10 Freezer Meals for Easy Weeknight Dinners

A well-stocked pantry has become more important than ever in the wake of COVID-19. But it’s not just your dry goods that are worth their weight in gold these days: The freezer is just as much a part of the equation.

I’ve been spending a bit of time after I return from my infrequent grocery store trips to turn some of what I’ve bought into easy freezer meals for later. This not only extends the life of more perishable items like veggies and meat, but it also gives me simple dinner solutions to turn to on nights when I have little motivation to dirty the kitchen. Here are 10 great freezer-friendly ideas to make now and stock away for later.

With grilling season right around the corner, these easy kabobs are sure to come in handy. Feel free to mix and match the vegetables and even swap out the chicken for steak, if you prefer.

Get the recipe: How To Make and Freeze Kabobs for the Grill

Make a few batches of these kits and you may find Taco Tuesday won’t be limited to one night a week anymore. This is a classic recipe the whole family will love.

Get the recipe: Freezer Taco Kits

Skip the pasta preparation in this recipe and just make the sauce. Then freeze containers of it to reach for any night of the week. The Bolognese is perfect with spaghetti and zoodles, of course, but it can also become the filling for sloppy Joes.

Get the recipe: Turkey Bolognese

These stir-fry kits are easy to make your own: Use whatever combination of protein and vegetables you like, and choose white or brown rice. When ready to eat, it will only take 10 minutes to heat up.

Get the recipe: How To Make Stir-Fry Freezer Meals

This cheesy chicken pasta bake is made with a béchamel sauce of flour, butter, and milk rather than a traditional Alfredo sauce of butter, cream, and cheese. That’s because the flour-based sauce both freezes and reheats better.

Get the recipe: Freezer-to-Oven Chicken Alfredo Casserole

When you’re tired of freezer tacos, move on to freezer fajitas. These dinner packets can be baked per instructions or even tossed onto a hot grill for about 20 minutes to cook through.

Get the recipe: How To Make Chicken Fajita Freezer Dinner Packets

Rather than prep a meal for the freezer, turn the bags of frozen vegetables you have into a ridiculously simple and satisfying slow cooker dinner. Then serve it over cooked couscous or cauliflower rice.

Get the recipe: Freezer-to-Slow-Cooker Vegetable Tagine

While this recipe does require you to boil up a pot of pasta while the frozen shrimp scampi cooks, you could take the lazy route and just serve the saucy mess with plenty of crusty bread.

Get the recipe: Freezer-to-Oven Shrimp Scampi

These veggie, bean, and rice-packed burritos are perfect just about any time of day. Enjoy one as a hearty breakfast or lunch, or consider one a hands-free dinner.

Get the recipe: Freezer-Friendly Roasted Vegetable Burritos with Black Beans and Rice

This fragrant Indian-inspired chicken curry can be frozen and later prepared in both an Instant Pot or a traditional pressure cooker. It will cook in just about 15 minutes, so be sure to have your steamed rice ready and waiting to serve with it.

Get the recipe: Freezer-to-Pressure-Cooker Chicken Curry