22 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals You’ll Be Glad to Have on Hand

We’ve got recipes for all your favorites like breakfast casseroles, meatballs, chicken pot pie, stuffed shells and more.

June 24, 2022

By: Kristie Collado

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Photo By: Tara Donne

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Photo By: Chantell Quernemoen

Photo By: Tara Donne

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Make Mealtime a Breeze

We’ve all been there: those days when there’s no time to cook from scratch (or you're feeling kinda lazy) — but the idea of takeout or fast food just isn’t an option either. Instead of settling for a bowl of cereal or a cold-cut sandwich, turn to your freezer. With just a little bit of planning and meal prep you can easily stock it full of dishes that everyone in the family will love — and that are ready with almost no work at all. Plus, since some of the cooking was done in advance, cleanup is easier, too! One of our favorites? This stir-fry-inspired take on pasta primavera. We skip the pasta but keep all the iconic flavors. Just serve with crusty bread for soaking up all the delicious sauce.

Get the Recipe: Freezer Bag Chicken Primavera

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Chicken thighs are the ideal slow-cooker meat because they emerge tender and juicy, even after hours of cooking. The sauce is a guaranteed kid-pleaser: Rich, sweet and low on spice and tang. Make a couple of batches to keep in the freezer for busy weeks when you know you'll have limited time for meal prep.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Freezer-Pack BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Not only does this easy, 30-minute meal freeze well, but you can cook it straight from the freezer — no thawing needed. Just be sure you assemble it in an oven-proof, disposable aluminum pan when you make it.

Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Big-Batch Meatballs and Red Sauce

Buy some extra meat and simmer a little extra sauce. Then pack your freezer with dinner that just has to be thawed, reheated and tossed with some pasta.

Get the Recipe: Big-Batch Meatballs and Red Sauce

Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Casseroles

These individual-size casseroles taste just like everyone’s favorite appetizer: spinach and artichoke dip. Molly makes it a meal by adding chicken and topping each mini casserole with a biscuit.

Get the Recipe: Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Casseroles

Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry

Quartering the cauliflower, rather than cutting it into florets, allows this vegetarian meal to simmer all day in the slow cooker without it becoming mush. Stow a few bags of this pre-assembled meal in the freezer to keep on hand for busy nights.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Freezer-Pack Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry

Chicken Pot Pie

This good, old-fashioned pot pie is so delicious it’s worth every minute you’ll spend making it — but if you need a shortcut, use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Fajita Stir-Fry

This Mexican-inspired stir-fry is the perfect quick weekend project: peppers, onions and chicken are tossed with a chili-spiced oil and frozen.

Get the Recipe: Freezer Bag Chicken Fajita Stir-Fry

Beef, Mushroom and Spinach Calzones

Set aside some extra time one weekend to make a dozen of these calzones. Then pack your freezer full of them and know you've got healthy lunches or dinners for those hectic days covered.

Get the Recipe: Big-Batch Healthy Beef, Mushroom and Spinach Calzones

Slow-Cooker Gumbo

This shortcut gumbo eliminates the tricky step of cooking a roux for thickener. Instead, a small amount of rice cooked low and slow gives the stew just the right amount of body. With a bag of prepped ingredients in your freezer ready to go, you can serve this favorite even on a weeknight.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Freezer-Pack Gumbo

Freezer Breakfast Panini

Whether you’re in need of a quick morning meal or you’re treating your family to breakfast for dinner this toasty, make-ahead sammy is the perfect choice. If you’re having them for dinner, serve with frozen, oven-baked fries!

Get the Recipe: Freezer Breakfast Panini

Big-Batch Turkey Chili

Pull out your biggest pot and get ready to make a mess of chili. All the effort and time will pay off, knowing that your freezer is filled with easy dinners that can be thawed and quickly reheated.

Get the Recipe: Big-Batch Turkey Chili

Make-Ahead Chicken and Broccoli

Get your favorite playlist queued up and spend some time prepping this easy stir-fry for an almost instant meal later. Chicken and microwaved broccoli are tossed in a bag with soy and orange sauce and then frozen. Take comfort in knowing tomorrow night's dinner is waiting in the freezer!

Get the Recipe: Freezer Bag Chicken and Broccoli

Chicken Cacciatore

How does Ellie stock her freezer? With her healthy Chicken Cacciatore. Made with just a few, simple ingredients like wine, tomato and herbs, it’s the deliciously garlicky dish she keeps on-hand for when her husband is on supper duty.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore

Fiesta Mac and Cheese

Corn, tomatoes, green chiles — this tangy, make-ahead mac and cheese has so much flavor. Best of all, you can stash it in your freezer and use it to spice up any weeknight meal.

Get the Recipe: Fiesta Mac and Cheese

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos

These vegetarian wraps are hearty and satisfying — and good in your freezer for up to 3 months. Best of all, reheating them is a breeze; just microwave for 3 minutes, or until warmed through.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos

Herbalicious Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so having something that’s ready to pop right into the oven can help you start your day right. Ree’s easy breakfast casserole can stay in the freezer for up to two months so make one (or two!) and hold for a busy morning.

Get the Recipe: Herbalicious Breakfast Casserole

Brisket Chili

Long simmering makes this tough cut turn tender and yielding. Keep a batch or two of this hearty chili in in the freezer for easy weeknight meals.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Freezer-Pack Brisket Chili

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells are the perfect make-and-freeze meal — and these are the one’s Ree stocks in her own freezer. Hers are stuffed with cheese but you can add meat like shredded chicken or cooked ground beef to the mix if you prefer.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells

Freezer Bag Chicken Curry

With just a little advance prep, you can have a weeknight Indian-inspired stir-fry in a snap. Peas, cauliflower and chicken are sealed in a bag with coconut-curry sauce and frozen — a perfect dinner after a hectic day.

Get the Recipe: Freezer Bag Chicken Curry Stir-Fry

Make-Ahead Spinach and Mushroom Breakfast Sandwiches

We've turned the classic spinach and mushroom omelet into a delicious breakfast sandwich that you can enjoy anytime. The trick is to bake the "scrambled" eggs in the oven, and then cut out rounds for each sandwich that you can then freeze.

Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Spinach and Mushroom Breakfast Sandwiches

Pasta with Broccoli-Spinach Butter

This recipe makes planning a weeknight dinner easier than ever. Deep green broccoli, spinach and parsley are combined with butter, then stirred into pasta for a simple but flavor-packed meal. The butter can be frozen for up to 2 months, so a quick supper is never far away. Additionally, the pasta can be eaten hot or cold, making it perfect for packing for lunch.

Get the Recipe: Pasta with Broccoli-Spinach Butter