22 Freezer-Friendly Meals You Can Make Ahead

Who says convenience and a hearty home-cooked meal can't go together? With a little planning and prep, you can easily stock your freezer with pre-made meals the whole family will love. We've got recipes for all your favorites: breakfast casseroles, meatballs, chicken pot pie, stuffed shells, and more.

Stir-fry with chicken and vegetables

Primavera sauce is great for more than just pasta. With a little prep, you can have a chicken and vegetable stir-fry full of the famous dish's flavors.

BBQ chicken sandwiches

Chicken thighs are perfect for the slow cooker, remaining tender and juicy even after several hours of cooking. The sauce is sure to please kids: it's rich and sweet, without being overly spicy or tangy. Make this dish ahead of time and keep it in the freezer—it's a great choice for weekdays when you're short on time.

Baked noodles with sour cream

This easy 30-minute dish freezes well, and there's no need to defrost it. Simply assemble the casserole in a heat-resistant disposable aluminum pan.

Baked Omelette Sandwiches

We've transformed a classic mushroom and spinach omelet into a wonderful breakfast sandwich that's perfect anytime. Bake the scrambled eggs in the oven, then cut out circles for each sandwich, which can then be frozen.

Meatballs in tomato sauce

Buy extra meat and simmer some tomato sauce. Then, freeze it—it's dinner you just need to defrost, reheat, and toss with pasta.

Chicken Casserole with Spinach and Artichokes

This individual-portion casserole is similar to a favorite appetizer, spinach and artichoke dip. Molly makes it heartier by adding chicken and topping each casserole with a savory bun.

Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry

The cauliflower is cut into quarters instead of florets: this vegetarian dish simmers in the slow cooker all day without turning into mush. Freeze a few containers of this pre-assembled dish for a last-minute fix after a busy day.

Chicken pot pie

This traditional pie is delicious and well worth the time. But if you're in a hurry, use store-bought rotisserie chicken to avoid the hassle of cooking it yourself.

Stir-fried Chicken Fajitas

This Mexican-inspired stir-fry is the perfect quick weekend recipe: peppers, onions, and chicken are tossed in spicy oil and frozen.

Calzone with beef, mushrooms and spinach

Take some time this weekend to make calzones. Then pop them in the freezer for a healthy dinner or lunch for the workweek.



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Freezer Chicken Curry

With a little prep, you'll have a quick stir-fry for the workweek. Peas, cauliflower, and chicken are tossed in a bag with coconut curry sauce and frozen—the perfect dinner after a hectic day.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

This gumbo doesn't require a roux to thicken it. A small amount of rice, cooked at a low temperature, will give the dish just the right amount of volume. With the prepared ingredients in the freezer, you can serve gumbo even for a weeknight dinner.

Panini for breakfast

This crispy sandwich is a great choice for a quick breakfast or a tasty treat for the whole family. Serve this panini for dinner with baked fries!

Chili with turkey

Get out your biggest pot and make some chili ahead of time. The time and effort are well worth it: you'll have an easy dinner in your freezer that just needs to be defrosted and quickly reheated.

Chicken with broccoli

Turn on your favorite music and prepare the ingredients for an easy stir-fry. Toss chicken and microwaved broccoli in a bag with soy and orange sauce, then freeze. Enjoy the comfort of knowing tomorrow's dinner is already waiting for you in the freezer!

Chicken Cacciatore

What's Ellie stocking her freezer with? Healthy Chicken Cacciatore! This delicious, garlicky dish is made with simple ingredients like wine, tomatoes, and herbs. Ellie keeps it in stock for those times when her husband is in charge of dinner.

Mac'n'Cheese "Fiesta"

Corn, tomatoes, and green chilies: this savory mac and cheese is packed with vibrant flavors. Even better, it's perfect for freezing and weeknight dinners.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

These vegetarian burritos are filling and delicious, and they'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Best of all, defrosting is super easy: just microwave for 3 minutes, or until heated through.

Herb casserole for breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and having it ready to pop in the oven in the morning will help you start your day right. Ree's simple casserole keeps in the freezer for up to two months: make it and keep it handy for those busy mornings.

Pasta in butter with broccoli and spinach

This recipe makes a quick midweek dinner a breeze. Dark green broccoli, spinach, and parsley are tossed with butter, then simply tossed with any cooked pasta, and a flavorful vegetable dish is ready! Keep any leftover green butter in the freezer to keep it on hand. This pasta can also be eaten hot or cold, making it perfect for bringing your lunch to work or taking it to a picnic.

Chili with brisket

The long simmering process makes the somewhat tough meat tender and pliable. Keep a couple of servings of this hearty chili in the freezer for an easy weeknight dinner.

Stuffed pasta shells

Stuffed shells are great for making ahead and freezing. Ree's recipe calls for the pasta to be filled with cheese, but you could also add meat, such as shredded chicken or ground beef, if you prefer.







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