8 Festive DIY Buffet Ideas with Disposable Pans That Everyone Will Love

The holiday season is the perfect time to create unforgettable dining experiences, and DIY festive food bars are a hit for family gatherings and parties. With disposable pans, you can prepare, serve, and store your dishes with ease and elegance. Here are some creative ideas to inspire your holiday buffet, featuring Southern-style Christmas favorites and a festive taco bar!

Southern-Style Christmas Bar

Bring the comfort of classic Southern dishes to your holiday spread. These recipes are perfect for any family celebration and make the most of versatile disposable pans.

1 | Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

This show-stopping appetizer is as festive as it is delicious. Prepare, serve, and store your pull-apart bread in the Christmas Tree Shaped Foil Pan. Its durable construction ensures easy baking and elegant presentation while keeping leftovers fresh.

Get The Christmas Tree Shaped Pan Used

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup marinara sauce
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into squares.
3. Fill each square with mozzarella cheese and form into balls.
4. Arrange the dough balls in the shape of a Christmas tree in the Christmas Tree Shaped Foil Pan.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Serve with marinara sauce.

A holiday favorite, this dish combines creamy sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. Bake and serve in the 11" x 7" Aluminum Entrée Pan. When it’s time to store leftovers, simply add the lid to lock in freshness.

Get The Entrée Pan Used

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Pour into the 11" x 7" Aluminum Entrée Pan.
3. Combine pecans, flour, and melted butter. Sprinkle over the top.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

3 | Betty Joe Melvin's Mac & Cheese

Rich, creamy, and oh-so-comforting, this mac & cheese deserves a spot on your buffet. Use the All Purpose Foil Cake Pan for baking and serving, and don’t forget to add the lid for easy storage.

Get The All Purpose Foil Cake Pan Used

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp. butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain.
3. Mix macaroni with cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Pour into the All Purpose Foil Cake Pan.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

4 | Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

A festive twist on a breakfast favorite, these rolls bake beautifully in the Disposable Aluminum Foil Cake Pan. Serve them warm and store any leftovers with the convenient lid.

Get Disposable Aluminum Foil Cake Pan Used

Ingredients:

• 1 package red velvet cake mix
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 2½ cups flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• ½ cup melted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• Cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

1. Combine cake mix, yeast, sugar, and warm water. Add flour and knead. Let rise for 1 hour.
2. Roll dough into a rectangle, spread butter, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. Roll up and cut into slices. Place in the Disposable Aluminum Foil Cake Pan.
4. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes. Spread cream cheese frosting while warm.

5 | Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls

Bake fluffy yeast rolls in the 9" Disposable Foil Cake Pan, which transitions seamlessly from oven to table. Add the lid to keep them fresh for the next day.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. active dry yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups flour

Instructions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Mix yeast, sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and flour until dough forms. Let rise for 1 hour.
3. Shape into rolls and place in the 9" Disposable Foil Cake Pan.
4. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

6 | Buttery Toast Pecans

Perfect for snacking or gifting, buttery toasted pecans can be baked and served in the Half Sheet Cake Pan. The lid ensures they stay fresh and easy to store.

Get The Half Sheet Cake Pan Used

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pecan halves
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Toss pecans with butter, salt, and sugar.
3. Spread in the Half Sheet Cake Pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Festive Taco Bar

For a more casual and fun dining option, set up a festive taco bar that lets your guests customize their plates. Disposable pans make preparation and cleanup a breeze.

7 | Sheet Pan Fajitas

Juicy, flavorful fajitas come together quickly in the Full-Size Steam Table. Serve them straight from the pan, and use the Foil Lid for easy storage.

Get The Full-Size Steam Table Used

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. chicken breast, sliced
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 packet fajita seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Toss chicken, peppers, and onion with olive oil and seasoning. Spread on the Full-Size Steam Table.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve with tortillas and toppings.

8 | Pork Carnitas

Slow-cooked, tender pork carnitas are a taco bar must-have. Use the Half-Size Steam Table to bake and serve, and cover with a plastic lid for leftovers. For homemade salsas, the colorful 4 ounce disposable ramekin is an excellent choice. It comes with a lid, making it perfect for transporting and storing.

Get The Half-Size Pan & Ramekins Used

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. pork shoulder
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ cup orange juice
• ½ cup lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Rub pork with salt, pepper, and cumin. Place in the Half-Size Steam Table with orange and lime juice and garlic.
3. Cover and bake for 3-4 hours. Shred and serve

Boost Your Holiday Buffets with Disposable Pans

This holiday season, simplify your hosting with these versatile disposable pans. From Southern comfort food to a festive taco bar, you’ll have everything you need to impress your guests and enjoy a stress-free celebration.

Happy holidays and happy hosting!