47 Make-Ahead Side Dishes for a Crowd

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47 Make-Ahead Side Dishes for a Crowd1/47 Cheesy Mashed Potatoes 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone who has tasted these cheesy mashed potatoes asks how to make them. Since this comforting casserole bakes at the same temperature as my chicken bundles, I get it started in the oven and pop in the entree a little later.—Brad Moritz, Limerick, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 328 calories, 14g fat (9g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 633mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (4g sugars,

4g fiber), 10g protein

4g fiber), 10g protein. 2/47 Slow-Cooker Baked Beans 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved 3-Bean Slow-Cooker Baked Beans Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This flavorful bean dish adds nice variety to any buffet because it’s a bit different from traditional baked beans. It’s a snap to prepare, too, since it uses convenient canned beans, barbecue sauce and salsa. —Joy Beck, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 134 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 657mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars,

5g fiber), 4g protein

5g fiber), 4g protein. 3/47 Chopped Garden Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is always requested by my children for their birthday meal or any other get-together. The flavor combination is so yummy.—Anna Sutherland, Camp, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 32 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable. 4/47 Sweet Macaroni Salad 86 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland For Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 16

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don’t like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 400 calories, 23g fat (5g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 332mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 5/47 Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 3 hours 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to

Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family’s taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 505 calories, 36g fat (20g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 530mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein. 6/47 Garden Bow Tie Salad 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Garden Bow Tie Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings

Try adding sliced mushrooms and diced tomatoes before serving

24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This was originally a vegetable dish, but I added pasta to make it work for family gatherings and church potlucks. Try adding sliced mushrooms and diced tomatoes before serving. —Barbara Burks, Huntsville, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 89 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 7/47 Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 12 servings Go

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I’m sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 466 calories, 34g fat (18g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 840mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. 8/47 12-Hour Salad 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe was Mom’s scrumptious scheme to get her kids to eat vegetables. She never had any trouble when she served this colorful crunchy salad. Mom thought this salad was a real bonus for the cook since it must be made the night before. —Dorothy Bowen, Thomasville, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 280 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. 9/47 Cranberry Fluff 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry Fluff Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total

We like it because it’s not as sweet as many other “fluffs.”

Time 10 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This fluffy fruit salad gets its sweet-tart flavor from cranberries and whipped cream. We like it because it’s not as sweet as many other “fluffs.” I’m often asked for the secret to this luscious holiday salad. —Lavonne Hartel, Williston, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 264 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. 10/47 Creamy Hash Brown Casserole 13 Reviews Creamy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This versatile side dish is so good with grilled steak, and is delicious with other meats as well. A creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make this potato casserole popular for family dinners and potlucks. —Teresa Stutzman, Adair, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 663 calories, 43g fat (27g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 1359mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. 11/47 Summertime Slaw 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Summertime Slaw Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

As a change from mayonnaise-laden slaw, I created this refreshing alternative

As a change from mayonnaise-laden slaw, I created this refreshing alternative. It uses many of the garden vegetables I grow, so it’s also economical. I serve it at our family reunion each Fourth of July, and it’s always a big hit at get-togethers. —Sharon Payne, Mayfield, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 138 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 12/47 Make-Ahead Butterhorns 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 32 rolls Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden

That’s when I came up with this recipe

rolls. They’re beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 roll: 239 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 178mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. 13/47 Tortellini Bake 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One year I had so much summer squash, I was desperate for different ways to prepare it. That’s when I came up with this recipe. Serve it as a side dish or on its

own as a light meal

own as a light meal. —Donald Roberts, Amherst, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 219 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 362mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein. 14/47 Cauliflower Gratin 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cauliflower Gratin Recipe photo by Perry Santanachote for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a lower-carb side dish that pairs well with pork, ham or beef. It’s so creamy and delicious! If you like a bit of crunch, sprinkle buttered bread crumbs

over the top for the last five minutes in the oven

over the top for the last five minutes in the oven. — Mary Zinchiak, Boardman, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 196 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein. 15/47 Deli-Style Pasta Salad 17 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pasta provides a base for this tongue-tingling make-ahead salad. It has lots of fresh and satisfying ingredients topped with a flavorful dressing. This pasta salad is terrific to serve to company or take

to a potluck

to a potluck. — Joyce McLennan, Algonac, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 273 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein. 16/47 Overnight Asparagus Strata 33 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve made this tasty egg dish for breakfast, brunch, even dinner as a side dish. This is not your run-of-the-mill strata. —Lynn Licata, Sylvania, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 318 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 255mg cholesterol,

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