24 Easy Freeze-Ahead Meals
Updated: Jan. 05, 2022These make-ahead, freeze-for-later meals are perfect for busy households. Best part? Each recipe calls for 5 ingredients or less!
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Egg Burritos
Zap one of these frozen burritos in the microwave and you'll stave off hunger all morning. This recipe is my family’s favorite combo, but I sometimes use breakfast sausage instead of bacon. —Audra Niederman, Aberdeen, South Dakota
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Greek Tomato Soup with Orzo
My recipe for manestra, which means “orzo” in Greek, is one of the most straightforward and easiest soup recipes to make. You only need a few steps to transform simple ingredients into a creamy one-pot-meal in about 30 minutes. —Kiki Vagianos, Melrose, MassachusettsLearn more about how to freeze soups the right way!
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Hawaiian Pork Roast
Bananas, liquid smoke and soy sauce flavor this fall-apart-tender pork roast. It's just like the kind I enjoyedat the luaus I went to in Hawaii. —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
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Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner
On the days I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas
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Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
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Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
I made this tasty breakfast casserole with crescent rolls for a baby shower. It saved me; preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas
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Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
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Andouille Sausage Hash
I threw this hash together last minute for a church brunch. Folks liked it so much they asked me for the recipe, so I scrambled to write it down. —Paulette Heisler, Tampa, Florida
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Chicken Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
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Grits & Bacon Casserole
A Mississippi home cook gave me her recipe for grits casserole. It baked like traditional custard. I garnish it with parsley, crumbled bacon and cheese. —Theresa Liguori, Elkridge, Maryland
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Ham & Swiss Stromboli
This is an excellent dish to take to someone for dinner. It's also easy to change up the recipe with your favorite meats or cheeses. —Tricia Bibb, Hartselle, AL
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BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
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Tortellini Primavera Soup
Years ago, I found in a magazine the idea for tortellini with peas and carrots. I added my own touch to it. —Kari George, Ellicott City, Maryland
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Spicy Pumpkin & Corn Soup
A seriously quick dish, it can satisfy a hungry household in 15 minutes. My family loves sharing this soup with cornbread, or you can add a zesty kick with some Rotel. — Heather Rorex, Winnemucca, Nevada
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Ham & Cheese Potato Casserole
This recipe makes two cheesy, delicious casseroles. Have one tonight and put the other on ice for a future busy weeknight. It’s like having money in the bank when things get hectic! —Kari Adams, Fort Collins, Colorado
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Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
“Foolproof” is a perfect way to describe my barbecue pork recipe. With just four ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make these fabulous sandwiches with very little effort. —Sarah Johnson, Chicago, Illinois
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Sausage Manicotti
This classic Italian dinner comes together in a snap, but tastes like it took hours. It’s so easy to fix, and my family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota
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Pork Sausage Patties
Savory pork sausage patties will give any breakfast a boost. These little beauties will have everyone coming back for seconds. —Carole Thomson, Komarno, Manitoba
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Whole Wheat Pancakes
To fix a large batch of tender pancakes for my five children, I rely on this quick and wholesome recipe. It calls for whole wheat flour and buttermilk, which make the pancakes filling but also light. Serve them with hot chocolate for a breakfast that’s sure to delight little ones. —Line Walter, Wayne, Pennsylvania
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Deviled Chicken
My family has always loved this flavorful golden brown chicken. I watch for frequent sales on leg quarters to keep the cost per serving low. —Linda Trammell, Kingston, Missouri
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Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
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Super Easy Country-Style Ribs
I'm a die-hard rib fan. When we were growing up, our mom made these for us all the time, and we still can’t get enough of them. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah
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Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
My husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky
Originally Published: November 20, 2017
