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Do you want to learn how to make freezer meals to save time and money? In this post, I’m sharing my favorite make ahead freezer meals to help make dinnertime a breeze.
Freezer cooking is my favorite way to eat at home more and save a lot of money – without spending hours in the kitchen every night.
You can stock your freezer full of ready to go, delicious, and filling meals for your family, too!
These are 19 of my very favorite quick, easy, and picky eater approved meals to make ahead for the freezer!
Freezer meals can be a life saver on busy nights when you don’t have the time or energy to make a full meal.
Having these meals stocked away in the freezer means you have something easy to eat at home. So, you don’t have to waste money on fast food, pizza delivery, or takeout.
Make ahead freezer meals are easy to prepare and will save you so much time and money.
Need more help deciding what to make for dinner?
Planning meals and eating at home can help you save so much money, but it’s not always easy to figure out what to cook!
If you need some dinner ideas that are simple, quick, and budget-friendly, you’ll love the FREE 60+ Easy Dinner Ideas List – the handy resource you’ll love to use for quick, easy, and budget-friendly meal ideas to make meal planning simple and effortless!
Grab the FREE Easy Dinner Ideas List right here!
19 Make Ahead Freezer Meals to Save Time and Money
When you make freezer meals, you can decide how many meals and what recipes you want to use.
You can make a double batch of dinner one night, and freeze the second dinner for another night.
Or, you can spend 30 minutes or an hour making several easy meals for the freezer.
You can even tackle many meals in an afternoon, and have dinner ready for the whole month ahead.
It all depends on how much time you have, how much freezer space, and what you feel up to making.
19 Make Ahead Freezer Meals
Choose one or two of these meals to make to start, and then add more as you get more comfortable making freezer meals and have more time.
What meals can you make ahead and freeze?
You can make all breakfast freezer meals, several casseroles, make a few chicken marinade freezer meals, or all beef. It’s totally up to you!
Think about what your family enjoys eating and what ingredients you have on hand already.
These ideas are great for new moms or moms to be to stock the freezer up before baby arrives. This was such a blessing for us!
Breakfast Make Ahead Freezer Meals:
You don’t have to spend a lot of time making these to set you up for success the rest of the week.
It’s so nice to be able to heat up a quick breakfast meal and run out the door, knowing you are saving money and having a great breakfast.
Try one or a few of these make ahead breakfast ideas this week and enjoy more relaxed mornings.
When you make breakfast on the weekend, make some extra for the week ahead and stash it away in the freezer or fridge.
1. Muffins
Muffins are easy to make and freeze well. Make a homemade batch or a boxed mix, and store them in freezer bags.
You can go ahead and portion these out for just you, or your whole family – however many you will need for one breakfast.
I love to use these reusable silicone cups so I don’t have to keep buying baking cups, and I think the muffins freeze better in them.
2. Breakfast Sandwiches
These sandwiches are super filling, freeze well, and make for a great quick breakfast.
Here’s how to make these:
Ingredients – Makes 6 Sandwiches
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- 6 English muffins (or other favorite bread or biscuit)
- 6 Sausage Patties (You can substitute for bacon or ham)
- Cheese Slices – 6 or 3 cut in half
- 6 Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
- Freezer Sandwich Bags
Directions:
- Cook sausage patties until browned. Drain on paper towel.
- Whisk eggs in bowl (I like to add a little milk) like you were making scrambled eggs.
- Pour a thin layer of whisked eggs in small skillet.
- Flip the eggs, trying to keep them in one piece. (These will be much easier to keep together on the muffin than scrambled eggs.) Repeat until you have all eggs cooked.
- Slice muffins in half.
- Begin making sandwiches by placing egg on bottom, add a little salt and pepper, then a sausage patty, and a slice of cheese.
- Place each sandwich in plastic bag, and store in freezer or refrigerator.
I thaw these in the refrigerator overnight and heat in the microwave for 1 minute – 1.5 minutes, until the cheese melts. Yum!
*If you don’t have much time, or many eggs on hand, just do the sausage and cheese!
3. Breakfast Burritos
These breakfast burritos are also a really filling, yummy breakfast that is great for quick mornings!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of sausage
- 12 small flour tortillas
- 6 eggs
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or whatever you have on hand)
- Salsa (optional)
Directions:
- Brown sausage in crumbles.
- Scramble eggs
- Assemble breakfast burritos by laying out 12 small tortillas, dividing your sausage crumbles onto the tortillas, dividing your scrambled eggs on top, sprinkling shredded cheese, and adding dollops of salsa, if you wish.
- Place in freezer bag.
To heat:
- Thaw in the fridge overnight, and heat in microwave for 1 minute – 1.5 minutes.
- From frozen, heat in microwave for 2 – 3 minutes.
4. Banana Bread
Banana bread freezes really well, and can be made with few ingredients and in bulk.
I love to use the Dollar Tree foil loaf pans to make this easy to freeze and store.
When bananas get too ripe to eat fresh, peel them and stick them in a freezer bag in your freezer to make banana bread.
Here are two recipes I have tried and love:
One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
I will make several batches of the recipe, fill my foil loaf pans, place them on a baking sheet, and bake them all at once.
After they cool, you can wrap them in aluminium foil or place them in a freezer bag, and store them in the freezer.
When you need a quick breakfast, thaw a banana bread loaf on the counter. I like to make small slices and enjoy mine with some fruit, sausage links, or bacon.
Lunch Make Ahead Freezer Meals:
If you find yourself eating out at lunch and spending way too much money on lunch food, try making some freezer meals to pack instead.
Lunch prices can get very expensive. A great way to save money is to stop eating out at lunch and pack your own food.
And that doesn’t mean you have to eat a cold sandwich every day! Try making some lunch freezer meals to have a great, hot lunch for a lot less than eating out.
5. Soups
Make a big batch or your favorite soup (or two), and divide it into 1 person portions in freezer containers.
Freeze these, and thaw a container in the fridge for an easy lunch.
You will have to have a way to heat these up, so if you don’t have access to a microwave at lunch, consider heating it up in the morning and pouring it into a food thermos.
You could also try the Crock Pot lunch warmer.
Pack some crackers, chips, or bread and a fruit or vegetable to round out this yummy meal.
Here are some great easy soup recipes to try:
The Pioneer Woman Simple Chili
5 Best Types of Soup to Freeze
75 Soups to Store in the Freezer
6. Casseroles
Casseroles make great freezer meals and are perfect for lunch!
You can enjoy the casserole for dinner, and the leftovers the next day. Or, bake the casserole and divide it into 1 person portions and freeze them until you need them.
Then, just heat and enjoy!
Click here for my easy casserole freezer cooking plan.
Dinner Make Ahead Freezer Meals:
Dinner (or supper) can be the most expensive meal of the day, and sometimes the most stressful.
If you are just getting off work from a long day, you may not feel like cooking a full meal and spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
It can be very tempting to eat out, grab a pizza, get takeout, or go through the drive thru.
But, if you know you have a freezer meal ready to heat and serve at home, you can avoid all those temptations. You’ll know exactly what’s for dinner and how easy and quick it will be.
And for me, I think about those meals throughout the day, and look forward to eating whatever is on the menu!
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What dinner meals can I freeze for later?
These dinner meals are all quick and easy to make and freeze!
7. Spaghetti Sauce
Why I love it:
I love making a huge batch of spaghetti sauce and dividing into perfect portions for the two of us. It makes about 10 containers, which is 20 servings. Super frugal, super easy, and always yummy.
And my husband can easily warm it up if needed! I recommend this as a beginner freezer meal!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
3 28 oz cans tomato sauce
2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
4 lbs ground beef
Assorted Spices: (Use what you love – this is what I add. And we are trying to make these meals quick, so I don’t measure! Just a good dash of each, and a small dash of cayenne pepper.) Garlic Salt, Onion Powder, Basil, Oregano, Chili Powder, Cayenne Pepper
Directions:
- Using a large skillet, brown 4 lbs of ground beef. Sprinkle with spices if desired. Drain grease when done. (I use a strainer over a large bowl that I can reuse for the taco meat.)
- Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, ground beef, and desired spices to a large pot and let simmer (a.k.a. – leave the burner on low, put the top on the pot, and catch up on your to do list.)
- Portion the sauce up by your family size in freezer containers, label, and stick in the freezer.
When ready to serve: Let thaw overnight (or heat from frozen – just will take longer), heat in stove pot, boil noodles, combine and devour.
8. Taco Meat
Why I love it:
Taco meat can be easily heated up in the microwave or in a skillet and ready to serve in a matter of minutes.
This is my go to freezer meal for the busiest nights. I can throw all the toppings on the island, and we are ready for a taco bar dinner in about 5 minutes!
If I’m ever gone for dinner, I always try to have some taco meat in the fridge for my husband to heat up. So easy!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
2 lbs of ground beef
1 taco seasoning packet
*Multiply by adding 2 lbs of beef to every seasoning packet
Directions:
- Add your ground beef to a skillet to brown. Drain grease in strainer and large bowl.
- Mix the taco seasoning packet with 2/3 cup water and add mix to beef.
- Let boil, then simmer until mixed well.
- Add family size portions to freezer containers, label, and stick in the freezer.
When ready to serve: Let thaw overnight (or heat from frozen), heat in skillet or microwave, add to tortillas, tortilla chips, or a salad!
Create a taco bar by placing all the toppings on the counter for everyone to create their own.
Related Post: The Ultimate Aldi Freezer Cooking Plan – Make 80 Meals in 2 Hours
9. Burger Patties (or Sliders)
Why I love it:
Making burger patties is so easy, and makes for a quick meal when you are ready to cook them.
You don’t have to cook anything now, so the work is super quick. And when you want to serve burgers for dinner, they are ready to throw right on the grill.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
2/3 lb ground beef
Favorite burger seasoning – I love Lawry’s seasoning salt and McCormick’s Montreal Steak seasoning. You could also try adding dry onion soup mix for more flavor!
Directions:
- Add desired seasoning to ground beef and mix well.
- Make 2 equal size burger patties or 4 slider patties.
- Freeze in freezer bag with freezer paper between patties.
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Heat grill and grill to desired doneness. Top with favorite toppings.
10. Chili
Why I love it:
Chili is always a warm and comforting meal, and it’s even better when it’s ready in just a couple of minutes!
I like to make a big pot of chili, freeze it in portions for the two of us, and then just heat it up in the microwave or in a saucepan for a quick cozy meal.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
30 oz can pinto beans
15.5 oz light red kidney beans
1 can of Rotel
8 oz can tomato paste
Spices: 1/2 tbsp cumin, 1/2 tbsp chili powder, sprinkle cayenne pepper
Directions:
- Brown ground beef, drain grease.
- Place all other ingredients in pot on medium low heat.
- Add ground beef once done, and stir well.
- Let simmer on low for 30 minutes.
- Divide into freezer containers and freeze.
When ready to serve: Heat in microwave or in saucepan until warm. Serve with favorite toppings (Frito’s, shredded cheese, sour cream, crackers)
You could also make a larger batch of chili in the crock pot all day, have it for dinner, and freeze the leftovers.
Related Post: Quick No Cook Freezer Meals
11. Chicken Teriyaki
I love chicken teriyaki and this recipe is so easy to make your own at home, without the restaurant expense!
So easy to throw together and super yummy for a great, quick meal at home!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, diced
Dash of Salt and Pepper
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
1 green onion
Directions:
- Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame seeds, and salt and pepper together in bowl.
- Dice chicken breasts.
- Place chicken breasts, soy sauce mix, and green onion in freezer bag and seal.
When ready to serve: Cook chicken mix in skillet with oil. Serve with rice and steamed veggies/broccoli.
Related Post: No Cook Freezer Meals – 28 Meals in 20 Minutes
12. Italian Chicken
This is another freezer meal that you don’t have to cook anything. It’s perfect for a busy night!
You can use Italian Chicken in a couple different ways – as the main entree with vegetable sides, or on a salad.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
1 large (or 2 small) chicken breasts
1 cup Italian salad dressing
Directions:
- Slice chicken breasts into even number or small tenders. Place in freezer bag.
- Pour Italian dressing in bag and seal.
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Grill in skillet or on grill until done.
Serve with fresh vegetables, potatoes, or on a salad.
13. Honey Mustard Chicken Sliders
Honey Mustard Chicken is yet another freezer meal that doesn’t have to be cooked prior to freezing!
And it’s so yummy!!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
1 large (or 2 small) chicken breast
1/4 cup honey dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
Sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes
Directions:
- Cut 1 large chicken breast horizontally to make 2 thinner breasts. Then, slice those in 2 to make 4 small, thin chicken pieces.
- Mix 1/4 cup honey dijon mustard with 1/4 cup honey and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to make honey mustard mix.
- Use a basting brush to coat both sides of each chicken piece.
- Place chicken in bag and label.
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Heat skillet to medium heat with small amount of olive oil. Place chicken pieces in skillet and cook until done.
Serve on slider buns with melted cheese and favorite toppings (bacon, cheese, pickles, bbq sauce). Serve with salad, fries, or vegetables.
14. Salsa Chicken
Salsa Chicken is so easy to put together for a quick freezer meal! You don’t have to cook a thing, and you can make as many bags as you want.
Salsa Chicken can be cooked in a small crockpot (my favorite) or in the oven.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
1 large (or 2 small) chicken breasts
2 cups of salsa
Directions:
- Place salsa and chicken breasts in freezer bag.
- That’s it!
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Place in small crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred with fork and mix with salsa.
Serve with taco toppings on tortillas or tortilla chips!
Related Post: Casserole Freezer Cooking
15. Chicken Tacos
Chicken tacos are such an easy freezer meal to throw together. You don’t have to cook anything, and you can make as many freezer meals as you want.
Chicken tacos can easily be cooked in a crockpot, so you can come home to dinner ready for you.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 taco seasoning packet
2/3 cup water
Directions:
- Mix taco seasoning packet with water.
- Place chicken breasts and mix in freezer bag and seal.
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Place in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred with fork.
Serve with taco toppings on tortillas or tortilla chips!
Related Post: Freezer Cooking for 2: 21 Meals in 2 Hours
16. BBQ Chicken
BBQ Chicken is another freezer meal that can be quickly thrown together with zero cooking!
When you can’t figure out what to make for dinner, BBQ chicken is always a great go to meal.
You can grill it, cook it in the oven, cook it in the crockpot and serve it anyway you wish!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
1 large (or 2 small) chicken breasts
1.5 cups BBQ sauce
Directions:
- Cut chicken breast into even number of small tenders.
- Pour BBQ sauce in bag and seal.
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Cook in the crockpot, in the oven, or on the grill until done.
Serve on a baked potato, on a hamburger bun, with vegetables, on a salad, or on nachos!
17. Stir Fry Chicken
This is a really easy stir fry chicken recipe you can make as a freezer meal. And the whole meal can be cooked in one pan!
So easy to throw together and super yummy for a great, quick meal at home!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
1 bag frozen stir fry vegetables
1 cup teriyaki sauce
Directions:
- Dice chicken breasts.
- Divide stir fry vegetables and chicken into 2 freezer bags.
- Pour 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce in each bag and seal.
When ready to serve: Dump bag into skillet and cook until done. Serve with an Asian style salad or rice.
18. Hawaiian Chicken
Hawaiian Chicken is a really easy freezer meal to throw together for a yummy, quick meal for a busy night ahead.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, diced.
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 can pineapple chunks with juice
Directions:
- Dice 4 chicken breasts.
- Divide pineapple chunks and chicken between 2 bags.
- Pour 1/4 cup pineapple juice and 1/4 cup soy sauce in each bag.
When ready to serve: Dump bag into skillet and cook until done. Serve with rice and steamed veggies.
19. Chicken Fajitas
I love chicken fajitas and this recipe is so easy to make your own at home, without the restaurant expense!
So easy to throw together and super yummy for a great, quick meal at home!
How to make it:
Ingredients:
1 large (or 2 small) chicken breasts
1 or 2 bell peppers (orange, red, or yellow)
1/4 small onion (optional – I usually don’t have an onion so I skip it)
Spices: 1/2 tsp each: paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder
Directions:
- Thinly slice and remove seeds from bell peppers and place in freezer bag.
- Dice chicken breast and place in freezer bag.
- Make fajita mix by combining spices in small bowl.
- Add fajita mix to freezer bag with peppers and chicken.
- Shake to coat well.
When ready to serve: Thaw overnight in fridge. Heat skillet to medium heat with small amount of olive oil. Dump bag into skillet and cook until done.
Serve on warm tortillas! Yum!
Related Post: Breakfast Freezer Cooking
Need more help deciding what to make for dinner?
Planning meals and eating at home can help you save so much money, but it’s not always easy to figure out what to cook!
If you need some dinner ideas that are simple, quick, and budget-friendly, you’ll love the FREE 60+ Easy Dinner Ideas List – the handy resource you’ll love to use for quick, easy, and budget-friendly meal ideas to make meal planning simple and effortless!
Grab the FREE Easy Dinner Ideas List right here!
Want to learn more about freezer cooking?
Be sure to check out these top freezer cooking posts!
- Free Freezer Meal Planner Worksheet
- How to Plan a Freezer Cooking Day + My Best Freezer Cooking Tips
- Beginner Freezer Cooking
Want to make more freezer meals to fill your freezer with ready to go meals?
Check out these awesome freezer cooking plans!
- Make Ahead Freezer Slow Cooker Meals
- Make 111 Meals in 3 Hours
- Freezer Cooking for 2: 21 Meals in 1 Hour
- 10 Easy Freezer Meals for Beginners
- 7 Easy Ground Beef Freezer Meals
- Weekly Freezer Cooking Plan for Expecting Moms
- 5 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas
Go get started now with these make ahead freezer meals and get your freezer stocked for busy nights ahead.
You will enjoy being able to serve your family a great, homemade meal in no time with these freezer friendly meals. And you will save money by eating homemade, frugal meals at home and avoiding the fast food and delivery costs.
I hope you enjoy these cheap and easy make ahead freezer meals and they can help you save time and money! Try making meals for a month ahead, or a weeks worth to really see some time and money savings!
If you want to learn more about saving time and money with freezer meals, be sure to grab your free copy of The Beginner’s Guide to Freezer Cooking.
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