42 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals for Super-Busy Nights

Read Time: 14 mins

42 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals for Super-Busy Nights2/42 Taco Stuffed Shells 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat. It’s a great family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio If your meal prep involves freezing food, then you’ve probably come across the dreaded freezer burn. Check if the freezer burns safe to eat. 3/42 Spicy Bean and

This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish

Beef Pie 33 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Bean and Beef Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My daughter helped me come up with this recipe when we wanted a one-dish meal that was different than a casserole. This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish. —Debra Dohy, Massillon, Ohio 4/42 Hawaiian Pork Roast 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hawaiian Pork Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 40 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe

It’s just like the kind I enjoyedat the luaus I went to in Hawaii

From the Recipe Creator: Bananas, liquid smoke and soy sauce flavor this fall-apart-tender pork roast. It’s just like the kind I enjoyedat the luaus I went to in Hawaii. —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin 5/42 Tortellini Soup 274 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my favorite soup recipe. It’s quick to fix on a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. It originally called for spicy sausage links, but I’ve found

that turkey sausage, or even ground turkey breast, is just as good

that turkey sausage, or even ground turkey breast, is just as good. —Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania 6/42 Simple Creamy Chicken Enchiladas 71 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 2 casseroles (5 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken enchilada recipe is one of the first dishes I created and cooked for my husband right after we got married. He was so impressed! We fix these creamy enchiladas for friends regularly. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 7/42 Chicken Ring 33 Reviews Test

The red pepper and green broccoli add a festive touch

Kitchen Approved Chicken Crescent Wreath Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s an impressive-looking dish that’s a snap to prepare. Even when my cooking time is limited, I can still serve this delicious crescent wreath. The red pepper and green broccoli add a festive touch. —Marlene Denissen, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 8/42 Cassoulet for Today 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours.

This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time

This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida 9/42 Jambalaya 164 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Forgotten Jambalaya Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 50 min Servings 11 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: During chilly times of the year, I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like

—Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas 10/42

this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas 10/42 The Best Shepherd’s Pie 137 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the best shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve ever tasted. It’s very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California 11/42 Chicken Potpie 388 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Best Chicken Potpie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 2 potpies (8 servings

each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California 12/42 Stuffed Shells with Meat 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stuffed Shells with Meat Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a rich and comforting dish that’s terrific right away or made ahead and baked the next

Pesto makes a surprising filling for these cheesy and satisfying shells

day. Pesto makes a surprising filling for these cheesy and satisfying shells. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia 13/42 Southwestern Casserole 76 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Southwestern Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 2 casseroles (6 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas 14/42 Chicken Florentine Meatballs 30 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen

Approved Chicken Florentine Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan 15/42 Make Once, Eat Twice Lasagna 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Make Once, Eat Twice Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 2 lasagnas (12 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our family loves this recipe along with a green salad and garlic

The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise

bread. It’s so handy to have an extra pan in the freezer when unexpected guests drop in or you need to take a main course to a charity event. —Geri Davis, Prescott, Arizona 16/42 Stuffed Chicken Rolls 56 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Stuffed Chicken Rolls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Just thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean

This dish always gets rave reviews!

Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida 17/42 Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This dish always gets rave reviews! Using rotisserie chicken makes it super easy to assemble and gives it an extra boost in flavor. Sometimes I like to add smoked paprika to the sauce and a little seasoned salt to the bread crumbs. —Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida 18/42 Pulled Pork Pasta 101 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pulled Pork Pasta Recipe

Golden biscuits cover this homespun dish laden

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious and quick meals like this BBQ pork skillet are perfect for us to enjoy together after school activities, especially if I have leftover pulled pork. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana 19/42 Chicken Biscuit Casserole 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Biscuit Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Golden biscuits cover this homespun dish laden

with chicken, broccoli and cheese

with chicken, broccoli and cheese. It’s then topped with a celery seed mixture. My family requests this all-in-one dinner once a month. —Karen Weirick, Bourbon, Indiana 20/42 Thai Beef Stir-Fry 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Thai Beef Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A distinctive peanut sauce complements this colorful combination of tender sirloin strips, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and mushrooms. I like to dish it up over spaghetti, but you could use fried noodles instead. —Janice Fehr,Austin, Manitoba 21/42 Miniature Meat Pies 2

They are always a hit at tailgate and potlucks

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make these handheld pies in advance, keep them in the freezer, then bake them the day of the party. They are always a hit at tailgate and potlucks. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California 22/42 Potato Chip Chicken Strips 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This novel recipe is a fast and tasty change from fried chicken.—Sister Judith LaBrozzi, Canton, Ohio 23/42 Buffalo

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• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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