More Favorite Freezer Meals
A few more freezer meals to add to your rotation! Find freezing and thawing instructions in each recipes description below.
Homemade TaquitosFreezer meals have never been more fun! Packed with meaty jackfruit, refried beans, and tangy green chiles, these crispy taquitos are a great addition to any well-stocked freezer. Reheat them from frozen in a 400°F oven for 25 minutes, or until crisp and warmed through.
Easy Coconut CurryPacked with veggies like cauliflower, butternut squash, peas, and spinach, this aromatic coconut curry is one of our go-to healthy freezer meals. Serve it over cooked white or brown rice, which heads up! you can also make ahead and store in the freezer.
Butternut Squash RavioliMaking homemade ravioli is a bit of a project, so why not cook once and eat twice? Freeze uncooked ravioli in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet for two hours. Then, transfer them to an airtight freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When youre ready to eat, cook them in a large pot of salted boiling water until they float, for about 6 minutes.
Vegan Breakfast BurritoForget their name these yummy tofu and veggie burritos would make a great meal at any time of day. To freeze the burritos, fully assemble them and wrap them tightly in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Transfer one to the fridge to thaw overnight before zapping it in the microwave to heat it through.
To Be Considered Easy Freezer Meals They Needed To Be:
- Freezer meals that even beginners could make, not complicated
- Freezer meals that are quick! They need to take 15 minutes or less each to prep.
- Freezer meals that dont require cooking first before you prep. And minimal veggie chopping too.
- Freezer meals that you dont have to thaw overnight first.
- Freezer meals that are actually healthy too, like using real foods, or having some gluten-free and vegetarian options too.
- Freezer meals that are kid friendly and taste amazing ..like ones your family after trying actually says, Whoa, this is soo good!
So I decided to look through some of my own freezer meal recipes on Happymoneysaver, to figure out which ones would work great for this easy freezer meals list, and found some awesome ones. Then I decided to create some new recipes as well!
And so in all its glory, I present to you 15 of the easiest freezer meals of all time that are super delicious and healthy too.
Chicken And Spinach Stuffed Manicotti
Found on Mavis Butterfields One Hundred Dollars A Month
Having a delicious, gourmet meal more often for dinner really CAN be possible, with a freezer meal like this! Make this recipe in 2-4 times the size so you can serve one tray fresh and quickly and easily have 2-3 more trays to freeze for another night!
To cook: Bake straight from the freezer for an hour or so.
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The Dishes The Laundry I Can Ignore Those If I Need To But If My Family Doesnt Eat Well Its Guilt
You ever feel that way too? If you do, Im glad. I mean, not glaaad, because well, feeling this way sucks. But glad because at least you and I are in crazy town together!
Nevertheless, I do have one thing that has helped me every single time at least with this whole dinner thing. And I promise it can help you out too.
Baked Spinach And Ricotta Cannelloni
This is an outstanding spinach and ricotta cannelloni recipe! Classic and fool-proof packed with fresh spinach, parmesan cheese and a hint of lemon, topped with a rich, homemade tomato sauce and oozy mozzarella. You cannot go wrong with this recipe! It is quick, easy to make and perfect as a midweek meal.
Check it here.
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Can You Freeze Spicy Bean And Beef Pie
Cover unbaked pie and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, remove from the freezer 30 minutes before baking. Cover edges of crust loosely with foil place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° remove foil. Bake 55-60 minutes longer or until golden brown. Serve as directed.
Easy Freezer Meals Recipes:
22. Easy Ricotta Stuffed Shells
You can freeze these after assembling them I like to put them in an aluminum foil pan and then freeze. Pull them out and cook from frozen. You might have to add a few minutes onto the cooking time to make sure they are cooked all the way through.
24. Best Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole
You can freeze this casserole after assembling them I like to put them in an aluminum foil pan and then freeze. Pull them out and cook from frozen. You might have to add a few minutes onto the cooking time to make sure they are cooked all the way through.
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Make Ahead Holiday Sides 7 Perfect Pumpkin Pie Tips And
Best Make Ahead Side Dishes To Freeze from Make Ahead Holiday Sides 7 Perfect Pumpkin Pie Tips and. Source Image: . Visit this site for details:
Work up this easy, hearty pork as well as noodle casserole ahead of time for a very easy weeknight meal. If making from the fridge, take it out half an hour beforehand and then bake as guided. You can also bake as well as freeze it, yet spray additional breadcrumbs over before reheating, for a crispy covering.
What Foods Do Not Freeze Well
There are some foods that do not freeze or thaw well and we would recommend that you avoid them in your freezer meals. Here are the list of foods that you should not try to freeze:
- Fried foods
- Fully cooked pasta
- Jello or gelatin
- Fresh tomatoes
All the foods in our list of 50 Easy Freezer Meal Recipes freeze and thaw great!
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Easy Freezer Recipes That Reheat Beautifully
Your freezer isn’t just for ice creamit’s an extension of your pantry. Make the most of this precious space and get a head start on weeknight dinners by stocking it with our best freezer meals. We’ve gathered our favorite fix-and-freeze dishes to help you get dinner on the table in no time .
Cook today and have dinner ready to go all month long. Last-minute hosting? Fool your crowd into thinking you spent all day at the stove with these easy, freezer-friendly dishes. Not all recipes are freezer-friendly, but these dishesfrom chicken noodle soup to classic lasagnaare sure to reheat beautifully and taste as good as new. Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cookersoups and stews, and more. You guests will never guess that you just popped that Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole out of the freezer.
Trying To Do It All And Never Getting It All Done
Trying not to remember last night.. when making dinner hadnt even crossed my mind all day. Seriously, I hadnt even thought about dinner, and around 7 pm the kids were all like..Maaaam, whats for dinner? And theres me UmmmI dont know! Its too late for me to make a big meal. How about cereal? Or the leftovers from 2 days ago? Youre on your own! Yes, I did say that. But, to be fair, my kids at home are 12 and 13, so its not total abuse, right?ahem.
But still, in the deepest part of my soul, there is something that just gives me joy when I can make my family a really good healthy homecooked meal. And if they tell me they all love the meal? That is everything I need! I think about it for days!
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+ Freezer Meals To Take On Vacation
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Ready to save money and time in the kitchen while on vacation? Freezer meals are the answer! Ive rounded up the best freezer meals to take on vacation, as well as expert tips for prepping and transporting them, too.
Ive made food ahead of time and taken it on vacation for years. Not only has it saved us hundreds of dollars by eating in our condo or cabin, but I spend very little time in the kitchen and a lot more time having fun with my people!
Whether youre headed to the mountains or the beach , Ive rounded up 20+ delicious freezer meals to make ahead and take on the road with you. But, first, consider our expert tips before making your freezer meals for vacation
Can I Cook A Frozen Meal
I would recommend thawing it first, but if you dont have time, you can cook your meal from frozen. In order to cook from frozen, plan on adding about 50% more time of the baking time directed in the recipe.
For example, if a recipe had me cook the casserole for 30 minutes, I would plan on cooking it for at least 45 minutes .
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How To Store Freezer Meals
There are a variety of ways to store your freezer meals, but some of the things youll want to consider are:
- When Im ready to cook this meal, will it easily fit into my cooking appliance/method of choice? Using a round container means a frozen block will fit right into your instant pot without needing to try to thaw and re-shape.
- Will it fit in my freezer? Using a lot of differently shaped containers can make for a logistical nightmare. Consider using gallon-size Ziploc bags that can easily be frozen flat and stacked for a tidy freezer.
- Is this the last step before cooking? While some meals should be frozen as raw ingredients and some can be fully cooked before freezing, youll want to make sure youre making life as easy as possible for when you thaw/cook your freezer meals fully prepping a lasagna, for example, is a lot easier to cook in a hurry than if you freeze separate containers of sauce/filling have to cook the noodles to finish the meal! In this example, youd want to assemble your lasagna in an aluminum casserole dish , to simply thaw and bake when you need it.
- Did I leave space to expand? The last thing you want is to put in work to make delicious freezer meals only to find anything expanded and burst in the freezer ! Make sure you arent overfilling your containers, or youll not only have wasted time with your meal prep but now need to clean up your freezer, too!
Chili And Bean Freezer Meals
These easy freezer meals are a staple in our house throughout the fall and winter. To freeze them, fully prepare the recipes and allow them to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer them to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Place containers in the fridge to thaw overnight or defrost them in the microwave. Tip: I like to freeze individual portions so that I can reheat one for a quick and easy lunch!
Black Bean ChiliThis thick, hearty chili is great on its ownbut its even better with all the fixings! Pile your bowl with Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream, pickled red onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and/or avocado to take it over the top.
Read Also: Apple Walnut Salad Recipe Mayonnaise
Do You Cook Freezer Meals Before Freezing
This depends on the recipe and what youre making. Check through the recipe youre using to see if it mentions special freezing instructions and follow that.
If instructions arent included, here are some things to keep in mind before deciding to cook before or after freezing.
- Soups will usually be cooked and heated through before freezing.
- Casseroles are often best prepared and frozen BEFORE baking. However, if theres no meat, you can usually get away with not cooking it first.
- If the recipe includes meat, you should cook the meat before freezing. So if ingredients are all combined before you place it in the freezer, make sure the meat has been cooked through.
- If you want freezer meals that just require reheating instead of cooking, youll want to make sure its been cooked before freezing.
The Best List Of Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Can Make
Best Make Ahead Side Dishes To Freeze from the BEST LIST of Thanksgiving side dishes you can make. Source Image: www.itsalwaysautumn.com. Visit this site for details: www.itsalwaysautumn.com
Typically, the word diet plan suggests constraints and boring alternatives. Not only does the Mediterranean diet plan provide tons of health and wellness benefits, but there are numerous things to eat . Make your new healthy way of living a breeze prep these 17 make-ahead Mediterranean diet dishes you can eat anytime.
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Slow Cooker Pork Chops With Apples And Sweet Potatoes
Found on Stockpiling Moms
I love the recipes with raw ingredients in a bag, that you can just put in the crockpot and like magic end up with dinner that night! The prep work is SO fast just chop and freeze!
To cook: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then dump into the crockpot and cook on low for about 8 hours!
+ Easy Freezer Meals To Make Tonights Dinner A Breeze
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Whether youre looking to make easy freezer meals for a month, or just need a few healthy freezer meal recipes to help you fight the pull of the drive-thru, weve got you covered!
Seriously is there anything better than quick, simple, and easy cheap dinner ideas that your family will love?
We highly recommend trying My Freez Easy for your familys favorite dinners made cheap, simple, and as quick as possible!
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Slow Cooker Chicken And Cheese Taquitos
The magic of this freezer meal is that the taquitos go directly from freezer to the oven and to the table in no time. Serve with your favorite Mexican toppings, like guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, on top. Kids love these!
Weve also put together Double Your Dinner directions for these, as well, so you can feed a crowd or enjoy them for more than one meal.
What Foods Dont Freeze Well
There are a few ingredients that dont freeze/reheat particularly well on their own. Cheese, cream and dairy, cooked rice or pastathese are typically considered bad for freezing.
Luckily, any potential problems can be solved with some simple tweaks to the recipe. And Ive generally found that when foods are cooked into a casserole or bake, the quality issues arent noticeable. Here are a few things you can do.
- Things like cheese and cream can be mixed into a recipe upon cooking/reheating. If a recipe calls for shredded cheese as a final layer, add it afterwards. If a soup calls for cream, stir it in as you reheat.
- Slightly undercook any rice or pasta so that it doesnt get soggy when reheating.
- If it makes sense for the recipe, freeze it before cooking, and you can avoid those reheating issues.
Also Check: Ranch Fried Pork Chop Recipes
Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes Absolutely It S So Nice
Best Make Ahead Side Dishes To Freeze from Can you freeze mashed potatoes Absolutely It s so nice. Source Image: . Visit this site for details:
Whichever way you make this make ahead freezer quiche recipe, youll definitely enjoy it! Its so ideal for when you dont really feel like food preparation and desire something scrumptious to take pleasure in. Its likewise suuuuper incredible for dish preparation. You can just reheat a slice as well as appreciate it for a grab as well as go breakfast, dinner or lunch.
Got Leftovers Freeze Your Cake
Do you have extra slices that you want to store for later? One of my favorite tricks is to first place the leftover slices on a plate or baking tray and then freeze them for 10 to 15 minutes until solid. Then I wrap each slice twice in plastic wrap. You can store these wrapped slices in the fridge or freezer for a single serve slice of cake whenever youre hungry for one!
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Going From Freezer To Slow Cooker
As always with frozen food, it’s important to take precautions when thawing: The only thawing methods endorsed by the USDA are refrigeration, a cold water bath, and microwaving.
With ready-to-slow-cook meals, it’s ideal to move the entrée from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to cook it. Although it may not be fully thawed by the morning, you won’t have to wrestle an icy block of ingredients into a round appliance. Thawing the meal before cooking also contributes to food safety and flavor. Add an extra hour to the cooking time if your meal isn’t completely thawed.