Are you looking for easy freezer meals that cook quickly and taste great? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Freezing cooked meals is a great way to save time and money. Whether you’re a busy working person like me or just looking for some easy meal-planning ideas, this post is for you!
Our recipe database is full of easy freezer meal recipes using uncooked ingredients. (Sign up to get full access to our recipe database and more!) But what if you have leftovers you would like to save for later? Save yourself time and money by freezing it to use again.
The Benefits Of Make Ahead Meals
One of my favorite things about make-ahead meals is that they save me so much time when I’m short on time or energy. And since I’m always trying to save money too—freezing cooked meals helps me do that too by preventing food waste from having ingredients go bad before I get around to using them! There’s no better feeling than knowing dinner is already taken care of without spending hours cooking each night and you’ve saved money too!
Casseroles: A Hearty Freezer Meal
Casseroles are one of my favorite freezer meals because they’re hearty, filling, and can be made beforehand. Freeze cooked casseroles in freezer-safe containers or spoon into large freezer bags.
Don’t forget to label it with the name and date it was made, then place it in the freezer. I recommend printing these labels on computer paper or water-resistant stickers and taping/attaching them to your bags PRIOR to meal prep.
To cook it later, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, pour into an oven-safe dish, and bake as directed.
Make Ahead Slow Cooker Meals
Slow cooker meals like chili and soups are another favorite of mine because they’re so easy to make ahead of time. Simply add your leftovers to a large freezer bag or container before freezing. When you’re ready to cook your meal later on, all you have to do is thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and dump it into your Crockpot or Instant Pot.
Freezer-Friendly Meatballs
Meatballs are another great option for freezer meals. To freeze them, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a large freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer until ready to use. To reheat them later, bake them in the oven until heated through, or add a few to a single serving in the microwave!
Burrito Bowls & Enchiladas: Perfect Cooked Meals
Burrito bowls and enchiladas are perfect for meal prepping because they can easily be frozen ahead of time. For burrito bowls, assemble all of your ingredients (minus any toppings) in a large freezer bag or container before freezing. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a skillet or oven-safe dish! As for enchiladas, assemble them as desired with cheese and sauce, then wrap them tightly with aluminum foil before freezing. When ready to eat, thaw overnight, then bake until heated through!
Leftover Chicken: An Easy Ingredient Swap
If you have leftover shredded chicken from another meal (or buy pre-shredded chicken from the store), that can easily be swapped out for any ground meat called for in most recipes. Just add ½ cup parmesan cheese per pound of chicken when adding it into recipes like meatballs—it helps bind everything together nicely!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there’s no better way than freezing cooked meals if you’re looking for easy make ahead options that save time and money while still tasting delicious! With casseroles, slow cooker meals, meatballs, burrito bowls & enchiladas—you’ll have plenty of tasty options at your fingertips whenever you need them most!
