IT’S HERE! Welcome to my final freezer meal information. Since have 3 kiddos within the span of 4 years, I do know a factor or two about how simple, handy, and (usually) obligatory it’s to have entry to nourishing, freezer-friendly meals. Life will get busy and cooking a satisfying breakfast every morning and a recent dinner each evening can really feel (and is) unimaginable at occasions.
I’m right here to supply an incredible useful resource that can assist you get meals in your desk for your loved ones (or simply your self!) throughout the busy seasons of life. Belief me, you’ll LOVE these simple freezer meals!
Get my FREE freezer meal information
Together with this weblog put up, we created a FREE easy-to-follow, printable freezer meal information to maintain on-hand and are available again to time and time once more! It takes all the information from this put up and packages it onto two pages (or one double-sided web page) which you could maintain in your kitchen drawer or grasp in your fridge. Really easy!
On this put up, I’ll stroll you thru learn how to freeze and reheat just about any meal. We did our greatest to incorporate TONS of various classes of recipes, together with breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts, as a way to learn to freeze totally different meals! Please be aware that this checklist doesn’t embody each recipe in every class (the weblog put up could be WAY too lengthy!) so make sure you click on the class buttons after every meal kind to get much more inspo.
Try all of my recommendations on learn how to freeze your favourite meals, and select just a few to do that week!
Why freeze your meals for later?
- Save time. Whether or not you’re a brand new mama adjusting to new child and postpartum life, a mother or father wrangling a giant household, or somebody with an extremely demanding job – you’ll save SO a lot time prepping and freezing meals forward of time. No have to cook dinner day by day of the week when you’ll be able to plan forward and have breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at your fingertips to reheat everytime you want them!
- Get monetary savings. Busy weeks usually result in simple takeout choices, which might actually add up over the months and 12 months. With do-it-yourself meals able to go it can save you takeout for particular events! Plus, cooking and freezing in bulk for a giant household or simply 1-2 individuals will prevent tons of journeys to the grocery retailer.
- Nourishing meals on-demand. Sure, “well being” means one thing totally different for everybody, however I’m a agency believer that the easiest way to prioritize nutrient-dense, nourishing meals is to cook dinner them proper at dwelling. Many individuals don’t have time to do that 5-7 days per week, so if you prep them and freeze them forward of time you’ll discover it SO simple to get pleasure from wholesome meals all week lengthy.
- Scale back waste. Freezing leftovers and even components of meals is an effective way to scale back waste as a result of your meals received’t go dangerous earlier than you end them. The vast majority of recipes usually last as long as 3 months within the freezer! That is particularly handy if you’re simply feeding your self or your self and a roommate or associate since you don’t have to complete your complete meal in just some days.
Ideas for freezing each recipe
- Let the meals cool fully earlier than freezing in order that it doesn’t develop freezer burn.
- Meals might be saved for as much as 3 months except in any other case famous.
- Not all meals has to thaw earlier than reheating – learn the directions rigorously!
- To feed extra individuals, I like to recommend doubling a recipe and freezing half for later!
- When you’re freezing a number of meals, strive choosing recipes which have related components. That method your prep time (together with grocery procuring) is way simpler.
- Freeze meals within the parts you need to eat them. That method you don’t have to fret about slicing or dividing meals after they’re frozen stable.
- Use labels in your freezer-safe baggage or containers in order that you realize what’s in your freezer!
Sorts of recipes we DO NOT suggest freezing
- Leafy greens & veggies: I don’t suggest freezing salads or recipes that use recent, leafy greens as they’ll get extraordinarily mushy after being frozen.
- Recipes with garnishes & sauce drizzles: for those who plan to freeze sure recipes, I like to recommend leaving off garnishes like nuts, recent herbs, and so on. as a result of they received’t keep recent after freezing. If the recipe requires a sauce drizzle to complete the dish, I like to recommend including this after you’ve reheated the meal and are able to eat!
Though we don’t suggest freezing meals with all these components, you’ll be able to completely freeze herbs on their very own for later! Head to this guide to be taught precisely learn how to freeze recent herbs.
Sorts of recipes that require a bit extra consideration when freezing
- Stovetop pasta dishes: this contains mac and cheese and different tremendous creamy pasta recipes. Be at liberty to freeze these dishes as you’d with casseroles (like lasagna), nevertheless, if you reheat them, I like to recommend doing so on the stovetop and including a bit extra liquid (like milk).
Extra freezer guides
Instruments you’ll have to freeze meals for later
Easy methods to freeze your favourite recipes
Scroll by way of to take a look at all the recipe classes which can be nice for freezing! You’ll discover their primary freezing and heating directions, plus a listing of scrumptious recipe to strive.
Breads & Muffins
- To freeze: wrap your whole bread loaf or particular person slices tightly in foil. Place your wrapped loaf, slices, or entire muffins in a glass container or silicone bag.
- To reheat: Let the bread loaf, slices, or muffins thaw at room temperature. Microwave bread slices or muffins in 15-second intervals for those who like them heat.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Best Ever Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins (dairy free + gluten free)
Blender Double Chocolate Spinach Muffins
Pistachio Poppy Seed Orange Yogurt Bread
Morning Glory Zucchini Carrot Muffins
Get all of my bread recipes here, and all of my muffin recipes here!
Baked Oatmeal
- To freeze: place particular person baked oatmeal slices or cups in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze. When you’re freezing a complete baked oatmeal, wrap your complete pan effectively with foil and freeze.
- To reheat: reheat slices or cups within the microwave from frozen in 15-second intervals for 1 to 2 minutes. To reheat a complete baked oatmeal, cowl the pan with foil and reheat from frozen within the oven at 350 levels F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Cups
Orange Creamsicle Baked Oatmeal
Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups
Vanilla Brown Butter Pear Baked Oatmeal
Pancakes & Waffles
- To freeze: place on a parchment-lined baking sheet so that they aren’t touching and freeze for half-hour, then place in glass containers or silicone baggage and freeze.
- To reheat: reheat pancakes for 30 to 60 seconds or bake at 350 levels F for 10 minutes. Use a toaster to reheat waffles immediately from the freezer.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes (high protein, gluten free)
Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancakes (made right in the blender!)
Sidney’s 4-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
The Best Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
Get all of my waffle and pancake recipes here!
Quiches & Egg Bakes
- To freeze: place particular person slices in glass containers or silicone baggage and freeze. It’s also possible to freeze your complete quiche directly if in case you have a big sufficient freezer-safe bag or container.
- To reheat: reheat slices from frozen or thaw within the fridge in a single day by microwaving at 15-second intervals. Reheat a complete egg bake from frozen at 350 levels F for 30 to 35 minutes.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Butternut Squash Bacon Spinach Quiche
Maple Apple Breakfast Chicken Meatballs
Savory Chicken Sausage, Egg and Cheese Muffins (keto + low carb)
Spinach & Goat Cheese Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffin Cups
Jalapeño, Pepper Jack & Turkey Bacon Quiche with Potato Crust
Get all of my savory breakfast recipes here!
Cinnamon Rolls
- To freeze earlier than baking: after the primary rise, as soon as they’re rolled up, sliced, and positioned within the pan, cowl the pan with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze.
- To bake from frozen: thaw within the fridge in a single day, then place in a heat spot till rolls have risen and doubled in measurement, 1 hour. Bake as directed.
- To freeze after baking: cool cinnamon rolls to room temperature, then double wrap the pan effectively with plastic wrap and foil effectively and freeze, or freeze particular person cinnamon rolls in a container or bag.
- To reheat from frozen: defrost at room temperature, then heat within the oven at 350°F for 10 to fifteen minutes, or within the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, then frost.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
The Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Vegan Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Lemon Lover’s Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls
Soups, Stews, Curries & Chilis
- To freeze: add to a glass container or silicone bag, leaving a bit area within the container for the liquid to increase, and freeze. Don’t freeze recipes with noodles or rice – be happy so as to add these as soon as reheated.
- To reheat: thaw within the fridge in a single day, then reheat on the stovetop or within the microwave at 30 second intervals.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
One Pot Butternut Squash Yellow Curry
Butternut Squash Green Chile Chicken Soup
Actually, the Best Vegetarian Chili Ever
Creamy White Bean Chicken Enchilada Soup
Get all of my soups, stews, curries & chilis here!
Burgers, Meatloaves & Shredded Meat
- To freeze uncooked: form your meatloaf or burgers, wrap effectively in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze.
- To reheat & cook dinner from uncooked: thaw within the fridge, then bake meatloaf as directed or cook dinner burgers on the stovetop or grill as directed.
- To freeze cooked: wrap meatloaf or burgers in foil, or shred your cooked meat, then place in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat from cooked: thaw within the fridge, take away the foil, and bake meatloaf at 350 levels F for 30 to 45 minutes, warmth burgers in a pan on the stovetop till heated by way of, or reheat shredded meat in a gradual cooker, microwave, or in a pan.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches (freeze the meat for straightforward sandwiches later!)
Cheddar-Stuffed Sweet Potato BBQ Turkey Meatloaf
Moroccan-Spiced Turkey Burgers with Creamy Feta Sauce
Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken Sandwiches
Cheddar-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf
Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers
Get all of my burgers here!
Meatballs
- To freeze uncooked: place formed meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for two hours till stable. Then switch to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat & cook dinner from uncooked: thaw frozen uncooked meatballs within the fridge, then cook dinner as directed within the recipe.
- To freeze cooked: add cooked meatballs to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat from cooked: thaw within the fridge, then cook dinner in a pan on the range till heated by way of.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Firecracker Chicken Meatballs with Cilantro Coconut Pineapple Rice
Juicy Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Basil Sauce with Burrata
Oh So Good Chicken Meatballs in Pumpkin Coconut Curry Sauce
Jalapeño Coconut Curry Chicken Meatball Bowls
Get all of my meatball recipes here!
Casseroles, Pasta Bakes & Enchiladas
- To freeze unbaked: assemble absolutely, leaving off any bread crumb toppings, then double wrap with foil and freeze.
- To reheat & cook dinner from unbaked: thaw within the fridge, add bread crumbs if wanted, then bake as directed.
- To freeze baked: wrap pan in foil or add particular person slices to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat from baked: thaw full casserole or slices within the fridge, then bake full casserole at 350 levels F for 30 to 45 minutes or warmth slices at 30 second intervals within the microwave. If reheating pasta bakes, add a bit milk earlier than reheating.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Cozy Roasted Vegetable Butternut Squash Lasagna
Dreamy Refried Bean Chicken Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Pesto Mushroom Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema
The Best Healthy Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat
Get much more consolation meals recipes like these here!
Stir-Fries & Sheet Pan Meals
- To freeze: freeze protein, veggies, and any sauce in a glass container or silicone bag.
- To reheat: thaw within the fridge, then add contents to a pan and reheat on the stovetop.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Sheet Pan Moroccan-Spiced Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Cauliflower
Sweet and Sour Pineapple Broccoli Chicken Stir Fry
30-Minute Sesame Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry
Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Tacos (with yummy sauce options!)
Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry with Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Get extra one pan meals here!
Cookies (dough & baked cookies)
- To freeze cookie dough: roll into balls, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze till stable. Add frozen cookie dough balls to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To bake dough from frozen: merely add just a few further minutes of baking time to the recipe.
- To bake dough from thawed: thaw dough within the fridge and bake as directed within the recipe.
- To freeze baked cookies: Place in a glass container or silicone bag in a single layer lined with wax or parchment paper and freeze.
- To reheat baked cookies: thaw at room temperature earlier than having fun with.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Pistachio, Coffee & Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (vegan & gluten free!)
The Best Bakery-Style Peanut Butter Cookies
Damn Good Paleo Chocolate Chunk Tahini Cookies
Get all of my cookie recipes here!
Muffins (frosted & unfrosted)
- To freeze unfrosted truffles: wrap particular person cake layers in plastic wrap and foil, then place in glass containers or silicone baggage and freeze.
- To reheat frosted truffles: thaw within the fridge, then deliver to room temperature earlier than frosting and serving.
- To freeze frosted truffles: freeze full cake or slices for at the very least 2 hours to let the frosting solidify, then wrap in plastic wrap and foil, place in a glass container or silicone bag, and freeze.
- To reheat frosted truffles: thaw within the fridge, then deliver to room temperature earlier than serving.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Dad’s Extraordinary Yellow Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Damn Good Peanut Butter Banana Cake (gluten free, grain free)
Brown Butter Apple Coffee Cake
Grain Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Get all of my cake recipes here!
Brownies & Bars
- To freeze: wrap whole pan in foil or place particular person bars in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat: thaw at room temperature earlier than having fun with.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Grain Free Tahini Brownies (the best brownies I’ve ever eaten!)
Ooey-Gooey Salted Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Raspberry Bars with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble
Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars (vegan + paleo)
Get all of my brownies & bars here!
Crisps & Crumbles
- To freeze: assemble fully however don’t bake. Wrap with plastic wrap and foil and freeze.
- To reheat: take away plastic wrap and foil and bake from frozen at 350 levels F for 1 hour or till bubbly.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Best Healthy Apple Crisp Ever!
Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble
Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel
Fresh Cherry Crisp with Almond Oatmeal Crumble
Get all of my crisps and crumbles here!
Fruit Pies
- To freeze: wrap entire pie in foil or place particular person slices in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat: thaw entire pie or slices within the fridge, then reheat within the oven at 350 levels F for 20 to half-hour.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
The Best Tart Cherry Pie You’ll Ever Eat
Tony’s Very Favorite Dutch Apple Pie
I hope you like this simple freezer meal information! When you check out any of the recipes, make sure you depart a remark so I understand how the freezer prep went.
Trending Merchandise
