The weeknights can be one of the most hectic times during the week, especially for those who have families that are involved in a lot of activities. When you’re playing taxi driver getting your kids to all their after-school commitments or yourself to your own, easy made dinners are what can hold a crazy night together.
When you make your meals ahead of time it can prevent poor food choices, like fast food. They’re also especially convenient for those with new babies in the home. You’re already working around the clock to take care of a new tiny human, cooking over the stove for hours is the last thing on your mind. This is why freezer meals are one of the best dinner ideas for busy weeknights. We have compiled 15 divine freezer meals that your whole family will love.
Stuffed shells are something I like to order at a restaurant because the thought of assembling an elegant dish like that seems complicated. This recipe proves that it isn’t complicated at all, it’s actually quite easy.
These stuffed shells are filled with a cheesy cream cheese filling. It is seasoned with fragrant basil and parsley. The shells then lay in a bed of marinara sauce and are smothered in shredded cheese. The best thing about this meal is it freezes really well. This means you’ll have a perfect comforting and satisfying meal in a hurry for busy nights.
Freezer meals are great for busy weeknights but slow cooker freezer meals might just be the most convenient. What is better than a pre-assembled meal that all you have to do is place into the cooker, set, and go about your day? When you come home your kitchen will be wafting with mouth-watering scents and you’ll be delighted that dinner was made effortlessly.
One jar of pesto will make two meals, the more ready-made meals the better. This lemon pesto chicken serves really well over a bed of rice or pasta. The unique and tangy flavors will make the whole family request this again!
If you have kids who beg you to buy the boxed pizza pockets from the grocery store you’ll want to make this recipe. The boxed variety might be delicious and they do offer convenience but they aren’t usually healthy. This recipe is both delicious, convenient and best yet, they offer you a healthier version that you all will love.
Dough making might seem daunting, but it actually isn’t. This pizza dough is so easy it’s even made in the food processor. After the dough has risen you’re ready to start filling your hot pockets. You’ll bake them until they’re golden brown and once they have cooled then they’re ready to be put into the freezer. They’ll heat up quickly and you’ll have a meal in a hurry.
These mini lasagnas are adorable and are a genius dinner idea. Single portion lasagnas are great for easy grab and go lunches but also for quick dinners. It’s a great alternative to having to cook a whole lasagna especially if you only need to feed one or few mouths.
This meal idea is great for nights when the whole family has a lot on the go. These mini lasagnas take on a traditional meat lasagna recipe that surely won’t disappoint. It has layers of comforting pasta, gooey cheese, and savory sauce.
Chicken enchiladas are so tasty and if they aren’t already a dinner staple in your house then they will be now. This is an easy make-ahead meal that can be put together quickly and it only calls for 6 ingredients.
These enchiladas use simple ingredients that will please even your picky eaters. The warm and soft tortillas will definitely melt in your mouth once you eat them, they’re that good! You might want to double the recipe because you’ll be craving it again.
The ultimate convenience is being able to defrost a meal, heat it and then eat it. This freezer-friendly shepherd’s pie will offer that for you. Shepard’s pie was a classic dish that was often on rotation in my house when growing up.
It’s a great way to feed the whole family while providing a dish that is nutrient packed and tastes great. The mashed potato top layer also makes the meal very comforting and filling. This meal can freeze for up to 2 months so go ahead and double or triple the recipe for ready-to-go weeknight meals.
Mac and cheese is a childhood favorite for many. While you could make the boxed variety, this homemade mac and cheese might just be way better. It includes comforting pasta, cheesy sauce and extra shredded cheese on top for good measure.
This cheesy dish will freeze for up to 4 months so you can stock up and make multiples of this recipe. The kids will most likely ask for this on the regular so you’ll want to make it in bulk.
This freezer friendly soup is full of savory flavors and loads of texture. It only takes 30 minutes to make but will taste like it’s been cooking for hours. This recipe will definitely satisfy your next Mexican cuisine craving.
In this soup, you’ll find juicy shredded chicken, protein-packed black beans, a savory enchilada sauce and a lot of healthy veggies. You can top it off with homemade baked tortilla strips and fresh avocado. You’ll definitely want to double the recipe because once you begin to smell the aroma you’ll be craving it all the time.
When you think about spaghetti, noodles and meat sauce is usually what comes to mind. This recipe is far from a classic like spaghetti and meatballs but will quickly become a new classic in your home once you try it.
This chicken spaghetti casserole is creamy and savory. It is also filled with veggies and heavenly shredded cheese on top. It only takes 15 minutes to put together and the rest of the time will be spent baking. This spaghetti bake freezes really well which makes it a great quick and easy weeknight meal.
When you don’t know what to order at a restaurant, a cheeseburger is often a safe choice. It’s a classic that is hard to get wrong so you’ll always know that you will enjoy it. While cheeseburgers may be delicious, they can get old fast if it is the same thing you order every time.
This meal takes on the flavors of a cheeseburger and puts them into a soup that will encourage you to fall in love with cheeseburgers in a new way. It’s also made in the slow cooker so the flavors have all day to cook together.
This casserole takes flavors of Mexican and Thai cuisine and morphs it into one delicious dish. It’s easy to prepare and contains a lot of healthy ingredients. From black beans, corn and peppers to scallions and coconut milk there is a lot of flavor to go around.
This dish also includes quinoa which is another great protein-rich food. Once the recipe is assembled and cooked you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, all you have to do is thaw and bake and you’ll have a quick weeknight dinner made in no time.
Beef stew might just be one of the heartiest meals you can make. It’s full of flavor and has a creamy and tender texture. Whether you like to save stew for chilly, gloomy days or like to enjoy it when the craving strikes you’ll want to have this freezer meal on hand.
This recipe serves the beef stew over fluffy mashed potatoes making the best gravy alternative ever. The stew itself freezes really well but you might want to make the mashed potatoes fresh. If you’re pinched for time during the week the stew will taste delightful on its own too.
This beef stroganoff is a one-pot meal. That means even when you’re prepping your freezer meals you’ll have minimal clean up afterwards. This dish is full of veggies so there are no side dishes required for this meal.
The stroganoff has a creamy texture from beef broth and greek yogurt. It is also perfectly seasoned with garlic, onion and enough salt and pepper to quench a savory craving. To make this meal extra special, it contains 1/4 cup of red wine to help make all the flavors pop nicely.
This is another stew recipe but is made completely plant-based. You don’t have to include tender beef pieces to make a stew hearty. This recipe gets its heartiness from lentils, potatoes and carrots. It is also extremely budget friendly, 50 cents per serving to be exact.
This vegan stew offers an addictive flavor and creamy texture that will keep you coming back for more. You’ll most likely want to eat this with a crunchy piece of bread to scoop up every last drop. The stew will make a great freezer meal whether you’re vegan or not.
Many soups will freeze and reheat well which is why they make great freezer meals. While this soup might embody all the flavors of autumn, you will want to make this recipe all year round. This butternut squash soup is simple, but far from boring.
The recipe combines butternut squash with tart apples, onions, chicken stock and a lot of warm seasonings. After the soup has cooked you’ll blend it with an immersion blender resulting in a perfect creamy soup. Once you try it you’ll definitely want to make this over and over again.
