I don't know about you but there are many school nights where I am busy and get home late or don't make it home for dinner at all. There's also nights where I simply just don't feel like spending a long time making dinner! If this is you, then I have a great solution for you! FREEZER MEALS. Taking some time to prep freezer meals in advance will save you lots of stress and time in the future when you don't have the time.
I have been making freezer meals for over a year now and let me tell you, they will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
I start my contract days this week and next week is our first day of school (how?!) so this week I will be making a bunch of freezer meals to use the next few months. I like to double the recipes I use and I typically make about 8 freezer meals at at time (so 4 recipes). I use about one freezer meal per week but if you want to use them more often than that then you could make more than 8 at a time! That way you're set for the next couple of months!
I personally love to make freezer meals that can be thrown into the instant pot to slow cook all day or thrown in and pressure cooked and ready in a short amount of time. I also like freezer meals where all you have to do is throw them in the oven. This means I can have dinner ready even on nights where I get home later or my husband can easily make one if I'm not home to make dinner.
Freezer meal recipes that I chose to make this time around. Freezer meals typically are good for up to 90 days, but using them before 60 days will probably ensure the best quality.
Before you start I HIGHLY recommend getting these bag holders from Amazon (aff link). They make it so much easier to prep freezer meals! If you're going to make freezer meals that will go in the oven I recommend putting the meals in a foil tin (aff link).
I'm sharing 10 of my favorite freezer meals that are EASY and YUMMY.
1. BAKED ZITI | Oven Freezer Meal
This is one a favorite at my house, I think anything with pasta and cheese is like comfort food to me! I love making this even just on the day we'll be eating it, but it's even better that I can turn it into a freezer meal and make multiple at a time so have ready to go for later. Thaw it 24-48 hours before in the fridge and then throw it in the oven for an hour!
2. HAWAIIAN SWEET ROLL SLIDERS | Oven Freezer Meal
This one is unique from the other freezer meal recipes I make but trust me, these are sooo yummy! My husband has requested that I make them when we have company over for football game watch parties because he loves them so much! They're honestly really quick to make even if you aren't going to freeze them!
3. PESTO TORTELLINI BAKE | Oven Freezer Meal
If you're a tortellini lover like me, you'll love this one! It's super easy and quick to make and when it comes time to use it, just thaw it 24-48 hours before in the fridge and then throw it in the oven for an hour!
4. RAVIOLI LASAGNA | Oven Freezer Meal
I'm a huge fan of ravioli as well so this one is another fav! Plus your veggie (spinach) is mixed in. This recipe is much easier than making real lasagna but super yummy!
5. CHICKEN BROCCOLI ALFREDO | Slow Cooker Freezer Meal
This only calls for 4 ingredients and I actually leave the mushrooms out cause my husband can't have them so it's SUPER simple and super quick to prep! You could make homemade Alfredo instead of using the store bought kind but store bought makes it easy! I serve this over pasta!
6. SALSA VERDE CHICKEN | Slow Cooker Freezer Meal
You can actually make this in the instant pot as well if you forget to put it in the slow cooker earlier! You basically dump it all in a gallon Ziploc, and when ready to use, thaw it and place it in the slow cooker to cook for 6 hours! I serve this over rice or on tortillas, you could also use it on salads or nachos!
7. CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN | Slow Cooker Freezer Meal
This is a super yummy dish and SO quick to pull out and dump in a slow cooker on a busy night! Slow cooks for 7--8 hours and I like to make rice in my small instant pot to go with it!
8. PULLED PORK SANDWICHES | Slow Cooker Freezer Meal
I love a good pulled pork sandwich! This has to be the easiest recipe to prep and to make! In the freezer bag you only need TWO ingredients! Root beer and a pork roast! Place both in a freezer bag and put it in the freezer. When you're ready to use it, thaw it for 12-24 hours (take it out of the fridge the day before) and then dump it in your instant pot to pressure cook for an hour OR you can slow cook it for 6-8 hours. Add BBQ sauce and serve on rolls!
9. BBQ CHICKEN CHILI | Instant Pot Freezer Meal
If you're wanting a nice chili recipe for the cooler months, this one is yummy! Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you-- it is still easy to prep! Dump everything but the broth in a gallon Ziploc, and when ready to use, place all the ingredients and the chicken broth into your instant pot and pressure cook for 30 minutes!
10. COOL RANCH CHICKEN | Slow Cooker Freezer Meal
This is an easy quick recipe and you can use the shredded chicken in lots of ways! Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag and freeze for up to to three months.
When ready to cook, thaw overnight in refrigerator or in morning in water. Slow for 6-8 hours and shred. Serve on rice, wraps, or tortillas!
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