20 Freezer Meals You Can Make Ahead and Reheat
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Some days all you want to do when you get home from a long day of work is curl up on the couch with a binge-worthy TV show and a great meal, but even thinking about what to cook feels like too much effort. For nights like these, you usually have two options. You can finally eat the backup frozen pizza that has been sitting in your freezer for at least six months, or you can give into the temptation of redownloading the DoorDash app after vehemently swearing it off in the name of saving money in 2024. We’ve all been there, and we all know who wins out in this scenario. Lucky for you, there’s a way to enjoy both takeout-level instant gratification and the satisfaction of a home-cooked meal. The solution is make-ahead freezer meals.Freezer meals don’t just save you money—they can also save you time during the week. If you’re reheating frozen breakfast, you can get an extra hour of precious sleep. If you’re reheating lunch, you can use your lunch break to actually take a break instead of spending it cooking. You’ll be thanking your past self for taking one thing off your metaphorical plate and putting a very tasty something onto your literal one.

Keep reading for tips on how to get started freezing your meals, plus some of the best freezer meal recipes to try out.

Our Best Tips for Make-Ahead Freezer Meals

If you already love to meal prep on Sundays, you can easily work freezer meal recipes into your routine. Or you could double up a recipe, eat part of it for dinner, and freeze the rest for the future. To ensure these meals taste just as good after being frozen, proper food safety practices are important. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, most cooked foods are safe to store in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Just make sure to keep frozen food airtight to avoid freezer burn. For an extra layer of protection, you may want to wrap food in plastic wrap or foil before storing inside a freezer-safe food storage container or zip-top bag.

Some recipes include specific freezing and reheating instructions, but if not, here are a few good rules of thumb. If you’re reheating soup or stew, your stovetop or slow cooker will allow you to heat it evenly without boiling. You can also reheat frozen meals in the oven if you have extra time to wait for it to preheat. In a pinch, the microwave is great for reheating food quickly, but if you want to crisp something up, popping it into the air fryer should do the trick. For anything uncooked, be sure to let the food thaw in the fridge, cold water, or the microwave before cooking.

The Best Freezer Meal Recipes

Scroll on for some recipes for freezer meals that are just as convenient as they are tasty.

1. Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells

make ahead freezer meals 6
Source: Jo Cooks

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

make ahead freezer meals 14
Source: Savory Nothings

3. Mini Chicken Pot Pies

make ahead freezer meals 18
Source: The Girl on Bloor

4. Breakfast Burritos

make ahead freezer meals 2
Source: Two Peas & Their Pod

5. Keto Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

make ahead freezer meals 1
Source: The Movement Menu

6. Breakfast Egg Muffins

make ahead freezer meals 5
Source: Well Plated by Erin Clarke

7. Spiced Chickpea Bowls

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Source: Pinch of Yum

8. White Chicken Chili

make ahead freezer meals 10
Source: Easy Chicken Recipes

9. Freezer Meal Lasagna Florentine

make ahead freezer meals 7
Source: Pinch of Yum

10. Banana Pancakes

make ahead freezer meals 13
Source: Two Peas and Their Pod

11. Spicy Sweet Potato Peanut Stew

make ahead freezer meals 11
Source: Pinch of Yum

12. Veggie Burgers

make ahead freezer meals 12
Source: Love & Lemons

13. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread

make ahead freezer meals 15
Source: Oh Sweet Basil

14. Stuffed Quinoa Peppers

make ahead freezer meals 17
Source: Pinch of Yum

15. Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

make ahead freezer meals 16
Source: Oh Sweet Basil

16. English Muffin Pizzas

make ahead freezer meals 19
Source: Well Plated by Erin Clarke

17. Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches

make ahead freezer meals 2p
Source: Pinch of Yum

18. Cauliflower Broccoli Cheese Soup

make ahead freezer meals 3
Source: Closet Cooking

19. One-Pot Moroccan Chicken

make ahead freezer meals 8
Source: Girl and the Kitchen

20. Chia Seed Pudding

make ahead freezer meals 9
Source: Kristine’s Kitchen

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