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Simplify mealtime with these make-ahead recipes for the freezer. From hearty meals and healthy proteins to easy sides and sourdough, you’ll always have a homemade dinner ready to go.
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The other night, I joked with my husband that I should change my blog tagline to: “learn how to make homemade meals every night without losing your sanity.”
Really, I was only half kidding. In all seriousness, cooking from scratch for your family doesn’t have to be overwhelming or take up every spare minute.
The real secret is knowing a few simple tricks and being prepared.
One of the biggest game-changers for me has been keeping my freezer stocked with make-ahead meals. Having a stash of homemade freezer dinners—like shepherd’s pie or lasagna—means I can thaw, reheat, and have dinner on the table without the stress.
I even like to keep pre-made parts on hand, such as frozen roast chicken, meatloaf, rice, and sourdough rolls, so that I can piece together a quick lunch or dinner.
These easy, freezer-friendly recipes require a little bit of work upfront, but they will save you so much time when you need it most.
Best of all, you get to hang onto your sanity…or at least whatever’s left of it (just kidding!).
Freezer-Friendly Dinners
Freezer-Friendly Proteins
Freezer-Friendly Sides
Freezer-Friendly Bread
Tips for Success
- Always allow the food to come to room temperature before freezing. Otherwise, the food will be mushy when thawed.
- Freeze meals in family-sized or single-serve portions so you can thaw only what you need.
- Write the recipe name and date on each bag or container so nothing gets lost or forgotten in the freezer.
- Pasta, rice, and some veggies freeze better if they’re slightly undercooked, since they’ll finish cooking when reheated.
- Soups and sauces with milk, cream, or cheese freeze best if you stir in the dairy when reheating.
- To save space, freeze everything flat in freezer bags so you can stack them easily.
- Double up when you are cooking so you can have dinner now and a few freezer meals for later.
Helpful Tools for Freezer Meals
Souper Cubes: Freezing meals in Souper Cubes makes both storing and reheating simple. I usually portion meals into 2-cup cubes, then transfer them to freezer bags for long-term storage.
Baking Sheets: When freezing bags of soup, place them flat on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, remove the sheet and stack the bags neatly in the freezer.
Freezer-Safe Containers: I usually store my meals in freezer bags, but any freezer-safe container will work.
FAQs
Yes, but dairy can sometimes separate after freezing. For the best texture, freeze the soup without the cream or milk and stir it in when you reheat.
Most freezer meals keep well for about 3 months if stored properly in airtight containers or freezer bags. Technically, they can last indefinitely in the freezer, but the flavor and texture are best within a 3-month window.
The safest method is to thaw meals in the fridge overnight. If you’re short on time, place sealed bags in a bowl of cool water, or reheat straight from frozen in the Instant Pot, on the stove, or in the oven.
Some vegetables, such as zucchini or spinach, soften more after freezing, while others, like carrots, corn, and beans, hold up just fine. I usually stick with hard veggies to ensure quality.
For casseroles or soups, cook pasta just shy of al dente before freezing. That way it won’t turn mushy when you reheat. The pasta will finish cooking as you reheat it.
Let’s Connect!
If you tried these recipes and loved them, leave a comment or review below.
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