Get prepared for the week ahead or month ahead with these 50 Make Ahead Freezer Meals.
As life gets even busier, I know most of you just do not have time to cook every day. I’ll admit, neither do I! That is where Freezer Cooking comes in so handy!
These 50 Make Ahead Freezer Meals will help you get your freezer stocked, which means using real ingredients to make real food and then simply warming it up when you are ready to eat it!
What containers should you use for Make Ahead Freezer Meals?
It is vital to use “Freezer-Safe” storage, do not use any type of storage product that is not freezer safe or you risk the food being ruined with freezer burn.
Here are a few versions of Freezer Safe Storage Products:
- Storage Containers
- Freezer Plastic Containers with Lids
- Freezer Bags
- Aluminum Freezer Containers with Lids
How do you make ahead freezer meals?
It’s actually very simple and can be done a few different ways, first, you can always just make an extra batch of what you are cooking and freeze one for later or you can specifically make several recipes and prep them for the freezer.
This can be done with a variety of foods including breakfast and dinner items, such as these Breakfast Bowls.
If you are making soup, stew, or chili these can be stored in a Ziploc Freezer Safe Storage bag and then freeze it by placing it FLAT in the freezer, this way it takes up less space.
Slow Cooker Recipes can be assembled and frozen in a bag and then cooked when ready to serve, this means freezing all the ingredients in a bag or freezer-safe storage and then you simply pour it all in when ready to serve.
Baked meals can be fully baked, then simply reheat in the oven when you are ready to serve. This would be similar to buying a frozen meal at the store, it’s already cooked but you are just reheating it.
How long will the freezer meals last?
Typically these will all last in the freezer for 3-6 months depending on the type of meal, sometimes soups can last even longer. It’s also VERY important to store them correctly by using freezer-safe storage.
This chart is a great guide for freezing food as well.
What foods freeze well?
- Pancakes, Waffles, & Biscuits
- Soup and Chili
- Casseroles
- Meats
- Smoothies
- Enchiladas
- Meatballs
- Seasoned Chicken
- Variety of Fruit and Vegetables
- Pizza
Remember if you ever have questions, feel free to email me or comment and I will respond!
50 Freezer Cooking Recipe Ideas
50 Make Ahead Freezer Meals
Get prepped ahead with these 50 Make Ahead Freezer Meals!
Make Ahead Breakfast Bowls
These freezer-friendly Make Ahead Breakfast Bowls are perfect to prepare on Sunday and use throughout the week or freezer for later! They are also gluten-free too.
Freezer Breakfast Burritos
Freezer Breakfast Burritos to eat in the mornings.
Easy Freezer Friendly Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Easy Freezer Friendly Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole - great breakfast!
Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce
This recipe can be made in advance, make the pancakes and freeze then make a batch of the sauce and freeze as well. Warm-up when ready to serve in the microwave.
Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
Make the best Sweet and Tangy Meatballs that will feed a crowd, plus gluten-free too!
Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes
This recipe can be made in advance, make the pancakes and freeze then make a batch of the sauce and freeze as well. Just warm up in the toaster or microwave to serve.
Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
Make a delicious smoothie with this Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie! These can be made ahead, set one out while you get ready and it's ready to drink!
Orange Cream Smoothie
These can be made ahead, set one out while you get ready and it's ready to drink!
Breakfast Stuffed Peppers
Breakfast Stuffed Peppers can be prepared in advance, then just warm them up in the microwave before serving. Remember to store them in a freezer safe storage.
Slow Cooker Beef Taco Soup
Make a delicious dinner with Slow Cooker Beef Taco Soup! To freeze this recipe, simply add all the ingredients to a bag including cooked ground beef.
Freeze the bag flat in the freezer, once you are ready to serve it place in the slow cooker for 8 hours and it will defrost and heat!
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious soup! This can be made in advance by adding all ingredients to a freezer safe storage bag and freezing it flat.
Once you are ready to serve, place in the Instant Pot as instructed or in the slow cooker. It does not need to be thawed first either.
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
This slow cooker lasagna soup can be prepped ahead by placing all the ingredients including the cooked ground beef and UNcooked pasta into a freezer safe bag.
Once ready to cook, place in the slow cooker, instant pot, or ninja foodi and cook. If you do this in the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi, cook for 5 minutes on high pressure.
Spinach and Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Spinach and Chicken Alfredo Recipe - great pasta recipe to store.
20 Minute Tuscan Pasta
20 Minute Tuscan Pasta is a wonderful meal to make and store for the week.
Easy Make-Ahead Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Easy Make-Ahead Chicken Enchiladas Recipe perfect for a family meal.
BBQ Chicken Taco Bowls (stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot)
BBQ Chicken Taco Bowls - easy freezer meal!
Baked Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks {Freezer Friendly}
Baked Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks - prep these and then make when you are ready!
Freezer Meals - Chicken, Broccoli, Bacon and Potato Bake
Freezer Meals - Chicken, Broccoli, Bacon and Potato Bake - great way to make individual servings.
Ninja Foodi Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Make this two-ingredient, Ninja Foodi Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken that is versatile to use with a variety of meals!
Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Make the best Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken in the crock pot, Ninja Foodi, or Slow Cooker!
Slow Cooker Taco Meat
Slow Cooker Taco Meat is a delicious way to make some meat in advance and use it for tacos, nachos, or burritos.
Slow Cooker Meatball Soup
The perfect warm soup, Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Meatball Soup. Get this all ready to serve including the cooked meatballs and freeze.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Freezer Meal
Cilantro Lime Chicken Freezer Meal - great easy meal.
How to Make Homemade Frozen Pizzas
How to Make Homemade Frozen Pizzas - learn how to make your own pizzas and store them for later.
Ninja Foodi Chicken Fajitas {Air Fryer}
Make a great, easy dinner with Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. These are also a great Ninja Foodi Recipe! Make this recipe, then store the finished product flat in a freezer safe storage bag.
Air Fryer Beef & Bean Chimichangas
Air Fryer Beef & Bean Chimichangas - make these and store in freezer safe storage heat one up when you are ready to eat it.
Easy Freezer-to-Oven Chicken Parmesan
Easy Freezer-to-Oven Chicken Parmesan - great make ahead casserole meal!
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe -freezer friendly casserole
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe -freezer friendly casserole - another good casserole for the freezer.
Ninja Foodi Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Bake
Ninja Foodi White Chicken Chili - Slow Cooker
Make an easy Ninja Foodi White Chicken Chili. This can also be made using the slow cooker or pressure cooker.
This can be prepped ahead and stored flat in freezer safe storage or made in advance and stored to just warm up and eat later.
Gluten-Free Skillet Beef Fajitas
Make a delicious dinner with Gluten-Free Skillet Beef Fajitas using fresh vegetables and ingredients.
This meal can be made in advance and stored in freezer safe storage.
Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
Make the best Gluten-Free Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas! Go ahead and prep these ahead and then cook when ready, take them out of the freezer, defrost for about 30 minutes to 1 hour and then cook per the written instruction. These work best prepped in aluminum pans.
Tater Tot Taco Casserole
Tater Tot Taco Casserole is a great casserole to assemble in an aluminum freezer safe pan and then cook when ready. Go ahead and make sure the ground beef is already cooked.
Tater Tot Casserole
Tater Tot Casserole is another great casserole for the freezer, prep it and freeze then cook as instructed, thawing it for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Baked Spaghetti (Easy Freezer Meal to Bring to Others)
Baked Spaghetti (Easy Freezer Meal to Bring to Others) - great to have on hand or take to family or friends.
Lasagna Freezer Meal Recipe
Lasagna Freezer Meal Recipe - delicious comfort meal.
Freezer Meals - Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
Freezer Meals - Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken - prep ahead and then cook!
Freezer Meal Recipes: Chicken Pot Pies
Freezer Meal Recipes: Chicken Pot Pies are a great option to make ahead and keep in the freezer.
Italian BBQ Chicken
Italian BBQ Chicken is a great option to get prepped in advanced and stored for later.
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches perfect to make for the weeks ahead!
Air Fryer Bratwurst and Vegetables
Make dinner in minutes in the Air Fryer with Air Fryer Bratwurst and Vegetables.
This meal can be fully prepped and stored in freezer safe storage then cook as written when ready to serve.
Mexican Lasagna Recipe
Mexican Lasagna Recipe - great casserole for the freezer!
Homemade Freezer Biscuits Recipe
Homemade Freezer Biscuits Recipe - perfect easy biscuits to warm up and eat!
Freezer Breakfast Quesadillas 4 Ways
Freezer Breakfast Quesadillas 4 Ways - make these easy breakfast quesadillas!
Baked Penne Pasta {Freezer Meal}
Baked Penne Pasta {Freezer Meal} - easy meal to prep ahead.
Quick and Easy Freezer Meatloaf
Quick and Easy Freezer Meatloaf - perfect meal with pantry ingredients.
Freezer Friendly Shepherd's Pie
Freezer Friendly Shepherd's Pie - another good comfort meal with pantry style ingredients.
Freezer Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Freezer Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl - easy to prep ahead and better to eat!
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (for Freezer Cooking!)
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (for Freezer Cooking!) - we all need a cookie once in a while, great way to have some on hand.
Easy Freezer Meals - Peach Crisp Recipe
Easy Freezer Meals - Peach Crisp Recipe delicious recipe to make now and save for later!
Comments & Reviews
This is a great list of freezer meals! Good to see some doesn’t need or limited amount of preservatives to lasts.
So many convenient freezer meals! I just had to pin that blueberry smoothie with oatmeal, also, teriyaka chicken recipe.