The Pioneer Woman's 10 favorite make-ahead Christmas dishes

When the holidays roll around, Ree Drummond starts thinking about one thing before anything else: the cooking. With kids (and a grandbaby!) coming home, friends dropping by, and ranch life carrying on as usual, she likes to head into Christmas week with a plan—or at least a few trusty dishes tucked into the fridge. That's why she leans on make-ahead holiday recipes every single year. Whether she's prepping a pan of cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast, stirring up a batch of Christmas Chex Mix for family movie night, or getting a head start on the Christmas desserts she'll share with the whole crew, Ree always says that doing a little early work makes the season feel a whole lot easier.

These dishes are the backbone of her holiday routine. Some are the stars of a full Christmas menu, some are cozy breakfast ideas, and others are those holiday appetizers and snacks you set out when people start wandering into the kitchen. And the real secret? Almost all of them taste even better after they've had a day to rest.

So if you're planning your own menu this year—or just trying to stay one step ahead of the merry chaos—you'll find plenty of make-ahead Christmas inspiration here. From slow-cooked mains and festive sides to classic pies and snacks, these are Ree's tried-and-true ways to keep the season joyful instead of stressful. Prep them now, enjoy them later, and let Christmas unfold at its own sweet pace!

Cinnamon Rolls

Ree’s famous cinnamon rolls are the definition of a Christmas classic. She grew up delivering pans of them with her mom, and now she makes batch after batch for friends, neighbors, and pretty much anyone who crosses her path in December. The best part for busy cooks? The dough can be made ahead, refrigerated for a couple of days, or even frozen at several stages so you can bake them fresh whenever you need a warm, gooey treat.

Slow Cooker Ham

If you want a low-stress holiday main, this slow cooker ham is Ree’s secret weapon. It only takes a few minutes of prep, the glaze can be whisked together early, and the slow cooker keeps everything warm until the whole crew is ready to eat. You can easily set it up ahead of time, walk away from it, and come back to a beautifully glazed ham!

Christmas Chex Mix

Ree says Chex Party Mix “reigned supreme at Christmastime” when she was growing up and she still leans on this salty‑sweet bowlful for holiday movie nights and grazing. Once it cools, you can store it in an airtight container for up to a week—or freeze it for about a month—so you always have a snack ready when friends wander through the kitchen.

No‑Bake Eggnog Pie

Ree dreamed up this pie as a no-bake dessert that saves precious oven space “for more Christmas cookies," which is always the right call in December. You can make the whole thing up to two days in advance and chill it until serving, or freeze it (whipped cream and all) for up to three months and thaw it overnight. It tastes festive, creamy, and wonderfully effortless.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

These ultra-creamy mashed potatoes are one of Ree’s ultimate holiday sanity savers. Thanks to the cream cheese, cream, and butter, they’re designed to be made ahead: you can assemble them in a baking dish the day before, stash them in the fridge, then reheat with a little extra butter until warm and silky. They also freeze well for longer prep, which makes them a reliable side for any Christmas meal.

Christmas Breakfast Casserole

This cheesy croissant-and-ham bake is Ree’s Christmas-morning favorite for a reason. It’s so festive and incredibly make-ahead friendly. Assemble the whole casserole and chill it for up to four hours before baking, or prep the filling the night before so everything comes together quickly while the coffee brews and the wrapping paper flies.

Cheddar Biscuits

Biscuits are a staple on the Drummond holiday table—and these cheesy, buttery ones are especially handy when you’re trying to get ahead. You can bake them early, freeze them, and simply warm them in the oven before serving. They’re delicious with ham, beef, or just a swipe of softened butter.

Christmas Rum Cake

Ree’s mother‑in‑law Nan made this rum-soaked Bundt every Christmas Eve and Ree still jokes that she likes it so much she’ll happily eat a slice for breakfast! It’s also a wonderful make‑ahead Christmas dessert: it stays fresh for days at room temperature, improves as it sits, and freezes beautifully for up to three months.

Perfect Pie Crust

Ree’s beloved pie crust is a holiday workhorse, especially when you prepare it ahead. The dough can be mixed, shaped into disks, and frozen for months—ready to roll out whenever pie inspiration strikes. Having a few crusts tucked into the freezer makes Christmas baking feel a whole lot more doable.

Cranberry-Pecan Cheese Ball

This festive cheese ball is a favorite holiday appetizer because it gets better as it chills. You can mix and shape it a day or two before serving, let the flavors meld in the fridge, then roll it in cranberries and pecans right before setting it out with crackers.