24 Easy Freezer Recipes

Recipe: Jambalaya

Master the art of make-ahead freezer meals by stocking up on these weeknight favorites. Here, we share recipes (along with a few helpful tips and tricks) that make the most of your greatest kitchen ally: the freezer.

Build deep flavors in Jambalaya by sautéing the aromatic trinity of onion, celery, and pepper in the andouille drippings with herbs, garlic, and spices. Make a double batch of cooked rice to spin this inexpensive staple into countless meals. Cool the rice, portion, and freeze in a zip-top freezer bag. To reheat: Transfer rice to a bowl, and sprinkle with water. Cover with a paper towel; microwave on High 2 minutes.

Recipe: Tex-Mex Meatballs in Red Chile Sauce

These zesty meatballs are a true taste of the Southwest, with poblano peppers, corn chips, lime juice, and red chile enchilada sauce. Prepared with ground chuck, these are a rich, delicious way to fill a tortilla full of flavor. Let guests doctor their own plates with crunchy, colorful toppings including Cotija cheese, radishes, and avocado. If you prefer to prepare early, these also freeze beautifully, so you can always have some on hand.  Savor the sensations of Southwest flavors with these Tex-Mex Meatballs in Red Chile Sauce.

Recipe: Greek Baked Ziti

Inspired by the classic Greek comfort dish known as pastitsio, this pasta casserole uses fresh and flavorful ingredients. It mixes the classic flavors of ground beef, onion, and garlic, with oregano and two rich cheeses: Parmesan and mozzarella. So bake a dish of this comfort-food favorite, and in under 30 minutes you can settle in for a warm, delicious, family meal. For an easy weeknight dinner, you can even make this ahead and freeze it.

Recipe: Spiced Beef Kabobs with Herbed Cucumber and Tomato Salad

This recipe is all about how to take premium ground beef, flavor it with subtle herbs and spices, and create a delicious dish. These Spiced Beef Kabobs are delicately seasoned with cumin, coriander, allspice, parsley, and cilantro, then hand-formed on skewers. Grilled to golden-brown perfection, the ground beef remains moist and juicy, to be complemented by creamy toppings like our Yogurt-Tahini Sauce. Serve this zesty beef with warm pita bread and a tangy herb salad.

Recipe: Sausage-and-Grits Quiche

Recipe: Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Freeze pot roasts and braised pork shoulders in their cooking liquid—it preserves the juicy flavor and tender texture while guarding against freezer burn. Portion cooled meat into zip-top freezer bags, add cooking liquid, and freeze up to 1 month.

Recipe: Curried Chicken Chowder

To preserve the textures of meat and vegetables in soup, it's important to cool hot soups completely before freezing. To quickly reduce the temperature, transfer to large, shallow containers (13- × 9-inch baking dishes). Refrigerate uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cool.

Recipe: Twice-Baked Potatoes Four Ways

To freeze big items like cooked potatoes and meatballs, arrange in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan, and freeze 1 to 2 hours; transfer to a zip-top bag. You'll avoid one frozen mass, plus single servings thaw faster.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Brunswick stew is always a crowd-pleaser in the South. We combine chicken and tender beef brisket in this hearty version. You won't be able to get enough.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Save time (and dirty dishes) with lidded bakeware that goes from oven to freezer to fridge with ease.

Sliced almonds, water chestnuts, cream of mushroom soup, and Cheddar cheese add a depth of flavor and texture to this satisfying casserole.

Recipe: "Big Easy" Gumbo

Adding flour to hot oil creates a fast and flavorful roux. Serve this freezer-friendly favorite with scoops of Hoppin' John and a fresh green salad tossed with your favorite vinaigrette.

Recipe: Tomato-Basil Lasagna Rolls

These lasagna rolls are the perfect meal to freeze individually and thaw according to your dinnertime head count.

Recipe: Hearty Italian Soup with Parmesan-Pepper Cornbread Biscotti

Small plastic freezer jars are perfect for stocks, gravies, cranberry sauces, or individual portions of soups and stews. Liquids expand when frozen, so leave 1/2 inch of headspace below the rim of the container.

Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas  

This Tex-Mex one-dish meal is a family-friendly favorite. It's an easy make-ahead meal that can be frozen for up to one month. Think about these enchiladas when time is tight.

Recipe: Stovetop Red Beans and Rice  

Here's a low-fat version of the Louisiana favorite with all the classic, cue-the-trombones flavor you'd expect in this hearty dish. Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for later.

Recipe: Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

To make ahead, cool shredded chicken completely. Freeze in an airtight container up to 3 months. Low and slow is how this slow-cooker barbecue chicken gets its flavor.  Make a real statement by serving the shredded chicken over Sweet Potato Cornbread and topping with Pickled Peppers & Onions and Simple Slaw.

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Portion individual servings and freeze in containers that are freezer- and microwave-safe. This allows you to reheat dinner for one, two, or the entire family.

Make a classic comfort food recipe with this chicken casserole. This family-friendly dish takes less than an hour and provides a filling one-dish meal.

Recipe: Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

A container of refrigerated pesto adds distinctive flavor to this basic beef-and-cheese lasagna, and the unbaked lasagna can be frozen for up to three months. 

Recipe: Queso-Broccoli Potato Chowder

Refrigerators and freezers cannot cool soups quickly enough to be food safe. Speed up the cooling process by placing the pot of soup in a bath of ice water in the sink. Stir soup often to help release the heat. Even your kids won't be able to resist this broccoli chowder. Sautéed ham and creamy Cheddar cheese create a savory base.

Recipe: Chicken-Andouille Gumbo

Stock your freezer with this classic Southern dish. Use empty cereal boxes to save space. Line an upright box with a zip-top bag (like lining a trash can). Fill, then seal the bag and freeze flat while still in the box. Once frozen, remove the bag from the box and stack.

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Freeze this hearty, cheesy favorite in lidded bakeware for easy transport between oven, freezer, and fridge.

Recipe: Zucchini-and-Spinach Lasagna

Pack your farmers' market favorites in this freezer-friendly vegetarian lasagna. Fresh basil, zucchini, and spinach are baked with both ricotta and flavored cream cheese for a hearty casserole.

Recipe: Savory Hand Pies

Unbaked pies can be frozen up to 1 month. Bake frozen pies 30 to 32 minutes or until golden brown.

You're going to love this freezer-friendly hand-held meal.

Recipe: New Tuna Casserole

Our take on the classic hits the high notes: creamy, cheesy, fresh, and crunchy. Resist digging into the casserole right out of the oven. Letting it stand for 10 minutes allows it to firm up to the perfect consistency.