(BPT) - Easter is the perfect time to gather friends and family to spend quality time together, celebrate the season and enjoy delicious food. However, between cooking, serving and cleanup, it's easy to get caught up in the work and miss out on time with loved ones.

Hosting doesn't have to be stressful. With a little planning, you can pull off a memorable gathering and still enjoy time with the people you care about. These tips will help make your Easter celebration easier and more fun for everyone.

Create a self-serve drink station

Instead of serving guests individually, create a self-serve drink station where they can pour and customize their own beverages. This gives everyone the freedom to enjoy what they like while freeing up the host to mingle and manage other hosting tasks.

Choose a convenient spot, like a kitchen island or a table off to the side of the main entertaining area. Your drink station can be as simple or elaborate as you like - it could include coffee, juice or even festive seasonal drinks. Add any extra flavoring or garnishes your guests might enjoy so everyone can personalize their drinks.

Use disposable tableware

Cleaning up doesn't have to take time away from celebrating with your guests. Instead of spending time washing dishes, opt for disposable utensils, plates, cups and napkins. When your guests are done eating and drinking, they can simply toss their items into a designated trash bag or bin.

Using disposable tableware not only makes after-meal cleanup quick and easy, but it can also double as your décor. Choose Easter or spring-themed plates, cups and napkins in fun, pastel colors and patterns to spruce up your celebration.

Plan ahead to enjoy the celebration

Preparing a few dishes, setting the table or organizing supplies the day before can significantly reduce stress and free up your time to focus on guests. A little advance prep goes a long way in creating a smoother, more enjoyable gathering.

Create a simple timeline for cooking, serving and cleanup to keep the day running efficiently. Knowing what needs to happen and when helps you stay organized and be fully present with your guests.

Choose savory sides that double as meals

Cooking is one of the most time-consuming parts of hosting any gathering. This year, keep Easter simple by serving ready-to-heat sides that save you time and allow you to soak in the joy of the season with friends and family. Bob Evans Family Size Macaroni & Cheese and Family Size Original Mashed Potatoes are ready in minutes and are perfect for feeding large crowds at your Easter gathering.

Elevate your spread by incorporating these easy-to-prepare side dishes into delicious recipes that will have guests asking for seconds.

Macaroni and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook time: 40 minutes; Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 6 frozen buttermilk biscuits
• 1 pound Bob Evans Original Roll Pork Sausage
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper
• 20 ounces Bob Evans Family Size Macaroni & Cheese
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake biscuits according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, cook sausage, onion and bell pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until sausage is browned and crumbly; drain if needed and spoon into a large bowl.
3. Add macaroni and cheese and stir until blended. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
4. Lightly beat eggs in a large bowl. Crumble biscuits into eggs and stir until just moistened.
5. Stir in cheeses. Pour mixture over macaroni and cheese mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center is set.
6. Sprinkle with chives.

Mashed Potato Biscuits with Fancy Butter

Prep time: 25 minutes; Cook time: 15 minutes; Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 cup Bob Evans Family Size Original Mashed Potatoes
• 2 large eggs divided
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon flaky salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup strawberry preserves
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
3. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
4. Whisk together mashed potatoes, one egg, honey and buttermilk.
5. Gradually add to flour mixture, stirring until a shaggy dough forms, adding additional buttermilk if needed.
6. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll it to a 1-inch thickness.
7. Cut dough with 2½-inch round cutter, rerolling scraps as needed.
8. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
9. Lightly beat remaining egg in a bowl.
10. Brush tops of biscuits with beaten egg and sprinkle with flaky salt.
11. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Meanwhile, stir together softened butter, strawberry preserves and basil. Serve with hot biscuits.

Find these Bob Evans products to prep your Easter table - plus more recipe inspiration at BobEvansGrocery.com.