Easy Freezer Meal Recipes To Save Time and Money

By Candace Zafirellis
Published 10/14/2024
Easy Freezer Meal Recipes To Save Time and Money

Make-ahead easy freezer meal recipes are not only a great option for those with tight budgets, they’re a lifesaver when busy schedules make it challenging to get a home cooked meal on the table. Prepping meals in bulk and freezing them for later is a great way to save both time and money. 

Freezing meals is an especially good option for those who like to meal prep. Whether you cook all your weeknight meals over the weekend or you make big batches of your favorite meals to freeze and eat over the course of several weeks, freezer meals enable you to take advantage of the time-saving and money-saving benefits of meal prepping. 

Check out our healthy freezer meal recipe ideas that are easy to make and a breeze to reheat. We also share freezer meal prep tips and answer common questions about the best way to freeze meals.

The Best Freezer Meals

Many types of meals are able to be frozen and reheated but some freeze better than others. Not only do casseroles, soups and stews freeze well, but chili, pizza and some pasta dishes are also freezer-friendly. You can also freeze most meals that contain individual ingredients, like a protein with side dishes. There are, however, some dishes that are better left out of the freezer, including salads, potato dishes, fried foods and mayo-based dishes like chicken salad. 

Keep reading for some of the best make-ahead freezer meal recipes. They keep their flavor and texture even after they’re frozen and reheated. They’re also budget-friendly and easy to make!

Casserole Freezer Recipes

Casseroles are the ideal meals to freeze and enjoy at a later time. The best part about these recipes is that you can freeze the entire dish in its original pan so the whole family can enjoy a satisfying, home-cooked meal or you can portion out individual servings for solo eating and quicker reheating.

Freezer-Friendly Stew Recipes

When it comes to meals that are ideal for freezing, hearty stew recipes top the list. Packed with meat and nutritious vegetables, stews often taste even more delicious when they’re reheated.

Soups That Freeze Well

Many soup recipes make eight or more servings, which is why they’re the perfect freezer meals. Full of nutrition and flavor, you can’t go wrong with these soups to enjoy at home or on the go (just store them in a microwave-safe container).

Frozen Pizza Recipes You’ll Love

When it comes to make-ahead dinner ideas, you may want to consider making and freezing pizza. Instead of buying a frozen pizza at the store, you can make your own pizza at home for a fraction of the cost. Not only are these pizzas healthy and delicious, they’re also missing all those preservatives you find in store-bought brands.

Baked Goods To Freeze For Later

Did you make an entire batch of cookies but don’t want to be tempted to eat them all at once? Do you like having home-baked goods for your family but don’t always have the time to bake?  Most baked goods freeze well so you can simply thaw and enjoy whenever you’re craving a sweet treat.

Hearty Chili Recipes That Are Freezer Favorites

When you’re craving hearty comfort food, chili can really hit the spot. Whether you like succulent meat, savory vegetables or high-protein beans, there’s a chili recipe for you. And since chili freezes and reheats so well, you’ll always have a meal in your freezer whenever a chili craving hits.

Freezer-Friendly Pasta Dishes

Although not all pasta dishes freeze well, baked dishes like lasagna and stuffed pasta like ravioli are very freezer-friendly. Other pastas that freeze and thaw well include rigatoni, penne and cavatappi. You can cook pasta on its own al dente and then freeze it so it doesn’t get mushy, or you can pull together an entire pasta dish cold and fully cook it after defrosting.

How to Prep Meals for Freezing

Whether you’re looking to freeze a full meal or just the leftovers, be sure to get it into the freezer before too much time has passed so the food stays safe to eat. To prep food for freezing, place it in a shallow container so it cools faster. Heated foods should only sit on the counter for two hours, or only one hour if it’s above 90 degrees. Once the food reaches room temperature, cover it and move it to the freezer. If food is still warm after two hours, place it in the refrigerator first to continue cooling it before transferring it to the freezer. Hot or warm food should not be placed directly in the freezer.

Tips to Make Freezing Food Easier

Here are some helpful tips to save time and space and to keep food safe to eat when freezing meals:

  • Separate food into individual portions before placing it in the freezer. Smaller portions take less time to defrost and are easier to reheat.
  • Cook food once but enjoy it twice. By making larger portions of your favorite recipes and freezing what you don’t eat today, you can enjoy another meal with no additional effort.
  • Storing food in freezer-safe bags instead of containers can save freezer space so you can fit more in. Soups and sauces work especially well in bags. Lay tightly sealed bags flat in the freezer until frozen solid, then stack to maximize storage space.
  • Label and date all foods. This will help you find what you need easier and will also ensure you use it in a timely manner.

FAQs About Freezing Food

  • While it may seem like any meal stored properly should freeze well, dishes with a high water content and some dairy products may change texture when frozen. The recipes we’ve shared are some of the best meals to freeze because they reheat well.

  • To ensure your freezer meals taste their best, label them with a date and use within 3 to 6 months.

  • Absolutely! Rinse and chop fresh herbs and place them in ice cube trays with olive oil or water to preserve their taste. By freezing herbs in this manner, you can add them to recipes anytime you want.

  • To prevent freezer burn, use an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible before placing it in the freezer.

  • Heavy-duty freezer bags, freezer-safe glass and plastic containers are the best containers for freezing meals to prevent freezer burn.

  • When you’re trying to decide what types of meals to make that will freeze well, soups, stews, casseroles, lasagnas, and pasta bakes are among the best meals to freeze as they retain their flavor and texture.

  • If you need to thaw a meal quickly, you can use the defrost setting on the microwave. Otherwise, it’s best to thaw meals in the refrigerator overnight before warming in the microwave.

  • Although it’s best to thaw frozen meals first, you can usually cook freezer meals directly from the freezer, but it may require a longer cooking time.

  • Pasta can be cooked and frozen for later, but it’s best to cook it al dente (slightly less than the recommended cooking time) to prevent it from becoming mushy when you reheat it.

  • Soups and stews should be cooled to room temperature before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. These are great meals to store in individual serving containers for meal prep and easy reheating.

  • The best and easiest way to freeze casseroles is to keep them in the dish they were cooked in. Once the meal has cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

  • Once your meal has been thawed and reheated, it’s best not to refreeze it. This can affect the texture and safety of the food.

  • Blanch vegetables before freezing to prevent changes to their texture.

  • Absolutely! Cooked rice and grains freeze well. Consider portioning out single servings to make for easy reheating.

  • Chicken, turkey, pork, beef and other meats freeze well, but avoid freezing seafood for long periods because it can change the texture.

  • Slow cooker and crockpot meals are excellent choices for freezer meals. You can even freeze the raw ingredients for these meals and place them in the slow cooker after thawing overnight in the refrigerator. Some foods can be cooked in a crockpot without thawing, too.

  • Freezer meals preserve most of their nutrients, but for optimal nutrition and taste, eat frozen meals within three months.

Looking for budget-friendly meal ideas that don’t break the bank? Here’s how to eat healthy on a budget.

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