaks into every piece of bread while you sleep, and a cap of melted Parmesan goes golden on top. Ready in about an hour and ten minutes with almost no morning effort.
2. Baked French Toast Casserole
Thick-cut challah soaked in a custard of eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla gets topped with a buttery brown sugar streusel before baking. You assemble it the night before and bake it the next morning in about an hour. Every bite is warm, golden, and almost caramelized on top.
3. Beef Bourguignon
Tender chunks of beef chuck braised in a full bottle of red wine with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions taste even richer the next day. Carrots, thyme, and bay leaves build deep, savory layers over three hours of slow cooking. This is the dinner party main that practically begs to be made a day ahead.
4. Beef Stew
Hearty cubes of beef simmered low and slow with carrots, celery, tomato paste, and red wine for close to four hours. The broth thickens into a rich, velvety gravy that coats every potato and mushroom. Refrigerate it overnight and the flavors meld into something even better.
5. Brisket
Slow-braised for four hours in crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and a splash of red wine vinegar, this brisket turns fork-tender and deeply savory. Sliced onions and brown sugar add a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy sauce. Make it a full day ahead and the meat absorbs even more flavor as it rests.
6. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Chuck roast falls apart after eight hours in the slow cooker with carrots, potatoes, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce. The meat gets incredibly tender and the vegetables soak up all of the beefy, savory broth. Prep takes just 15 minutes and the slow cooker does the rest.
7. Hungarian Goulash
Sweet Hungarian paprika and caraway seeds give this beef stew a warm, smoky depth you won’t find in a typical braise. Red bell peppers, potatoes, and carrots simmer alongside the beef for nearly three hours. Like all great stews, this one tastes noticeably better when reheated the next day.
8. Lamb Shank
Rich, falling-off-the-bone lamb shanks braised in red wine, crushed tomatoes, and rosemary for over three hours. Carrots, celery, and garlic melt into the sauce as it reduces. Braise the shanks a day ahead, refrigerate, and reheat gently for a dinner that looks and tastes like it came from a French bistro.
9. Osso Buco
Veal shanks braised in white wine, crushed tomatoes, and chicken stock until the meat is silky and pulls away from the bone. A classic gremolata of lemon zest, parsley, and garlic adds a bright finish. The whole braise takes about two and a half hours and reheats beautifully the following day.
10. Baked Ziti
Italian sausage, ricotta, and bubbly mozzarella bake into a golden, cheesy pasta that feeds a crowd. Crushed tomatoes and Parmesan tie the layers together, and the whole dish takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. Assemble it the night before, refrigerate, and bake it straight from the fridge.
11. Mushroom Lasagna
Layers of earthy mushrooms, creamy béchamel, ricotta, and melted Gruyère make this a rich and satisfying vegetarian main. No-boil noodles keep the prep simple, and the whole lasagna is ready in under an hour and a half. Build it ahead, cover tightly, and bake when guests arrive.
12. Chicken Enchiladas
Shredded chicken, black beans, and melted cheddar rolled in flour tortillas and smothered in enchilada sauce. Cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika add warmth without too much heat. Assemble the pan the night before and bake in about 35 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.
13. Cottage Pie
Savory ground beef with carrots, peas, and Worcestershire sauce topped with creamy Parmesan mashed potatoes. The whole pie bakes until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles around the edges. Make it in the morning, refrigerate, and bake it for about 45 minutes before dinner.
14. Pastitsio
Penne pasta baked with spiced lamb, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a thick layer of creamy béchamel on top. Crushed tomatoes and red wine give the meat sauce a tangy richness, and the Parmesan-topped custard turns golden in the oven. This Greek casserole holds up perfectly when assembled a day ahead.
15. French Onion Soup
Caramelized onions simmered in beef broth with white wine and fresh thyme, ladled into bowls and topped with crusty baguette slices and melted Gruyère. The soup base takes about an hour and gets better as it sits. Make the broth a day ahead, then add the bread and cheese right before serving.
16. Beef Chili
Ground beef, kidney beans, and smoky chili powder cook down with diced tomatoes and cumin for about an hour. The flavors deepen overnight in the fridge, and it reheats in minutes on the stove. Top with sour cream, cheddar, and cilantro for a bowl that feeds a big crowd with almost no effort.
17. Cassoulet
White beans, chicken thighs, and smoked sausage simmer together with pancetta, garlic, and white wine for nearly three hours. A crispy panko breadcrumb topping adds a golden crunch that contrasts the creamy beans underneath. This French classic is practically designed to be made the day before.
18. Stuffed Cabbage
Cabbage leaves rolled around a savory filling of ground beef, rice, garlic, and parsley, then baked in a tangy tomato sauce with brown sugar and red wine vinegar. The rolls hold their shape beautifully in the fridge overnight. Bake them in about an hour and a half for a warm, comforting dinner.
19. Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberries simmered in orange juice with sugar and a hint of orange zest until they burst and thicken into a glossy, tangy sauce. The whole thing takes 20 minutes and keeps in the fridge for days. Make it up to a week before Thanksgiving and cross one thing off your list.
20. Lemon Icebox Cake
Tangy lemon curd layered with mascarpone whipped cream and graham crackers, then chilled until the crackers soften into a cake-like texture. No oven required and the prep takes just 10 minutes. It needs to set overnight in the fridge, making it the ideal make-ahead dessert.
