I don't know about you, but the week before Christmas always feels like a beautiful little tornado. Between the gift wrapping marathons and keeping the tree from toppling over, the last thing I want to do is spend all day in the kitchen. That's why I rounded up 31 make ahead recipes that will save your sanity and still make you feel like a total holiday hero.

1. Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Walnuts & Parmesan

If you want to add something healthy but still totally crave worthy to your holiday spread, this salad is calling your name. I know Brussels sprouts sometimes get a bad reputation for being a little boring, but this dish is anything but. The sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and salty parmesan give it the most amazing texture and flavor.

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2. Christmas Salad

If you need another bright and beautiful salad to get you in the holiday spirit, this one is a total winner. It's packed with spring greens, juicy orange slices, pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and candied pecans. The simple honey mustard vinaigrette can be whisked up ahead of time and kept in the fridge until you're ready.

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3. Make-Ahead Roasted Turkey

Roasting a turkey can be one of the most time consuming parts of the holiday, so why not get it done early? This make ahead roasted turkey recipe is perfect for anyone wanting a totally stress free holiday. Just roast it a few days before Christmas, then pop it in the freezer until you're ready to use it.

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4. Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Looking for an easy way to make phenomenal gravy for Christmas dinner? Well, you're in luck! This dark and silky gravy is slow cooked for over three hours, so you get outrageously rich and savory flavors. You can make it ahead of time and completely skip the last minute stress.

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5. Maple Glazed Ham

Ham is such a classic Christmas centerpiece, and this maple glazed version is the best way to give it a festive twist. You really just need the right balance of sweet and tangy in a good glaze, and this recipe absolutely nails it. You get that deep, rich sweetness from the maple syrup, perfectly balanced by a little sharpness from the mustard.

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6. Fried Goat Cheese Salad

Okay, here's a little trick for making any regular salad feel instantly fancy: pile some crispy fried goat cheese right on top. This one is loaded with beets, carrots, avocado, radishes, peas, and berries, all tossed in a sweet and tangy raspberry dressing. But let's be honest, that warm, crunchy cheese is the real star of the show.

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7. Pot Roast

Pot roast is one of those hearty, filling meals that instantly brings back memories of Christmases past. The secret is to cook it low and slow so the meat gets melt in your mouth tender and the vegetables soak up all that flavor. It sounds like a lot of work, but your actual hands on time is only about 15 minutes.

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8. Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

I absolutely love mashed potatoes, but I don't always have time to make them from scratch on Christmas Day. That's why I love keeping a batch of creamy make ahead mashed potatoes in the fridge. I always know I can count on this recipe.

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9. Tiramisu

Light, fluffy, and decadent all at the same time, tiramisu is one of those beloved desserts that never lasts more than an hour. This Italian cake layers coffee dipped ladyfingers with sweetened mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa powder. Come to mama!

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10. Broccoli Salad

This broccoli salad is loaded with festive goodies like dried cranberries, crunchy almonds, and sunflower seeds. It gets tossed in a bright citrus dressing made with mayonnaise, fresh citrus juices, and poppy seeds. You can absolutely make this a day ahead, which makes it perfect for busy holiday hosting.

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11. Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

Let's head over to dessert central, shall we? I'm kicking things off with these cinnamon rolls that are so soft and pillowy, you'll want to rest your head on them. Every nook and cranny is coated in cinnamon sugar, and there's a bonus layer of cream cheese frosting on top.

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12. Salad with Goat Cheese, Pears, and Candied Pecans

Creamy goat cheese, sweet juicy pears, and crunchy candied pecans come together to make a truly festive and delicious Christmas salad. Every single bite has something irresistible going on. And the maple balsamic dressing? It brings the whole beautiful thing together perfectly.

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13. Amazing Slow Cooker Short Ribs

A delicious and hearty main course is a must for Christmas dinner. You honestly can't go wrong with these amazing slow cooker short ribs. The combination of tender slow cooked beef, red wine, and herbs creates something truly mouthwatering.

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14. Christmas Fruit Salad

This make ahead fruit salad is the perfect easy side dish or a light dessert for your holiday table. It's bursting with beautiful red and green fruits and comes together in just a few minutes. Try to mix it up a few days before you plan to serve it so all those lovely flavors have time to get friendly.

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15. Aged Eggnog

We're all familiar with eggnog, the quintessential Christmas beverage. But have you heard of aged eggnog? I bet you didn't know it was a thing until now! Letting the eggnog mature in the fridge actually results in a smoother, richer, and more flavorful drink.

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16. Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

If you really want to impress your guests, look no further than slow cooker beef bourguignon. This French classic simmers beef, carrots, and potatoes in a rich, red wine sauce. It's a hearty, cozy dish that is just perfect for a winter feast.

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17. Make-Ahead Soft Yeast Rolls

Do you love having dinner rolls with your Christmas dinner? I definitely do, and this is the perfect recipe for it. There's just something about the combination of holiday flavors and warm, buttery, homemade bread that makes me so happy. I especially love pulling them fresh out of the oven while they're still warm. Mmm.

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18. Apple Cranberry Crumble

This apple cranberry crumble is a fun and festive dessert guaranteed to delight everyone at your holiday gathering. It's made with fresh apples and cranberries, topped with oats, nuts, and brown sugar. Plus, it might not look it, but this comfort food is actually pretty light and healthy.

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19. Orange Sage Christmas Chicken

Want to try something a little different this year? If you're looking for an alternative to turkey or ham, how does orange sage chicken sound? The humble bird gets roasted in orange juice, butter, white wine, sage, and other herbs until it transforms into a gorgeous show stopping main course.

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20. Pigs in a Blanket with Cranberry Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

These little guys are the undisputed MVPs of any holiday gathering, and honestly, I get it. They're ridiculously easy to throw together, everyone loves them, and they can pull double duty as a starter or the main event. This year, let's take that classic favorite from simple to absolutely show stopping with a super easy cranberry honey mustard sauce for dunking.

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21. Holiday Crunch Salad

This quinoa salad is a fantastic option for everyone at the table, whether they're vegan or not. It's full of healthy ingredients like pomegranate seeds, almonds, and fluffy quinoa. The bowl just looks like Christmas with all those colors, and the crunch is absolutely wonderful.

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22. Butterhorn Dinner Rolls

Butterhorn dinner rolls are basically dinner rolls shaped like little crescents. They're buttery, flaky, and absolutely delightful. Festive and delicious, they make a fantastic addition to any holiday meal.

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23. Beef Wellington

Are we going fancy for this year's Christmas celebration? I can't think of a better main course than beef Wellington. This classic dish features beef tenderloin topped with mushroom duxelles and wrapped in flaky puff pastry. I used to think this was ridiculously difficult to make, but it's totally doable.

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24. Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce

Want to surprise your family with your amazing cooking skills this year? This slow cooker beef brisket is the way to do it. Don't worry, it's actually super easy to follow, and you end up with a juicy, flavorful brisket that will vanish in minutes. Once it's cooked, just slice it up and serve it with all your favorite sides.

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25. Reindeer Cookies

These adorable reindeer cookies are the perfect festive dessert, and they also make a really thoughtful homemade present. They start with a soft peanut butter cookie base and get decorated with candies and cookies to create that charming reindeer face. They're easy to make and always a big hit with friends and family.

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26. Pecan Pie

This rich and decadent pie is the perfect ending to a holiday feast. The filling is made with pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup, and eggs, all baked in a flaky pastry crust. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Heaven!

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27. Cherry Danish

This cherry danish is another excellent Christmas dessert. I mean, that bright red cherry filling on top alone will give you major holiday feels. And the flavor and texture definitely don't disappoint either.

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28. Gingerbread Cookies

If you love your sweets with a little bit of spice, these gingerbread cookies are calling your name. They're almost too adorable not to eat, but way too delicious to resist. These cookies are made with lots of warm spices, including ginger and cinnamon, which give them that festive flavor we all crave.

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29. Cranberry Eggnog Coffee Cake

This cranberry eggnog coffee cake is the perfect holiday dessert or breakfast treat. The cake is moist and fluffy with a rich eggnog flavor. The cranberries add a lovely tartness that balances the sweetness, and the cinnamon streusel topping gives it a wonderful crunch.

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30. Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Christmas is the best time to bake cut out sugar cookies. They're soft, buttery, and so darn cute! There's nothing more traditional than spending time in the kitchen with family and friends baking up a batch of cookies. This recipe is so easy, anyone can pull it off, no matter your skill level.

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31. Cranberry Cheesecake

This no bake cranberry cheesecake is the perfect solution for those who can't bake. It's the perfect homemade dessert to bring to an office Christmas party. It's incredibly easy to make, but it definitely doesn't taste like it!

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