Is your home a whirlwind of after-school activities, homework, and weekday chores? Taking the time to cook balanced meals can naturally slip through the cracks. Rather than add to the stress of the week, you can plan nutritious freezer meals in advance, so they’re always ready to go.
Setting aside a few hours a week to prep freezer meals can help turn that whirlwind into a streamlined household. There are some valuable tips to remember, especially when it comes to prep, freezer management, thawing, and reheating.
Follow this guide to create a safe and healthy freezer meal plan for the whole family.
Freezer Meal Ideas for School Nights
1. Chicken and Black Bean Chimichangas
Mexican food freezes well and can be prepared with a variety of healthy options, from lean chicken to protein-packed beans.
Start with chicken and black bean chimichangas. Simply assemble these family-favorite Tex-Mex wraps with a pre-cooked chicken filling before baking and freezing them. Wrap each chimichanga individually in foil to prevent freezer burn during storage.
Large families often depend on freezer meals, with even more upgrading to commercial freezers to accommodate so many meals. Research Turbo Air units to learn more about larger freezer storage options for large families.
2. Turkey Chili
Soups and stews are some of the best (and healthiest) freezer meals. You can also cook a large batch of soup before storing it in freezer-safe containers or stackable storage bags.
Storing your soup in flat storage bags allows for quick thawing and reheating.
3. Beef Bolognese
It’s always good to have some classic beef bolognese sauce handy. Plus, you can easily make it ahead of time. Once your sauce has cooled, pour it into a family-sized freezer-safe container or into individual portions.
Thaw and serve with your family’s favorite Italian-style meals.
4. Shredded Beef Crockpot Meals
Crockpot meals are flavorful and delicious, but they can take a considerable amount of time to prepare. Prep crockpot-friendly meals in advance to save time and energy.
First, cook a savory beef and potato hash in your slow cooker before portioning it out for freezer storage. You can serve this hearty dish for dinner or even breakfast with fried eggs.
5. Beef Enchiladas
Assemble your beef enchiladas (with cooked beef) in a foil-lined casserole dish, and place them in the freezer.
When it’s time to cook, you can dispose of the tin foil when finished. Cover your frozen meal tightly and bake it when it’s still frozen.
This meal should be ready in about an hour.
6. Shepherd’s Pie
This classic recipe is the perfect freezer meal. Assemble your layers, from cooked beef to mashed potatoes. Don’t bake this dish after assembling. Simply layer your ingredients and freeze.
When you’re ready to eat, you can bake this meal still frozen.
7. Sloppy Joe Filling
Sloppy Joes are quick and filling. The filling is also easy to prep for freezer storage.
Cook your ground meat filling in a large quantity before freezing it in flat-laying storage bags; this method allows for a quicker thaw.
Serve on classic hamburger buns with an easy side salad.
8. Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a hearty dinner meal that’s perfect for freezer storage. Whip up a large pot before freezing it into multiple storage bags; you can stack these bags flat side up to save room.
When it’s time, reheat with your garnish of choice.
9. Baked Ziti
Pasta bakes make the best freezer meals!
Prepare the entire dish, cooking the pasta and sauce. Layer your ingredients after they cool, but hold off on the final bake. Once frozen, allow the dish to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying the following evening.
10. Chicken Pot Pie
This popular freezer meal can be prepared as one large pie or as individual servings. Cook your chicken, vegetables, and flour-based gravy beforehand. Allow the ingredients to cool before adding them to your store-bought pie crust.
To prevent your pie crust from getting soggy, you can bake it enough to just harden it before adding the filling.
11. Breakfast Burritos
You can also prep protein-rich breakfasts for the freezer, like delicious breakfast burritos. Cook and assemble ingredients like beans, sausage, eggs, and cheese, wrapping them in whole wheat tortillas.
Simply, pop these burritos in the microwave. They should reheat in just a few minutes.
12. Meatball Foil Packets
Prepare your meatballs beforehand with cooked beef or turkey. Add them to a foil packet with vegetables and potatoes for a delicious side dish, sandwich filling, or pasta topping.
When you’re ready for dinner, cook your frozen packets in the oven or on the grill.
Remember to label your frozen meals and to set your freezer to 0°F (or -18°C) before storage to prevent spoilage. Safely cool pre-cooked items before packing. Always use the fridge for thawing items that require it.
Always Be Dinner-Ready
Make even more time for the things you love, like spending time with your family and having delicious (and healthy) meals ready to go. Keep this guide handy as you prepare your freezer and grocery list.
