(BPT) - Hosting a holiday meal for friends and family is one of the most meaningful parts of the season - a chance to share good food and memories around the table. Yet all the cooking, serving and clean-up can easily pull the host away from the holiday gathering, leaving little time to relax and connect with guests.

With a little planning, you can spend less time preparing a holiday meal and more time around the table savoring the taste of the season. These tips and recipes can help to simplify your holiday meal prep without sacrificing flavor.

Take an inventory of your pantry

Creating a spread of classic and creative holiday meals requires a full pantry of ingredients. Before you go shopping, and especially before you start cooking, take stock of what you already have on hand, what's expired and what you'll need to pull off a memorable holiday meal.

Not only will this streamline your grocery shopping and food prep but knowing what you do and don't have can help you avoid a harried, last-minute trip to the store during one of the busiest seasons.

Ditch the porcelain for disposable cutlery and plates

Ceramic dinnerware can be beautiful and add a touch of luxury to holiday gatherings, but it often requires handwashing. To simplify cleanup without sacrificing style, consider using disposable cutlery, plates and bowls - many come in festive designs that are a perfect fit for the season. Keep a trash can nearby so guests can tidy up after themselves, and you'll be free to enjoy the after-dinner drinks and conversation, too.

Pick easy-to-prepare holiday dishes

Cooking a tasty holiday spread doesn't mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. Bob Evans dinner sides allow you to serve everyone's favorite comfort foods without the stress. Choose ready-to-heat favorites like Macaroni & Cheese, Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Sliced Glazed Apples. They're ready in minutes and help keep your holiday meal comforting, delicious and full of flavor. Serve them as-is or incorporate them into seasonal recipes like the three below.

Creamy Comfort with a Twist

Classic macaroni & cheese gets elevated with tart cranberries and the rich, creamy flavor of brie, creating a comforting and flavorful dish.

Cranberry and Brie Macaroni and Cheese

Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook time: 30 minutes; Servings: 6

Ingredients

12 ounces Bob Evans Macaroni & Cheese

1 cup cubed brie

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced

1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Combine macaroni and cheese, cubed brie and thyme in a bowl.
3. Spoon half of mixture into a lightly greased 1 and 1/2-quart baking dish.
4. Add half of cranberry sauce. Repeat layers.
5. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
6. Optional: Garnish with fresh thyme, if on hand.

Warm, Wholesome and Sweet

Sweet potatoes and apples combined with a crunchy pecan streusel for a dish that's as comforting as it is festive.

Mashed Sweet Potato and Apple Bake

Prep time: 25 minutes; Cook time: 45 minutes; Servings: 8

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

3 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and chopped

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

20 ounces Bob Evans Mashed Sweet Potatoes

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup chopped pecans

3/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add apples, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
4. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until apples are tender.
5. Spread both packages of sweet potatoes in bottom of an 11x7-inch baking dish.
6. Top with apple mixture.
7. Stir together remaining brown sugar, flour and 1/4 cup melted butter in a bowl. Stir in pecans.
8. Sprinkle streusel over apple mixture.
9. Bake 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
10. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Sweet and Savory Lunch

Tangy and sweet apples paired with classic sandwich flavors on a butter croissant make for a delicious and easy bite.

Turkey and Glazed Apple Croissant

Prep time: 15 minutes; Servings: 6

Ingredients

6 slices white cheddar cheese

6 croissants, split

2 cups baby arugula

1 pound sliced smoked deli turkey

14 ounces Bob Evans Sliced Glazed Apples

Instructions

1. Layer cheese slices over bottom halves of croissants.
2. Top with arugula, turkey and glazed apples.
3. Cover with croissant tops to make sandwiches.

Find these Bob Evans products to stock your holiday kitchen plus more recipe inspiration at BobEvansGrocery.com.