76 Big-Batch Dishes & Recipes to Feed a Crowd

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: German Potato Salad

The humble BLT just got a drool-worthy makeover, courtesy of pie crust, heirloom tomatoes and arugula. "I highly recommend going the extra mile and making the homemade dough, but I also understand you’d rather be lounging," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains. "So, feel free to shortcut with store-bought or swap in a frozen puff pastry to save time."

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10
• Pairs Well With: Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Not only can you prepare this picnic essential ahead, but you should. "It actually tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge, so I highly recommend making it a day ahead," Gillen says. The longer the pasta and veggies sit in the vinegary mayo dressing, the more zingy flavor they'll soak up.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <500 calories, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Pepper Teigen’s Thai Glazed Ribs

In less than an hour, you can have 48 of these delightful little macaroni bites on the table, baked with two kinds of gooey cheddar cheese. "They're crispy on top yet nice and chewy on the inside," recipe developer Erin McDowell writes. "Your kids are going to love them, whether for lunch or as an after-school snack." Serve them with hot sauce for the grown-ups and ketchup for the picky eaters.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Homemade Cheese Crackers

Let me fill you in on a little secret: This sweet-and-savory baked cheese looks fancy, but it couldn’t be easier to make. And with all those fancy toppings, it's prime for your Christmas table or as a quick fall appetizer. Serve it with crackers or your favorite crispbread.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <500 calories, vegetarian
• Serves: 10 to 12
• Pairs Well With: Arugula Salad with Whole-Lemon Vinaigrette

Monkey bread is tasty, but you’ve made it 2 billion times. Enter this savory remix that boasts all the fun of the O.G. and twice the class. "Each piece of the soft, buttery dough is stuffed with a creamy mixture of caramelized onions, goat cheese and herbs," McDowell explains. Make it for weekends, game days or dinner parties, but always serve it warm.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 10 to 12
• Pairs Well With: Easy Weeknight Skillet Paella

When in doubt, a massive charcuterie spread of meat and cheese always satisfies. And this one has a few bonus fancy appetizers, like heirloom pan con tomate and patatas bravas with saffron aioli. (They can both be made ahead, so the finally assembly will be a snap.)

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, <500 calories
• Serves: 12
• Pairs Well With: Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

I'm an artichoke dip fan through and through. Add puff pastry, and I'm positively swooning—and devouring the whole plate. They’ve got the same cheesy goodness as the party dip, without the need for crackers or chips. Pretty smart, huh?

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Delicata Squash Rings with Garlic-Lemon Sauce

No offense to your dad's nachos, but these beat them out by a mile. The seasonal twist makes the app ideal for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. Make it a complete meal by adding shredded chicken or turkey to the mix.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

This nutritious, protein-rich appetizer is loaded with pine nuts, pesto, sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro and feta cheese. (Yum.) Serve it with plenty of dippers, like pita chips and crudités for the gluten-free folks at the table.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: Mediterranean diet-friendly, slow cooker recipe, <500 calories
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Sweet Potato Hash Browns Made with a Waffle Iron

Brunch should always be this easy. You basically drop all the ingredients in the Crockpot and go about your business until it's ready. Feel free to throw in other kinds of veggies outside of what's listed in this big-batch recipe; frittatas are famously riffable.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, <500 calories, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12
• Pairs Well With: English Muffins

Eggs are a breeze to cook for one, but they can feel tedious to prepare for a crowd. Consider this big-batch recipe your secret weapon. It’s tasty with toast and a mimosa—and even more so on a breakfast sandwich.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, one pan, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Mimosa Bar for a Crowd

An entire batch of French toast made in a single dish? Yeah, I'm definitely baking this gem on Christmas morning. Make sure you have extra butter and plenty of maple syrup on hand for serving (or fresh fruit, if you're feeling wholesome).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, low carb, gluten free
• Serves: 6 to 8
• Pairs Well With: Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad with Lots of Black Pepper

Quiche is a breakfast classic. But quiche with a sweet potato crust? Wait for the crowd to go wild. "Now it's your chic, tasty and good-for-you go-to for breakfast, lunch or dinner," McDowell assures. Serve it with crusty bread and fruit salad or dressed greens.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Maple Candied Bacon

Name a better way to use up leftover pumpkin pie, I'll wait. It tastes just as festive on Halloween morning as it does on Black Friday (or any random weekday, TBH). I'll bring the syrup and whipped cream, you make the PSLs.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Shaved Spring Vegetable and Apple Salad with Ginger-Dijon Dressing

Frittatas are endlessly flexible. They can be served at any temperature and accommodate just about any cheese, produce or protein that's lurking in the back of your fridge. Buy your fresh peas already shelled to save yourself some prep time.

• Time Commitment: 9 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Sweet Potato Rösti with Fried Eggs and Greens

Stratas are the fancy casseroles of the brunch world. This one features plenty of gooey cheese, and it happens to be a great way to use up any leftover greens you have in your crisper drawer. Serve with lots of smoky bacon or browned breakfast sausage.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12
• Pairs Well With: Roasted Poblano and Corn Guacamole

What makes this dish so amazing, you ask? It could be the fact that it’s a breeze to prepare ahead…or it could be the copious amounts of avocado on top. I can’t decide. "It's loaded up with the most flavorful ingredients, naturally gluten-free and can also be made vegetarian," recipe creator Ali Martin writes.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce

The secret to this picnic favorite (besides a pound of bacon, of course)? Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar to make it tangy and a little bit sweet. You can also leave it undressed and store it in the fridge for up to two days, if you're making it ahead of time.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Kale Caesar Salad

Two things everyone loves: pizza and mini foods. In other words, this big-batch recipe is bound to be a hit. Use store-bought pizza dough and your guests will be none the wiser. Serve them with crushed red pepper flakes and all the fixings, obviously.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 15
• Pairs Well With: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

It sure beats frying a million chicken wings on game day. Nix the roast pork to make the sandwiches low-lift, but feel free to add store-bought pernil to make them more authentic and filling.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: French Onion Grilled Cheese

You're only a handful of ingredients away from ditching canned soup forever—it's *that* good. (The secret is roasting the tomatoes, which concentrates the flavor, making a more robust dish even if the tomatoes themselves are lackluster.) If you have a legendary grilled cheese recipe, now is the optimal time to put it to work.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, gluten free, dairy free
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes with Feta and Dill

Not only is the flaked salmon bursting with smoky chipotle and cumin, but it's also topped with grilled pineapple salsa and cashew lime crema for a balance of flavors and textures. Might I also suggest a mound of pickled red onions for each taco?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy free, gluten free
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken

With winter squash, pumpkin seeds, currants and macadamia nut cheese, it’s a salad that even the veggie averse can get on board with. Make it a main by crisping up some potatoes and adding them in.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Mozzarella Bites

These little bites can be prepped in advance and frozen until you need them. The recipe calls for making your own barbecue sauce, but you'll quickly realize it's easy as pie...er, meatballs.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12
• Pairs Well With: Caesar Pasta Salad

Whether you're hosting a Super Bowl viewing party or a kids' sleepover, these simple sammies will surely satisfy the masses. The buns are brushed with mustard-spiked butter, poppy seeds and dried minced onion.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, sheet pan recipe, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Cauliflower Rice

The beauty of stone fruit season. Be patient while the chicken marinates—the buttermilk is the key to tenderizing the meat and getting supremely crispy skin and savory flavor. "The plums and shallots are interchangeable with other fruits and alliums," Gillen says, "and I think apples, grapes, leeks and thinly sliced red onion would all be lovely."

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, dairy free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Garlic Bread

This cozy recipe is a far cry from your grandma's split pea soup. Chalk it up to the homemade croutons, sherry vinegar, smoky bacon and a whole can of pale lager. "The beer is what gives this soup a well-rounded flavor without a ton of effort on your part, but if you want to skip it, you can use an equal amount of water or chicken stock instead," Gillen suggests.

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, one pan
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Spicy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Nothing wows a crowd like a golden-brown roast chicken. "The best tip I learned from Samin Nosrat’s recipe, aside from the buttermilk, is to take advantage of your oven’s hot spots," Gillen writes. Pro tip: Position the bird so its legs point toward one of the back corners of the oven, where it runs hotter than the center of the oven. This will keep the breast meat from drying out.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: 6-Ingredient Peasant Bread

Behold: the definition of cozy. "It requires just 15 minutes of active prep (thank you, canned green chiles) and can be frozen for up to three months, if make-ahead dinners are your thing," Gillen explains.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Crisp Fall Green Salad with Benne Seed Ginger Dressing

If you don't serve this creamy, soul-warming dish for Halloween or Thanksgiving dinner, you're doing it wrong. (And since it's made with canned pumpkin, you can whip it up whenever.) "It’s creamy, comforting and big enough to feed a crowd, but still feels modern, thanks to dollops of ricotta and plenty of spinach," Gillen asserts. "Even better, it freezes like a dream for the nights you don’t feel like cooking."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, one pot, low sugar
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs

Help your crew beat the winter blues with this soul-soothing mix of alliums, fresh herbs, citrus juice and white beans. The stew will last for three days in an airtight container; just store the radicchio separately so it doesn’t get soggy. Add a few meatballs at the end of cooking for a protein boost.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Family-Style Chicken Caesar Salad

Forget lasagna noodles. For this dish, you'll layer ravioli (meat, cheese, mushroom—whatever kind you're feeling) to make the most epic baked pasta dish ever. This will be your kids' new favorite big-batch recipe, trust.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Once it’s cool enough to turn on your oven, it’s time to embrace the sheet pan meal. This one’s packed with warm Middle Eastern spices that will have your guests begging for the recipe (and a second plate). The key to its gorgeous appearance is carrot greens on top.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Whole Roasted Carrots

You had me at gnocchi and again at one-skillet meal. Thanks to a few smart shortcuts (store-bought pasta, for starters), this big-batch dinner takes a mere 30 minutes to make. In the words of Ina Garten, how easy is that?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: White Sangria with Peaches and Berries

How can you pull off this iconic Spanish staple in one hour, you ask? By reducing the seafood to shrimp and littleneck clams for speedy cooking. "The Valencian specialty gets its name from the wide, shallow pan it’s cooked in...but you can make this version in any large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, ideally, one with low, sloping sides to encourage the rice to cook evenly," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman says. I'll bring the sangria.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: 15-Minute, One-Pot Pasta Limone

Tell chicken to sit this one out. Crispy slabs of breadcrumb-coated eggplant will be just as delicious as poultry, and any meat eaters on your guest list won't think twice about it. Pass the garlic bread.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Zucchini Salad with Lemon and Parmesan

Store-bought basil pesto does most of the heavy lifting in the flavor department for this big-batch recipe. It'll pair wonderfully with additional summer vegetables too, like zucchini or corn.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Any-Green Pesto

Italian sausage has a ton of built-in flavor, so this pasta barely needs additional zhuzhing—although a sprinkle of grated Parm and a generous amount of black pepper never hurts. Pesto would go well here, too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, one pot
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Easy Dinner Rolls

Parmesan, pasta, beans, kale and juicy meatballs…all in one bite? Say no more: I'm already on my way to your place. "The secret to streamlining this recipe is in those meatballs," McDowell reveals. "Instead of calling for ground meat and a ton of spices, I swapped in spicy Italian sausage. It brings all the flavor without as much effort, and the addition of breadcrumbs keeps the meatballs light and tender."

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Easy Pretzel Buns

Pile it onto rolls, add it to salads, use it to fill burritos or stuff it in a quesadilla. Spice the chicken up with extra chili powder or make it mild to your liking; the customization options are practically endless (and the slow cooker does nearly all the heavy lifting for you).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Chickpea Caesar Salad with a Cheater’s Dressing

Go ahead, make a guest list: You're having a dinner party. This fun twist on lasagna is just as easy to pull off as the O.G., but feels way fancier. Make it plant-based with meatless ground "beef" and vegan cheese, too.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Easy Cacio e Pepe

Normally, making homemade pizza is an hours-long affair, but this pie only takes a little longer than half an hour, thanks to store-bought flatbread. Adjust the spice level by forgoing or adding red pepper flakes.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Light and Tangy Coleslaw

You can use this sweet-and-tangy main in salads, burritos, quesadillas, grilled cheeses and all sorts of sandwiches, piled high with vinegary coleslaw. Whip up some potato salad for a side dish and you're in business.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini

Cheesy? Check. Bubbly? Check. Loaded with gorgeous, good-for-you veggies like spinach and wild mushrooms? Triple check. Broil the casserole at the end for a crispy, golden-brown finish.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, <500 calories, dairy free, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Grilled Mango Salsa

In this big-batch recipe, pork shoulder is simmered in the slow cooker for eight hours, yielding tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that’s fabulous in tacos, sandwiches and even with fried eggs. You can also make it the savory crown atop a massive batch of nachos.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas

This family favorite packs in a pound of sweet Italian sausage, plus lots of ricotta, Parm and provolone. (Thanks, recipe creator Heidi Larsen.) Feel free to sub the sausage for something lower in fat, like turkey, if that's your preference.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, make ahead
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Smashed Brussels Sprouts

A ten-ingredient, 30-minute recipe that stores for up to a month in the freezer—in other words, it’s fabulous in every way. Make sure you use a big pan, so the mushrooms have ample space to properly caramelize.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: dairy free, kid-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 12
• Pairs Well With: Spicy, Crunchy Sesame Cucumber Salad

These mind-blowing handhelds come together in 35 minutes and are piled high with sriracha mayo and caramelized kimchi for good measure. Use gluten-free soy sauce and corn tortillas over flour in case anyone in your crew has a wheat allergy.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Biscuit Loaf with Honey Butter

This classic takes a bit of patience to prepare (hey, homemade biscuits take time), but recipe creator Maria Lichty promises it’s worth the wait. You can serve roast veggies or salad on the side for good measure, but it can also be the main event.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Avocado Rice

Tweak this easy, 40-minute recipe how you see fit to make the enchiladas spicy, gluten free or vegan. The mole sauce can be prepared a few days in advance to boot. Warning: You'll want it with every meal.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, <500 calories
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables

In case you've never had chicken tetrazzini, it's a delicious combo of egg noodles, sautéed mushrooms, roast chicken and béchamel. If you're preparing it ahead, make sure to undercook the noodles a bit before assembling so they don't turn out mushy.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Caramelized Kimchi Baked Potatoes

Food blogger Tieghan Gerard tells us the key to a great flank steak is marinating it in something delicious for a few hours. Done and done. Gerard recommends serving the meat with melon salad or a side of potatoes.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, <500 calories
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

The whole family will approve of this decadent dinner. Seriously—even your kids won't mind the veggies, thanks to all that crumbled bacon and melted Gruyère. Any kind of meltable cheese will work, though, so feel free to get creative.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, <500 calories
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Salmon Burgers

If you’re in a dinner rut, listen up: This savory summer pie can elevate any meal, from a picnic lunch in the park with a bottle of wine to Sunday dinner for the whole fam on the back patio. It's also completely homemade, including the crust—no shortcuts here, yet still ready in less than an hour.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <500 calories, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: The Best Damn Pumpkin Soup

Onion rings better watch out: These easy, elegant delicata squash bites are certain to steal the show. Set out a plate at your next cocktail party and watch them disappear in five minutes flat (the dip, too).

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, Instant Pot recipe, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Chicken Parm Meatballs

BRB, swimming in a sea of pancetta- and wine-kissed cheese sauce. "With an Instant Pot or other multifunction cooker, you can enjoy the creamiest risotto any night of the week," recipe creator Meseidy Rivera asserts. You could serve the risotto as a side, but I think it's decadent enough to stand on its own too, if you'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 16
• Pairs Well With: Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

These crispy, molten rice balls are equal parts casual and elegant (chalk it up to the surprise olives inside). They'll be even more delicious washed down with a beer or dirty martini—just sayin'.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten free, vegetarian
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Herb-Crusted Pork Cutlets

Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will be thrilled to see these spuds at the dinner table. Roasting your taters at 450°F for up to 35 minutes gives them a charred, smoky vibe (and eye-catching appearance) your guests will adore.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <500 calories, vegetarian
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Garlic Breaded Roast Chicken Breast

A decadent side dish that pairs fabulously with roast chicken and a green salad (or a Thanksgiving turkey). You can also get creative with the types of cheese you use; whatever melting kind you have on hand will likely taste amazing.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, make ahead, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10
• Pairs Well With: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

These meatballs are truly next-level hearty. Garnish them with extra mozz, fresh basil and some pesto, and serve them with either spaghetti or polenta, if your guests are gluten-free. (Zoodles work, too.)

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Asparagus Caesar Salad

Who doesn't love a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal? Layered with ground beef, sharp cheddar, black beans and tons of tots, this crowd-pleaser is guaranteed to disappear in ten minutes or less.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 9
• Pairs Well With: Three-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles

Sweetened condensed milk gives these ice pops a rich, luxurious texture, while cream cheese and fresh lime juice impart the optimal dose of tang and acidity to balance the flavor. "You don’t need an ice pop mold, although it adds to the effect," Gillen advises. "Disposable cups or even Champagne flutes make excellent substitutes." Might I suggest topping each one with crumbled graham crackers?

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 32 cookies
• Pairs Well With: Classic Eggnog

"If your idea of Christmas bliss is a peppermint latte and a chewy, iced cranberry bar from a certain coffee chain, I have a present just for you," Gillen hints. "This recipe channels those same bars and pair just as well with a cuppa as they do with all the other delights destined for your holiday cookie tin."

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10
• Pairs Well With: Blueberry Sauce

Remember when alternative takes on tiramisu took over TikTok in summer 2023? Here's Gillen's fruity spin on the trend. "The striking pink topping is just a dusting freeze-dried raspberries that have been powdered in a food processor, but it’s an optional touch," she explains. "A smattering of fresh berries or a touch of lemon zest would be equally delicious and elegant."

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Boozy Lemonade Granita

"The sweet-and-salty riff on North Carolina lemon pie rose to prominence after chef Bill Smith’s rendition was featured on NPR," Gillen explains. "What makes it special is twofold: One, the crust is made from crushed saltine crackers, which balance the sweet-tart filling. And two, the pie takes almost no time to assemble and bake, making it ideal for beginner bakers."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 24
• Pairs Well With: Cake Batter Dip

All the party, minus the fuss of from-scratch birthday cake. "They’re festive and fun, but way easier to make than a triple-tiered masterpiece," Gillen notes. "Plus, they’re easy to slip in a lunchbox or send with your kid for a class celebration (if their school allows homemade treats, of course)."

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 24
• Pairs Well With: Lemon Ginger No-Churn Ice Cream

Behold: edible sunshine. "You can totally wing it with just your hands and a spatula, but I’ve found that a small cookie scoop (about one tablespoon) makes portioning fast and flawless," Gillen notes. "And to prevent the cookies from spreading too much, try chilling them in the fridge for about 15 minutes before popping the pan in the oven."

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, <500 calories
• Serves: 16 to 18
• Pairs Well With: Hot Chocolate with Salted Caramel Whipped Cream

FYI, most of the cooking time is hands-off, so you can sit back and bask in the glow of that drool-worthy caramel sauce. Sprinkle a little extra sea salt on top for a certain je ne sais quoi, then treat yourself to the most decadent dessert (or breakfast) you've ever had.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Roasted Mixed Nuts

Thanks to five juicy, in-season apricots, you won’t even need to frost this beauty. It's naturally gorgeous as is. And if apricots aren't in season, canned will do in a pinch. (Plums, peaches or nectarines would work, too.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 20
• Pairs Well With: Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread

Malted milk powder elevates these ridiculously simple, one-bowl sugar cookies without requiring any extra work of the baker. Add crushed, freeze-dried berries (blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are all fair game) to the dough for a sweet-tart, photo-worthy twist.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 16
• Pairs Well With: Iced Tahini Latte

Chewy, comforting and impressive, these simple cookie bars will become your new favorite winter dessert at first bite. (BTW, the four-ingredient espresso glaze would taste divine atop everything from banana bread to vanilla ice cream.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, one pan
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: 3-Ingredient Ice Cream (with Endless Variations)

Remember those incredible cookie cakes your family would order every year on your birthday? Well, now it can be your birthday every damn day if you want it to be. Now, grease up that cast iron skillet, will ya?

• Time Commitment: 8 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Itty-Bitty Sandwich Cookies

A beautiful cheesecake is great for every occasion. And honestly, a group setting is best for this easy-to-make dessert, because the leftovers are dangerously irresistible. Skip the strawberries if you're a cheesecake purist—I won't judge.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 16 to 18
• Pairs Well With: Sheet Pan Chilaquiles

When it comes to a big Sunday brunch, mimosas are a must—but don't feel like you need to keep them classic. Here, you'll find paloma-inspired, tropical and strawberry-basil renditions on the O.G. "You can make the fruit bases a few days ahead and store them in the refrigerator," Gillen assures. "As for serving, a one-to-one ratio of juice to bubbly is the typical recommendation…but few guests will complain about a heavy pour of the latter."

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Fruicuterie Board

This big-batch cocktail is ready for its Instagram debut. "Thanks to Lillet Blanc, they’re slightly lighter, sweeter and more floral (read: more crowd-pleasing) than the O.G. version," Goldman explains. "Plus, you can mix eight servings at the same time...and the result is gorgeous."

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10
• Pairs Well With: Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae with Cherry Sauce

The key to this party-starter is using fresh pineapple, orange and lime juices. The homemade pomegranate grenadine (which can easily be prepared ahead to save time before cocktail hour) is just a tasty bonus.