When my kids come home for the holidays, the whole energy of the house shifts—suddenly we’re five adults again, plus friends, plus the constant chorus of “Mom, what’s for dinner?” I love every second of it, and I’ve learned that the only way actually to enjoy the season is to prepare for the beautiful chaos before it starts.
So I keep things simple and strategic. A quick fridge reset, a Costco run for the basics, and a handful of zero-drama ingredients that make fast meals feel thoughtful and cozy. Air-fryer ravioli that turns into an instant appetizer with a quick roasted tomato sauce, or one-minute-thaw shrimp for quick pasta or tacos, tomatoes for soups and salsas—little anchors that make feeding a whole house feel easy instead of overwhelming.
If your holidays bring the whole family home, these tips will help you stay ahead, cook without stress, and actually enjoy everyone being home. Below, I’m sharing my go-to recipes that save me every year.
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats: The perfect make-ahead breakfast, leisurely breakfast, no drama. I mean, there is nothing easier than pouring, mixing, and waiting.
- Vegan Sweet Potato Enchiladas with Lentils (Easy & Healthy Mexican Recipe) is a plant-forward main dish with Mexican flavor. Super easy to put together, you can even use frozen roasted sweet potatoes, canned lentils, and store-bought salsa.
- Carrot-Ginger Soup with Red Lentils: a cozy soup option perfect for winter. I love it with a freshly baked slice of bread.
- Instant Pot Refried Beans: a lifesaver basic you can batch prep and freeze if needed. These are perfect for quick taquitos or as a side for a main dish.
- Calabacitas con Queso (Mexican Zucchini with Cheese). Prepare them and use them as a side dish or lunch. Just heat some corn tortillas or even flour tortillas, and you’ll have the perfect tacos.
- Classic Tomato Soup, a family winner. Serve it with a huge salad on the side and a grilled tomato sandwich.
- Mushroom Lentil Ragu, this ragu is perfect to make a week or even two weeks before, freeze it, and when in a hurry, whip up some pasta and throw everything together.
- Thai-Style Sheet Pan Fried Rice, this is amazing even with leftover rice. The best thing is just to put it on a baking sheet and be done!
- Ranch-Style Picadillo (Picadillo Ranchero), Perfect for dinner, lunch, or even breakfast. Growing up, we went every Saturday to eat breakfast at a street taco stand, and picadillo tacos were my favorite!
- One-Pot Mac and Cheese with Broccoli, because one pot, a vegetable in it, mac and cheese… glorious!
- Mexican Bean Soup (Sopa de Frijol). Creamy, comforting, and perfect for chilly nights with a stack of warm tortillas.
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I am Ale Graf, a Mexican living in Texas and the creator of AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla. I share easy, family-friendly recipes — some Mexican, mostly plant-based — that can be enjoyed all day, every day. My focus is on recipes that bring people together around the table, making mealtime simple, delicious and meaningful. I am also the co-author of Yo Cocino Latino, and my recipes have been featured in numerous online magazines and publications. Follow along on my social accounts for daily inspiration, tips, and delicious recipes! I would love to hear about you! Send me a DM on Instagram, and we can talk all things food 🍽️✨