These home cooks showcased their make-ahead dishes that no one would guess were prepped early.
Presenting the Winners from Our Make-Ahead Magic Recipe Contest
Updated on May 24, 2024
1/12
Grand Prize: Sunrise Pancake Casserole
Total Time
55 mins
Servings
8 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 559 calories, 29g fat (10g saturated fat), 252mg cholesterol, 1102mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
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2/12
1st Place: Overnight Apricot Pecan Coffee Cake
Total Time
65 mins
Servings
15 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 347 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
3/12
2nd Place: Overnight Butternut & Bacon Strata
Total Time
110 mins
Servings
12 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 547 calories, 39g fat (19g saturated fat), 226mg cholesterol, 988mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
4/12
3rd Place: Baked Chorizo Corn Dip
Total Time
50 mins
Servings
9 cups
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 141 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 334mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
5/12
Runner-Up: Cold Weather Braised Beef
Total Time
185 mins
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This make-ahead braised beef recipe is so convenient. I prepare the ingredients, and just before baking, I pop them into the fridge for overnight. The next day, I let it bake while spending time with my family. The aroma of the beef while it's cooking will make your mouth water. —Vicki Christiansen, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 284 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 656mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
6/12
Runner-Up: Breakfast Empanadas
Total Time
50 mins
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
Nutrition Facts:
1 empanada: 218 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
7/12
Runner-Up: Merry Mint Christmas Cheesecake
Total Time
115 mins
Servings
16 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 491 calories, 34g fat (19g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 262mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
8/12
Runner-Up: Grab-and-Go Freezer Cheesecakes
Total Time
20 mins
Servings
2 dozen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cheesecake: 181 calories, 12g fat (8g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 132mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
9/12
Runner-Up: Green Chile Butternut Squash Soup
Total Time
375 mins
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 185 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 539mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
10/12
Runner-Up: Minty Chocolate Cream Puffs
Total Time
75 mins
Servings
3 dozen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cream puff: 95 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
11/12
Runner-Up: Mocha Shortbread Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
40 mins
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy make-ahead recipe makes a deliciously tender mocha shortbread cookie with a rich chocolate buttercream filling. They require only four ingredients and can be frozen months in advance. —Adelaide Miller, Mill Hall, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 127 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
12/12
Runner-Up: Strawberry Lemonade Gelatin
Total Time
15 mins
Servings
12 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 272 calories, 4g fat (4g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 160mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
