I am fortunate that I have a stand up freezer. I save a lot of money by stocking up on meat and other foods when it's on sale and freezing it for later.
I also use my freezer to prepare make ahead freezer meals. I either make a meal just for the freezer or, more often, I double what we are having for dinner and freeze leftovers for later.
These 49 make ahead freezer meals aren't specifically for the freezer, but they all freeze well. If you have a small family, you can make one batch and freeze leftovers for another meal.
We have five in the family, so I usually double these recipes and freeze an entire meal. For soups, I make one batch and freeze leftovers in smaller containers for lunches.
This list of freezer meals has casseroles, pasta dishes, main dishes, sides, and even breakfasts.
Make Ahead Freezer Meals
I like preparing make ahead freezer meals to save both time and money. I buy food when it's on sale and freeze it for later. If you're not sure what can be frozen, check out my list of foods that can be frozen.
It's important to use appropriate containers to freeze in. You don't want to waste your cooking efforts only to find that the food is freezer burnt! I use both freezer paper
and freezer bags
.For soups and jams, I really like the Ziploc freezer containers
. They stack really well, and the lids screw on so they are secure.No matter which container you use, don't forget to label it! You think you'll remember what you put in the container, but I promise you that you won't.
I use a Sharpie on freezer bags. For containers, I cut blank sheets of labels
and use those. You can also make these printable freezer meal labels if you're feeling extra fancy.Casseroles
This Crustless Pizza Casserole is the perfect way to have the flavor of of pizza and sneak in your veggies. Bake and freeze in individual portions so that you can take them out of the freezer as you need them!
Flavorful beef and crunchy tater tots. Your favorite burger in casserole form.
Creamy, and cheesy this chicken spaghetti recipe is a crowd pleaser. Perfect for dinner and pot lucks.
This is not your regular Tater Tot Casserole recipe! This version is lightened up a bit by swapping canned cream soup for greek yogurt, and the addition of bacon and crisp cornflakes kicks up the flavor and crunch.
Creamy, and cheesy this chicken spaghetti recipe is a crowd pleaser. Perfect for dinner and pot lucks.
This is not your regular Tater Tot Casserole recipe! This version is lightened up a bit by swapping canned cream soup for greek yogurt, and the addition of bacon and crisp cornflakes kicks up the flavor and crunch.
Pasta
These Freezer Friendly Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups are one of my favorite foods. Pasta, hearty homemade sauce, mountains of cheese! The delicious sauce in these spinach lasagna roll ups is so yummy and easy to make. You can definitely use it in other pasta dishes as well. It’s thick and hearty thanks to the minced vegetables that are diced super fine.
All you need is 20 minutes and a love of Italian food with this vegan Bolognese. Gently simmered with classic Italian herbs, fragrant garlic, and roasted tempeh “meat” this is sure to become your favorite vegan spaghetti sauce!
Here’s a paleo, Whole30, and Keto Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff — the ultimate healthy comfort food! This keto beef stroganoff recipe is jam-packed with veggies, with a “secret” veggie that makes it so creamy and hearty, meaty and filling, but dairy-free and nut-free!
A festive chicken and bacon mac and cheese topped with a gorgeous garlic crumb, enriched with cranberries and walnuts.
A festive chicken and bacon mac and cheese topped with a gorgeous garlic crumb, enriched with cranberries and walnuts.
This simple mac and cheese uses just a few ingredients and is the perfect freezer meal for down the road eating!
Make a big batch of this easy Marinara Sauce today. It uses simple ingredients, and it can be used in so many recipes or frozen for later.
Classic creamy Tuna Pasta Casserole is a family favourite! It’s a budget-friendly midweek dinner that’s packed full of vegetables and can be made ahead of time and frozen.
A family favourite slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe filled with tender beef in a creamy mushroom sauce and served with pasta.
I always make my classic ragu alla bolognese is closely developed around traditional old school Italian recipes. But I make it in a slow cooker in batches fit for 10 people and then freeze in portions for two, perfect for quick midweek dinners.
Main Dishes
This Pot Roast recipe includes just 5 ingredients and is perfect for meal prep or when feeding a group. Freeze each serving of meat with a little bit of the cooking liquid. Then, pair this with different sides throughout your week.
This Eggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry is super nutritious, rich and creamy and perfectly spiced! Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
An easy freezer dinner that is ready in under 20 minutes! Everyone will love these chicken burrito bowls covered in melty cheese.
With sweet potatoes, black beans, peppers, rice and cheese, these sweet potato black bean burritos are the perfect option for make-ahead lunches.
This meaty low carb and keto-friendly stuffed peppers recipe is perfect for those busy days. Make-ahead, freeze and just reheat when needed.
Instant Pot Fajitas is a super easy and quick dinner that the whole family will love! It requires very simple ingredients and made in the Instant Pot in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
Instant Pot Fajitas is a super easy and quick dinner that the whole family will love! It requires very simple ingredients and made in the Instant Pot in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
Instant Pot Low Carb Margherita Pizza Meatballs stuffed with mozzarella cheese bakes in a delicious marinara red sauce. A perfect keto meal. Keto too!
Everyone loves butter chicken! So here I am sharing with you the easiest butter chicken version that’s entirely made in the Instant Pot! This comforting, hearty, and delicious chicken curry is a family-friendly recipe, and definitely a crowd pleaser! You can easily double or triple this recipe, and have food ready on the table in under 30 minutes.
Welcome to the easiest comfort food classic Southern Smothered Chicken Breasts. Juicy seasoned fried chicken is gently smothered in a flavorful velvety onion gravy till it becomes melt in your mouth tender.
This classic meatloaf recipe is made without eggs, milk or bread crumbs. It is dairy-free, gluten-free, easy and can be made ahead and frozen for a quick weeknight meal.
These keto low carb gluten free Swedish meatballs are made in a delicious gravy and can be served over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
These keto low carb gluten free Swedish meatballs are made in a delicious gravy and can be served over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
A make ahead vegetarian feijoada dinner made with dry black beans and frozen vegetables in the instant pot that is also budget friendly, comforting and delicious. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Enjoy healthy takeout at home with this Whole30 and Keto Instant Pot Sesame Orange Chicken. Sugar and MSG are replaced with nourishing bone broth, keto-friendly sweetener, and orange essential oil! Serve over low-carb cauli-rice, zoodles, or spaghetti squash!
These Italian Sausage Meatballs require just a few simple spices and jarred marinara. Perfect after reheating. Plus, the sausage meat that can be purchased in bulk, then stored in the freezer until you’re ready to use it in this recipe & so many more meals.
This Vegetarian Burritos recipe combines veggies, black beans, quinoa and cheese for a healthy freezer friendly lunch or dinner. These healthy burritos are easily customizable for meat loves and vegans as well!
These keto low carb meatballs can be made in the slow cooker. Make them now and freeze to use later.
This Teriyaki Chicken is SO easy to make and tastes amazing! It can be made in the slow cooker or Instant pot and also makes a super easy freezer meal!
This spicy curried chicken might be exactly what you need when you're craving for something healthy yet a little spicy. Marinate the chicken and freeze it for as long as you need, you can serve it with baked vegetables - broccoli and cauliflower all which you can easily find in your freezer.
A step by step guide to making deliciously sweet and juicy slow cooker pulled pork that’s perfect for burgers, tacos and salads.
Shrimp Creole is a traditional southern food recipe that is full of flavor! This quick and easy Creole shrimp recipe is perfect for weeknight suppers, Sunday brunches and meal prep.
Freeze these fresh bell peppers with a delicious basil oil and garlic. Then pop them straight into a hot oven from the freezer and serve with pasta.
Shrimp Creole is a traditional southern food recipe that is full of flavor! This quick and easy Creole shrimp recipe is perfect for weeknight suppers, Sunday brunches and meal prep.
Side Dishes
Freeze these fresh bell peppers with a delicious basil oil and garlic. Then pop them straight into a hot oven from the freezer and serve with pasta.
This fantastically smooth vegan Sri Lankan curry has a beautifully rich and deep flavour thanks to garlic, ginger, chilli, curry spices and cloves, all mellowed out with creamy coconut milk and earthy sweet potatoes.
If you’re looking for the best filling, flavorful homemade Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe, then look no further. With no need to pre-soak the beans and full of healthier every pantry staples, you can have dinner on the table in about an hour!
If you’re looking for the best filling, flavorful homemade Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe, then look no further. With no need to pre-soak the beans and full of healthier every pantry staples, you can have dinner on the table in about an hour!
Soups
Make a big pot of this broccoli cheese soup with Velveeta for dinner and freeze leftovers. Freeze in small containers for individual meals.
This vegan chili recipe will delight your taste buds. It’s not only wholesome but delicious and easy to make. A vegan twist on this classic comfort food makes for a healthy dinner packed with nutrients brimming with flavor!
A cauliflower corn chowder made with cauliflower, bacon, potatoes, corn and celery. A perfect winter warming corn chowder that will warm up your bones. In my opinion comfort food doesn’t get any better than pressure cooker cauliflower corn chowder.
This Slow Cooker Mushroom Barley Stew is a light, nutritious meal for the whole family. Put together the ingredients besides the broth, freeze, and add to the crockpot when you’re ready to eat!
With real bone broth, soaked beans, and nourishing grass-fed meat, you can make a quick and nourishing Dump & Cook Instant Pot Taco Soup — traditional food style! This is a hearty Real Food soup, perfect for busy weeknights and leftover lovers!
Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew recipe is unlike *typical* beef stews. This paleo, keto, and Whole30 Instant Pot main dish is bursting with classic, smokey Tex-Mex flavor and can be served with a variety of nourishing toppings for a hearty and healthy meal!
Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup is a meatless soup recipe packed full of flavor! Cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika and cinnamon compliment the red lentils and carrots, creating a creamy, filling soup.
An easy recipe for English muffin breakfast sandwiches that you can make ahead of time for yummy breakfasts. Keep them in the fridge for fast & simple meals all week long or prep them a month in advance and store in the freezer for later.
How to make easy make ahead egg muffins. These are vegetarian, low carb, keto, and gluten free!
These make ahead freezer veggie breakfast sandwiches are perfect for back-to-school and back-to-fall routines! Save time and energy during the week with a little bit of meal prep over the weekend!
I hope you enjoy these 49 make ahead freezer meals!
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Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup is a meatless soup recipe packed full of flavor! Cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika and cinnamon compliment the red lentils and carrots, creating a creamy, filling soup.
Breakfast
An easy recipe for English muffin breakfast sandwiches that you can make ahead of time for yummy breakfasts. Keep them in the fridge for fast & simple meals all week long or prep them a month in advance and store in the freezer for later.
How to make easy make ahead egg muffins. These are vegetarian, low carb, keto, and gluten free!
These make ahead freezer veggie breakfast sandwiches are perfect for back-to-school and back-to-fall routines! Save time and energy during the week with a little bit of meal prep over the weekend!
I hope you enjoy these 49 make ahead freezer meals!
Like this post? Pin it!
