The freezer has been doing heavy lifting to save lots of us each meals and cash for some time now.
Is your grocery retailer operating an enormous sale on floor beef? Purchase it in bulk and freeze it. Have some leftovers that you simply don’t wish to toss? Reduce down on meals waste and freeze these, too!
Not solely can you purchase recent greens after they’re in season and freeze them for later, however the freezer can even assist you put together for the busy dinner nights forward.
In relation to probably the most scrumptious freezer meal recipes, we all the time ask ourselves the next: Is it simple to meal prep forward? Is it wholesome? Filling?
Wholesome meals may be nice in idea, however generally a salad or veggie soup isn’t satisfying sufficient to fill us up, inflicting snack cravings and pointless spending later.
We’ve put collectively a listing of 12 simple, inexpensive freezer meal recipes. They usually aren’t simply wholesome; they’re are also hearty sufficient to maintain you glad and stuffed with power all day lengthy.
12 Freezer Meal Recipes For Busy Nights
![This is a photo of a freezer breakfast burrito with sweet potato hash.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27123949/healthy-freezer-breakfast-burritos-with-sweet-potato-hash-2-2-360x263.jpg)
1. Wholesome Freezer Breakfast Burritos
Crucial meal of the day simply obtained simpler. Not solely do these breakfast burritos make the most of cheap, nutrient wealthy substances like candy potatoes and black beans, however they’re additionally simply customizable with any of your favourite substances. As an example, high off your burrito with scorching sauce! Make a bunch for the week to freeze and eat this scrumptious meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Servings: 8
Major Substances: Candy potatoes ($1/pound on common), eggs ($4.25/carton on common), black beans ($0.99/can on common)
![This is a photo of cilantro lime chicken with lentils.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27133904/Cilantro-Lime-Chicken-Lentils-final-360x317.jpg)
2. Cilantro Lime Rooster and Lentil Rice Bowls
Full of nutritional vitamins and protein, lentils are one of many most cost-effective and healthiest meals you should buy. This healthy freezer meal combines taste with ease—simply throw lentils, hen thighs or hen breasts, salsa, hen broth, and aromatics into the crock pot or on the spot pot and voila! Dinner is served. Freeze the leftovers in freezer secure luggage or containers, or freeze all of the substances collectively forward of time for simple cooking one other day.
Servings: 8
Major Substances: lentils ($2/pound on common), hen thighs ($2/pound on common)
![This is a photo of chicken and rice soup.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27134107/Healing-Chicken-and-Rice-Soup-final-352x360.jpg)
3. Therapeutic Rooster and Rice Soup
One other Pinch of Yum recipe that’s positive to get you thru these colder winter nights. In relation to simple freezer meals, soups reign supreme. Not solely does this soup freeze fantastically and use ever-so-affordable boneless skinless hen thighs, however it is usually bursting with immune boosting and anti inflammatory substances like ginger, turmeric, and spinach. Freezer meal prep meets your crock pot for a really hearty meal.
Servings: 4-6
Major Substances: Rooster thighs ($2/pound on common), jasmine rice ($1.30/pound on common)
4. Break up Pea Soup
Break up pea soup has gotten a nasty rap over time, however this isn’t your grandparents’ break up pea soup. Bursting with taste, heartiness, and depth, this soup is each crave-worthy and will get even higher because it sits in your freezer. Not solely are break up peas cheap, however they’re stuffed with protein, fiber, and B nutritional vitamins. Make a batch for as we speak and freeze half of it (sans toppings) for later—your future self will thanks!
Servings: 4
Major Substances: Dry break up peas ($1.59/pound on common), potato or rutabaga ($1.19/pound on common)
![This is a photo of butternut squash lasagna.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27124303/Butternut-Squash-Lasagna-290x360.jpg)
5. Butternut Squash Lasagna
What’s extra comforting than having a lasagna within the freezer for a weeknight dinner? This recipe requires simply 10-ingredients to create a creamy casserole that’s filled with veggies, vitamin C from butternut squash, and is dairy-free in addition. Between the creaminess of the squash and the meatiness of the mushrooms, we promise you gained’t miss the bottom beef and melted cheese. Assemble, cowl nicely, and freeze. If you want a scrumptious meal, pull it out, cowl with foil, and bake for an hour in a 350 diploma oven. A wholesome dinner even nonna would approve of.
Servings: 6
Major Substances: Butternut squash ($1.99/pound on common), mushrooms ($4.40/pound on common), lasagna noodles ($1.89/bundle on common)
6. Zucchini Lasagna Rolls
Searching for conventional pink sauce lasagna flavors with out the pasta? Look no further. Thinly sliced zucchini replaces lasagna noodles and is filled with a ricotta, parmesan cheese, and frozen spinach combination on this lighter model of a traditional. Make it in the summertime when bulk zucchini is extraordinarily low cost and freeze for the cooler climate. Need additional protein? Add some shredded hen.
Servings: 6
Major Substances: Zucchini ($1.99/pound on common), ricotta cheese ($4/container on common)
7. Cauliflower and Tomato Masala with Peas
Indian meals may be among the extra scrumptious freezer meals there are. This take on Gobi Matar is simple, cheap, and vegan. Plus it’s filled with well being boosters like cauliflower, frozen peas, ginger and turmeric. Plenty of spices and tomato sauce make this freezer meal hearty and warming. Seize it out of the freezer together with some flatbread for dipping or boil a fast pot of quinoa to make the complete dinner gluten free.
Servings: 4
Major Substances: Cauliflower ($3.59/head on common), tomato puree ($1.49/can on common), frozen peas ($0.99/bag on common)
![This is a photo of hearty vegetarian chili sitting in a white bowl.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27125425/Black-Bean-Sweet-Potato-Chlii-1024x737.jpg)
8. 5-Ingredient Candy Potato Black Bean Chili
In relation to tasting higher with time, chili is king. This nutritious vegetarian version is the proper hearty meal to maintain readily available in your freezer. A spicy kick from the chili powder and scorching sauce will heat you up on a chilly winter’s night time. Antioxidants? Examine. Filling protein? Examine. Low cost and simple? Examine and test. For an additional dollop of wholesome fat, garnish with avocado or add floor turkey!
Servings: 6
Major Substances: Candy potatoes ($1/pound on common), black beans ($0.99/can on common), pink salsa ($2.49/jar on common.
Do you know that you would be able to purchase avocados in bulk and freeze them them to save cash? Seize a bunch for this recipe and save them for different scrumptious freezer meals just like the casserole under.
9. Roasted Veggie Enchiladas Casserole
![This is a photo of roasted vegetable enchilada casserole dish.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27125748/roasted-vegetable-enchilada-casserole-final-252x360.jpg)
Though enchiladas and casseroles aren’t meals that normally scream “well being”, this roasted veggie version could change your thoughts. Crammed to the brim with cauliflower, candy potatoes, pink peppers, spinach, and black beans, this recipe is filling, satisfying, economical and filled with vitamins. High with bitter cream, lime juice, and use 100% corn tortillas for a vegetarian, gluten free dinner that you simply’ll be thrilled to have in your freezer not solely as a weekday possibility, but additionally as a showstopping essential dish to serve firm!
Servings: 6-8
Major Substances: Candy potatoes ($1/pound on common), black beans ($0.99/can on common), cauliflower ($3.59/head on common), pink bell peppers ($3.49/pound on common)
![This is a photo of three veggie burgers.](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27130111/veggie-burger-final-1024x682.jpg)
10. Greatest Veggie Burger Recipe
Retailer-bought veggie burgers have been a freezer staple for years, however have you ever ever tried to make your individual? Usually cheaper and far more healthy, home made veggie burgers substitute filler with actual greens. This version combines mushrooms, brown rice, and walnuts within the meals processor for a protein packed meal that even probably the most discerning meat eaters will love. Make an entire batch and freeze them on a parchment-lined sheet pan. As soon as frozen, pop right into a freezer bag for simple storage and pull one out to grill, saute or bake whenever you want a fast, wholesome dinner! Add on a slice of cheddar cheese or hold this recipe dairy free.
Servings: 8
Major Substances: Mushrooms ($4.40/pound on common), brown rice ($0.95/pound on common), uncooked walnuts ($4.99/bag on common)
11. Mushroom Bourguignon
Portobello mushrooms are the proper, cheaper, extra nutritious different to beef. Elevate them much more in this classic mushroom bourguignon that tastes gradual cooked, however comes collectively far more rapidly than its unique namesake. French freezer meals? Wholesome indulgence at its most interesting.
Servings: 4
Major Ingredient: Mushrooms ($4.40/pound on common)
12. Spiced Chickpea Stew With Coconut and Tumeric
This Alison Roman original recipe went web viral in 2020 for good cause. Not solely is it wealthy with flavorful, anti-inflammatory substances (hello once more, turmeric and ginger), but it surely calls for cheap pantry substances like chickpeas and coconut milk, making it simple to make at any time. Freeze leftovers or the entire batch and indulge on this hearty stew when the craving hits.
Servings: 4-6
Major Substances: Chickpeas ($0.99/can on common), coconut milk ($2.29/can on common), kale ($2.79/bunch on common)
Resolve which of those wholesome freezer meals you wish to make? Take a look at these tricks to stretch your freezer meals ever extra.
1. Label your frozen meals.
Ever put one thing within the freezer solely to query what it was? At all times label your meals with the date that you simply made it and its contents. Not solely will this assist you get dinner on the desk quicker, however it should additionally stop you from throwing unknown contents out. Undecided how lengthy you possibly can freeze one thing for? Examine this out to be taught extra!
2. Portion out your freezer meals.
Whether or not you’re cooking for a household of 5 or simply for your self, pre-portioning your freezer meals as wanted beforehand is usually a lifesaver. Moderately than defrost the complete dish, pull out the variety of serving you want!
3. Use correct storage supplies.
At all times make the most of official freezer luggage, plastic wrap, and freezer secure tupperware when freezing meals to protect high quality and freshness. Nothing is worse than going by means of all of the work of making a meal solely to have it succumb to freezer burn!
4. Settle down your meals earlier than you freeze it.
By no means put scorching meals into the freezer. Be sure you permit your meals to chill down first earlier than packaging it up.
Contributor Michele Becker is a Boston primarily based author who makes a speciality of meals, in addition to Italian journey and historical past.