Make-ahead menus are especially worthwhile during the hectic holiday season. Whether you’ve been busy decorating or out on a shopping spree, it’s nice to have a meal you can put on the table with minimal fuss at the end of the day.

This menu focuses on a satisfying minestrone soup that can be prepared ahead, placed in a crock pot or kept warm on the stove until dinner. The recipe yields a generous quantity, so you should have some leftovers, too.

The rest of this Italian-themed menu complements the soup well and all but the salad can be prepared in advance, making it a good choice for casual entertaining or a family meal.

Our Make-Ahead Menu

Stuffed Mushrooms Italian-Style ~

Stuffed mushrooms are a perfect appetizer for entertaining and don’t suffer at all if they’re prepared in advance and reheated. This recipe uses Genoa salami and a little bit of crushed red pepper for added flavor.

Italian Salad with Basil Vinaigrette ~

It’s easy to dress up a tossed salad with bite-sized chunks of sharp provolone cheese, strips of thinly sliced salami and a zesty vinaigrette made with fresh basil.

Roasted Garlic Knots~

Sweet roasted garlic flavors these soft, tender textured rolls that are just perfect for serving alongside soups or stews. Make them a day in advance, then wrap them in foil and warm them just before serving.

Hearty Minestrone with Red Wine ~

This rich, hearty minestrone soup is a satisfying meal in itself, loaded with vegetables and Italian sausage. In our opinion, the dry red wine contributes great flavor, but if you want a non-alcoholic version, just substitute more stock.

Italian Wine Biscuits ~

These addictive Italian cookies have subtle flavors of red wine, black pepper and a touch of salt. Try serving them with along with sliced pears, fontina cheese and a good port or marsala for an easy dessert.

Wine Pairings

Here are a few pairing suggestions to go with our menu ~

Tarantas Cava Brut

To serve with our Stuffed Mushrooms, we chose Tarantas Cava Brut, a dry sparkling wine with soft bubbles and fruity apple aromas with a hint of spice. Nice as an aperitif, or with a light appetizer, Tarantas Cava is an organic wine, available nationwide at Whole Foods Market. ($12.99)

Ecco Domani Merlot

We wanted an easy-drinking red to accompany our Minestrone and Roasted Garlic Knots, and Ecco Domani’s Merlot fit the bill quite nicely. The wine is deep red in color with aromas of ripe berries, subtle tannins and a long finish with notes of cherry and spice on the palate. (about $12)

Graham’s Six Grapes

To accompany our Italian Wine Biscuits, we wanted a sweet fortified wine. We chose Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Port, a rich, complex wine ~ dark red in color and medium bodied, with rich aromas of cherries and plums and a long, silky finish. It was delicious with the wine biscuits, but it would be exceptional paired with a rich chocolate dessert too ~ more on that soon! (about $20)

Source: mygourmetconnection.com