Freezer Meal Ideas to Prep Ahead for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Mozzarella Penne Baked Ziti

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Dietary foods: rice baked with broccoli, chicken and cheese close-up. Horizontal top view
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Take it Easy

Are there nights where you’re just too busy to even fathom making dinner? What about nights where you’re just not feeling like spending time in the kitchen? We’ve all been there. To make your weeknight meals a little easier to maneuver, check out these freezer meal ideas to prep ahead.


Related: 100 Cheap and Easy Dinner Recipes for When Life Gets Hectic


Roasted Chicken
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Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

This recipe is about as easy as it gets if you’re looking for something to prep quickly, freeze, and easily prepare when it’s time to eat. All you have to do is add the ingredients to a freezer bag, put the bag in the freezer, thaw when you’re ready to cook it, and add everything to your slow cooker. This tasty chicken is best served over white rice.


Recipe: Food.


Related: Freezer-Friendly Meals That Will Always Taste Fresh


Fajitas de Pollo Chicken marinated Tortillas with Onions and Peppers
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Chicken Fajita Stir Fry

Stir fry with traditional Asian flavors is always delicious, but this freezer meal offers a fresh take on the dish. With a Mexican twist, this chicken fajita stir fry is packed full of flavor and is the perfect recipe to put together in a pinch.


Recipe: The Food Network


Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
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Italian Beef

Moist and full of rich flavors, this recipe for Italian beef couldn’t be easier to make. With minimal prep and easy-to-follow instructions on how to cook once it’s thawed, this delectable meat makes for one tasty sandwich or it can be served over rice.


Recipe: Allrecipes


Meatloaf
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Chicken Pot Pie
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Chicken Pot Pie

If you’re looking for a freezer dinner that’s on the heartier side, your search can end with chicken pot pie. This classic recipe is perfect for the freezer, especially if you want to prepare more than one for a complete lineup of easy dinners. 


Recipe: Meal Planning Magic


Vegan Mexican Wrap Sandwich
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Entomadas or Beef Enchiladas
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Dietary foods: rice baked with broccoli, chicken and cheese close-up. Horizontal top view
ALLEKO/istockphoto

Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice

It’s creamy, cheesy, and filling. This recipe has everything that good freezer meals are made of. You can choose to freeze it in an aluminum pan or a freezer storage bag.


Recipe: Passion for Savings


Shepherd's Pie
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Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is one of those recipes that the whole family enjoys. As an added bonus, it is perfect for the freezer and is easy to reheat in the oven.


Recipe: Wheel ‘n Deal Mama


Keto ground beef enchiladas casserole
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Cheesy Hamburger and Macaroni Dinner
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Cheeseburger Macaroni

What’s not to like about cheeseburger macaroni? This freezer meal is kid-friendly, filling, and easy to prepare.


Recipe: Organize Yourself Skinny


Casserole with pepperoni
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Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Casserole

The opportunities are endless with casseroles and this next recipe demonstrates just how creative you can get with them. If you tend to order pizza on busy nights, this recipe is the perfect alternative, requiring little effort and a lot less money.


Recipe: My Life and Kids


Related: Dump-and-Bake Casseroles You Can Make in Minutes


Vegetable soup
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Mozzarella Penne Baked Ziti
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Freezi Ziti

If you’re looking for an easy-to-freeze recipe to feed the whole family, this robust ziti should definitely be on your radar.


Recipe: Macheesmo


Pulled Pork Sandwich in a Savoury BBQ Sauce with Coleslaw
Lauri Patterson/istockphoto

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This recipe for pulled pork is versatile. Once it’s thawed and reheated, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Put it on a bun with barbecue sauce for a pulled pork sandwich, throw together some pulled pork nachos, or stuff it inside of a potato skin with cheese and green onion. However you choose to prepare it, this pulled pork is truly delicious.


Recipe: Dash of Evans


Chinese Mongolian beef
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Beef Bourguignon
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Crockpot Beef Barley Stew

This recipe for beef barley stew is not only simple, it’s hearty, filling, and full of flavorful ingredients.


Recipe: Family Freezer