Freezer meals are the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to prepare a meal. Here are 18 of the Best Freezer Meals to not only stretch your budget but to make meal planning easier.
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I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for easy ways to save time and money. And what I have discovered over the years is that freezer meals can help me do both. Life can get so busy and trying to keep up with everything you have to do can be so overwhelming.
Despite having systems set up to manage my household more effectively, there are always those days when I feel like my wheels are just spinning and I can’t keep up.
These are the days that freezer meals can be so helpful to have on hand. You don’t even have to think about dinner on those crazy busy days. You simply open your freezer and throw it in your slow cooker or toss it in the oven. Either way, dinner is on the table and you have a happy and (full) family.
What are Freezer Meals?
Freezer meals are simply, meals that you can make ahead of time and then put in the freezer to be used on another night. They make dinner time hassle-free, eliminating the stress of figuring out what to cook if you forgot to plan ahead. Weeknights can get crazy busy, so having something in the freezer ready to pull out and throw in your slow cooker saves so much time.
How Do You Make Freezer Meals?
Freezer meals can be made in a variety of ways. You can plan an entire day to make many meals. When I decide to make freezer meals, I will take a day and concentrate on just breakfast freezer meals, and then the next day make meals for dinner. You can make as many meals as you would like but I usually stick to 4-5 because this is manageable for me.
You can also make freezer meals by simply doubling your recipes while making dinner and freezing half for another night. This is a great option if you would prefer not to dedicate a day to making freezer meals but would rather build up your freezer a little at a time.
What are the best types of recipes for Freezer Meals?
- Breakfast meals such as burritos, egg sandwiches, and breakfast bowls.
- Soups, Stews, Casseroles, and Pasta dishes (make sure pasta is cooked al dente or it will become soggy).
Most of these recipes are dump-and-go. You simply prep them, toss them in the freezer, and when you are ready to use them you can use your slow cooker, instant pot, oven, microwave, or air fryer to reheat them.
Related:
- 27 Easy Dump and Go Crockpot Meals– delicious go-to slow cooker recipes that everyone will enjoy.
- 25 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for the Beginner– simple and quick instant pot recipes that will make cooking dinner a breeze.
- 25 Must-Have Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners– easy recipes and helpful tips for using your air fryer.
- 20 Easy and Healthy Air Fryer Recipes- you can find simple and healthy recipes that go beyond cooking prepackaged frozen foods.
Resealable plastic bags work great for freezer meals if you have a smaller freezer so food can be easily stacked on top of each other using less space. But, if you have the room, another option is to use disposable pans from the dollar store. These work well if you plan to reheat your freezer meal in the oven. Just remember to take these out 24 hours before to thaw in the refrigerator. Although they can be baked frozen, it will take longer.
How Freezer Meals Can Save You Money
Another perk of making freezer meals is that they can save you money on your groceries. Here are some of the ways you can freezer cook on a budget:
- Shop your pantry by using ingredients you already have on hand. Here are some Frugal Pantry Staples for Easy Meals.
- Buy in bulk to get the most food for your money. This will help when you make large batches of food to freeze.
- Find sale items, and stock up. However, only do this if it will save you money. Don’t buy something if you are not going to use it up.
- Prevents eating out often Since you have ready-to-cook meals in your freezer waiting for you, you are less likely to spend money on takeout.
Looking for more ways to save on groceries:
- 6 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half
- How to Monthly Meal Plan to Save Time and Money
- 15 Supermarket Spending Traps to Avoid
- 4 Best Grocery Shopping Apps to Save Money
As you can see, freezer meals are the perfect solution to saving time and money. Here are the 18 Best Freezer Meals to Stretch Your Budget.
18 Best Freezer Meals to Stretch Your Budget
Breakfast Freezer Meals
Egg Sandwiches (Natasha’s Kitchen)
These are so easy to make and so satisfying. You can reheat them in the microwave for a quick and easy breakfast. I also like to use my air fryer to reheat because it makes them nice and crispy.
You may like:
- 17 Best Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes– on-the-go and hearty breakfast ideas for the whole family.
- 40 Quick 5-Minute Breakfast Ideas- simple breakfast ideas to make when you are in a rush.
Breakfast Burritos( Creme de la Crumb)
Breakfast burritos are a delicious and hearty breakfast that my whole family enjoys. They are filled with hash browns, sausage, bacon, cheese, and eggs wrapped up in a tortilla shell. A perfect grab-and-go breakfast that you can enjoy throughout the week.
Bagel Sandwiches (The Diary of a Real Housewife)
We love these freezer bagel breakfast sandwiches as a quick and filling breakfast option. We enjoy having them with bacon but like ham as well.
Breakfast Bowls (Mommy hates cooking)
These make-ahead breakfast bowls are the perfect fast breakfast option for busy mornings.
Breakfast egg muffins (Six Sisters Stuff)
A simple and delicious breakfast that can be customized in any way that you want. Then, just stick them in the freezer and pull them out when you are ready, and reheat them.
Egg, ham, and cheese crunch wrap
This is one of our favorite recipes that we enjoy not only at breakfast time but frequently for dinner as well. They are so easy to prepare and customize by adding whatever you like- ham, sausage, bacon, lots of veggies, and shredded cheese. They make a perfect hearty breakfast (or dinner).
Freezer Meals For Lunches
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches (The Crafting Chicks)
Packing lunch has never been so easy. The best part is that by lunchtime the sandwiches are thawed and ready to be enjoyed.
Homemade Frozen Pizza (Intentional By Grace)
Perfect for lunches or even busy weeknights. Pizza is definitely a family favorite and this recipe is easy and delicious.
Ham and Cheese Sliders (Make-Ahead Meal Mom)
These make-ahead ham and cheese sliders are simple to make and freeze. You kids will ask for more.
Chicken Quesadillas
These are so yummy and can be put together in no time. All you need is flour tortillas (fajita size) and then add cut-up or shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great for this), cheddar cheese, and your favorite vegetables. We like to add mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Then, fold your tortilla in half and wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag.
Check out more recipes you can make with rotisserie chicken:
- 28 Easy Shortcut Rotisserie Chicken Dinner Ideas- Skip takeout and use a $5 Rotisserie Chicken for dinner instead.
- 10 Easy and Hearty Chicken Casserole Recipes– Delicious and simple casserole recipes when you need dinner in a pinch.
Ham or Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches
These sandwiches are so easy to make and quick to grab in the morning. The best part is that by lunchtime they will be thawed and ready to enjoy. Simply place meat and cheese between two slices of bread. Just make sure to add condiments between the cheese and meat or they will make the bread soggy. If you prefer you could add the mustard and/or mayonnaise after the sandwich is thawed along with some lettuce and tomatoes. Then, wrap the sandwiches up and stick them in a freezer bag.
Homemade Hot Pockets- (Happy Money Saver)
Store-bought hot pockets are expensive. These homemade hot pockets are a great alternative and perfect to make ahead and freeze for a quick on-the-go lunch option.
Freezer Meal Dinner Ideas
Lasagna Roll-ups (Pink When)
My family loves pasta and these lasagna roll-ups don’t disappoint. A hearty and delicious meal that’s perfect for a busy night.
Chili (Joyful Momma’s Kitchen)
A warm bowl of chili makes any cold and dreary day better.
Chicken parmesan casserole (Thriving Home)
A delicious comforting casserole that you can enjoy any time of the year.
Meatloaf muffins (Spend with Pennies)
If your family enjoys meatloaf this easy recipe is a quicker option than traditional meatloaf recipes.
You May Like:
Beef Stew– (Fabulessly Frugal)
A comforting stew to throw in the slow cooker when you know you have a busy day ahead.
Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
These are as easy as adding your favorite barbecue sauce to shredded or rotisserie chicken and adding to a freezer bag( squeeze out any air). Freeze for up to 3 months.
Hopefully, these recipes have inspired you to start making some freezer meals of your own. Stocking your freezer with these simple freezer meal ideas will ultimately save you time in the kitchen, help you be more prepared at dinnertime, and save on your budget.
Looking for more recipe ideas?
- 85 Easy Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas -that are kid-friendly and perfect for hectic weeknights.
- Best 20-Minute Meals for Busy Weeknights– when you need dinner on the table fast.
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