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) needed it’s to have entry to nourishing, freezer-friendly meals. Life will get busy and cooking a satisfying breakfast every morning and a contemporary dinner each night time can really feel (and is) not possible at occasions.
I’m right here to offer 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 submit, 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 submit and packages it onto two pages (or one double-sided web page) that you would be able to hold in your kitchen drawer or grasp in your fridge. Really easy!
On this submit, I’ll stroll you thru find out how to freeze and reheat nearly 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 discover ways to freeze completely different meals! Please observe that this record doesn’t embrace each recipe in every class (the weblog submit could be WAY too lengthy!) so make sure to click on the class buttons after every meal kind to get much more inspo.
Try all of my tips about find out how to freeze your favourite meals, and select a couple of 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 must cook dinner day-after-day of the week when you may plan forward and have breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at your fingertips to reheat everytime you want them!
- Lower your expenses. Busy weeks usually result in simple takeout choices, which might actually add up over the months and yr. 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 completely different for everybody, however I’m a agency believer that one of the best ways to prioritize nutrient-dense, nourishing meals is to cook dinner them proper at house. Many individuals don’t have time to do that 5-7 days per week, so whenever you prep them and freeze them forward of time you’ll discover it SO simple to take pleasure in wholesome meals all week lengthy.
- Scale back waste. Freezing leftovers and even elements of meals is an effective way to cut back waste as a result of your meals received’t go dangerous earlier than you end them. Nearly all of recipes sometimes last as long as 3 months within the freezer! That is particularly handy whenever 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 only a few 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!
- For those who’re freezing a number of meals, attempt choosing recipes which have related elements. That approach your prep time (together with grocery buying) is far simpler.
- Freeze meals within the parts you need to eat them. That approach you don’t have to fret about slicing or dividing meals after they’re frozen strong.
- Use labels in your freezer-safe baggage or containers in order that you realize what’s in your freezer!
Forms of recipes we DO NOT advocate freezing
- Leafy greens & veggies: I don’t advocate freezing salads or recipes that use contemporary, leafy greens as they’ll get extraordinarily mushy after being frozen.
- Recipes with garnishes & sauce drizzles: in case you plan to freeze sure recipes, I like to recommend leaving off garnishes like nuts, contemporary herbs, and many others. as a result of they received’t keep contemporary 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 advocate freezing meals with all these elements, you may completely freeze herbs on their very own for later! Head to this information to study precisely find out how to freeze contemporary herbs.
Forms 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 happy to freeze these dishes as you’d with casseroles (like lasagna), nevertheless, whenever 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 must freeze meals for later
freeze your favourite recipes
Scroll by to take a look at all the recipe classes which are nice for freezing! You’ll discover their primary freezing and heating directions, plus an inventory of scrumptious recipe to attempt.
Breads & Muffins
- To freeze: wrap your whole bread loaf or particular person slices tightly in foil. Place your wrapped loaf, slices, or complete 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 in case you like them heat.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Greatest Ever Wholesome Banana Bread Recipe
Wholesome 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 right here, and all of my muffin recipes right here!
Baked Oatmeal
- To freeze: place particular person baked oatmeal slices or cups in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze. For those who’re freezing a complete baked oatmeal, wrap your complete pan properly 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 instantly from the freezer.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes (excessive protein, gluten free)
Wholesome Banana Oatmeal Pancakes (made proper within the blender!)
Sidney’s 4-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
The Greatest Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
Get all of my waffle and pancake recipes right here!
Quiches & Egg Bakes
- To freeze: place particular person slices in glass containers or silicone baggage and freeze. You can too freeze your complete quiche directly 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 Rooster Meatballs
Savory Rooster Sausage, Egg and Cheese Muffins (keto + low carb)
Spinach & Goat Cheese Quiche with Candy Potato Crust
Wholesome Breakfast Egg Muffin Cups
Jalapeño, Pepper Jack & Turkey Bacon Quiche with Potato Crust
Get all of my savory breakfast recipes right 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 properly with plastic wrap and foil properly 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 Greatest Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Vegan Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
The Greatest Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Lemon Lover’s Lemon Blueberry Candy 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 broaden, 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
Mother’s Gradual Cooker Beef Stew
Butternut Squash Inexperienced Chile Rooster Soup
Really, the Greatest Vegetarian Chili Ever
Creamy White Bean Rooster Enchilada Soup
Get all of my soups, stews, curries & chilis right here!
Burgers, Meatloaves & Shredded Meat
- To freeze uncooked: form your meatloaf or burgers, wrap properly 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, or reheat shredded meat in a sluggish cooker, microwave, or in a pan.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Gradual Cooker Italian Rooster Sandwiches (freeze the meat for simple sandwiches later!)
Cheddar-Stuffed Candy Potato BBQ Turkey Meatloaf
Moroccan-Spiced Turkey Burgers with Creamy Feta Sauce
Gradual Cooker Gochujang Rooster Sandwiches
Cheddar-Stuffed Buffalo Rooster Meatloaf
Buffalo Zucchini Rooster Burgers
Get all of my burgers right here!
Meatballs
- To freeze uncooked: place formed meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for two hours till strong. 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.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Firecracker Rooster Meatballs with Cilantro Coconut Pineapple Rice
Juicy Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Basil Sauce with Burrata
Oh So Good Rooster Meatballs in Pumpkin Coconut Curry Sauce
Jalapeño Coconut Curry Rooster Meatball Bowls
Get all of my meatball recipes right here!
Casseroles, Pasta Bakes & Enchiladas
- To freeze unbaked: assemble totally, 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 Rooster Enchiladas with Selfmade Enchilada Sauce
Wholesome Tuna Noodle Casserole
Pesto Mushroom Rooster Lasagna Roll Ups
Candy Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema
The Greatest Wholesome Turkey Lasagna You’ll Ever Eat
Get much more consolation meals recipes like these right 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 Rooster with Candy Potatoes & Cauliflower
Candy and Bitter Pineapple Broccoli Rooster Stir Fry
30-Minute Sesame Rooster Inexperienced Bean Stir Fry
Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Tacos (with yummy sauce choices!)
Ginger Cashew Rooster Stir Fry with Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Get extra one pan meals right here!
Cookies (dough & baked cookies)
- To freeze cookie dough: roll into balls, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze till strong. Add frozen cookie dough balls to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To bake dough from frozen: merely add a couple of 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, Espresso & Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Wholesome Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (vegan & gluten free!)
The Greatest Bakery-Fashion Peanut Butter Cookies
Rattling Good Paleo Chocolate Chunk Tahini Cookies
Get all of my cookie recipes right here!
Muffins (frosted & unfrosted)
- To freeze unfrosted muffins: wrap particular person cake layers in plastic wrap and foil, then place in glass containers or silicone baggage and freeze.
- To reheat frosted muffins: thaw within the fridge, then carry to room temperature earlier than frosting and serving.
- To freeze frosted muffins: freeze full cake or slices for a minimum of 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 muffins: thaw within the fridge, then carry to room temperature earlier than serving.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Dad’s Extraordinary Yellow Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Rattling Good Peanut Butter Banana Cake (gluten free, grain free)
Brown Butter Apple Espresso Cake
Grain Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Get all of my cake recipes right 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 (one of 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 right 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:
Greatest Wholesome Apple Crisp Ever!
Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble
Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel
Contemporary Cherry Crisp with Almond Oatmeal Crumble
Get all of my crisps and crumbles right here!
Fruit Pies
- To freeze: wrap complete pie in foil or place particular person slices in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat: thaw complete 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 Greatest Tart Cherry Pie You’ll Ever Eat
Tony’s Very Favourite Dutch Apple Pie
I hope you’re keen on this simple freezer meal information! For those who check out any of the recipes, make sure to depart a remark so I understand how the freezer prep went.