My family likes to tease me about my affection for the freezer. Any hint that food will go uneaten, whether it’s a bowl of soup or scrap of pizza is likely to elicit a “You can freeze that!” comment from my corner of the kitchen. I’m also the first one to pull my prize from the depths of the deep freeze when someone complains that there’s nothing to eat. It’s with this spirit in mind that I’ve curated 15 freezer-friendly dinners. Either freeze what you have leftover or make a double batch of any one of these recipes and freeze the second one for another day. You will minimize food waste and your future self will thank you.
Tips for Freezer-Friendly Dinners
Before you get started stocking your freezer, here are a few pointers to keep in mind.
- Cool First — For most dishes, I recommend food cool to room temperature before packaging up for the freezer.
- Make it an Oxygen-Free Zone — Do your best to minimize air in freezer containers. If using a freezer bag, for example, press out the air before sealing.
- Don’t Overfill — Food expands as it freezes, so don’t fill containers to the very top.
- Try Something New — You might like this method for an efficient way to freeze your food.
- Hang Onto Old Jars — Consider saving leftover glass jars (such as big pasta sauce jars), since they are an eco-friendly way to store soups and sauces.
- Pull Out Your Label-Maker — Label your food. You think you’ll remember what’s in that jar, but three months from now you might not.
- Reheat it Right — Casseroles and pizza can go straight from freezer to oven. Dishes, such as soups and stews are good to leave in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove the next day.
You can also find more make-and-freeze meal tips by heading here.
15 Freezer-Friendly Dinners
1. SPAGHETTI SQUASH LASAGNA
2. INSTANT POT ITALIAN WHITE BEAN SOUP
3. SPINACH AND FETA PIE
4. GENIUS BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
5. NO-KNEAD SHEET PAN PIZZA
6. LAZY GIRL’S ENCHILADA PIE
7. MEATY MUSHROOM MARINARA
8. SIMPLE BLACK BEANS
9. FALAFEL BURGERS
10. SLOW COOKER TURKEY MEATBALLS
11. INSTANT POT BEEF AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHILI
12. INSTANT POT CHICKEN IN SALSA VERDE
13. BAKED TOFU PARMESAN
14. COCONUT LIME CHICKPEA CURRY
15. CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
What are your favorite freezer-friendly meals?? Feel free to share in the comments below.
Comments
10.22.2020 at8:29 AM #
Trina Robertson
Katie, with most food waste occuring at home, the freeezer is a great way to reduce waste. Now that we’re empty nesters, I’m freezing a lot so we aren’t eating the same meal many nights in a row. I need a bigger freezer!
10.22.2020 at8:29 AM #
Katie Morford
Such a good point. And I think that’s what motivates me most of the time. I hate to see good food that I’ve worked hard to cook go to waste. Plus, it’s one of the best things we can do to lighten our carbon footprint. Thanks for the comment!
10.26.2020 at10:08 PM #
Diane
Oh these recipes all look good! I, too, am an RD with an affinity for the freezer and my family also teases me! But I don’t care, nothing is more satisfying than an easy, real food dinner that’s ready in no time! I like to use a grease pencil to label my containers and try to keep an up-to-date freezer inventory because it’s easy to forget what’s in there when it’s full.
10.12.2022 at5:12 AM #
Mou
All of those receipies are looking good and delicious.Always some food are uneaten,then these food are freezers that.Next time the freezer food warm up serve it.You give some pointer how to food stocking in freezer.Thanks.
10.12.2022 at5:14 AM #
Mou
All of those recipes are looking good and delicious. Always some food is uneaten, then these food are freezers. Next time the freezer food warms up serve it. You give some pointers on how to food stocking in the freezer. Thanks.
10.21.2022 at11:09 PM #
Farrukh
Each of the recipes appears to be tasty and appealing. Food that has gone uneaten is always stored in freezers. When the food from the freezer thaws again, serve it. You provide some advice on how to store food in the freezer. Thanks.