Submitted by timbillyosu t3_zu6awr in LifeProTips
This is something my wife and I have done for a few years. Make a large pan of lasagna a day or 2 ahead of Christmas and put it in the refrigerator.
On Christmas day, pop it into the oven for an hour or so and you've got a great meal for which you've already done all the prep and clean up. All that's left are the dishes from eating it. Gives you more time to play with the kids and their toys and plenty of leftovers.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Thank you and Happy cake day!
We started this so we didn't have to do so the stress and mess of making a big meal and would have more time to play with the kids.
This is a great idea. I married into a family with tons of food traditions, that — experiencing them as someone coming into it from the outside — feel like the amount of stress the celebratory meals cause for all concerned outweigh the upside. I honestly wish a magic wand could be waved where they would be willing to do this, and see what a holiday was like without the unnecessary performance anxiety, imposed expectations, and constant buzz of stress in the background of everything. Also, lasagna is awesome.
Agree on all of that. I'm not sure where we got the idea, but my wife and I actually convinced her Mom to do it as well so they are doing it even though we aren't there!
I grew up in a family of great home cooks. I'm a decent cook but I always thought there was too much money spent on holiday meals. The point (IMO) is family and friends. I always make a lot of something simple and serve a variety of beverages (alcoholic & non). I don't spend days thawing and prepping and going broke. The result is the same: family & friends enjoying time together & being fed. Traditions are great but sometimes I think we forget the point of time together.
Posted on Christmas Eve.
How timely.
I meant to post the other day and forgot. At least you could do it today
Anyone who still doesn't have a plan for Christmas dinner won't be parading this sub for an idea.
Today.
Knowledge can last a life time, those that read the tip might use it for new years, or any holiday coming up.
The memory shelf-life on this sub is a wee bit shorter than the lifespan of a broken toilet seat.
Yeah but we do love to repost the same things over and over, so it'll come back again a few times.
Christmas pizza is what we're having
We do a more casual Christmas without one big sit down meal. Once the food is ready, people can just help themselves as they like.
Some years it’s just a bunch of appetizers. Over the years we’ve done stuff like mini pigs in a blanket, cheeses and meats, crackers, chips and dips, mozzarella sticks, mini quiches, chicken wings, stuffed jalapeños, mini meatballs in sauce, olives, etc. Some fruit and a veggie tray to lighten things up. If there is hot food, someone asks, “Hey, who wants some mozzarella sticks” and cooks up enough for everyone.
Some years it’s sub sandwiches. Good bread, lots of meats and cheeses and other toppings to choose from.
We might have one dessert such as cookies or pie or something, if the baker in the family feels like baking. But everyone always gets candy and chocolate in their stockings, so we don’t really need much more.
I like roast turkey (and there is no simpler thing than roast bird: salt and herb the outside and inside, pop in oven. Wait. Eat).
Hubby’s parents and our kids are coming for dinner tonight, and that’s what we’re doing—plus mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, salad, and store-bought pie.
I don’t understand why the dinner has to be a several-days-of-prep extravaganza. I’m essentially making a regular dinner, only x8 instead of x2.
Lasagna at my parents’ on Christmas Eve, lasagna at my in-laws’ Christmas Day. Lasagna is Christmas tradition.
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if my family invited me to christmas dinner and gave me lasagna I would be PISSED. But the food is a very large part of christmas in my family so that would never happen
I understand and it was for me growing up, too. Guess this tip works for those of us that aren't cooking for as many people.
I think it’s a great idea. You can make a small pan or a large one for however large your crowd.
That person is abnormal if they would be mad about being served homemade lasagna.
I also used to make a big pan for us and several smaller pans to give to single friends and co-workers. It was easy to throw together when I already had the mess made and they really appreciated it.
I would kill for someone to give me one lol. I am definitely going to add this to my list for next year. Thanks for the inspiration!
You're welcome! It's a good trick for New Years, too. Perfect for a low effort hangover meal if you make it ahead of time.
Good thing you aren’t Italian-American because lasagna (or baked ziti) are big holiday meal traditions. The “food prep” work done day-of is setting out a spread of cold cuts and antipasto and opening the bottles of wine.
Good thing you’re not coming to our celebration. But that just means more yummy lasagna for us!
enjoy!!
coolchickstar t1_j1hyoe6 wrote
I feel like this post is getting a lot of hate (just reading through the comments), but I wanted OP to know that this is a very thoughtful LPT. I’m sure there are many people out there that appreciate this post, especially those with young kids that don’t have much time to cook on the day.