27 freezer meals for when cooking is not in your skill set tonight

Photo of author

| Published:

Let’s face it — some days, you just want to throw on your favorite sweatpants and binge-watch your latest obsession instead of whipping up a gourmet meal. That’s where these great recipes come in handy. They’ll be waiting for you in the freezer, ready to save the day when dinner rolls around and you’d rather not deal with pots and pans.

A close-up of a cheesy baked ravioli garnished with herbs, with a fork lifting a portion to show the melted cheese.
Baked Ravioli. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the no-regrets kind of meal. It combines egg noodles, creamy cheddar, tender peas, and hearty tuna, topped off with breadcrumbs for that perfect crunch. On a day when even making a sandwich sounds like running a marathon, just thaw the dish, reheat, and pat yourself on the back for thinking ahead. It’s comfort food without the effort, and that’s a win in any book.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice combines ground beef and cauliflower rice simmered in a garlicky cream sauce, ready in just 30 minutes. On those days when you’d rather clean your entire house than cook, just grab this from the freezer, reheat, and serve. You’ll get all the comfort without the calories, and hey — nobody said fast food couldn’t be your own cooking.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole simplifies your dinner plans with a mix of bell peppers, rice, ground beef, and a tangy tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheese. It’s a full meal with the taste of stuffed peppers but none of the hassle. Let it cool, pop it in the freezer, and forget about it until a quick meal is needed. Your future dinner will be ready with zero effort, and past decisions will definitely be appreciated.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is your best friend in the kitchen. It’s a smooth, creamy mix of sweet potatoes, red peppers, heavy cream, and spices with just the right kick to keep your meal interesting. Spend about an hour making it, then let it cool and store it in the freezer. When you’re out of meal ideas or just plain out of willpower, pull this out, reheat, and you’ve got a gourmet meal with zero hassle and mess.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole is what happens when comfort food gets an upgrade. Mix mashed potatoes with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a bit of sour cream, then bake until everything’s golden and bubbly. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want to eat well but can’t face the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish filled with tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn, topped with melted cheese and green onions.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is laid-back, easy-going, and doesn’t ask much from you. Toss together tater tots, shredded chicken, and sweet corn, then bake it all under a generous layer of melted cheese. It’s ready in just an hour, and then it’s off to the freezer. When you’re feeling more like a couch potato than a kitchen whiz, this casserole has your back. Just thaw, reheat and serve.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow cooker split pea soup in a slow cooker with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is your slow-cooked savior on busy days. Just throw in split peas, chunks of ham, and your favorite veggies, set it, and forget it. By dinner, you’ve got a rich, hearty soup that sticks to your ribs and tastes like you’ve been cooking all day — except you haven’t. It’s great for freezing and even better when you reheat it on those days when you can’t handle the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Baked Ravioli

A close-up of a cheesy baked ravioli garnished with herbs, with a fork lifting a portion to show the melted cheese.
Baked Ravioli. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Baked Ravioli is your go-to when you’re craving comfort but want to skip the extra work. Cheese-stuffed ravioli are layered with rich marinara sauce, all tucked under a cheesy blanket. Pull it out on one of those “I can’t even” days, reheat, and dinner is on the table with zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Two shake and bake pork chops on a plate.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shake and Bake Pork Chops is what happens when dinner looks impressive but is actually really simple. Coat them with a thin layer of mayo, shake in seasoned breadcrumbs, bake them, and 25 minutes later, you’ve got chops that look and taste like you’ve spent hours on them. They’re perfect for freezing, so make a bunch and stash them away for those busy days.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is all about making your veggies fun. It’s packed with broccoli, cauliflower, a whole lot of cheese, and yes, bacon. Whip this up in about 30 minutes, then pop it in the freezer. It’s the perfect dish to pull out when the idea of cooking is more exhausting than your day.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Spinach Chicken Bake is comfort food without the work. Combine juicy chicken thighs with spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. Throw it all in a dish, bake for a few minutes, and you’ve got a comforting meal that’s as easy to freeze as it is to eat. It’s great for those nights when you’re too tired to even think about what to eat.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is like a party in a pot. With Italian sausage, tomatoes, and cream, it’s got all the makings of your new favorite soup. It cooks in about 30 minutes and freezes perfectly, ready to fill you up on any given lazy evening. Just reheat and serve, and it’s like you’re back at the party without the cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Canned Chicken Patties are the understated heroes of the quick dinner world. Mix canned chicken with eggs, Parmesan, and a bit of flour — or almond meal for a low-carb kick — fry them up, and dinner’s served. They freeze and store well, making them a great go-to for evenings when even ordering takeout feels like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice is your cheat code for dinner. It’s a hearty mix of ground beef, cauliflower rice, fresh spinach, and lots of cheddar, all baked into cheesy perfection. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a no-brainer for batch cooking and freezing. It’s the kind of meal that makes future you think past you is a genius.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken is basically a party in a pan. You start with tender chicken breasts, layer them with cream cheese, mozzarella, and sweet peppers, and then bake everything together until it’s all melty and good. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is super easy to prepare and even easier to freeze. Just pull it out, reheat it, and you’ve got a great meal without the drama. Perfect for when you need dinner to feel like a celebration, minus the effort.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A crock pot of taco soup.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Crock Pot Taco Soup is what you make when you want to feel like you’ve cooked without actually doing much. Prep everything in just 20 minutes —brown some beef, toss in tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese, and let the crock pot do the rest. A few hours later, you’ve got a hearty soup that’s packed with flavor and perfect for freezing. It’s like making a meal without actually having to make a meal — a great trick for when you’d rather chill than cook.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A bowl of wild rice mushroom soup with a spoon.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup is your answer to a comforting, one-pot meal that practically cooks itself. It’s filled with rich mushrooms and hearty wild rice, all simmered slowly while you tackle the rest of your day. It takes just over an hour, and you end up with a soup that’s hearty and delicious. Store some in the freezer, and you’ve got the perfect backup plan for whenever you need a simple, flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs are here to add some zing to your routine. They’re packed with coconut and red curry flavors, and ready in about 30 minutes. Serve them over rice, noodles, or even by themselves — these little guys are versatile. Freeze a batch, and you have a great plan for those nights when you want something good, but the couch is calling your name louder than the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken is the clever chef’s answer to leftover chicken thighs. Mix them up with green chilies, cream, and cheese, and you’ve got a quick, easy meal that freezes like a dream. Serve it over rice, in a tortilla, or straight up by itself. It’s the kind of dish that makes future meal planning seem like a breeze, even when dinner is the last thing on your mind.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Keto Zuppa Toscana is a low-carb take on the classic Olive Garden favorite. Packed with Italian sausage, bacon, radishes (replacing the usual potatoes), and kale, this soup simmers in a creamy broth that’s both hearty and easy to whip up. The flavors stay true to the original, with radishes seamlessly standing in for potatoes. It freezes perfectly, so when you come home exhausted and can’t face the stove, this soup is ready to go. Just heat it up, and there’s your dinner — simple, filling, and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are what you need for a quick, delicious meal. Using just one pan, you’ll fry the chicken pieces until crispy, then toss them in a savory garlic butter sauce. The result is golden, garlicky, and buttery chicken bites that are ready in just 20 minutes. Whether you need a quick snack or a full meal, these bites are perfect and freeze brilliantly. Enjoy this easy but great meal in those moments when your energy is zero, but your hunger is not.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Lemon Pepper Wings

In FDL library.
Lemon Pepper Wings. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Lemon Pepper Wings are perfect for when lounging sounds better than cooking. These wings bring a sharp, lemony kick and a peppery bite, hitting that great spot between crispy and juicy. They come together in just 30 minutes, making them a great weeknight meal or a quick snack when you’re in a pinch. Having these wings in your freezer is a decision you won’t regret on those lazy days when the last thing you want to do is cook.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Wings

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage Curry is loaded with hearty sausage, a mix of veggies, and a curry sauce with just the right amount of spice. Ready in 45 minutes, this dish makes a great dinner option when you need something comforting yet easy. What’s great about this curry is that it freezes perfectly. So on those days when cooking feels like climbing a mountain, you can reheat and enjoy. It’s a perfect solution for anyone who wants a home-cooked meal without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shawarma Kebabs are a no-brainer for when you want something that feels a bit fancy without requiring much work. Just marinate some chicken in cumin, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon, skewer them up, and pop them in the oven. They freeze well, too, which means you can have a quick, impressive meal ready whenever you need it. Great for those days when you want to look like you made an effort, but really, you didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make Pollo Asado on those nights when the thought of cooking makes you want to hide under a blanket. Chicken thighs are marinated in cilantro, onions, and citrus juices, then baked to perfection. The flavors are bright and tangy, and the prep work is minimal. When you’re too tired to deal with dinner, just thaw, heat, and eat. It’s an instant meal on the table without even breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a lifesaver when you’re in the mood for something good but don’t want to go all out. Packed with chicken, bacon, and cheddar, these poppers are baked until golden, and then they’re ready for the freezer. They’re perfect for those times when cooking feels like a chore, but you still want to eat something decent.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Meatza

A pizza with meat and sauce on a plate.
Meatza. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Meatza is the answer for when pizza sounds amazing, but dealing with delivery feels like a hassle. This version uses ground pork instead of a traditional crust, so it’s hearty and filling without the carbs. Top it with your favorite pizza toppings, bake it, and you’ve got a quick and filling meal in just 40 minutes. Stock up your freezer, and the future you will have an easy dinner ready at the push of a button.
Get the Recipe: Meatza

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.