25 Easy Make Ahead Freezer Meal Recipes For Busy Moms
As a busy mom you are on the hunt for recipes that make your life easier. These make ahead freezer meal recipes will save you time, and energy, and help you create easy dinners for busy weeknights.
When it comes to learning how to meal plan for the week. One of my absolute biggest tips is to look at your schedule.
And, if your family’s schedule is anything like mine. That means you need easy dinners for busy nights.
Because, let’s face it. By the time 5 o’clock hits. The last thing that you have the energy for, is to come up with an idea of what to make for dinner. Let alone something that everyone will like. Am I right?
Which means, you are probably ordering takeout or hitting the drive thru. And, frankly speaking, I don’t blame you! You’re stressed and tired and simply do not have the patience to cook a bajillion things to keep everyone happy.
That is why these make ahead meals for busy moms are a total game changer!
By doing a tiny amount of effort on the front end, you will have quick and easy dinners for busy nights. And, bonus points for you. Because these make ahead freezer meal recipes are kid friendly too!
With that, let’s get started on how to make these make ahead meals for busy moms.
What meals can you make ahead and freeze?
Before we dive in with these freezer meal recipes, let’s go over some of the basics.
You can make ahead and freeze almost any meal. But, I think where people run into some trouble is that think it is only casseroles.
No, ma’am. Freezer meals are SO much more than casseroles. Although, who doesn’t love a good casserole? 😉
Think soups, stews, pastas, vegetables, meats. The possibilities are truly endless.
The key is having the right tools for freezing your make ahead meals. Don’t worry we are not talking about anything overly fancy here.
I personally love some trusty Ziploc bags, disposable pans, and quart containers.
Make Ahead Freezer Meals For Crockpot
Is there anything better than a crockpot? I mean really. They are seriously the unsung hero of kitchen equipment.
And, make ahead freezer meals for the crockpot are complete game changers.
All you do is dump some ingredients into a freezer bag or container. Place it in the freezer. And then dump it into the crockpot the morning that you want to eat the meal.
Like that is it! Talk about a super easy dinner for busy nights.
And if you want to make cleaning your crockpot insanely easy. Grab these crockpot liners for zero cleanup!
- Easy Crockpot Mongolian Beef by Who Needs A Cape
This crockpot freezer meal is going to be a new family favorite. It is incredibly delicious.
And, it works great for batch cooking by doubling the recipe.
- Sweet and Sour Chicken by Having Fun Saving and Cooking
Seriously y’all, skip the takeout, and try this recipe instead. It is so good, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together too. That is always a winner in my book.
- Mexican Chicken by Having Fun Saving and Cooking
This is one of those make ahead freezer meal recipes that keeps on giving. You can make a big batch of this Mexican chicken, and use it in tacos, burritos, salads, and even soups.
Make Ahead Pressure Cooker Meals
Pressure cookers are another workhorse in the kitchen. We are all about anything that makes busy mom life easier around here.
If you are a pressure cooker, or Instant Pot fan. You definitely need these make ahead pressure cooker meal recipes as part of your weekly meal plan.
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork by Plowing Through Life
This pressure cooker recipe is another flavor packed protein that can be used in so many ways. You can use this for sandwiches, nachos, salads, and even baked potatoes.
You will love how well this recipe works as an easy dinner for busy nights.
- Pressure Cooker Balsamic Ginger Chicken by This Old Gal
This chicken recipe is another great make ahead meal for busy moms. The way that the balsamic vinegar and ginger blend together is out of this world delicious.
You can easily serve this with some rice and veggies, or even a quick side salad.
- Instant Pot Meatballs by Recipes From A Pantry
These meatballs are something you will want to make a ton of. Not only because they are delicious. But also because meatballs are a wonderful addition to your freezer meal inventory.
You will love how you can quickly cook up some pasta, and easily add in these make ahead meatballs. P.S. They are Keto friendly too. 😉
- Instant Pot Fajitas by Little Sunny Kitchen
This make ahead pressure cooker meal will quickly become one of your family’s favorite dinner recipes. Especially if your family is filled with Mexican food fans like mine.
- Instant Pot Italian Chicken by This Old Gal
This is another super easy make ahead freezer meal that you will definitely want to make. It uses only 4 ingredients. Which is a winner in my book every time.
Again, you can easily serve this with some rice or pasta and veggies, or add in a side salad.
Homemade Freezer Meals
- Freezer Friendly Beef Enchiladas by Jasper and Willow
These enchiladas are a wonderful make ahead freezer meal recipe. They are quick to make, and can be easily doubled.
This recipe for simple beef enchiladas is one of my go to freezer meal recipes for new moms too.
- Easy Lasagna Recipe by Little Miss Kate
This homemade freezer meal is so easy to make. And, I mean shouldn’t everyone have a delicious make ahead lasagna in their meal plan? The answer is yes…always yes.
- Hot Italian Stuffed Peppers by Girl With The Iron Cast
Y’all these stuffed peppers are so good. Your family is going to love them.
And, stuffed peppers are so easy to make, and you can whip up a big batch in no time flat.
- Chili and Sausage Mozzarella Bake by Crunch and Cream
This is a pasta bake that busy moms need in their family menu plan. We are talking some seriously amazing yumminess with this recipe.
- Cheesy Hamburger and Noodle Casserole by Plowing Through Life
Skip the hamburger helper, and try this instead. It is way better tasting, and you can easily double this recipe to keep as a go to freezer meal as well.
- 7 Chicken Marinades by Recipes From A Pantry
Attention all busy moms. You need to make these chicken marinades immediately. They are a total game changer.
I would advise to stock up on some chicken when it’s on sale. And crank out a bunch of these marinades to have some super easy chicken recipes to freeze ahead of time.
- Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas Verdes by Bowl of Delicious
If your family is anything like mine, than you can never have too many Mexican food recipes on hand.
This make ahead freezer meal recipe for these chicken enchiladas will become one of your go to’s. And, bonus points for anytime that we can sneak in some veggies for our kids. Am I right?
- Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes by Delicious on a Dime
I don’t know about you, but I love me some twice baked potatoes. They are such a great side dish to have on hand for a salad and potato night. And, also work really well with a soup night too.
You will love how this homemade freezer meal is really easy to make. And, the next level cheesiness is what loaded baked potato dreams are made of.
Make Ahead Soups
When it comes to freezer meal recipes, make ahead soups are where it’s at. You just dump some ingredients into a bag or container, freeze, and heat when you are ready to eat.
Make ahead soups are perfect for busy nights. Especially when it is cold or gloomy outside.
- Chicken Enchilada Soup by Jasper and Willow
This chicken enchilada soup recipe is packed with creamy and cheesy goodness.
You will love how you can either dump all of the ingredients, including pre cooked chicken, into a bag and freeze. And heat when you are ready.
Or, throw all of the ingredients into a container, including raw chicken, and freeze. And, cook in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
- Make Ahead Chili by Little Miss Kate
I firmly believe that everyone needs a great chili recipe in their meal inventory. And, this make ahead chili is no exception.
It is super flexible, which you will love. You can take away or add in any ingredients that your family likes. And, have a new family favorite dinner idea at your disposable.
- Minestrone Soup by This Farm Girl Cooks
This make ahead soup is a wonderful way to sneak in some veggies. And, it super flavor packed. So even picky eaters will love it.
- 5 Minute Chicken Soup by The Soccer Mom Blog
Another recipe that I strongly feel everyone needs in their recipe inventory is chicken soup. And, I mean let’s be honest. This recipe had us all at 5 minutes. Right?
This make ahead soup recipe is perfect for a rainy day, or for those times that everyone is not feeling their best. Because, chicken soup really is one of the best medicines. 😉
Freezer Meals For Breakfast
I am a firm believer that all busy families need to have freezer meals for breakfast as part of their weekly meal plan.
One, because anything that cuts down on stress in the morning rush is a winner. Two, because breakfast is perfect for dinner.
Seriously, if anyone tries to tell you that it’s not a good idea to have breakfast for dinner, back away slowly. These are not your people.
- Easy Sausage Casserole by Jasper and Willow
This sausage casserole recipe is one of my family’s favorites. We eat this make ahead freezer casserole for breakfast, and all the time for dinner too.
It is a great way to be stealth like with sneaking in some extra veggies too. Picky eaters will hardly notice, because of the ooey gooey cheesy goodness.
I always make 2-3 of this recipe at a time. It is definitely a freezer meal that you want on hand at all times.
- Peanut Butter and Banana Quesadillas by Jasper and Willow
Y’all this recipe makes an amazing freezer meal for breakfast. You can make a big batch of these quesadillas in 15 minutes, and then freeze.
They can be warmed in the microwave quickly, and are a perfect on the go breakfast idea.
Again, not gonna lie. We eat this all the time for dinner too.
- Southwestern BBQ Scrambled Egg Freezer Breakfast Burritos by Savory Nothings
Let it forever be known that breakfast burritos are a freezer meal made of beauty. Handheld nutritional powerhouses are where it’s at!
And, y’all these freezer breakfast burritos are seriously delicious. The bbq sauce takes these to the next level of yumminess.
- Easy Freezable Applesauce Waffles by Strength and Sunshine
I don’t know about you, but my kids love them some waffles. Being able to make a big batch of these waffles and freezing them for later is a total game changer.
- Oven Baked Eggs by This Farm Girl Cooks
I am a big fan of egg cups, but sometimes you just want some plain eggs. Right?
You will love how easy these oven baked eggs are to make. They are great for when you just want an egg breakfast sandwich, and work really well for anyone following the Keto diet too.
Make Ahead Freezer Meals Wrap Up
Are you ready to get your freezer meal prep game on? Yeah you are.
You have a ton of dinner ideas for busy nights, including soups, crockpot meals, casseroles, and enchiladas. Because, enchiladas should be a regular part of everyone’s dinner.
Stay one step ahead of the meal planning game by grabbing your FREE Weekly Meal Planner with Grocery List HERE.
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