My freezer has a permanent section reserved for nights I know I will not have the energy to cook from scratch. These recipes freeze and reheat well, which not every dinner actually does.
Six freezer meal prep recipes
1. Freezer breakfast burritos
Wrap tightly in foil before freezing. Reheat from frozen in the microwave, unwrapped from foil first, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Freezer chicken and rice casserole
Assemble unbaked, freeze, then bake from frozen with extra time added, roughly 1.5 times the normal bake time.
3. Freezer meatballs
Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray first before transferring to a bag, so they do not stick together into one large clump.
4. Freezer soup portions
Soups with cream freeze less well than broth-based ones, which can separate slightly on reheating. Broth-based soups freeze cleanly.
5. Freezer taco meat
Cooked and seasoned, then portioned flat in freezer bags so it thaws faster and stacks easily.
6. Freezer breakfast sandwiches
Egg, cheese, and English muffin assembled and wrapped individually, ready to microwave straight from frozen most mornings.
What does not freeze well
Anything with raw vegetables like lettuce or cucumber, and dishes with a lot of cream, tend to separate or turn watery once thawed. Stick to broth, tomato, or dry-based dishes for the best results.
Frequently asked questions
How long do freezer meals typically last?
Most of these keep 2 to 3 months at good quality in a standard freezer, though they remain technically safe longer.
Do I need to thaw freezer meals before reheating?
Not always. Soups and casseroles can go straight from freezer to oven or stovetop with extra time added, though thawing overnight in the fridge speeds up reheating.