Make Ahead Freezer Meals for Dinner

Whether you're short on time or just looking for a way to simplify your meal prep, these make-ahead freezer meals are sure to become your new go-tos.

By planning and prepping your meals ahead of time, you can enjoy healthy and delicious meals without the last-minute rush.

Plus, batch cooking and portioning out individual servings can save you time and money.

Hungry for more? Explore our other Weekly Meal Plans and discover a world of delicious and easy recipes!

This week I am featuring 7 different Make Ahead Freezer Meals you can prepare for your family to help get dinner on the table every night this week!  Do you think that's impossible?

Meal prep can be a huge time saver, but it requires some planning and organization. If you're short on time, one option is to make meals ahead of time and freeze them.

This way, you can simply pull a meal out of the freezer and heat it up when you're ready to eat.

Make sure you check out 10 Essentials Pantry Items and  Freezer Meal Planning Tips to further help you customize your family’s dinner.

What meals can I make ahead of time and freeze?

One way to make dinnertime less stressful is to plan and make ahead freezer meals. This way, you can have a delicious, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it's a great way to save money on takeout or delivery. Here are some tips for making freezer meals:

• Choose recipes that can be easily frozen and reheated. Casseroles, soups, stews, and pasta dishes are all great options. Avoid recipes with fresh dairy or produce, as these will not freeze well.
• Make sure you have enough storage containers. You'll need one container for each recipe you make. If possible, choose containers that are stackable or can be stored flat in the freezer. This will save space and make it easier to find what you're looking for.
• Label each container with the name of the recipe and the date it was made. This will help you keep track of what you have and ensure that your meals are still fresh when you go to reheat them.
• When possible, cook your meals in bulk. This way, you can make multiple meals at once and have leftovers to freeze for another time.
• Allow your food to cool completely before freezing it. Hot food will cause frost to form on the inside of your freezer, which can lead to ice build-up and higher energy bills.
• Freeze your food in individual portions so you can thaw only what you need for each meal. This prevents waste and ensures that your food is always fresh-tasting.

What foods don't freeze well?

When it comes to freezing food, some items fare better than others. In general, raw fruits and vegetables do not freeze well. This is because the freezing process damages cell walls, causing the produce to become mushy and bland when thawed.

Cooked fruits and vegetables fare a little better, but they too can become mushy if not stored correctly.

Most dairy products do not freeze well. Milk and cream separate during the freezing process, while eggs become rubbery. However, there are some dairy products, such as hard cheeses and butter, that actually improve in flavor when frozen.

When it comes to meat, the cuts with a higher fat content freeze better than leaner cuts. This is because fat helps to protect the meat from drying out during the freezing process.

All in all, there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding what to freeze. But with a little knowledge, you can successfully store just about any food in your freezer.

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Meal Prep

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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!