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With a new baby just around the corner, I’ve had food preparation on the brain lately. Since I do most of the cooking in our home, I don’t want to be stranded without a few healthy, prepared options when I’ve got my hands full later this month!
In case you’re in the same boat, or just want some convenience meals on hand, here’s my solution to easy freezer meals.
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1. Frozen Sauces.
One of the easiest meals for me to throw together is one based around a delicious sauce, paired with vegetables and quinoa (or a grain-like substitute). Since sauces are quick and easy to prepare, I’ve been making double-batches all week and freezing the extras for future meals. We also have a hefty stash of pre-chopped frozen vegetables on hand, so the meal can come together quickly, with no chopping necessary.
My favorite sauces to freeze include:
Easy Coconut Curry (pictured above)
Roasted Red Pepper “Cream” Sauce
*Tip: My favorite way to freeze sauces is by pouring them into an ice cube tray, for easily managed portions that thaw easily.
Simply store the frozen sauce cubes in an air-tight container, and thaw 4-5 cubes per serving when you want to prepare your next meal!
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2. Frozen Soups & Casseroles
Soups and casseroles take a bit more prep-work on the front end, but are easy to thaw and heat when dinner time rolls around.
I plan to freeze the following:
Classic Chicken & Vegetable Soup
Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole (pictured above)
Eggplant & Goat Cheese Lasagna
Creamy Pumpkin & Sage Pasta (baked in a casserole dish)
*Note: Because all of these casseroles are grain-free, and loaded with hydrating vegetables, they most likely will not thaw exactly as they would when they are freshly prepared. I expect them to be slightly more watery, but I hope they will still taste delicious!
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3. Frozen Salad Dressings
Thanks to pre-washed greens and pre-shredded vegetables, like carrots and beets, I find salads one of the easiest things to throw together– especially if the dressing is already prepared. Since I’m spoiled by my delicious, homemade dressings, I’ve frozen a few of my favorites ahead of time, and plan to thaw them in the fridge for my weekly salad rotation!
Classic Greek Dressing (my current favorite!)
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4. Miscellaneous Freezer Meals
Frozen Cauliflower Pizza Crusts
Cauliflower Fried Rice (using frozen cauliflower rice and pre-chopped veggies)
Sweet Potato Noodles with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce (or any of the other sauces listed above!)
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5. Sweet Treats
Since I don’t plan on my sweet tooth going away anytime soon, here are the healthy dessert options we’ll have on hand!
Creamy Almond Butter Freezer Fudge
Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan)
Healthier Peanut Butter Eggs (We’ve had these in our freezer since Easter, and they’re still good!)
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Reader Feedback: What are YOUR favorite freezer meals? Feel free to share links and recipes below!
Thank you for sharing these freezer meals! I go back to work late next week post-baby, and I’ve been going crazy trying to find recipes that are freezer friendly, delicious, AND nutritious! Thanks for taking the guess work out of it for me! 🙂
I just love your website!!! There is not one recipe on here i’ve tried that I havent LOVED & made again. I come here every single week to look for ideas/recipes for our weekly menu. I’m so glad I found this section on frozen meals, as I am starting grad school very soon and will need some already-prepared healthy meals!!! You make my life easier!
Thank you so much for these helpful tips and recipes. I’m pretty busy with two full time jobs 1)my 9-5 outside of my home and 2)my husband and kids. The last thing I want to do is bulk up my pantry and freezer with unhealthy items for the sake of having something quick and easy on hand. I firmly believe everything we eat should nourish our bodies but when you have time restraints, that drive-thru you pass on the way home starts looking like a good option. Please keep these life and time saving tips coming!! I appreciate it more than you know!
Just a quick comment on freezing dressings and pesto, maybe you could correct me if I’m wrong. I heard it is extremely dangerous to prepare any oil-based condiments from home ahead of time. Apparently, oil is a basic medium that increases the propagation of the bacteria responsible for botulism. This is why any pesto, dressing or bread dipping sauce you make from home without preservatives should be consumed in the following days. And freezing is not enough to kill the bacteria. I often make pesto, and since I have come across this information, I puree my herbs, nuts, garlic and what not, like I used to, and freeze them in ice trays but only mix the thawed puree with oil when I am ready to eat it. What do you think?
Please let us know what was good out of the freezer! I will be making batches of food in a couple months, too. Congrats on the little one – glad you were mostly-prepared early!! All the more reason for my husband and me to get prepped ahead of schedule.
This is perfect timing! I am due in a few weeks and had planned on making some freezer meals to be somewhat prepared. I appreciate people wanting to bring me food, but it’s tough when you try to eat a certain way (Paleo). I can’t wait to try several of these and be ready for baby!
Congrats to you, mama, and hope you are able to get some rest 😉
Girl, you are so smart! I’m going to do this so I have more sauces and dressings on hand.
I’ve never thought of freezing salad dressings—genius!! I love the ice cube tray idea, too. I wish I could freeze a whole list like yours above, just to have on hand when I’m feeling lazy!! 🙂