There's certainly enough to stress about on a daily basis. Morning commutes, getting kids out to school, finishing homework, walking the dog(s), laundry, and … so many other things. Figuring out what the family is eating at mealtimes falls right under that stressful category. Why does it always feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day? Meal planning can help to alleviate that stress because it's a way to stay organized with what pantry staples and produce are needed for the week. This way, trips to grocery stores are productive and all of the products that are bought end up being utilized with minimal waste.
Tempted to kick it up a notch? Then it's time to go batch-cooking and utilize the freezer. Making recipes in bulk and freezing them ensures that there's always a meal ready and waiting, no matter what time of day. It frees up time and lowers stress levels significantly. Breakfast foods like pancakes and french toast, and tons of dinner options (helllllo lunch leftovers!), offer the convenience of not having to worry about what to cook and when to cook it. Pretty much because it's basically already ready. Parents will be surprised by what they can cook and freeze to eat on the go (spoiler alert: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are in the list), or just have ready as a make-ahead meal that they basically just have to turn the oven on and put it in. Breakfast, (leftover) lunch, and dinner is easy as fresh apple pie. Now parents have more time to spend on themselves and with their family. What could be better? Check out these 20 freezable meal recipes that will offer some relief this winter.
Favorite Chicken Tetrazzini
Favorite Chicken Tetrazzini is an easier version of a classic tetrazzini because it uses canned soup, but that's not overpowering or obvious.
Breakfast Cups
These make-ahead breakfast cups can be customized based on what ingredients you like. When you're ready to pop them in the microwave for a morning bite, just make sure they're defrosted.
Shephard's Pie
This classic "meat and potatoes" Shepherd's Pie recipe is easy to make and easy on the wallet, which is definitely a perk.
Three Ingredient Chili
What's better than a frozen meal that saves you time from cooking? When the recipe itself was only three ingredients and was a cinch to make!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Dessert counts as a meal, right? When it's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough it is! Freezing these cookie dough balls makes it easy to bake a batch of fresh cookies when you have drop-in guests (or not).
Hawaiian Sweet Roll Sliders
These Hawaiian Sweet Roll Sliders are simple, delicious, and pretty easy to put together. You can customize ingredients to change it up, too.
French Toast Bake
This French Toast Bake Casserole is so yummy, you'll opt for always cooking French toast this way. It's freezable too, so making a batch for weekend brunches with the family just got easier.
Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
This macaroni and cheese recipe clocks in at under 300 calories per serving and has the added bonus of a vegetable.
Garlic Chicken Pasta
This Garlic Chicken Pasta recipe is easy to make and freezes well. Have dinner ready on your busiest nights by taking this out of the freezer and putting it right into the oven. No defrosting necessary.
Lasagna
Making lasagna can be a tedious assembly process. To make it easier, put together a batch to freeze and put right into the oven to bake when ready.
Freezi Ziti
Let's not veer too far away from the Italian menu, shall we? This Freezi Ziti recipe tells you the best way to freeze baked ziti so you can heat it up right from the freezer.
Enchilada Casserole
Okay, so it's not really freezable, but this make-ahead enchilada casserole meal is so yummy, we had to include! Make it up to two days before and just pop it in the oven when you're ready to eat.
Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are packed to the brim with wholesome goodness. When ready to make, simply remove from the freezer and pop right into the oven.
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
If you thought jalapeno poppers were just for a game day menu, you thought wrong. The mouthwatering combination of chicken, jalepenos, and cheese come together in this freezable casserole.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
This stuffed shells recipe is one that does take a while to make, so doing it in large batches to freeze for later is the key here!
Cordon Bleu
This classic chicken, ham and swiss recipe is as easy as slapping the ingredients together and assembling them for the freezer.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
America's favorite easy recipe just got better. This Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich uses a tool to seal the ends before you pop them in the freezer. If you're going out for the day with the family, grab them to take on the go. They'll defrost and be ready by the time it's lunchtime!
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This Chicken Parmesan Casserole recipe is as easy as stacking ingredients on top of each other and calling it a day. The classic comfort meal comes together in less than 10 minutes.
Freezer Breakfast Burritos
These Breakfast Burritos are filled to the brim with tator tots, sausage, egg and cheese. You'll never skip breakfast again.
Hamburger Patties
These make ahead hamburger patties save you stress and time. Pull as many as you need out of the freezer, cook, assemble, and eat!
