Low on groceries or just don't feel like cooking? These prep-ahead recipes will do the trick.
We've all been there: It's 7 p.m. and your stomach is starting to rumble, but you just don't feel like cooking. Turn to one of these freezer-friendly meals you can make well in advance and heat up when you're hungry.
Thriving Home Blog / Via thrivinghomeblog.com
Fully cooked, shredded chicken (like leftover rotisserie chicken), marinara sauce, cheese, and breadcrumbs get layered in a casserole dish. Pop it in the freezer, ad when you're ready to heat it up, just cook it at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Get the recipe for chicken parmesan casserole here.
Space Ships and Laser Beams / Via spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com
Prepping this ultimate comfort food takes about 30 minutes, but you can save lots of time and effort by starting with rotisserie chicken and store-bought pie crust. When you're ready to heat it up, wrap the edges of the crust with tin foil so they don't burn and bake for 45 minutes. Get the recipe for freezer-ready chicken pot pie here.
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
If you're looking for an easy meatless meal you can prepare in advance, this taco "meat" made with cauliflower, walnuts, chipotles in adobo, and spices is just the thing. You can freeze the vegetarian filling and thaw it to use in tacos, burritos, and grain bowls. Get the recipe for cauliflower walnut tacos here.
4. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Well Plated / Via wellplated.com
You can keep this Japanese-inspired casserole in the freezer for up to two months, so when the craving for teriyaki chicken strikes, opt for this homemade meal instead of takeout. Get the recipe for chicken teriyaki casserole here.
Recipe Tin Eats / Via recipetineats.com
Think of cannelloni as the Italian take on Mexican enchiladas. Tube-shaped pasta are filled with a filling of spinach and beef, then topped with a tomato-based sauce, smothered with cheese, and baked in the oven. If you're going to make it for later, add an extra half cup of water to the cannelloni sauce and then freeze. Get the recipe for spinach and beef cannelloni here.
6. Beef and Barley Soup
The Recipe Rebel / Via thereciperebel.com
Make this soup ahead of time in a big batch freeze it sealed in Ziploc bags. When you find yourself in a dinner rut, just let the soup thaw in the fridge for a day. Get the recipe for beef and barley soup here.
What's For Meal Prep / Via whatsformealprep.com, What's For Meal Prep? / Via whatsformealprep.com
All you need to make this freeze-able Korean-inspired beef is ground beef, gojuchang paste, and Korean BBQ sauce. The cooked beef can be frozen for up to six months, and it defrosts in no time. Pair it with rice and your favorite veggies for a satisfying bowl. Get the recipe for Korean beef bowls here.
Kristine's Kitchen Blog / Via kristineskitchenblog.com
Prepare the shells according to the recipe directions, then freeze them on a baking sheet covered with plastic wrap before baking. Get the recipe for spinach and cheese stuffed shells here.
Some The Wiser / Via somethewiser.com
Make a whole muffin tray of these individually-portioned meatloafs, then heat them in the oven as needed, whether you're cooking for one or a whole family. Get the recipe for muffin tin meatloaf here.
Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com
There are two ways to meal prep this tasty vegetarian dinner: You can either freeze these rollatini before baking, or bake a tray of them and freeze the leftovers. Get the recipe for eggplant rollatini here.
11. Wild Rice Soup
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
Combine fresh or frozen veggies, uncooked wild rice, chicken breasts, and broth and freeze all the ingredients together. You can cook the soup from frozen in your Instant Pot or slow cooker. Get the recipe for wild rice soup here.
Life As A Strawberry / Via lifeasastrawberry.com
You can freeze this vegetable-packed lasagna completely assembled, or you can freeze the creamy sauce separately. In any case, you can thaw this dish in the fridge and bake it quickly, or give it an extra hour in the oven to cook it from frozen. Get the recipe for mushroom spinach lasagna here.
Six Sisters Stuff / Via sixsistersstuff.com
Made with your favorite kind of pasta, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and chicken, this decadent pasta is just the recipe you're craving on cozy nights. You can prepare the meal — pasta, sauce, and all — in advance, but wait for it to cool down before freezing it. Get the recipe for 20-minute Tuscan pasta here.
The Girl on Bloor / Via thegirlonbloor.com
These baked turkey meatballs can be cooked in advance, frozen for three months, and used for soups, pastas, and casseroles. Just store them in airtight containers and when you're ready to reheat, pop them in the microwave for four minutes. Get the recipe for baked turkey meatballs here.
The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com
This freezer-ready recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients: Sliced chicken breasts or tenders, peppers, taco seasoning, lime juice, and olive oil. When you're ready to serve, plate the fajitas on tortillas with your favorite toppings like sour cream, avocado, jalapeño, and chopped onions. Get the recipe for freezer chicken fajitas here.
Sweet Peas and Saffron / Via sweetpeasandsaffron.com
Prepare your ingredients and freeze everything together besides for the chicken broth. Then combine the broth and frozen ingredients into your Crock-Pot and let dinner cook itself. Get the recipe for sweet potato and chicken curry here.
17. Freezer Shrimp Fried Rice
Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net
You can heat up these freezer fried rice packs in less time than you'd spend waiting for your Chinese take-out to arrive. Get the recipe for freezer shrimp fried rice here.
The Recipe Rebel / Via thereciperebel.com
If you're cooking for a family or even hosting friends for a dinner party, this make-ahead baked pasta is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get the recipe for rigatoni pasta bake here.
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
These hollowed-out bell peppers are stuffed with refried beans, black beans, quinoa, and enchilada sauce. The only ingredient you won't want to freeze is the cheese. Add that when you cook them in the oven until it's melted, then top the cooked peppers with anything from sliced avocado to sour cream. Get the recipe for quinoa stuffed peppers here.
20. Make Ahead Baked Taquitos
The Oven Light / Via theovenlight.net
This recipe calls for chicken, but you can use any meat (or vegetarian) filling you have on hand from flank steak to sweet potato. To make them for later, place the taquitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then, once frozen, transfer them to a Ziploc bag. Get the recipe for make-ahead baked taquitos here.
21. Shrimp Stir Fry
The Schmidty Wife / Via theschmidtywife.com
You can prepare this low-carb freezer meal with any of your favorite vegetables. If you're feeling extra hungry, serve it with lo mein noodles, rice, or your favorite grain. Get the recipe for shrimp stir fry here.
