Freezer meals are a great way to save money and time. There are a lot of easy freezer meal recipes out there to help you fill your freezer with delicious food on a budget.
This post is originally from 2017 and has been updated to add more helpful information and make sure all the recipes are up-to-date.
Even with meal planning and scheduling you are going to have days where you don’t have time, don’t feel good or just don’t want to cook dinner. These times can tempt you to get some fast food or order some takeout. That’s why I like to use freezer cooking.
It cuts down on cooking time, saves money, and helps us eat better food. It can really change the whole way you eat and cook. I’ve had many people ask about freezer cooking so I want to share some of my tricks and tips as well as some delicious recipes to try out.
What is Freezer Cooking and Why You Need Easy Freezer Meal Recipes
There are many methods for freezer cooking. Some people like to double a recipe and freeze one and use one that day. Some like to cook a bunch of meals one day a week or month. I tend to mix the two.
Some people even start freezer cooking groups and make freezer meals together. In some of these groups, each person will show the group how to make one recipe so you end up with a lot of different meals by the end. Whichever method you choose, once you get into the habit your freeze will be filled in no time and you won’t have to worry about those busy days when you just don’t have time to cook.
You can also check out the free Dump Dinners Challenge to help you get started with very simple freezer meals.
The Best Containers for Freezer Cooking
I want to stress that like most areas of your life what you use depends on your personal life. If you are currently eating out a lot or buying a lot of packaged food and the only way you can see yourself able to do freezer cooking is if you use disposable containers, do it.
Be aware of the risks and try to find BPA-free containers. You are likely still cutting down on waste from takeout so don’t feel guilty. Once you are to a point where you can use reusable containers make the switch.
Reusable containers are better for you, the environment, and our budgets in the long run. Glass is best because it doesn’t hold odors and is safer for us. Silicone is also good for some items but it can hold odors and get stained. If you already have plastic containers though and can’t afford new ones right now, use what you have and watch for sales to slowly switch to glass or silicone. Just keep in mind it’s best not to take glass straight from the freezer to the oven, you should make sure the food has thawed.
- Pyrex Glass Containers– My personal favorite containers are simple Pyrex glass containers. I have a big collection and use them for leftovers, freezer cooking and more. I do find I have to replace the lids from time to time but the containers last forever.
- Thrive Market Containers– I’m a big fan of Thrive Market for food but they also have their own brand of glass containers.
- Souper Cube– I don’t have any of these yet but they are on my wishlist.
If you want to see more of my kitchen favorites you can visit my Benable shop page.
Easy Freezer Meal Recipes
This is a collection of freezer meal recipes from different creators to give you a wide range of delicious recipes to choose from. There are also some of my recipes to enjoy.
Breakfast Recipes
Breakfast can be a rushed time of the day so these are options to make breakfast time easier. You can also use these for a quick breakfast for dinner.
This is my whole wheat waffles recipe, they are delicious. They are also perfect for filling up your freezer with an easy breakfast option.
This is a simple recipe for making your own sausage patties you can pull out for an easy breakfast.
This is one of my muffin recipes. They are made using my homemade baking mix (or you can use Bisquick) and freeze very well. They are perfect for summer.
My all-time favorite muffins are these banana crumb muffins. They are simple to make and freeze very well.
Making up a big batch of pancakes is a great way to fill your freezer and this is my favorite pancake recipe.
Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups With Chocolate Chips is about to become your new favorite breakfast recipe or morning snack. These healthy oatmeal muffins use pantry staples and ripe bananas, so you likely have everything to bake a batch right now.
Breakfast burritos are a must for freezer breakfast stashes.
Main Dishes
These freezer meal recipes make great dinners or lunches.
If you love vintage recipes you will love this simple vintage Swiss steak recipe. The recipe comes from my mom.
Everyone needs a basic meatball recipe in their repertoire and this is a simple and delicious recipe is a keeper.
This 5-ingredient white chicken chili recipe is super quick and easy to make, full of great flavor, and always a crowd favorite.
These Chicken Tenders are crispy, well seasoned, and so simple to make. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces for an easy dinner or tasty appetizer.
Delicious chicken enchilada casserole layered with sweet potatoes, corn tortillas, and an amazing BBQ enchilada sauce that creates an addicting twist on flavors.
Top with your fav marinara sauce, some vegan parm, and you have an amazing dinner or lunch that will please the whole family.
These easy Cowboy Chicken Patties are packed with flavor and so easy to make! With ingredients like ground chicken, cheddar cheese, fresh jalapenos, and crunchy bacon, these homemade chicken burgers are the perfect easy dinner idea!
Black Bean Quinoa Casserole with corn, cheese, and layers upon layers of fresh Mexican flavors.
Roasted Vegetable Stuffed Shells-pasta shells stuffed with roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, and lots of cheese!
A healthy garden vegetable lasagna, with layers of spinach ricotta, zucchini and onions, noodles, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese. A delicious vegetarian lasagna that freezes wonderfully, so make a double batch and freeze another one for later!
Frozen homemade pizza is one of my favorite things to have in the freezer. This recipe from my friend Victoria will help you make the best frozen pizza.
Twice Baked Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes are a healthy and delicious dinner recipe loaded with vegetables, perfect for freezer meal prep!
This is another great way to get some pizza into the freezer.
Forget the boxes of frozen taquitos and try these instead.
The filling for these wraps is easy to make ahead in your slow cooker and eat some fresh and freeze the rest.
If you are looking for a quick and easy sticky chicken for an Asian-inspired dinner, look no further. This recipe for lemon honey chicken is sure to be a family favorite.
Looking for an easy dinner? This freezer stromboli kit can be made ahead of time and taste great. Make life easier and serve your family a homemade meal!
This Chicken Bacon & Potato bake is a tasty freezer meal that is easy to double, triple or quadruple, so you have plenty of meals when you need one,
These homemade hot pockets are the perfect make ahead lunch option for the whole family! Just cook up a batch of ham and cheese or pizza hot pockets (or both) and freeze them for later!
Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night.
This Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole has all the flavors of traditional Chicken Parmesan without the mess of frying chicken!
Baked ziti is a great comfort food and is perfect for freezing.
Other Freezer Recipes
These are some other things you can make ahead and have in your freezer for meals.
Learning how to prep and freeze cauliflower rice can save you a lot of time in the kitchen and help you have healthy food on hand when you need it.
Did you know you can make mashed potatoes ahead of time and freeze them for later? It's easy and a delicious side dish.
Want some homemade jam but don't want to can? Freezer jam is a great answer.
This is my favorite homemade hamburger bun recipe and they freeze really well.
This a family favorite quick bread. It's soft, full of cheese, and delicious.
More Easy Recipes
Looking for some more easy recipes to try? These are some of my favorites that you are sure to enjoy.
Nikki says
I’ve never froze a meal before but I would love to. I want to get into meal planning.
Lisa Sharp says
It really helps on those busy days.
Green Bean says
Great tips! I’m totally pinning this and making these.
Lisa Sharp says
Thanks for pinning and I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Jen @ Go Green says
I have always found lasagna rolls to be so much easier to make and freeze than a full lasagna!
Lisa Sharp says
Me too! Plus with just two people it works out so much better!
Anne says
Great recipe resource! Yes, I cook and freeze half of what I cook on days I’m feeling ambitious, to save time and money.
Lisa Sharp says
Thanks! Isn’t it nice to have meals waiting in the freezer for busy days?