Ideas for food that can be prepared in advance

What about lamb shanks in the slow cooker, presuming you have one? Mashed potatoes made fresh on the day or bought in from Marks. Or beef bourginion.

When I have hungry guests I usually make Claudia Rodens lamb sofrito. Can be made in advance.

How about a Massaman curry? It’s my favourite one-pot recipe and very easy to make. Basically, curry paste and coconut milk with vegetables. I throw in tofu and peanuts for protein but you can also make it with chicken. It keeps for 4-5 days. I make mine with a vegan sachet of ready-made paste that I buy in the local ethnic shop but there are plenty of pastes available. Check the ingredients though as some contain shrimp.

Lamb Casserole (made previous day) and Crusty French Bread (just sprinkle a bit of water on it , cover in foil and pop into the oven for about 15 minutes , the next day )

As it's summer I would think a hot one pot stew or casserole would be too heavy. Pasta would be ideal. Most pasta sauces could be prepared the day before and cooking the pasta will only take a few minutes if you boil up the water in the kettle first.

As an accompaniment you can serve a salad, which you can prepare the day before. Just make sure you dry it well and keep it crisp in the fridge. Maybe turn the fridge up a notch to keep things fresher.

You said preferably not pasta or I would suggest lasagne. What about moussaka?

You could make beef and onions in the slow cooker the day before, transfer it to a dish and just before your visitors arrive, put a suet pastry top on and cook it in the oven. Some boiled potatoes and a green veg would complete the meal.

A nice colourful lamb tagine which is one-pot and can be cooked the day before - the colours and various accompaniments will look summery! On the day you'll only need to heat some flatbreads and put out yoghurt, etc.

silkroadrecipes.com/lamb-tagine-with-dates-and-apricots/

Or you could assemble a chicken tray bake night/morning before... chicken thighs, red onions, whole garlic cloves, peppers, courgettes, seasonings etc., and as soon as you arrive home put in the oven. Takes about an hour, once the oven is hot. Something like this:

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/harissa-chicken-traybake

Again a slow cooker, pulled pork left to cook for hours, pre make or buy coleslaw, potato salad and buy rolls/French bread.
Frozen dessert, semifreddo maybe?

A Provençal or coq au vin casserole made in advance served with French stick and a green salad. A fresh fruit cocktail drizzled with sugar syrup and lemon served last minute with coconut yoghurt. Even easier vanilla ice cream with espresso coffee liquor and chocolate affogato.

Chicken, mushrooms, in white wine

Beef and mushrooms in red wine

Lentil Sausage Soup

Parker's Beef stew

African Peanut Stew

Couscous, olives, sun dried tom stuffed Chicken breast

Koshari

Strozzapreti with Lamb Ragu

One variety of 5 million curries

Ropa Vieja

Green Chili Pork (Chili Verde)

Vegetable Lasagna (not pasta)

If you have any Mary Berry books or can look online you’ll find notes under some of her recipes saying how far in advance and at what stage a dish can be prepared. My favourite is Mediterranean chicken which is delicious and can easily be prepared the day before.

When I used to have visitors I’d always make a lasagne because I think it’s always better the next day and reheated and you can have it with salad or vegetables and also make a veggie version if necessary.

We have friends coming tomorrow but will both be out all day. I have made a lasagne and will be serving it with garlic bread and salad.
I have bought a cheesecake from M&S and will serve that with double cream.

Thanks for all the suggestions .

I don't want to do pasta, as we have had that the last couple of times (we take turns to host), but agree that it reheats well.

I am veering towards a deep dish chicken pie, or maybe a parmigiana, but there are a few contenders on this thread, too - please do keep them coming, as they may inspire others as well as me.

Fish pie?

How about Salmon Koulibiac.. very easy to make.. it can be cooked just before they arrive.. and looks spectacular

Catterygirl

What about lamb shanks in the slow cooker, presuming you have one? Mashed potatoes made fresh on the day or bought in from Marks. Or beef bourginion.

When I have hungry guests I usually make Claudia Rodens lamb sofrito. Can be made in advance.

What about lamb shanks in the slow cooker, presuming you have one? Mashed potatoes made fresh on the day or bought in from Marks
Just what were having tonight, too busy to cook, watching the tennis!

I'd make boeuf bourgninon if they eat red meat, leave it simmering in a slow cooker or pre-cook as it's better the next day too

Roasted Mediterranean veg with salmon. Slice the veg (3 different coloured peppers, cougettes, quartered onions, cherry tomatoes) place in a plastic bag night before. When ready to cook, drizzle olive oil in the bag when all veg is coated in the oil place on a baking sheet. Roast in oven 180° for 40 minutes- 10 minutes before the end of cooking time place salmon fillets in oven. Serve with crusty bread or new potatoes. If you put the veg in the oven as soon as you get home, by the time your guests have arrived and had a quick pre-dinner drink, the meal will be ready.

Sorry, should have said keep the cherry tomatoes whole.

We like that, too, CurlyWhirly.
Simple but delicious.

I would make a simple beef bourguignon type or chicken casserole including some salad-type potatoes perhaps, prepped the previous evening and left to cook in the slow cooker while you’re out. And a simple green vegetable such as green beans which can be quickly steamed after your guests arrive. And maybe something very simple such as strawberries and cream for pud.

Callistemon21 I'd make boeuf bourgninon if they eat red meat, leave it simmering in a slow cooker or pre-cook as it's better the next day too

My first choice as well, beef, onions, and mushrooms in wine. What's not to like if a meat eater? Nice crusty bread, green salad.

Or that other dish with chicken and white wine (Chicken Riesling?), spaetzle (easy at the last moment), bread, salad.

I should know spaetzle but had to look it up!

Goulash is good, too.