Clear Some Freezer Space and Try These Easy Make-Ahead Meals

Life can get busy, and sometimes the last thing you want to think about is cooking a meal from scratch. That’s where make-ahead meals come in handy. Preparing meals in advance and freezing them saves time, energy, and stress during hectic days. Here are some delicious, freezer-friendly meals you can whip up ahead of time, so you’ll always have something homemade ready to go.

1. Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are a hearty, comforting meal that freezes beautifully. The combination of shredded chicken, cheese, and zesty enchilada sauce makes this a family favorite that’s easy to prep and store.

Ingredients:

• Shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup enchilada sauce
• 8 flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Diced onions and bell peppers (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine shredded chicken, a little enchilada sauce, and any desired veggies.
2. Roll the mixture into tortillas and place in a freezer-safe dish.
3. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese. Freeze the dish.
4. When ready to eat, bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

2. Baked Ziti

This cheesy, comforting Italian classic is perfect for freezing and reheating on busy weeknights. Baked ziti is packed with flavor, and you can easily double the recipe to freeze for future meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Ground beef or sausage (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook and drain the ziti, then combine with marinara, ricotta, and cooked meat (if using).
2. Pour into a freezer-safe dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
3. Cover and freeze.
4. When ready to bake, cook at 375°F for 35-40 minutes.

3. Breakfast Burritos

Start your mornings off right with these easy make-ahead breakfast burritos. Filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of fillings like sausage, bacon, or veggies, they’re the perfect grab-and-go option.

Ingredients:

• Scrambled eggs
• Shredded cheese
• Cooked sausage, bacon, or ham
• Diced bell peppers and onions (optional)
• Flour tortillas

Instructions:

1. Cook scrambled eggs and combine with cheese and any additional fillings.
2. Roll into flour tortillas and wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
3. Freeze individually. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a quick breakfast on busy mornings.

4. Chili

Chili is one of the ultimate freezer-friendly meals. Whether you prefer it with ground beef, turkey, or loaded with veggies and beans, it’s a versatile dish that’s easy to make in large batches and freeze for later.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef or turkey
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 packet chili seasoning

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat, then add onions, beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning.
2. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Let it cool completely before dividing into freezer bags or containers.
3. Freeze in portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge and heat on the stove or microwave.

5. Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food, featuring ground meat and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s an ideal make-ahead meal that holds up well in the freezer.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 2 cups mashed potatoes

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground meat and mix with vegetables and broth.
2. Layer the mixture into a freezer-safe dish and top with mashed potatoes.
3. Cover tightly and freeze. Bake from frozen at 350°F for 45-50 minutes.

6. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is a comforting, hearty dish that’s perfect for making in advance. The combination of creamy chicken, vegetables, and flaky pie crust is always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Mix the chicken, vegetables, soup, and milk in a bowl.
2. Pour into a pie dish and cover with a pie crust.
3. Freeze unbaked. When ready to eat, bake at 400°F for 40-45 minutes.

7. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a nutritious and tasty make-ahead meal. Filled with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and vegetables, they freeze and reheat exceptionally well.

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove seeds.
2. Brown the meat and mix with cooked rice, tomatoes, and cheese.
3. Stuff the mixture into the peppers and place them in a freezer-safe dish.
4. Freeze, then bake from frozen at 375°F for 45 minutes to an hour.

8. Lasagna

Lasagna is a quintessential make-ahead dish that freezes well and can easily feed a crowd. It’s cheesy, rich, and always satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the noodles and brown the ground beef.
2. Layer noodles, meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella in a freezer-safe dish.
3. Freeze the entire dish, then bake at 375°F for 50-60 minutes when ready.

Tips for Freezing and Reheating Meals:

• Use airtight containers: Freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags are best to prevent freezer burn.
• Label and date everything: Make sure you label each meal with the name and date to keep track of what’s in your freezer.
• Thawing: For best results, thaw meals in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating from frozen: Most meals can be baked or microwaved directly from frozen; just add a little extra cooking time.

Conclusion

Freezer meals are a game-changer for busy schedules, ensuring that you always have a home-cooked meal on hand. These easy make-ahead recipes will help you stock your freezer with delicious, wholesome meals you can enjoy whenever you need them. So clear out some freezer space and get ready to make meal prep a breeze!