10+ You Can Freeze Recipes for Easy Meal Prep
Freezing recipes can be a real game changer for your meal planning and cooking routine. Preparing meals ahead of time and storing them in the freezer can save time and reduce stress during busy days. This method not only helps you have home-cooked meals ready to go, but it can also help minimize food waste.
Whether you have a busy schedule or just want to simplify your cooking, freezing recipes is a practical solution. You can make large batches of your favorite dishes, portion them out, and enjoy them later when you need a quick meal.
1) Baked Beef Ravioli
Baked beef ravioli is a tasty meal that you can easily freeze for later. This dish combines the goodness of beef and cheese in a comforting pasta layer. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights.
To start, you will need cooked ground beef mixed with flavorful spices and your favorite pasta sauce. Layer the cooked ravioli with the beef mixture in a baking dish. Then, top it with cheese for a delicious finish.
Once assembled, you can cover the dish and freeze it. When you’re ready to eat, just bake it at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 20 oz. frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned.
- Combine the beef with spaghetti sauce.
- Layer ravioli and beef mixture in a baking dish.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Freeze or bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
2) Burrito Pie
Burrito Pie is a fun and easy meal that you can freeze for busy nights. It’s a tasty way to enjoy the flavors of a burrito in a pie form.
To make it, you will layer tortillas, meat, beans, cheese, and your favorite toppings. This dish is perfect for feeding a family or for leftovers.
Once prepared, you can freeze it for later. When you’re ready to cook, just pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40-50 minutes until it’s bubbly and heated through.
Ingredients
- 8 tortillas
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 can black beans, rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Spices (like chili powder and cumin)
- Optional toppings (like sour cream and salsa)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the ground meat in a pan and season with spices.
- Layer tortillas, meat, beans, diced tomatoes, and cheese in a baking dish.
- Cover with foil and freeze if storing for later.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes until bubbly and warm.
3) Cheesy Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas
Cheesy chicken and black bean enchiladas are a delicious and easy meal you can freeze. They are perfect for busy days when you need a quick dinner. You’ll enjoy a mix of flavors and textures with tender chicken, hearty black beans, and gooey cheese.
To make this dish, you will layer tortillas with the filling. Then, top them with cheese and enchilada sauce. You can freeze them before baking for a quick meal later.
When you’re ready to eat, simply bake them until hot and bubbly. Enjoy them with your favorite toppings like sour cream or salsa.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can red enchilada sauce
- 12 corn tortillas
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix chicken, black beans, and half the cheese in a bowl.
- Fill tortillas with the mixture and roll them up.
- Place in a baking dish and cover with enchilada sauce.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted.
4) Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a tasty and easy meal you can prepare ahead of time. It’s perfect for busy nights when you don’t have much time to cook. You can also freeze it for later.
This dish typically includes pasta, chicken, marinara sauce, and cheese. You can make it with homemade crispy chicken or use store-bought frozen chicken tenders. This makes it a flexible option for your family’s taste.
You can freeze this casserole for up to three months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before baking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Italian seasoning to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
5) Mini Chicken Burgers with Herbs
Mini chicken burgers with herbs are simple to make and perfect for freezing. They are healthy and tasty, making them a great option for kids and adults. You can easily prepare a batch and store them for later use.
To start, mix ground chicken with garlic, parsley, oregano, and basil. Then, form this mixture into small patties. Each patty should be about 2 inches wide. Cook them until they are golden brown and fully cooked.
These burgers freeze well, allowing you to enjoy them on busy nights. Just thaw and cook them when you’re ready. They can be served in a bun or as a bite-sized snack.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 ½ teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Lemon juice to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground chicken, garlic, herbs, and breadcrumbs.
- Form the mixture into 16 small patties.
- Cook patties in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side.
- Let burgers cool before freezing, if desired.
6) Classic Meatloaf
Classic meatloaf is a comforting dish that many people love. It’s simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time. You can freeze it for later, making dinner planning much easier.
To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onions, and seasonings. This combination gives the meatloaf its tasty flavor.
Once you mix everything together, shape it into a loaf. You can place it in a foil pan, cover it tightly, and freeze it for up to three months. When you’re ready to cook, just thaw it first.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix all the ingredients.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf.
- Place it in a baking dish.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until fully cooked.
7) Deep-Dish Bacon and Cheddar Quiche
This deep-dish bacon and cheddar quiche is a perfect dish to make ahead of time and freeze. You can enjoy it later by simply reheating it.
Start with a flaky pie crust and fill it with crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese. This dish is hearty and satisfying, making it great for breakfast or a light dinner.
To freeze, let the quiche cool completely after baking. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. You can keep it in the freezer for up to one month.
Ingredients
- 1 deep-dish pie crust
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the pie crust in a pie pan.
- Sprinkle the bacon and cheese evenly over the crust.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bacon and cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until set and golden.
- Allow to cool before freezing.
8) Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is a comforting and delicious meal that freezes well. You can prepare it ahead of time and store it in the freezer for busy days. The rich filling and flaky crust make it a family favorite.
To freeze, after assembling the pie, cover it with aluminum foil and store it in the freezer. It stays good for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake from frozen.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 pound frozen mixed vegetables (like carrots, peas, and corn)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the chicken in a pan until no longer pink.
- Add mixed vegetables, chicken broth, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until heated through.
- Fill one pie crust with the mixture.
- Place the second crust on top and seal edges.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
9) Stuffed Shells with Ricotta
Stuffed shells with ricotta make a tasty and comforting meal. They are easy to prepare and freeze well, making them perfect for later. You can enjoy them fresh or thaw them for a quick dinner.
Start by boiling large pasta shells until they are al dente. Once they cool, you can fill them with a mix of ricotta cheese, spinach, and seasonings.
Place the filled shells in a baking dish, top with marinara sauce, and sprinkle cheese on top. Then, cover it with foil and freeze if you’d like to save it for another day.
Ingredients
- 12 large pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil the shells according to package instructions.
- Mix ricotta, spinach, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Fill each shell with the ricotta mixture.
- Spread some marinara sauce in the baking dish.
- Place filled shells in the dish and top with remaining sauce and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
10) Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Zucchini pizza casserole is a tasty dish that you can easily freeze. It uses zucchini as the base, making it a healthy option for a family meal. You can load it with your favorite toppings and cheeses.
Once baked, let the casserole cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw in the fridge overnight.
To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or microwave it until warm. It’s simple and delicious!
Ingredients
- 4 cups sliced zucchini
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked ground meat (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Layer sliced zucchini in a baking dish.
- Spread marinara sauce over the zucchini.
- Add cooked meat if desired.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.