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 straightforward, handy, and (typically) obligatory 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 a tremendous useful resource that can assist you get meals in your desk for your loved ones (or simply your self!) through the busy seasons of life. Belief me, you’ll LOVE these straightforward 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 data from this submit and packages it onto two pages (or one double-sided web page) which you can preserve in your kitchen drawer or cling in your fridge. Really easy!
On this submit, I’ll stroll you thru learn how to freeze and reheat just about any meal. We did our greatest to incorporate TONS of various classes of recipes, together with breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts, so as to learn to freeze totally different meals! Please notice that this record doesn’t embrace each recipe in every class (the weblog submit can be WAY too lengthy!) so remember to click on the class buttons after every meal sort to get much more inspo.
Take a look at all of my tips about learn how to freeze your favourite meals, and select a number of to do this 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 father or mother 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 have to prepare dinner daily of the week when you possibly can plan forward and have breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at your fingertips to reheat everytime you want them!
- Lower your expenses. Busy weeks typically result in straightforward takeout choices, which may actually add up over the months and 12 months. With home made 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 folks will prevent tons of journeys to the grocery retailer.
- Nourishing meals on-demand. Sure, “well being” means one thing totally different for everybody, however I’m a agency believer that one of the best ways to prioritize nutrient-dense, nourishing meals is to prepare dinner them proper at residence. Many individuals don’t have time to do that 5-7 days per week, so while you prep them and freeze them forward of time you’ll discover it SO straightforward to take pleasure in wholesome meals all week lengthy.
- Cut back waste. Freezing leftovers and even elements of meals is an effective way to scale back waste as a result of your meals gained’t go dangerous earlier than you end them. The vast majority of recipes sometimes last as long as 3 months within the freezer! That is particularly handy while you’re simply feeding your self or your self and a roommate or associate since you don’t have to complete all the meal in just some days.
Suggestions for freezing each recipe
- Let the meals cool fully earlier than freezing in order that it doesn’t develop freezer burn.
- Meals may be saved for as much as 3 months until in any other case famous.
- Not all meals has to thaw earlier than reheating – learn the directions rigorously!
- To feed extra folks, I like to recommend doubling a recipe and freezing half for later!
- In case you’re freezing a number of meals, strive choosing recipes which have related components. That approach your prep time (together with grocery purchasing) is way simpler.
- Freeze meals within the parts you need to eat them. That approach you don’t have to fret about slicing or dividing meals once they’re frozen stable.
- Use labels in your freezer-safe luggage or containers in order that you understand what’s in your freezer!
Kinds 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: when you plan to freeze sure recipes, I like to recommend leaving off garnishes like nuts, contemporary herbs, and so on. as a result of they gained’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 most of these components, you possibly can completely freeze herbs on their very own for later! Head to this information to be taught precisely learn how to freeze contemporary herbs.
Kinds of recipes that require a bit extra consideration when freezing
- Stovetop pasta dishes: this consists of mac and cheese and different tremendous creamy pasta recipes. Be happy to freeze these dishes as you’d with casseroles (like lasagna), nonetheless, while 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 have to freeze meals for later
Methods to freeze your favourite recipes
Scroll by means of to take a look at all the recipe classes which are nice for freezing! You’ll discover their fundamental freezing and heating directions, plus an inventory of scrumptious recipe to strive.
Breads & Muffins
- To freeze: wrap your whole bread loaf or particular person slices tightly in foil. Place your wrapped loaf, slices, or entire 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 when you like them heat.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Finest 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. In case you’re freezing a whole baked oatmeal, wrap all the pan nicely 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 whole 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 luggage 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 immediately 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 Finest 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 luggage and freeze. You too can freeze all the quiche directly when you’ve got 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 whole 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 nicely with plastic wrap and foil nicely 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 Finest Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Vegan Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
The Finest 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 slightly house within the container for the liquid to broaden, and freeze. Don’t freeze recipes with noodles or rice – be at liberty 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 Sluggish Cooker Beef Stew
Butternut Squash Inexperienced Chile Rooster Soup
Really, the Finest 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 nicely in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze.
- To reheat & prepare dinner from uncooked: thaw within the fridge, then bake meatloaf as directed or prepare 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 means of, or reheat shredded meat in a gradual cooker, microwave, or in a pan.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Sluggish 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
Sluggish 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 stable. Then switch to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat & prepare dinner from uncooked: thaw frozen uncooked meatballs within the fridge, then prepare 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 prepare dinner in a pan on the range till heated by means of.
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 absolutely, leaving off any bread crumb toppings, then double wrap with foil and freeze.
- To reheat & prepare 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 slightly milk earlier than reheating.
Attempt prepping and freezing these recipes:
Cozy Roasted Vegetable Butternut Squash Lasagna
Dreamy Refried Bean Rooster Enchiladas with Do-it-yourself Enchilada Sauce
Wholesome Tuna Noodle Casserole
Pesto Mushroom Rooster Lasagna Roll Ups
Candy Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema
The Finest 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 stable. Add frozen cookie dough balls to a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To bake dough from frozen: merely add a number 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 Finest 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 truffles: wrap particular person cake layers in plastic wrap and foil, then place in glass containers or silicone luggage and freeze.
- To reheat frosted truffles: thaw within the fridge, then deliver to room temperature earlier than frosting and serving.
- To freeze frosted truffles: freeze full cake or slices for at the very least 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 truffles: thaw within the fridge, then deliver 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 (the perfect 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:
Finest 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 entire pie in foil or place particular person slices in a glass container or silicone bag and freeze.
- To reheat: thaw entire 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 Finest Tart Cherry Pie You’ll Ever Eat
Tony’s Very Favourite Dutch Apple Pie
I hope you’re keen on this straightforward freezer meal information! In case you check out any of the recipes, remember to go away a remark so I understand how the freezer prep went.