Meal Prep and the Freezer Join Forces For 17 Amazingly Easy Dishes
If you've ever meal prepped a week's worth of food or cooked freezer-friendly meals for the future, you know how lifesaving these popular techniques can be. Life can be made even easier by combining meal prep and the freezer for foods that can be reheated and enjoyed on the busiest of days — but taste freshly made. Use this recipe list as a meal plan for the next few months, and you'll become addicted to freezer-friendly meal prep for years to come.
Greek Mac and Cheese
You will love yourself forever when you realize a soon-to-be bubbling dish of the world's most comforting Greek-style macaroni and cheese is waiting for you in your freezer. Make it now and whip it out when it has been a long day, and you're in dire need of carbs.
Get the recipe: Greek mac and cheese from 101 One-Dish Dinners by Andrea Chesman
Freezer-to-Grill Fajita Chicken Skewers
Toss cubed chicken breasts with olive oil, lime juice, and fajita seasoning before skewering them with colorful bell peppers and onions. You can freeze the photo-ready skewers for a month until you're ready to throw them straight on the grill and enjoy them with a big ol' side of guac.
Get the recipe: freezer-to-grill fajita chicken skewers
Make-Ahead Freezer Burritos
The perfect hangover cure can lie right in your freezer if you prep these protein-rich burritos, complete with the fillings of your choice.
Get the recipe: make-ahead freezer burritos
Lasagna-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
When you get home from work, pop these freezer-friendly stuffed mushrooms in the oven, kick off your shoes, pour a glass of wine, and they'll be ready in 20. Smooth ricotta, tart tomato sauce, and meaty mushroom will be just what the doctor ordered after a day at the office.
Get the recipe: lasagna-stuffed portobello mushrooms
Freezer-Friendly Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
You'll never go back to store-bought frozen meals once you've tried this easy chicken and rice dish, packed with veggies and smothered in a tasty teriyaki sauce.
Get the recipe: freezer-friendly teriyaki chicken bowls
Easy Sheet-Pan Breakfast Pizza
Crescent dough, sausage, hash browns, and cheese make for a one-pan dish you'll be leaping out of bed to eat. Pull it out of the freezer for homemade weekend brunch, and it'll feel like a holiday morning.
Get the recipe: easy sheet-pan breakfast burritos
Easy Chicken Breast Freezer Bags
Easy is an understatement for these superconvenient chicken breast bags, filled with any oil and seasoning blend your heart desires. Safe in the freezer for up to nine months, the meat can be thawed and baked, sautéed, or slow cooked for a healthy dinner in no time.
Get the recipe: easy chicken breast freezer bags
Lasagna Bolognese With Spinach
In the mood for Italian? Whip up two of these beef- and pork-based lasagnas at once, and stick the extra pan in the freezer. Dinner's ready for the next time you have a guest you want to impress.
Get the recipe: lasagna bolognese with spinach
Spicy Chicken Potstickers
These spicy potstickers, filled with chicken, cabbage, carrot, and onion and dipped in a hot chili sauce, are completely freezer friendly. Make a big batch once, and you've got a killer appetizer for game days and dinner parties ready to go.
Get the recipe: spicy chicken potstickers
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
If you function about as well as a zombie in the morning, turn to these easy-as-pie Egg McMuffin copycats. They're hot and cheesy after just two minutes in the microwave, and they're even easier to devour on the move.
Get the recipe: freezer breakfast sandwiches
Chicken Parm Meatballs
Chicken Parmesan meatballs — hearty, cheesy, and insanely comforting — are perfect for rainy days when the last thing you want to do is cook. Heat them up, throw them over spaghetti, and enjoy your feast with a very necessary side of garlic bread.
Get the recipe: chicken Parm meatballs
Southwestern Grilled Turkey Burgers
Turkey patties, seasoned with cumin and chili powder, make a fabulous meal in a pinch. They can go straight from the freezer to the grill or pan, and they make a mean sandwich with a toasted bun, sliced tomato, and chipotle mayo.
Get the recipe: Southwestern grilled turkey burgers
Smoothie Freezer Packs
Smoothie bags make it easy to eat a healthy breakfast each morning, and they ensure that your fruit and veggie purchases won't go to waste by rotting in the fridge.
Get the recipe: smoothie freezer bags
Creamy Chicken, Quinoa, and Broccoli Casserole
This yummy casserole is so packed with creamy béchamel sauce, bacon, and Gruyere cheese that you'll forget you're sneaking in a very nutritious serving of broccoli, too.
Get the recipe: creamy chicken, quinoa, and broccoli casserole
Freezer-to-Oven Enchilada-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Ten minutes of prep yields four filling and flavorful vegetarian meals in the form of smooth sweet potatoes, stuffed with black beans, corn, cheese, enchilada sauce, and, of course, avocado.
Get the recipe: freezer-to-oven enchilada-stuffed sweet potatoes
Gluten-Free Turkey Meatloaf With Zucchini Noodles
This freezable meatloaf is unique in its incorporation of zucchini noodles, which keep the turkey moist and add an irresistible pop of green to a usually monochrome dish.
Get the recipe: gluten-free turkey meatloaf with zucchini noodles
Easiest Ever Chicken Enchiladas
A few basic ingredients go a long way in this easy enchilada recipe, which you'll definitely want to double so you have a flavor-packed Mexican dinner waiting for you in the freezer. Sip on a margarita and snack on chips and guacamole while it bubbles up in the oven.
Get the recipe: easiest ever chicken enchiladas