Are there nights where you’re just too busy to even fathom making dinner? What about nights where you’re just not feeling like spending time in the kitchen? We’ve all been there. To make your weeknight meals a little easier to maneuver, check out these freezer meal ideas to prep ahead.
Related: 100 Cheap and Easy Dinner Recipes for When Life Gets Hectic
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
This recipe is about as easy as it gets if you’re looking for something to prep quickly, freeze, and easily prepare when it’s time to eat. All you have to do is add the ingredients to a freezer bag, put the bag in the freezer, thaw when you’re ready to cook it, and add everything to your slow cooker. This tasty chicken is best served over white rice.
Recipe: Food.
Related: Freezer-Friendly Meals That Will Always Taste Fresh
Chicken Fajita Stir Fry
Stir fry with traditional Asian flavors is always delicious, but this freezer meal offers a fresh take on the dish. With a Mexican twist, this chicken fajita stir fry is packed full of flavor and is the perfect recipe to put together in a pinch.
Recipe: The Food Network
Italian Beef
Moist and full of rich flavors, this recipe for Italian beef couldn’t be easier to make. With minimal prep and easy-to-follow instructions on how to cook once it’s thawed, this delectable meat makes for one tasty sandwich or it can be served over rice.
Recipe: Allrecipes
Meatloaf
Who doesn’t love meatloaf? Not only is it easy to throw together, it’s absolutely delicious. Next time you make meatloaf for dinner, follow this recipe to make an extra loaf (or two) and freeze the bonus meatloaf for an easy dinner to have on standby.
Recipe: One Hundred Dollars a Month
Related: 16 Foods to Freeze for Later (and How to Do It Right)
Chicken Pot Pie
If you’re looking for a freezer dinner that’s on the heartier side, your search can end with chicken pot pie. This classic recipe is perfect for the freezer, especially if you want to prepare more than one for a complete lineup of easy dinners.
Recipe: Meal Planning Magic
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Black Bean and Quinoa Burritos
This vegetarian recipe allows you to make big-batch freezer meals, creating readily available, easily accessible dinners that keep on giving.
Recipe: Yummly
Related: Easy and Cheap Vegetarian Recipes Anyone Will Enjoy
Beef Enchiladas
Simple, straightforward, and scrumptious. These beef enchiladas are the ultimate make-ahead dish to have on-hand in your freezer for an easy dinner.
Recipe: One Hundred Dollars a Month
Related: This Clever Technique Will Make More Room in Your Freezer
Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice
It’s creamy, cheesy, and filling. This recipe has everything that good freezer meals are made of. You can choose to freeze it in an aluminum pan or a freezer storage bag.
Recipe: Passion for Savings
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Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is one of those recipes that the whole family enjoys. As an added bonus, it is perfect for the freezer and is easy to reheat in the oven.
Recipe: Wheel ‘n Deal Mama
Taco Casserole
Casseroles are the ideal make-ahead freezer meal and this recipe transforms a staple dinner like tacos into a hearty, convenient casserole that the whole family will enjoy.
Recipe: Eating on a Dime
Related: 20 Comfort Food Recipes That Freeze Well
Cheeseburger Macaroni
What’s not to like about cheeseburger macaroni? This freezer meal is kid-friendly, filling, and easy to prepare.
Recipe: Organize Yourself Skinny
Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Casserole
The opportunities are endless with casseroles and this next recipe demonstrates just how creative you can get with them. If you tend to order pizza on busy nights, this recipe is the perfect alternative, requiring little effort and a lot less money.
Recipe: My Life and Kids
Related: Dump-and-Bake Casseroles You Can Make in Minutes
Hearty Vegetable Soup
This vegetable soup is packed full of vegetables and flavor. It’s easy to prepare, simple to freeze and thaw, and requires minimal effort to reheat.
Recipe: Thriving Home
Related: 30 Easy Soup Recipes That Last for Days
Freezi Ziti
If you’re looking for an easy-to-freeze recipe to feed the whole family, this robust ziti should definitely be on your radar.
Recipe: Macheesmo
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This recipe for pulled pork is versatile. Once it’s thawed and reheated, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Put it on a bun with barbecue sauce for a pulled pork sandwich, throw together some pulled pork nachos, or stuff it inside of a potato skin with cheese and green onion. However you choose to prepare it, this pulled pork is truly delicious.
Recipe: Dash of Evans
Mongolian Beef
Full of bold flavors, this mongolian beef is simple to prepare and makes for an easy weeknight dinner.
Recipe: Freezer Meals 101
Related: 50 Perfect Sunday Dinner Recipes
Crockpot Beef Barley Stew
This recipe for beef barley stew is not only simple, it’s hearty, filling, and full of flavorful ingredients.
Recipe: Family Freezer
