Free up Freezer Space and Experiment with These Simple Make-Ahead Meals

It is possible for life to get hectic, and when this happens, the last thing you want to worry about is preparing a dinner based on scratch. This is when meals that can be prepared in advance come in helpful. During times of high activity, it is beneficial to conserve time, energy, and stress by preparing meals in advance and freezing them.

The following are some mouthwatering dishes that are suitable for freezing and can be prepared in advance, ensuring that you will always have something homemade ready to go no matter what.

1. Chicken Enchiladas

Enchiladas made with chicken are a warm and comfortable dish that have the ability to preserve wonderfully. This is a family favorite that is simple to prepare and store since it has shredded chicken, cheese, and a spicy enchilada sauce. These ingredients combine to produce this dish.

Ingredients:

• shredded chicken from the rotisserie
• The enchilada sauce, one cup
• 8 tortillas made of flour
• half a cup of shredded cheese
• Onions and bell peppers, diced, are optional ingredients.

Directions:

1. Shredded chicken, a small amount of enchilada sauce, and any vegetables of your choosing should be combined.
2. The ingredients should be rolled into tortillas and then placed in a dish that may be frozen.
3. Cheese and enchilada sauce should be laid on top. Let the dish be frozen.
4. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for twenty-five to thirty minutes, or until the food is ready to consume.

2. Baked Ziti

This delicious and cozy Italian classic is ideal for freezing and reheating on chaotic weeknights when time is of the essence. There is no doubt that baked ziti is bursting with flavor, and it is simple to double the recipe and store it in the freezer for later use.

Ingredients:

• Ziti pasta, one pound
• The marinara sauce, one jar
• 1 serving of ricotta cheese
• mozzarella cheese, two cups’ worth
• grated Parmesan cheese, one-fourth of a cup
• It is optional to use ground beef or sausage.

Directions:

1. After the ziti has been cooked and drained, it should be combined with marinara, ricotta, and cooked meat (if you are using it).
2. Place in a dish that can be frozen, and then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
3. Put a lid on or freeze.
4. When you are ready to bake, cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for thirty-five to forty minutes.

3. Breakfast Burritos

Use these simple breakfast burritos that you can cook ahead of time to get your mornings off to a good start. They are the ideal convenient alternative for grab-and-go meals since they are stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of ingredients such as sausage, bacon, or vegetables.

Ingredients:

• Eggs that have been scrambled
• The cheese, shredded
• Ham, bacon, or sausage that has been cooked.
• Bell peppers and onions, diced (this step is optional).
• Carrots made of flour

Directions:

1. Cook the eggs in a scrambled fashion, then mix them with cheese and any other contents.
2. The flour tortillas should be rolled out and then securely wrapped in either foil or plastic wrap.
3. Separately freeze each item. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a speedy breakfast option on mornings when time is of the essence.

4. Chili

Chili is one of the most excellent dishes that can be stored in the freezer. The versatility of this recipe lies in the fact that it can be easily prepared in large quantities and stored in the freezer for later use. It may be prepared with mince beef, turkey, or filled with vegetables and beans.

Ingredients:

• Either ground beef or turkey?
• kidney beans from one can
• Black beans from one can
• chopped tomatoes from one can
• 1 onion, cut into small pieces
• 1 package of chili salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Begin by browning the meat, then proceed to add the chili spice, onions, beans, and tomatoes.
2. Simmer for twenty to thirty minutes. Wait until it has totally cooled down before separating it into containers or bags for the freezer.
3. Freeze in various parts. Defrost in the refrigerator for a full night, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

5. Shepherd’s Pie

The traditional comfort meal known as shepherd’s pie is comprised of ground beef and vegetables, and it is topped with mashed potatoes that are creamy in texture. This is the perfect dish to prepare ahead of time since it preserves nicely in the freezer.

Ingredients:

• One pound of ground beef or lamb
• 1 cup of a variety of veggies, including peas, carrots, and corn
• One-half cup of beef broth
• 2 cups of potatoes that have been mashed

Directions:

1. As the ground beef is browned, it is combined with the veggies and the broth.
2. Take the mixture and layer it in a dish that can be frozen, and then cover it with mashed potatoes.
3. Maintain a tight cover and freeze. Bake from frozen at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for forty-five to fifty minutes.

6. Chicken Pot Pie

To put it simply, chicken pot pie is a dish that is both cozy and hearty, and it is ideal for cooking in advance. The mix of flaky pie crust, veggies, and creamy chicken is sure to be a hit with any group of people.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of chicken that has been cooked and shredded
• 1 cup of a variety of veggies
• The cream of chicken soup from one can
• Milk, one cup
• 1 pie crust, either handmade or purchased from a store

Directions:

1. A bowl should be used to combine the chicken, veggies, soup, and milk.
2. After pouring the mixture into a pie dish, top it with a pie crust.
3. Thaw without baking. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for forty to forty-five minutes when you are ready to eat.

7. Lasagna

Lasagna is the archetypal meal that can be prepared ahead of time, freezers well, and can easily feed a large group of people. It’s cheesy, it’s flavorful, and it never fails to satisfy.

Ingredients:

• 12 noodles for the lasagna
• a pound of ground beef
• The marinara sauce, one jar
• Ricotta cheese, two cups each
• mozzarella cheese, two cups’ worth
• One-fourth of a cup of Parmesan

Directions:

1. As the noodles are cooking, the ground meat should be browned.
2. In a recipe that can be frozen, form layers of noodles, meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese.
3. When you are ready, freeze the entire dish, and then bake it at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for fifty to sixty minutes.

Suggestions for Freezing and Reheating Delicious Meals:

• The easiest way to avoid freezer burn is to store food in airtight containers. Freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags are the best options.
• Make sure to label and date everything: In order to keep track of what you have in your freezer, you should make sure to mark each meal with the name and the date.
• Thawing: Before reheating meals, it is preferable to let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight for optimal results.
• To reheat from frozen: The majority of meals may be baked or microwaved directly from frozen; the only difference is that the cooking time will need to be extended slightly.

Conclusion

In the event that you have a hectic schedule, freezer dinners are a game-changer because they guarantee that you will always have a home-cooked supper available. With these simple recipes that can be prepared in advance, you will be able to store your freezer with scrumptious and nutritious meals that you can enjoy whenever you feel the urge to do so. Prepare yourself to simplify the process of meal preparation by clearing up some space in your freezer.