Make Ahead Freezer Meals for Easy Weeknights

Make Ahead Freezer Meals for Easy Weeknights

Keeping a couple of make ahead freezer meals on hand makes it easier to feed the family on busy nights. Sometimes it's even faster than picking up takeout!


Read on for a list of parents' favorite healthy and quick make ahead meals for the family. You'll even find some kid friendly freezer to crockpot meals that are twice as easy.


These recipes also make great meals for new moms. Please add your family's favorite easy meals to freeze!


 

    Chicken Parmesan Casserole

    This delicious, healthy, EASY freezer meal is great to make ahead and use later in the month. Easy to prep, it requires just a few ingredients that even the pickiest eaters will love!! Cheese, breadcrumbs, chicken, and sauce complete this dish and you can serve over noodles with an optional veggie side!

    From Thriving Home

    Honey Teriyaki Chicken

    This chicken dish is super easy, and once frozen can be thrown in the slow cooker for 6 hours for a delicious dish waiting when the family arrives home! With a few classic ingredients, Honey Teriyaki Chicken is a major crowd-pleaser when served over rice for an easy weeknight meal.

    From Plain Chicken

    Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

    Kelly R.:  These wraps are so tasty, and any extra filling you have left over is great served over lettuce as a salad. I freeze them until solid on a cookie sheet (uncooked), and then store in the freezer in a gallon-sized freezer bag. For best results, thaw in the fridge for a few hours and cook as instructed on the stove. My kids like them for lunch, too.

    From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

    Homemade Frozen Pizza

    Lisa R:  Pizza doesn't have to be unhealthy when you make it yourself. Homemade pizza can be frozen at almost any step in the process. For awhile I had a stockpile of frozen pizza dough that I pulled out to thaw in the fridge on mornings when I knew I was going to need a quick dinner. This recipe gives directions on how to freeze a basic cheese pizza like you'd find in the store. Add your kids' favorite pizza toppings before cooking for a great way to use up extra vegetables at the end of the week.

    From The Kitchn

    Chinese Beef and Broccoli

    Vanessa M.:  This meal combines all my favorite easy meal hacks: freezer meal, dump meal, crockpot meal! It doesn't get any easier than that! My family is crazy about Chinese food, especially beef and broccoli, so this meal is always a hit. Put some rice in your rice cooker, and dinner is a breeze. I've actually quadrupled this recipe before, put one in the crockpot for dinner, and stashed the rest in the freezer for busy nights.

    From Mommysavers

    Mini Chicken Pot Pie

    Yoli B:  Chicken Pot Pies are definitely one of my favorite comfort foods! They remind me of the frozen TV dinners of yesteryear. This easy dinner recipe is a crowd pleaser and easy enough for the kids to help with the assembly. The nostalgia alone is enough to make me want to make them!

    From The Family Freezer

    Stuffed Shells Freezer Meal

    Yoli B:  Who doesn't like pasta and cheese?! Even my picky eater will eat this easy meal and it only takes a few minutes for me to prepare and freeze. The creamy cheese will melt in your mouth and the sauce is the perfect accompaniment.

    From Happy Money Saver

    Ground Beef or Turkey Tacos

    Kelly R.:  This taco meat is beloved in my house, and so versatile. Thaw and heat it on the stovetop and pair with fresh ingredients for dinnertime tacos, taco salad, or nachos. I like to triple or quadruple the recipe and replace about 1/4 of the meat with chopped mushrooms for a boost of veggies.

    From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

    Ground Beef (or Turkey) Stroganoff

    Kelly R.:  I always use turkey in this easy dinner recipe, and chop the mushrooms so they can't be distinguished. Great served over noodles, rice, or even cauliflower rice. I like to throw frozen green beans in with the boiling noodles to save time and effort.

    From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

    Toasty Mac and Cheese

    Yoli B:  This make ahead mac and cheese is my go to sleepover meal!! It is a great meal to make ahead and freeze, so no prep necessary when my house is bombarded with tons of extra kids. The only thing you have to do is make a protein...or not!

    From Real Simple

    Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

    Katie G.:  Pasta is a big hit in our house and on the menu at least once a week. My kids love the taste of these lasagna roll ups and I love the simplicity of the recipe. Feel free to add spinach or keep it out if your kids don't like "green stuff." I also add extra spices to my filling for a little extra flavor. Use a jar of your favorite pasta sauce and you have dinner ready to go in 30 min. Double a batch and throw one in the freezer for later. Pair with a simple salad and garlic bread and you'll have a quick and easy dinner that everyone is sure to enjoy.

    From Budget Bytes

    Broccoli Cheese Soup (With Bacon!)

    Kelly R.:  This simple soup comes together quickly, and it's easy to double and freeze the leftovers for another day. The addition of a little bacon gives it a nice smoky flavor. One of the only ways my kids will eat broccoli without complaint!

    From 100 Days of Real Food

    Tomato Bisque

    Kelly R.:  I love to freeze this in a large size for an easy family dinner, or in individual portions for lunch. Great warmed up and served in a thermos for school lunch.

    From 100 Days of Real Food

    Copycat Trader Joe's Chili Lime Chicken Burgers

    Molly Weber:  I love homemade burger patties and this easy recipe inspired by Trader Joe's is simple and delicious. I also like that it sneaks in some veggies to the burger for some added nutrition. Check out the homemade guacamole recipe included for a tasty topper! Make these ahead of time and freeze for later by following the directions included.

    From Once a Month Meals

    Pizza Breadstick Casserole

    Katie G.:  This meal combines two of my sons favorite foods - pizza and breadsticks. Using pre-made breadstick dough makes this a quick dinner to put together for the family. Make a double batch and throw one in the freezer. Feel free to add any ingredients your family likes, as this is a very versatile recipe.

    From Fabulessly Frugal

Primary photo:   Dennis Klein on Unsplash

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