20 Emergency Freezer Meals for the Holidays

Sausage and Squash Lasagna
Photo: Iain Bagwell

The holiday season is guaranteed to get busy. With school activities, family visits, holiday work parties, and countless other events, your fall and winter schedule will fill up fast. But just because you've had something penciled in for months doesn't mean that plans don't change. These freezer recipes save you when plans shift this holiday season.

A surprise visit from the neighbors? Set out some appetizer meatballs you had stocked up in the freezer. Do kids decide to have company spend the night after the football game? Grab some homemade enchiladas or sloppy Joes from the freezer. Dinner plans canceled? No worries—a homemade dinner is in the freezer. These delicious dishes are here, whether you prep make-ahead freezer meals or freeze leftovers from a big dinner.

Recipes that freeze well, like hamburger steak, baked ziti, or chicken pot pie, are great to have on-hand all holiday season. Of course, comforting fall soups are some of the best freezer recipes for cold nights, and it wouldn't be winter without a cozy beef stew.

Casseroles are always an easy option to freeze. With casseroles that freeze well, like a turkey-noodle-poppyseed casserole and creamy chicken Alfredo casserole, you can feed any crowd that comes through your door. Whether for a dinner-party company or an average weeknight meal, have these freezer recipes waiting when your schedule changes abruptly around this holiday season (and believe us, it will).

01 of 20

Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole

This casserole recipe, sent to us by Mrs. Harland J. Stone from Ocala, Florida, and published in the November 1990 edition of Southern Living, is one of our forever favorites. When you're ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator, and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

02 of 20

Southern Wedding Soup

Southern Wedding Soup
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Southern Wedding Soup

We added fresh greens and pork meatballs to this comforting soup that's ready in just 45 minutes. Freeze the soup and meatballs easily for this Italian-American dish, and wait to prepare the noodles before serving. Make substitutes for what you have on hand, such as baby spinach leaves or turnip greens for the baby kale.

03 of 20

Sausage-and-Grits Quiche

Sausage-and-Grits Quiche
Melina Hammer

Recipe: Sausage-and-Grits Quiche

Whether you're planning to eat breakfast for dinner, a Saturday breakfast for the family, or brunch for holiday company, a delicious quiche is a staple in the freezer. This quiche will keep for up to a month, so it's the perfect make-ahead dish. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, and bake as directed.

04 of 20

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Baked Ziti with Sausage
Southern Living

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Sausage

Even the pickiest eaters will love this baked pasta dish. The three-cheese ziti bake complements the ground sausage and meat sauce for a one-dish meal. Plan to make homemade sausage meat sauce to really add some extra flavor to this meal before freezing.

05 of 20

Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

Ground Beef Recipes: Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

This hamburger steak recipe is acceptable when guests drop by, but it's easy enough to make for any ordinary weeknight. To save, individually wrap each uncooked patty in plastic wrap, place it in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw frozen patties in the refrigerator for eight hours and proceed with whisking brown gravy mix and cooking patties in a large skillet to serve.

06 of 20

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

One of your favorite pasta dishes got a comforting casserole redo that's perfect for family dinner. The best part is that this dish comes together in less than an hour, so preparations are simple whether you decide to freeze or eat it immediately. Leave off the fresh basil until you serve.

07 of 20

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Published in Southern Living in November 1990, we'll never tire of this casserole recipe made from readily available (and possibly in-your-pantry) ingredients. If you happen to be missing an ingredient, try substituting it with someone on-hand. Thaw assembled casserole in the refrigerator for 24 hours and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before following baking instructions.

08 of 20

Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms

Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms
Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms

Slow-cooker soups will always be there for us in the cold winter. The hearty and good-for-you ingredients in this soup are the warm and comforting elements of a meal you crave. Ensure to cool completely post-slow cooker before freezing.

09 of 20

Greek Meatballs with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce and Rice

Greek Meatballs with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce and Rice
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Greek Meatballs with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce and Rice

Meatballs are perfect for the freezer because you can take out the exact number you need and still leave more for later. These Greek meatballs are delicious served over rice with our cucumber-yogurt sauce or stuffed into warm pita bread with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and cucumber-yogurt sauce for a yummy, fresh lunch that's better than a plain turkey sandwich.

10 of 20

Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup
Southern Living

Recipe: Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

We can't make it through the winter months without craving a warm bowl of vegetable beef soup, and this 45-minute recipe is the easiest way to satisfy us. Freeze meal-size portions in large zip-top plastic bags so you can stretch this soup into multiple meals. Fold the top edge down, and place the bag in a large glass measuring cup to stabilize the bag while filling. The soup will freeze for up to one month. To reheat, thaw soup in the fridge overnight, and simmer over low, stirring occasionally.

11 of 20

Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas
Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

With these rich enchiladas, your family can have Mexican food any day or night you crave it. If you have company, enchiladas are perfect for feeding a large crowd without worrying about refilling the chopped lettuce or tomatoes in the taco bar. Don't forget the margaritas!

12 of 20

Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas
Victor Protasio

Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Gnocchi is a great pasta replacement, and this 30-minute recipe is easy. After freezing in a zip-top bag, add the gnocchi to a skillet and reheat. This recipe would be delicious topped with grilled chicken or the pasta sauce of your choice, so customize it to your family's preferences or serving needs.

13 of 20

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

This 30-minute vegetarian pasta bake is a great option if you're sick of pasta with red sauce. It can stand alone or as a side with a protein. Even picky eaters will agree kale tastes better covered in cheese and crispy breadcrumbs.

14 of 20

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

We love to make anything in our cast-iron skillet, especially comfort classics like mac and cheese. This dish is ideal to have in the freezer for the kids. Freeze in lidded bakeware for easy transport between oven, freezer, and fridge.

15 of 20

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

We never thought we could make a delicious Bolognese in just 25 minutes, but anything is possible with a doctored-up jarred sauce. Spaghetti is a no-fail option for kids and adults alike. Store in airtight containers or zip-top freezer bags.

16 of 20

Peppered Beef Soup

Peppered Beef Soup
Southern Living

Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup

This beef soup is rich, filling, and just what you need sitting in your freezer for a cold winter night. Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. Add a bit of canned broth when reheating to reach desired consistency.

17 of 20

Chicken Casserole D'Iberville

Chicken Casserole D'Iberville
Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken Casserole D'Iberville

This casserole is a classic recipe for a comforting make-ahead meal. Add chicken, wild rice, and creamy soup for a hearty mixture. You can leave the crushed crackers and fried onions to sprinkle over the casserole after it defrosts, but before placing it in the oven.

18 of 20

Quick Beef Chili

Quick Beef Chili
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Quick Beef Chili

Everyone loves a warm, comforting bowl of chili after returning from a windy, cold winter's walk. Making chili in a rush is ideal for this time of year, and having some prepared in the freezer makes things much easier for the entire family. Top this dish with green onions, cheese, or sour cream for an irresistibly crave-able meal.

19 of 20

Tex-Mex Meatballs in Red Chile Sauce

Tex-Mex Meatballs in Red Chile Sauce
Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Tex-Mex Meatballs in Red Chile Sauce

Spice things up on a cold winter's evening by serving some Southwest-inspired meatballs in a flavorful enchilada sauce. Mix roasted poblano, onion, garlic, and cilantro in a food processor to create a paste. The crushed corn chip and milk mixture helps to make this dish's unique texture.

20 of 20

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Kid-Friendly Chicken: Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Transform classic comfort food into this freezer-friendly meal. Canned biscuits help save you time when preparing this dish, which comes together in less than an hour.

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