One of my favorite ways to save money is to avoid going out to eat as much as possible. One of the easiest ways to do that is to have ready-to-heat meals in the freezer for those days when we’re too tired or too busy to cook. I try to make freezer meals anytime I can and this month, I made about 2 weeks worth of breakfasts and dinners. I hope you love the recipes!
Before beginning to make this many freezer meals, I recommend preparing the vegetables, beans, rice, and any other components before assembling any meals. This way, you only have to chop veggies once or use the oven in one prep session.
For step-by-step instructions and prepping tips, watch the video on YouTube:
Chicken Pepper Jack Taquitos
Chicken Pepper Jack Taquitos
Easy taquitos that are easy to modify and great for freezing for later
Ingredients
Method
- In a large mixing bowl mix together the cream cheese, spices, lime juice, salsa, chicken, and cheese.
- Add desired amount of mixture to each tortilla (about 2 tablespoons, depending on the size of tortilla) and roll.
- When ready to cook, bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
- If freezing instead of cooking, place in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer. Once ready to eat, bake at 425° for 17-22 minutes.
Notes
You can easily make modifications to this recipe by substituting your favorite salsa, cheese, and tortillas.
These will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- In a freezer bag or airtight container, add all the ingredients except for the lemon juice. Label and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When ready to cook, thaw overnight, then place in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until cooked through. Add lemon juice just before serving. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Sweet and Sticky Drumsticks
Ingredients
Method
- In a mixing bowl or bag, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and set the additional sauce aside. Bake on a baking sheet at 425 degrees F for about 30-45 minutes or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, pour sauce in a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Allow sauce and drumsticks to cool and then place in an airtight container (Sauce should be placed in a separate bag), label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to cook, remove sauce bag and allow to thaw. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through, then top with sauce and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked to 165 degrees F. Serve and enjoy!
Southwestern Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
Method
- In a 8×11 or 9×13 casserole dish combine cooked rice, beans, corn, salsa, and cumin. Stir until completely combined. Top with cheese.
- Bake at 350° until cooked through, about 25-30 minutes.
- Serve in a bowl and top with sour cream (or Greek yogurt), avocado, and hot sauce. Serve with chips or as is!
Notes
*If freezing, follow step 1, then cover with wax paper and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
* From frozen, bake at 350° for about 60 minutes or until cooked through
Easy Blueberry Muffins
Quick and Easy Blueberry Muffins
These easy muffins come together fast and can easily be frozen for a quick grab and go breakfast or snack later
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until combined.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the blueberries carefully so they don’t break.
- In the prepared muffin tin, fill the muffin cups about ¾ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Allow to rest 5 minutes before servings.
Notes
*These muffins can be frozen and warmed later in the microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through.
*Instead of blueberries, you can use 1 cup of chocolate chips, or omit them all together.
Berry Oatmeal Bake
Mixed Berry Vanilla Baked Oatmeal
Egg Bake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8×11 casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into the casserole dish and top with bacon, cheese, and any additional toppings you like.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Serve and enjoy or freeze in portions in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, microwave for 2 minutes or until cooked through. Add to breakfast sandwiches, burritos, or eat as is.
Black Bean Fajita Enchiladas
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a mixing bowl, toss onions and bell peppers with oil and 1 tsp Taco Seasoning. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or until veggies are tender.
- In a large pan, cook ground turkey over medium heat. Season with taco seasoning and continue to saute until fully cooked through. Add black beans, pepper and onion mix, and stir. Cook until heated through. Add about 2 tablespoons of cheese and stir until melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Place tortillas on a microwave safe plate and cover with a towel or paper towel. Warm in the microwave for 1 minute or until heated. Set aside.
- In an 8×11 casserole dish, pour ½ cup of enchilada sauce and spread evenly. This helps avoid sticking later.
- Add ¼ cup of the black bean and turkey mixture to each tortilla, roll, and place in the casserole dish with the seam side down. Continue doing this until all tortillas are used.
- Pour the remaining black bean mixture over the rolled enchiladas and top with remaining enchilada sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is golden and filling is bubbly. Serve with optional toppings and enjoy!
Notes
If Freezing – follow the directions to step 7, then allow to cool, then wrap in wax paper and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, remove the wax, cover with foil, then bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melty and filling is bubbly.
Lazy Lasagna Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- In a medium pot, boil water and cook pasta according to the package.
- In a large bowl, place softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, parsley, and Italian seasoning and mix until just combined.
- Once pasta is cooked, strain and pour hot pasta into the bowl with the cheese mixture. Stir until pasta is completely coated and everything is evenly combined.
- Add about ¼ cup of pasta sauce to a 9×13 casserole dish and spread to cover the bottom. Add half of the pasta mixture. Top evenly with ½ of the remaining pasta sauce. Sprinkle with half the Parmesan and ⅓ of the mozzarella.
- Add the rest of the pasta mixture, making sure to spread evenly. Top with remaining pasta sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil, making sure the foil doesn’t touch the cheese, and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and then bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until cheese is browned and melty and the pasta is bubbly. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
If freezing for later, follow instructions to step 6, making sure pasta is cooked al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time on the package), then cover with wax paper and foil. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready to cook, remove wax, cover with foil, making sure the foil doesn’t touch the cheese, bake from frozen for 60-75 minutes. Then remove the foil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Serve and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup from No Getting Off This Train
Sausage Cheddar Puffs
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until combined. Add cheese and stir.
- Add sausage and mix together until completely combined.
- Roll into small balls, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes or until sausage is completely cooked through. Baking time will vary depending on the size of the puffs.
- Serve immediately or cool and freeze for later. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to heat, reheat from frozen in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.
Notes
*If you have biscuit mix on hand, you can use 2 ¼ cups of that instead of the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Slow Cooker 3 Bean Chili
I used this recipe as a base and just made some adjustments. I omitted the turkey and added black beans and white beans to create a 3-bean chili. I didn’t add bell pepper to the bag but I may add it later when I add it to the slow cooker as we LOVE bell pepper in chili.
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add turkey and season with salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, breaking the turkey apart as it cooks, until fully cooked through.
- Add onions and continue to saute until onions are soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes more.
- Add bell pepper, chili beans, tomatoes, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, cumin, marjoram, and salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until chili reaches desired consistency.
- Meanwhile, cook rice in a separate pot as directed on the bag.
- Separate cooked rice equally into bowls and top with chili. Top with any optional toppings and enjoy!
Notes
If using this recipe for freezer meals, cook turkey and onions as directed and then simply place all ingredients, except optional toppings, into an airtight bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw overnight, then slow cook for 4-5 hrs on low or cook on the stovetop until bubbly and slightly reduced, about 1-2 hours on low heat.
Pancakes and Waffles
I used a bag of pancake mix for this and followed the recipes on the back of the bag. After cooking the pancakes and waffles, I place them on a baking tray and freeze them for 2 hours. Then I put them in a reusable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, I just microwave the pancakes from frozen and toast the waffles in the toaster from frozen.
I hope you enjoy the recipes and at least get a few ideas for meals to make in your home! Please let me know if you try anything and what you thought!
Happy Cooking!
Disclaimer: This post is the opinion of the author. Always speak to your doctor before beginning any exercise plan or changes to your lifestyle or diet. The information provided in this post is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal, or other professional advice. Read and/or use any of the information from this post at your own risk. Some or all of the links displayed on this site may be affiliate links.
