54 Make-Ahead Holiday Potluck Recipes

Read Time: 25 mins

54 Make-Ahead Holiday Potluck Recipes1/54 Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This beautiful cheesecake appetizer can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving, so it’s the perfect make-ahead recipe for holidays, game days or special occasions. —Marilyn Edelman, Sabetha, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 197 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 2/54 Pumpkin Hummus 7 Reviews

Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch

Test Kitchen Approved Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to serve this pumpkin hummus with sliced apples, pears and pita chips. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of pumpkin oil and even fried sage leaves. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 155 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 104mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. 3/54 Fig and Goat Cheese Meatballs Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time

1 hour 10 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

1 hour 10 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Around the holidays, saucy cocktail meatballs are always the first appetizer to go. In this dish, the sweet flavor of the fig glaze goes perfectly with the pork and tangy goat cheese. Serve the meatballs hot from the skillet or freeze and gently reheat. —Kim Banick, Turner, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 meatball: 97 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 4/54 Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer Test Kitchen Approved Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer Recipe photo by Taste of

Home Total Time 10 min Servings 7 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Home Total Time 10 min Servings 7 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Conveniently, a pitcher of this non-alcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 80 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 5/54 Mixed Nut Clusters Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Serve these little candies with hot chocolate to keep everyone happy and

warm. They also make standout gifts—box them up with each cluster in its own foil or paper candy cup. —Ida Tuey, South Lyon, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 85 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 6/54 Mini Fruitcakes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Mini Fruitcakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 2.5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Fruitcake always looked so festive to me but I did not like the hard citron fruit so I came up with my own

recipe using dried fruits and nuts

recipe using dried fruits and nuts. I place these in Christmas themed petit fours paper cups and give them to neighbors and friends along with the many other cookies and candies I bake. These keep well in the freezer in an airtight container. Just thaw to room temperature and they taste fresh baked and moist. —Lisa McDermith, Highland, California Nutrition Facts: 1 mini fruitcake: 93 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 7/54 Spiced Cranberry Crisp Cake 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Cranberry Crisp Cake Recipe photo by

This cake is a cross between a fruit crisp and a moist cake

Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cake is a cross between a fruit crisp and a moist cake. We love the festive cranberry filling with its sweet-tangy flavor and the combination of soft cake, tender fruit and crunchy topping. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 276 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 277mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 8/54 Hot Chocolate 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Rich Hot Chocolate Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15

and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest

min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Each winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead. Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 653 calories, 49g fat (32g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (56g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. 9/54 White Chocolate Bark 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved White Chocolate Bark Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 pounds (64 pieces) Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: This speedy candy recipe can be varied depending on the type of fruit or nuts you have on hand. Since we have a walnut tree, I use walnuts, but pecans could also be substituted, as well as dried cherries in place of the cranberries. —Marcia Snyder, Grand Junction, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1/2 ounce: 46 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 6mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 10/54 Shrimp & Crab Casserole 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp & Crab Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5

To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready

min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 376 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 1127mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 11/54 Christmas Pinwheels 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Christmas Party Pinwheels Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings about 6-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: ‘Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers like these

Recipe Creator: ‘Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers like these. They look so special and pretty that folks can’t resist them! The refreshing flavor of ranch dressing and crisp colorful vegetables makes these pinwheels a pleasure to serve. —Janis Plourde, Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 pinwheel: 34 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 12/54 Spinach Manicotti 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Make-Ahead Spinach Manicotti Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it’s that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it’s cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed manicotti shells: 363 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 822mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. 13/54 Slow-Cooker Beef Burgundy 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Beef Burgundy Recipe photo by Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the

I made this slow-cooker beef burgundy often when I worked full time

Recipe Creator: Tender cubes of beef are braised in a wine sauce with savory vegetables. I made this slow-cooker beef burgundy often when I worked full time. It’s good over noodles or mashed potatoes. —Sherri Mott, New Carlisle, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 460 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein. 14/54 Pear Cake 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fresh Pear Cake Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When pears

are in season, I love to make this family favorite

are in season, I love to make this family favorite. It’s moist and keeps well, and makes a wonderful dessert as well as a breakfast or brunch cake. Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 424 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 15/54 Smoked Trout Pate Test Kitchen Approved Smoked Trout Pate Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2-2/3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tasty spread is easy to make in a food processor, and it’s a guaranteed winner at any party.

The recipe is versatile, so feel free to use any other favorite smoked fish

The recipe is versatile, so feel free to use any other favorite smoked fish. —Judy Walle, Toledo, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 55 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 16/54 Slow-Cooker Mushrooms 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Mushrooms Recipe photo by Diana Rattray for Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 15 min Servings 5 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a healthy and delicious addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, and balsamic vinegar and red wine are

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