The Best Heathy Freezer Meals
On busy nights, freezer meals are the first thing I turn to in order to get a quick, healthy, and delicious dinner on the table. This might come as a surprise, as frozen food can get a bad rap as boring, mushy, or bland. While I’m not a fan of processed frozen dinners, I often freeze the soups, stews, and casseroles I make at home. Stored and reheated the right way, they’re just as flavorful as they were the day they were made. And when I have a freezer full of healthy homemade meals, there’s no reason to eat out or order in. The easiest, tastiest options are the ones I’ve already prepped and frozen!
Below, you’ll find my 5 favorite types of freezer meals, along with my best tips for storing and reheating them. So make a big batch of one of these freezer meal recipes, and freeze the leftovers for another day. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
Soup Freezer Meals
Without question, soups are the freezer meals I have on hand most often. I reach for them when I want a quick lunch in the middle of a workday, when we’re returning from a trip, or when I’m craving a healthy, warming dinner but don’t have time to cook.
When you want to freeze soup, allow it to cool completely before freezing it in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight and reheat the soup on the stove, or defrost frozen soup in the microwave. Nearly all of my favorite soup recipes freeze well, but to get you started, here are a few of the soups I freeze most often:
Butternut Squash Soup
Many Veggie Vegetable Soup
Coconut Soup with Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup
French Onion Soup
Best Lentil Soup
Stew Freezer Meals
Soup’s heartier cousin, stew is another of my favorite freezer meals. Allow it to cool completely before you store it in airtight, freezer-safe containers or Mason jars in your freezer. Again, defrost it in the microwave, or allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating it on the stove.
On any given day in winter or fall, I have a stash of at least one of these hearty stews in the freezer:
Easy Veggie Chili
Vegan Butternut Squash Chili
Zucchini White Bean Chili
Casserole Freezer Meals
If you want to be prepared to serve a crowd, casseroles are the freezer meals for you! Assemble an entire casserole and freeze it before baking. Alternatively, if you want to have single portions on hand, bake any casserole and allow it to cool. Then, slice it, and freeze the individual slices.
To reheat an entire frozen casserole, cover it with foil and bake for about 1 hour at 350, or until warmed through. To brown the cheese on top, uncover the dish for the last 20 minutes of baking. If the cheese is getting too browned before the middle is thawed, simply cover it back up and continue to bake. Reheat individual slices in the microwave (the timing will depend on your microwave) or in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
Easy Baked Ziti
Eggplant Parmesan
Veggie Patties and Balls
Veggie patties and balls are great single-serving freezer meals, though of course, you can reheat as many as you need to serve a group. Oftentimes, I make a double batch of these types of recipes to keep on hand in the freezer. They reheat perfectly, and I love the satisfaction of cooking once and eating (at least) twice!
Freeze veggie patties and balls after you bake them. To reheat, bake them again for 20 to 25 minutes at their original baking temperature, or until they’re warmed through and the edges are slightly crisp.
Best Veggie Burgers
Crispy Baked Falafel
Chickpea Harissa Veggie Burgers
Freezer Meal Components
If I want to toss together hearty salads or buddha bowls throughout the week, having cooked grains, legumes, or other plant-based proteins on hand in the freezer is a life-saver. Here’s how I freeze them:
Baked Tofu and Tempeh
Follow the recipes from start to finish, marinating and baking the tofu or tempeh. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. To reheat, bake the frozen tofu or tempeh for 15 to 20 minutes at 425.Cooked grains or legumes like Brown Rice, Farro, Quinoa, or Lentils
First, cook the grains or lentils and allow them to cool slightly. Spread them in a thin layer on parchment-lined baking sheet and carefully place the baking sheet in your freezer. Freeze for at least two hours to prevent the grains from clumping together. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for longer storage.
Pasta sauce and pizza dough are also great cooking components to freeze. Here’s how I do it:
Pesto
Freeze it in small containers or ice cube trays so that you can defrost the perfect amount for whatever you’re making! When you’re planning to use pesto, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.Tomato sauces like Marinara or Pizza Sauce
Allow them to cool completely before freezing them in freezer-safe containers. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or defrost them in the microwave.Pizza Dough
Prepare the dough through its final rise, stopping right before you’d stretch it to fit your pizza pan. Then, freeze it for up to a month. When you’re ready to use it, transfer frozen dough to the fridge to thaw overnight. Once it’s thawed, let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour until it becomes pliable.
Easy Freezer Meals for Breakfast
When you have to run out the door in the morning, there’s nothing better than having a frozen stash of quick breads, muffins, or pancakes at the ready. To make quick bread an easy grab-and-go breakfast, freeze it in individual slices. Transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight, or pop frozen bread slices, pancakes, or muffins in the microwave.
If we’re leaving super early to go to the airport, I’ll grab frozen muffins or scones straight from the freezer. After an hour or so, they’ll have thawed, so they’re a perfect travel breakfast or snack.
Healthy Banana Bread
Banana Pancakes
Blueberry Muffins
Homemade Waffles
Pumpkin Bread
Gluten-Free Breakfast Cookies
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Smoothies are another great breakfast to prep and freeze ahead of time. Freeze individual smoothie packs with fresh fruit, veggies, and superfood add-ins. In the morning, blend the frozen ingredients with juice, nut milk, or oat milk to make a healthy, energizing breakfast.
Healthy Green Smoothie
Kale Smoothie
Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl
Favorite Meal Planning Ideas
If you love these freezer meals, subscribe to Stronger Fitness Kitchen for easy dinner ideas, healthy lunch ideas, and the best meal prep tips for more meal planning inspiration each month!