25 Easy Freezer-Friendly Meals for Busy Weekdays
We love spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new ingredients and whipping up tasty meals for our pals. But sometimes, after work, the gym and happy hour, we’re too tired to cook. The solution? Make food ahead of time and stick it in the freezer. We’ve found 25 great freezer-friendly meals for breakfast and dinner to help make your busy days a little easier.
1. Freezing and Reheating 101: If you’re looking for a quick primer on how to freeze and reheat waffles and pancakes, you’ve come to the right place. (via Good Life Eats)
2. Orange-Spice Pumpkin Waffles: What’s better than pumpkin waffles in the morning? Pumpkin and orange waffles. (via Lunch Box Brunch)
3. Mix and Match Breakfast Cookies: These cookies come with a ton of mix-in options, so you can make individual batches tailored to each person’s tastes. (via Oh My Veggies)
4. Cinnamon French Toast Waffle Dunkers: Delicious and fun to eat, these will help tempt any picky eater into sitting down for breakfast. (via Half-Baked Harvest)
5. Homemade Pop Tarts: Warming pop tarts up in the morning is just as easy as opening a box, and the homemade versions taste better (not to mention they’re better for you). (via Desserts With Benefits)
6. Spinach Feta Breakfast Wraps: Reach for one of these protein-filled wraps on those days when you’re going to need a little more fuel to make it to 5 p.m. (via The Kitchn)
7. Breakfast Sandwiches: Skip the drive-thru and warm up one of these tasty sandwiches at home instead. (via Lemon + Mocha)
8. Whole Grain Banana Pancakes: Pancakes are a great staple to keep in the freezer. Bananas keep these short stacks light and fluffy. (via Live Simply)
9. Vegan Gluten Free Waffles: Who says being gluten-free means you have to give up waffles? Spread some jam on these for a delicious start to the day. (via Minimalist Baker)
10. Breakfast Quesadillas: Layers of flavor in a toasted tortilla prove quesadillas don’t have to be relegated to the dinner table. (via The Slender Kitchen)
11. Lasagna Primavera: Lasagna takes wonderfully to being frozen and re-heated, and this recipe includes loads of tasty veggies. (via Martha Stewart)
12. Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets: Everyone loves chicken nuggets, even adults (you know it’s true.). These bite-size bits deliver a ton of flavor without a ton of oil or grease. (via The Comfort of Cooking)
13. Stuffed Veggie Bean Burger: Add some lettuce, tomato and avocado to these burgers for a tasty dinner that’s full of fiber and protein. (via Veggies Don’t Bite)
14. Minestrone Soup: There’s nothing better during cold months than a nice bowl of soup, and minestrone is hearty enough for even the hungriest members of your family. (via Garlic My Soul)
15. Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Samosas: Serve these alongside chicken and naan for an Indian feast, or, if you’re too tired, just prepare a big plateful and go to town. (via With A Spin)
16. Sloppy Joes With Avocado and Fried Egg: Put a fun twist on the traditional sloppy joe with the addition of avocado and fried egg. (via Damn Delicious)
17. Red Lentil Coconut Soup: This soup makes a nice addition to chicken or steak, but it’s also tasty enough to serve on its own. (via A Cedar Spoon)
18. Creamy Chicken Enchiladas: Enchiladas can be a little time consuming, so making these ahead of time means all you have to do when you get home is throw the dish in the oven. (via Natural Comfort Kitchen)
19. Baked Ziti: This dish couldn’t be easier to make and is extremely versatile. You can swap out the ziti for whatever pasta you have on hand. (via Foolproof Living)
20. Sticky Chicken With Vegetable Fried Rice: This delicious fried rice recipe proves casseroles aren’t the only thing you can keep in the freezer. (via Recipe Tin Eats)
21. Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers: For those nights when you’re craving a little kick but don’t feel like driving to the local Mexican restaurant, heat these patties up. (via Freshly Cut Kitchen)
22. Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable and Chickpea Stew: This stew is crammed full of beans and veggies, making it the perfect option for Meatless Mondays. (via The Kitchn)
23. Sesame Chicken Potstickers: These potstickers take a little time to prep, but that just means all you have to do when you get home after a day of meetings is warm them up and enjoy. (via Damn Delicious)
24. Hearty Mushroom and Bean Soup: Soups freeze beautifully, and keeping a pot of this on hand is a safe bet. (via I Food Real)
25. Mexican Pizza: This recipe combines two of our favorite things to create a delicious dinner that’s a snap to heat and serve. (via Recipe Tin Eats)
What’s your favorite freezer-friendly recipe? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook!
