Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather around with family and friends, and what better way to keep everyone munching than with some finger foods? Not every party demands a full meal, and these tasty, bite-sized treats are perfect for snacking while you enjoy the sunshine and good company, And since you don’t need silverware, it frees up a hand to hold an ice cold drink—who doesn’t love that?

Finger-Food Appetizers

Deviled eggs are a classic Memorial Day finger food option—try these BLT Deviled Eggs or Pimiento Cheese Bacon Deviled Farm Eggs for a twist on the classic version. For something a little sweet and savory, try Pecan Stuffed Dates or Bacon, Blue Cheese & Fig Tartlets—both are easy to pop in your mouth and packed with flavor. If you’re wanting to satisfy the palates of your littlest guests, Pigs in a Blanket are always a winner, as are Bacon-Wrapped Saltines.

Finger-Food Entrées

Looking for something both handheld and a bit more substantial? Sliders are a great option—from Buffalo Chicken Sliders and Chicken Salad Sliders to Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders, Paula’s got you covered!

Finger-Food Desserts

And it’s just not a party without something sweet, and, yes, even your dessert can be handheld! You can’t go wrong with Paula’s Strawberry Tiramisu Bites or Blueberry Cream Cheese Tarts. They’re both fruity, light, and the perfect way to get just the right amount of sweetness!

Which Memorial Day finger food recipes are you planning on serving up? Let us know in the comments below!

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Make-Ahead Appetizers

Start things off with Paula’s Southern Cucumber Salad—it’s refreshing and full of flavor, and, as an added bonus, it’s even better when made ahead because the flavors have a chance to really marinate together. Another great starter option is Paula’s Tomatoes Stuffed with Chicken Salad appetizer! Not only does this make-ahead appetizer make your life a little easier, but it’s easy for your guests to enjoy as well—no silverware needed!

Make-Ahead Entrées 

When it comes to the entrées for Memorial Day, you may want to stick with classic burgers, brats, hot dogs, or grilled chicken, but if you even want to get your main course prepped ahead of time, Paula’s Light Lobster Roll recipe is a great option. Make the filling ahead of time and stick it in the fridge until mealtime. Then, everyone can prep their own sandwich!

Make-Ahead Sides

Sides are one of the easiest ways to work ahead—for instance, you can’t go wrong with a Southern Coleslaw or Southern Pasta Salad, both of which are classic make-ahead recipes. If you’re looking for something even fresher, try a Watermelon and Cucumber Salad or Corn and Carrot Salad with Golden Raisins. And of course, every cookout needs a good Mac and Cheese recipe. Plus, this Barbecue Baked Bean Casserole isn’t just any average baked bean recipe—we promise your guests will go crazy over it!

Make-Ahead Desserts

Of course, we can’t forget the dessert! Paula has plenty of make-ahead Memorial Day dessert recipes, including Strawberry Cream Pie and a Blueberry Cream Pie, both of which will satisfy that sweet tooth! For something a little less conventional, serve up a slice of this incredible Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe for a salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy treat.

Make-Ahead Drink

Lastly, be sure to prep something refreshing to sip on—Paula’s Black Cherry Limeade will keep everyone cool!

Make It Easy with Make-Ahead Recipes

Now that you’ve had a taste of Paula’s make-ahead Memorial Day recipes, be sure to check out the full list of ideas below! And with most of your dishes now prepped and ready ahead of time, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the day with your loved ones. Have a blessed Memorial Day, y’all!

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Labor Day is all about taking it easy, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying the last bit of summer sunshine. So why fuss over fancy recipes when you can whip up some down-home favorites in a jiffy? From grilled BBQ chicken and juicy burger recipes to quick salad recipes and easy lemon bars, these easy recipes are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. And with these easy Labor Day recipes, you’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the company of your nearest and dearest.

So, my friends, as we bid farewell to summer and prepare to usher in fall, let’s take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures of good food, good company, and good times. Happy Labor Day, y’all! Now, who’s ready for seconds?

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Picnics, potlucks, parties—with the warmer weather comes plenty of opportunities to eat and hang out with our family and friends. And every sweet opportunity to spend time with our loved ones deserves a sweet ending, don’t you think? When we think about spring dessert recipes, pie is one type of dessert that immediately comes to mind!

There are so many ways to use spring’s best flavors in pies, from coconut and chocolate to berries and citrus fruits. Pies can also be incredibly easy to make! While a homemade pie crust is always a treat, it can also be a labor of love! Pre-made pie crusts can be found at any grocery store, and they significantly reduce the time and effort it takes to put together one of our favorite sweet treats.

Whether you prefer a store-bought crust or a homemade one, a cookie crust or a classic pastry crust, you simply must try some of these spring pie recipes, y’all!

What’s your favorite pie recipe? Let us know in the comments, won’t you?

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No-bake dessert recipes and no-cook dessert recipes couldn’t be simpler—for the most part they consist of stirring, pouring, and chilling. They sound easy, right? That’s because they are! They’re perfect if you’re looking for make-ahead desserts, as oftentimes they need to chill ahead in the refrigerator until they’re ready to serve—no need to serve these fresh from the oven!

From vintage classics, like Ambrosia Salad, to Paula classics, like Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding, and other wonderful no-bake recipes, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste buds and that chatty sweet tooth of yours.

Which will you make first? Let us know in the comments below!

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Of course, we also think about fun-filled days playing Frisbee and eating pimento cheese sandwiches and potato salad on a gingham blanket too. We’ve certainly had our fair share of those days with our own families. You know what? The more we think about them, the more we realize that picnics have been a pleasurable past time that spans time, place, and circumstance.

Did y’all know that August is National Picnic Month? Sure, it may be one of the hottest months of the year, but if you can manage to stay cool for long enough to enjoy eating al fresco, we’ve got some dishes that travel well for an enjoyable picnic in a park, on a boat, or even in your very own backyard. Whether you prefer finger sandwiches and petit fours or pimento cheese and potato salad, Paula has recipes to help make your picnic perfect.

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For clean ears, we love this hack using our trusty microwaves! Simply microwave corn on the cob in the husk on high for 3 to 4 minutes. Be careful and use a potholder as it will be quite hot. Next, cut off the base of the corn. Now, grip the top of the corn husk and squeeze and shake until the corn cob comes out. And when it comes out, it will be as clean as a whistle!

If you’re hoping to use fresh corn kernels instead of canned, there’s a mess-free way to do it—with your Bundt pan! Set the skinny end of the corn in the indented bowl in the center. Then use a serrated knife to slice the kernels from the cob. Kernels will fall nice and neatly into the pan instead of all over your counter. Voilà, y’all!

With such easy ways to clean and cut it, there’s nothing holding us back from eating it every day! If you’ve got some great corn recipes, let us know in the comments. We’re…all ears. Ok—we’ll see ourselves out.

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You may notice there are a lot of salads on this list, but we’re not talking about lettuce, tomato, and croutons here. We’re talking about sides that are perfect for picnics and cookouts, like Macaroni Salad, the Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad, and a Cold Cucumber Salad.

Dishes that fill us up without heating us up? They get a “yes” from us! Do y’all have any recipes to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial kickoff of summer, and that means it’s the kick off to cookout season too. Unless of course, you live in the South, and you’ve been cooking out regularly since March. If you’re fortunate to have the day off and beautiful weather to boot, we’re here to help you plan out the side dishes you’ll be serving for your Memorial Day cookout. We’ll leave the easy part to you (the main course, of course). But we’ve rounded up some awesome options that pair well with a plethora of entrées, including burgers, steaks, and barbecue.

Whether you’re looking for something rich and decadent, like Macaroni and Cheese with a Potato Chip Crust, or something light and refreshing like a Chilled Grilled Corn and Watermelon Salad, you’ll find it here. Paula has the best sides for a cookout ready and waiting for you. Which Memorial Day side dish recipe will you be making?

Of course, Memorial Day isn’t about the cookouts and days off—it’s about the heroes that gave their lives for this great country. May you be ever grateful for the freedoms afforded by our brave servicemen and women, and may God bless America!

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Now we’re planning how to make this picnic a little more patriotic than others. We love the classic red gingham tablecloth, but we’ve decided to add some pretty blue napkins sprinkled with little white stars. We found a pretty little white wicker picnic basket set with blue and white striped melamine plates, silverware, and clear acrylic glassware. We’re also opting for some patriotic picks to keep our sandwiches together. But which should we choose—cute little flags or fun foil firecrackers?

Lastly, be sure to bring some games along! Whether it’s a wiffle ball and bat, a football, some cards, or a Frisbee, games are a surefire way to bring up the fun level.

So how will you be celebrating Independence Day? With a picnic or in some other way? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

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