The Ultimate List of 45 Make Ahead Sides for a Crowd

This classic potato salad comes together quickly and has a creamy texture that coats the potatoes without feeling heavy. Each bite is soft and savory, with a mild tang that keeps it bright and balanced.

This salad comes together easily with farro as the base, tossed with arugula, apples, and a simple vinaigrette. It’s chewy and savory with a bit of brightness from the dressing and apples.

Cowboy caviar comes together quickly with a mix of beans and chopped vegetables tossed in a simple dressing. It’s crisp and lightly tangy, with a mix of soft and crunchy textures in every bite.

This pasta salad comes together quickly with a creamy dressing and plenty of chopped pickles for extra crunch. Each bite is cool, tangy, and a little savory, making it easy to keep going back for more.

This salad comes together in layers, with crisp vegetables and a creamy dressing stacked in a big bowl. It’s crunchy and fresh with a mix of savory and lightly sweet flavors in every bite.

Fresh spinach and strawberries get tossed together with a tangy balsamic poppyseed dressing, crunchy pecans, and a bit of feta. It’s crisp, a little sweet, and has a nice balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

This salad comes together quickly with orzo and plenty of fresh herbs and chopped vegetables mixed throughout. It tastes bright and fresh, with a light, tender texture in every bite.

This lentil salad comes together quickly, with the herbs adding a fresh note that keeps things light. The lentils are tender and earthy, and the mix of herbs gives each bite a bright, savory flavor.

This salad comes together quickly with sliced cucumbers tossed in a creamy dressing and a bit of dill. It’s cool and lightly crisp, with a fresh, mild flavor that goes down easy.

This panzanella salad comes together quickly with chunks of bread and ripe tomatoes tossed in a simple dressing. The bread softens just enough to soak up the flavors, and each bite is fresh and savory.

This salad comes together quickly with charred corn tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. It tastes bright and savory, with a little heat and a soft, crisp texture.

This salad comes together with quinoa toasted until lightly crisp, then tossed with roasted vegetables and chickpeas that have soaked up a simple marinade. Every bite is hearty and savory, with a mix of soft and crunchy textures.

This couscous salad comes together quickly, with the grains soaking up the lemon dressing and mixing easily with the chopped vegetables and herbs. It tastes light and fresh, with a soft texture and a bright, savory flavor.

This salad comes together quickly with crisp cucumber and plenty of dill, giving it a cool, refreshing feel. Each bite is lightly sweet and tangy, with a clean crunch that’s really satisfying.

This salad comes together easily with crisp vegetables that soak up a tangy marinade as they chill. Each bite is cool, lightly crunchy, and full of savory flavor.

Tortellini salad comes together quickly with a mix of tender pasta, crisp greens, and salty bits of salami and feta. It’s hearty and savory, with a nice balance of fresh and rich flavors in every bite.

This three bean salad comes together quickly, with crisp celery and onion mixed into a bowl of beans and a simple sweet-tangy dressing. It tastes cool and refreshing, with a nice balance of softness from the beans and crunch from the vegetables.

This broccoli salad comes together quickly with crisp vegetables and a creamy dressing that’s easy to mix up. It’s cool and crunchy, with a savory flavor that’s really satisfying.

This pasta salad comes together easily with a mix of crisp vegetables, salty salami, and creamy mozzarella tossed in a tangy garlic dressing. Each bite is savory and fresh, with a nice balance of soft pasta and crunchy vegetables.

This coleslaw comes together quickly with crisp cabbage and a simple, creamy dressing. It’s cool and crunchy, with a light tang that balances out the richness.

This baked creamed corn casserole comes together easily and bakes up with a soft, creamy center and lightly crisp edges. It tastes rich and savory, with a gentle sweetness from the corn in every bite.

This roasted cauliflower comes together easily in the oven, turning lightly crisp on the edges with a savory kick from garlic and parmesan. It’s warm and tender, with a rich, cheesy flavor that makes it satisfying to eat.

Green beans cook up quickly in a skillet with garlic, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a bit of heat from red pepper flakes. They come out tender with a lightly crisp bite and a savory, garlicky flavor.

Roasting Brussels sprouts gives them a lightly crisp outside and tender middle, and the balsamic with honey adds a bit of tang and sweetness. They taste savory and a little bright, with just enough caramelization to keep things interesting.

These carrots cook quickly on the stovetop and get a light glaze that comes together as they simmer. They turn out tender and just a little sweet, with a mellow flavor that’s easy to enjoy.

The vegetables roast up with lightly crisp edges and a soft, warm center, coming together easily on one pan. They taste savory and a little sweet, with a simple mix of garlic and herbs that makes them really satisfying.

This hash brown casserole comes together easily and bakes up with a creamy, cheesy center and a lightly crisp top. It’s warm and rich, with a savory flavor that makes it really satisfying to eat.

Scalloped potatoes come together easily, with thin slices layered and baked in a creamy sauce until everything turns soft and golden. Each bite is rich and comforting, with the potatoes soaking up the savory cheese.

These potatoes roast up with crisp edges and a soft center, picking up a lot of flavor from the garlic and thyme as they cook. Eating them, you get a warm, savory bite with a little sharpness from the parmesan.

The stuffing comes together quickly with sausage and herbs mixed into packaged cubes, so it’s simple to prep and bake. It’s hearty and savory, with a soft texture and bits of sausage in every bite.

This dish comes together easily with broccoli baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce until everything is bubbling and golden on top. It’s warm and rich, with tender broccoli and a soft, comforting texture in every bite.

These stuffed mushrooms come together quickly, with a simple filling that bakes up warm and lightly crisp. Each bite is savory and soft, with a nice mix of herbs and a bit of richness from the cheese.

Green bean casserole comes together easily with a creamy mushroom sauce and a topping of lightly crisp onions. The green beans stay tender, and the whole dish tastes savory and comforting.

This is a baked spinach artichoke dip that comes together easily and turns out warm and creamy. It’s rich and savory, with a soft texture and a little bit of tang from the artichokes.

These baked beans come together with a thick, rich sauce that gets a little smoky from the spices and barbecue sauce. They taste hearty and savory, with a gentle kick and a touch of sweetness.

This baked mac and cheese comes together with a creamy sauce and a layer of lightly crisp breadcrumbs on top. It’s rich and warm, with a soft, cheesy bite in every forkful.

This monkey bread comes together fast with biscuit dough, garlic butter, and a good amount of herbs and cheese. It bakes up soft and pull-apart, with a warm, savory flavor in every bite.

This focaccia comes together with a simple dough that bakes up with a golden, lightly crisp crust and a soft, chewy center. Each bite has a savory flavor with a hint of rosemary that makes it easy to keep going back for more.

The dough bakes up soft and fluffy, with plenty of buttery garlic flavor throughout. Each piece pulls apart easily and tastes warm and savory.

This cornbread comes together quickly and bakes up with a soft, tender crumb. It tastes rich and just a little bit sweet, with a texture that stays moist.

A Greek mezze platter comes together quickly with a mix of ready-to-eat bites and a few simple touches. It’s a mix of creamy, briny, and crisp textures that’s easy to snack on and share.

This hummus platter comes together quickly and is all about easy dipping and snacking. The hummus is creamy and smooth, and it’s satisfying to scoop up with crunchy vegetables or pita.

This wedge salad comes together quickly with simple ingredients and has a nice mix of crisp lettuce and creamy dressing. Eating it is refreshing, with a good balance of crunch and rich flavors in every bite.

This dip comes together in layers, with each one adding a different texture, from creamy to chunky to lightly crisp on top. It’s rich and savory, and you get a little bit of everything in each scoop.

This antipasto platter comes together quickly with a mix of savory meats, cheeses, and crisp vegetables. It’s satisfying to eat, with a good balance of soft, salty, and lightly crunchy bites.