17 Freezer Meal Recipes To Stock Up On For Busy Weeknights
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A freezer full of healthy and delicious meals can be a lifesaver during busy weeks. If you don’t have to cook, you won’t be tempted to order in. Here are seventeen healthy freezer meal recipes to keep stocked for tasty dinnertime meals and minimal effort on your part. Just thaw, serve, and enjoy. They can be a real lifesaver for just you or an entire family.
1. Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is a comforting dinner that’s perfect for pulling out of the freezer for a quick and healthy dinner. Serve it with some crunchy garlic bread or a side salad and dinner is complete. It’s light, and filling, and you definitely get a good serving of veggies for the day.
2. Homemade Lasagna
If having lasagna for dinner sounds like a lot of work, make a big batch of this homemade lasagna on the weekend and freeze it unbaked until your cravings kick in. Once you’re ready to enjoy some, pop it in the oven for a delicious meal without the sweat of working in the kitchen.
3. Cheesy Baked Meatballs
Cheesy baked meatballs are the ultimate comfort food when you’re in real need of a delicious and filling meal. Cook some rice or pasta separately to go with it, and you’ll have a full and comforting meal you can’t get enough of. Don’t forget the side salad for some veggies.
4. Bean Chowder
Bean chowder is a delicious, fiber-filled chowder that can be enjoyed with a side of cornbread or garlic bread. You can also serve this over rice, quinoa, or pasta. It’s a fantastic meal for plant-based folks and meat eaters alike. It’s one of those comforting chowders nobody can resist.
5. Slow Cooker Carnitas
Slow cooker carnitas are some of the best, most authentic carnitas you can make at home, and you don’t even have to stand over a stove. Your slow cooker will do all the work and provide you with tender, fall-apart carnitas you just can’t stop eating.
6. Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti pie is one of those easy meals that you can rely on for any busy weeknight. All the better if you already have it ready to go in the freezer. You can make this using leftover spaghetti, or make it from scratch easily. Serve with a green salad and some garlic bread.
7. Curry Pineapple Turkey Rice Bowl
Rice bowls are a convenient meal both for lunch and dinner. This curry pineapple turkey rice bowl is easy to put together, and you can thaw it in the fridge overnight to pop it in the microwave the next day for lunch if you have leftovers. But chances are, you won’t.
8. Curried Lentils
Curried lentils are never a bad idea, especially when all you have to do is warm them up. They make a delicious and very nutritious meal any day of the week. Anyone who loves lentils will appreciate having a stock of this in their freezer.
9. Mushroom And Brown Rice Casserole
Mushroom and brown rice casserole is delicious with all that parmesan cheese you top it with. It’s quick to make and full of great flavor. It’s a simple dish that looks as simple as it is to make. But don’t let it fool you. The flavor is next level. “Ugly” food is often the best, don’t you think?
10. Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
Mexican stuffed bell peppers are a fun twist on a homestyle classic. This Mexican-inspired version has all the spices you would expect from Mexican flavors, and it’s exceptionally filling. You can serve it with some Mexican rice and a side of refried beans to round out the meal.
11. Turkey Chili
Turkey chili is wonderful for making ahead of time. Cook this and then portion it out into single-serving containers for easy grab-n-go meals any time you want or need one. It’s delicious with a side salad and a slice of cornbread. You can also serve it over rice or quinoa to add bulk if you want it.
12. Slow Cooker Southwestern 2 Bean Chicken
This Southwest chicken slow cooker recipe is incredible stuff. Eat it as is, or serve it over brown rice. You can even mix it into cooked pasta for a creative way to use up leftovers. It’s hearty, and filling, and gives you all those southwestern flavors you know and love. Serve it with a side of cornbread or a warmed tortilla. Either one works well here.
13. Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Verde
This slow cooker pineapple chicken verde is perfect to have frozen in portions so you can make yourself a quick taco or burrito any time you need it. It’s fast, healthy, and you can’t beat the salsa verde flavors. It’s great mixed into rice or quinoa too. Add extra jalapeno to make it spicy.
14. Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Slow cooker meatloaf isn’t something you would immediately associate with a freezer meal, but it’s a delicious option and actually freezes super well. You can freeze it before cooking or after, and also as a whole meatloaf or in sliced pieces. But cooked and sliced is a great way to make sure you can get dinner on the table fast when you need to. Just add your favorite sides.
15. Black Bean Mexican Chicken
Black bean Mexican chicken is great by itself or in salads, burritos, tacos, and more. Freeze in single portions so you never have to wait long for them to defrost. It can be packed warm in a Thermos, or be served cold over some greens for a delicious salad.
16. Taquitos
Everyone loves taquitos. But the store-bought stuff is so full of chemicals and preservatives that you have to wonder if it’s even real food. This recipe changes all that. Authentic flavors abound in this simple recipe that is perfect for stocking your freezer.
17. Vegetarian Lasagna
If you love a good vegetarian lasagna, this one uses TVP (texturized vegetable protein) instead of meat. But if you prefer meat, you can easily swap the two. Try ground turkey or ground beef for the best results. Just don’t forget the garlic bread to go with it.
More From The Gracious Pantry
Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.
