If you are anything like me, sometimes you just don’t have the energy for dinner. As moms, we spend so much time and energy thinking of dinner ideas, shopping for the ingredients, and then making the food. On top of that, I’m always trying to be budget friendly, somewhat healthy, and kid-friendly. This can be quite the challenge.

I originally got into freezer meals when I was in my third trimester of pregnancy, I decided I was going to fill my freezer with meals that could be easily thrown together with minimal effort. I also knew I wanted cozy meals since it was going to be winter and we would essentially be stuck inside freshly postpartum. I began planning out what meals I wanted to prepare ahead of time that would be easy, nourishing, and comforting.

Once I created my list of meals, I went to work organizing what ingredients I needed as well as what I was going to store the freezer meals in. I researched pricing at that time to figure out what stores had the ingredients for the best prices, especially since some meals used similar items.

I set aside a Saturday to cook and assemble all of the meals, since some recipes did require some pre-cooking. My mom volunteered her time to come over and assist which was a huge help! Overall, we were able to put together enough meals to last us about 4 weeks since each meal gave us leftovers. We also prepared breakfast sandwiches and burritos that were easy to heat up in the microwave and have since become a favorite.

Freezer meals are wonderful “shortcuts” that allow us to cook from home, maintain a budget, and bring a sense of calm on days when life feels anything but slow.

Getting Started

You may not have extra freezer space or a day to set aside to cook and that’s okay! Start small.

• Double a recipe you’re already making
• Freeze half for later
• Label clearly with name and date
• Keep a running freezer inventory on the fridge

This approach keeps the process manageable and sustainable. Especially with casserole and soup recipes, we tend to have so many leftovers! Put them right into the freezer for an easy thaw, heat, and eat meal!

My Favorite Freezer-Friendly Meals

These are simple, nourishing meals that freeze and reheat beautifully:

Comfort Classics

• Lasagna or baked ziti
• Meatloaf
• Chicken pot pie filling
• Tater tot casserole

Slow Cooker Starters

• Chicken tortilla soup
• White chicken chili
• Vegetable lentil soup
• Swedish Meatballs

Quick Weeknight Helpers

• Taco meat
• Cooked shredded chicken
• Chopped and blanched vegetables
• Muffins and quick breads

Freezing ingredients and meal starters can be just as helpful as freezing complete meals. Knowing I already have frozen diced onions or cooked taco meat waiting to be made into a meal takes some of the pressure off even if I don’t have a full freezer meal prepped.

Tips for Freezing Success

A few small habits make a big difference:

1. Cool food completely
If food is still warm it will produce steam in the freezer container which causes ice crystals to form and can affect texture.

2. Use the right containers
Glass containers, aluminum pans, deli containers, or freezer-safe jars work beautifully.

3. Label everything
Include:

• Meal name
• Date
• Reheating instructions

4. Freeze in usable portions
Think family-size or single servings depending on your needs. You don’t want to put in all of this effort just to have leftovers go bad in the fridge!

Reheating Tips

Reheating well is just as important as freezing well.

• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when possible
• Reheat soups and sauces gently on the stovetop
• Cover casseroles to retain moisture
• Add a splash of broth or milk to restore texture

A Small Step

Freezer meals are not about filling every inch of freezer space or striving for perfection. They are about taking the pressure off and allowing you to still create home cooked meals even when you don’t have the time.

Do you have a favorite freezer recipe or tip? I’d love to hear more in the comments below!