Make Ahead Freezer Meals Basics

Overwhelmed and can’t keep up with a busy schedule? Try some make ahead freezer meals with these basics!

Make Ahead Freezer Meals

My goal is always to share ideas here to make your life easier.  That could be with quick recipes, printables, parenting tips, travel tips and everything in between.  I come to you today with make ahead meals because I honestly feel that with a little bit of prep work, these are the key to managing things when life is crazy.  People get overwhelmed and think that this way of cooking is a lot of work but those who have made them know how easy they really are.

 

What is a freezer meal?

Let’s start with the true basics.  Freezer meals are meals that are put together and frozen in order to cook later.  Often they are prepared in bulk to save time and money.  You can do this a few different ways: double a recipe and serve one right away while freezing a second one for later.  Or you can prepare several batches and put in the freezer to serve for later.
Why would anyone want to make freezer meals?

1. Saves time
2. Saves money
3. Good food to feed your family

What you need to make freezer meals

You only need a few things to get started to make freezer meals.

• ingredients to prepare your favorite meals  (see links below for some favorites)
  PLUS
• storage bags – these are my favorite!
• take out food containers with lids– awesome for casseroles, lasagnas, etc
• baggie stands
• sharpies or labels

While all of these aren’t necessities, they definitely help make the process easier.  The more you get into making meals this way, the more you’ll realize what works best for you in the process.

I created printable labels to use for freezer meals.  Simply download, print on full page labels, and cut with scissors or paper cutter.

Download these printable freezer meal label sheets.  For personal use only. 

Freezer Meal Recipes

One of the hardest things about cooking this way is finding good recipes that your family will like.  My suggestion is to start out slow.  Don’t go ALL IN.  Make each meal one at a time and freeze it at first.  Then when you find recipes that your whole family gives two thumbs up, make them in bulk.  Here are a few to get started with:

• Lasagna Freezer Meal from About a Mom
• Chicken Pot Pie from Mother’s Niche
• Broccoli Chicken and Cheese from Passion for Savings
• Chicken Taquitos from Happy Money Saver

 

Other Freezer Meal Posts

This topic has been written about a ton, here on 30days.  You can refer to all of these posts for more information:

• How to Tackle Freezer Meals
• Freezer Meal 101
• Freezer Meal 201: Activities and Freezer Fun!
• 31 Meals for Busy Weeknights
• 25 Meals with 5 Ingredients or Less
• 10 ALDI Meal Plans That Will Save Your Life
• 7 Day Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plan
• 19 Healthy Chicken Crockpot Freezer Meals
• 18 Kid Friendly Meals for Busy Families
• 7 Meals to Make This Week
• Delicious Freezer Meals in 2.5 Hours
• 12 Meals that Will Save you $200 This Month!