These make-ahead, freeze-for-later meals are perfect for busy households. Best part? Each recipe calls for 5 ingredients or less!
24 Easy Freeze-Ahead Meals
Updated on Jan. 05, 2022
1/23
Egg Burritos
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 burritos
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 376 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 251mg cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
2/23
Greek Tomato Soup with Orzo
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 299 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 882mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 12g fiber), 11g protein.
Learn more about how to freeze soups the right way!
3/23
Kalua Pork
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked pork: 222 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 207mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
4/23
Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups (calculated without pasta and cheese): 147 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 9g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
5/23
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 317 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
6/23
Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 283 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 15g protein.
7/23
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup spaghetti with 3/4 cup sauce (calculated without cheese): 327 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 10g protein.
8/23
Andouille Sausage Hash
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 443 calories, 32g fat (12g saturated fat), 126mg cholesterol, 1357mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
9/23
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 428 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 709mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.
10/23
Cheesy Bacon and Grits Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 261 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 534mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
11/23
Ham & Swiss Stromboli
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 272 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
12/23
Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 mini meat loaves: 330 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
13/23
Tortellini Primavera Soup
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, I found the idea for tortellini with peas and carrots in a magazine. I added my own touch to it. —Kari George, Ellicott City, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
2-1/4 cups: 282 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 1461mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein.
14/23
Spicy Pumpkin & Corn Soup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 100 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 542mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
15/23
Ham and Potato Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My siblings and I loved this recipe every time my mom made it, and now I make it for my family, who can't get enough of it. For the perfect serving amount, use one potato per person. You can even speed up the preparation time using frozen cubed hash browns instead. —Jennifer Toone, Marina, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 388 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 981mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
16/23
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Total Time
8 hours 50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to share this dish at potlucks because it can be made ahead, which I especially appreciate during the busy holiday season. The sweet-and-spicy sauce is always a hit. —Martha Anne Carpenter, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 536 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 1304mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 42g protein.
17/23
Sausage Manicotti
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 489 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 1232mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
18/23
Sausage Patties
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These country-style patties are so simple to prepare. You'll never again settle for store-bought versions that are loaded with preservatives and not as good. —Bertha Bench, Mineral Wells, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 patty: 242 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 502mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein.
19/23
Whole Wheat Pancakes
Total Time
25 min
Servings
20 pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 157 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 335mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
20/23
Deviled Chicken
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 leg quarter: 345 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.
21/23
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
6 nuggets (calculated without marinara): 191 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.
22/23
Slow-Cooker Country-Style Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Quick to prep for the slow cooker, this dinner is terrific with a salad and a fresh side. My family practically cheers whenever I make it! —Cheryl Mann, Winside, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked pork with 1/3 cup sauce: 598 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 1443mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.
23/23
Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 453 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 907mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
