Freezer Meals 101

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Freezer Meal Recipes

Spicy White Bean and Chicken Soup

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This make ahead Spicy White Bean and Chicken soup recipe uses leftover chicken. This makes it both easier and more frugal. It has a nice amount of kick to it. It’s spicy, but not overpowering.

a blue bowl filled with white beans, pieces of chicken, topped with shredded cheese and with a spoon in it sits in front of an Instant Pot, an avocado, and a small yellow bowl of shredded cheese. The text reads "Spicy White Bean and Chicken Soup -freezer meal-Instant Pot-crock pot"I love that this recipe is so versatile in that it can be cooked in either the Instant Pot, Crock Pot, or on the stovetop. This allows you to use whatever cooking method best fits your plans for that day. If you’re going to be out running around until just before eating, throwing it in the slow cooker is a great option. If you’re needing it to be ready quickly, you can choose the Instant Pot.

Spicy White Bean and Chicken Soup Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of leftover rotisserie chicken, diced or shredded
  • 19 oz. can of white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups of salsa verde
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper to taste

For serving:

  • shredded cheese (optional)
  • avocado, diced (optional)

Assembly instructions:

  1. Place the diced or shredded chicken, beans, salsa verde, cumin, chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper in a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Remove the excess air, seal, and freeze.

Instant Pot instructions:

  1. Remove from freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into the Instant Pot.
  3. Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
  4. When done, manually release the pressure.
  5. Remove the bay leaf. Stir and enjoy.
  6. If desired, you can top with shredded cheese and diced avocado.

Slow cooker instructions:

  1. Remove the bag from the freezer to thaw.
  2. Place the bag contents into the Crock Pot.
  3. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.
  4. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  5. If you want, you can top the soup with shredded cheese and diced avocado.

Stovetop instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place in a large pot on the stovetop.
  3. Bring to a simmer on medium heat and then turn heat to low.
  4. Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally, or until beans are tender and flavours are blended.
  5. Remove the bay leaf and serve, topping with shredded cheese and diced avocado if desired.

If you prefer to use dry beans as opposed to canned, you will need to soak 1 1/2 cups of dry beans in cold water for at least 8 hours first. Allow them to sit at room temperature in the water for 8 hours, then rinse and drain the beans before adding them to the rest of the ingredients.

Other freezer soup recipes:

Spinach and Sausage White Bean Soup

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Print
Spicy White Bean and Chicken Soup
Course: Soup
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 cups of leftover rotisserie chicken diced or shredded
  • 19 oz. can of white beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups of salsa verde
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper to taste
For serving:
  • shredded cheese optional
  • avocado diced (optional)
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Place the diced or shredded chicken, beans, salsa verde, cumin, chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper in a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Remove the excess air, seal, and freeze.
Instant Pot instructions:
  1. Remove from freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into the Instant Pot.
  3. Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
  4. When done, manually release the pressure.
  5. Remove the bay leaf. Stir and enjoy.
  6. If desired, you can top with shredded cheese and diced avocado.
Slow cooker instructions:
  1. Remove the bag from the freezer to thaw.
  2. Place the bag contents into the Crock Pot.
  3. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.
  4. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  5. If you want, you can top the soup with shredded cheese and diced avocado.
Stovetop instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place in a large pot on the stovetop.
  3. Bring to a simmer on medium heat and then turn heat to low.
  4. Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally, or until beans are tender and flavours are blended.
  5. Remove the bay leaf and serve, topping with shredded cheese and diced avocado if desired.
Recipe Notes

If you prefer to use dry beans, soak 1 1/2 cups of dry beans in cold water for at least 8 hours first. Allow them to sit at room temperature in the water for 8 hours, then rinse and drain the beans before adding them to the rest of the ingredients. 

Make Ahead Everything Bagels Breakfast Muffins

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Busy weekday mornings don’t have to be so chaotic. Making these everything bagels breakfast muffins ahead allows you to grab one on your way out the door.at the top, a green bowl holds five muffins sprinkled with seasoning. There are images of the ingredients such as eggs, cream, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and bagel cubes and a whisk in a yellow bowl. The text reads "Everything Bagel Breakfast Muffins"

They pack the flavours of the everything bagel into a breakfast muffin you can hold in one hand while you hold your coffee or phone in the other. This is the very definition of breakfast on the go.

Everything Bagels Breakfast Muffins Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 everything bagels, cut into cubes
  • 1 package of bacon sausage or 1 pound of ground sausage, browned until no longer pink
  • 2 cups of half and half
  • 10 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. Everything Bagels Seasoning, divided
  • 4 oz. of cream cheese, diced
  • 4 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded

Assembly instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with oil.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the half and half and the eggs.
  3. Add in the salt, pepper and 1 Tbsp. of the Everything Bagels Seasoning into the egg mixture. Set aside.
  4. Lay out all the other ingredients.
  5. Layer each muffin cup in this order: 3-4 bagel cubes, cooked sausage, 4-5 pieces of cream cheese, a sprinkle of the Swiss and cheddar cheeses.
  6. Pour the egg mixture to about halfway.
  7. Add 4-5 bagel cubes and a bit more sausage and sprinkle the remaining Everything Bagels Seasoning over each muffin.
  8. Place in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until browned and the muffins are no longer soft in the middle. If you like your muffins more browned, you can place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes at the end, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
  9. Remove from the oven and cool. Top with a sprinkle of the Everything Bagels seasoning.
  10. Take the muffins out of the pan and move to a cooling rack. Once the muffins have cooled, transfer them to a large resealable freezer bag. Remove the excess air and freeze.

Eating instructions:

  1. Take one muffin (or more) out of the bag. Be sure to take out the extra air before sealing the bag up again.
  2. Eat slightly frozen or reheat in the microwave.

Some other freezer breakfast recipes you may be interest in:

Taco Breakfast Cups

Cinnamon French Toast

Print
Everything Bagels Breakfast Muffins
Ingredients
  • 4-5 everything bagels cut into cubes
  • 1 package of bacon sausage or 1 pound of ground sausage browned until no longer pink
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 10 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. Everything Bagels Seasoning divided
  • 4 oz. cream cheese diced
  • 4 oz. Swiss cheese shredded
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with oil.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the half and half and the eggs.
  3. Add in the salt, pepper and 1 Tbsp. of the Everything Bagels Seasoning into the egg mixture. Set aside.
  4. Lay out all the other ingredients.
  5. Layer each muffin cup in this order: 3-4 bagel cubes, cooked sausage, 4-5 pieces of cream cheese, a sprinkle of the Swiss and cheddar cheeses.
  6. Pour the egg mixture to about halfway.
  7. Add 4-5 bagel cubes and a bit more sausage and sprinkle the remaining Everything Bagels Seasoning over each muffin.
  8. Place in thee oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until browned and the muffins are no longer soft in the middle. If you like your muffins more browned, you can place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes at the end, but keep an eye on them so they don't burn.
  9. Remove from the oven and cool. Top with a sprinkle of the Everything Bagels seasoning.
  10. Take the muffins out of the pan and move to a cooling rack. Once the muffins have cooled, transfer them to a large resealable freezer bag. Remove the excess air and freeze.
Eating instructions:
  1. Take a muffin (or morout of the bag. Be sure to take out the extra air before sealing the bag up again.
  2. Eat slightly frozen or reheat in the microwave.

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork

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Oh man! You’re going to love this Dr. Pepper pulled pork recipe! It has just a bit of kick from the peppers that plays so nicely with the sweetness in the soda.a bun sits on a white plate with shredded meat on top of it and a green salad beside it with a few tomato pieces. The text reads "Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork - freezer meal - crock pot"This freezer to crock pot recipe is all kinds of tasty. I like to serve it on buns with a bit of garlic mayo, but just plain old buns is fine too.

I take this with us when we go camping if there is a plugin for my crock pot. Just pop the freezer meal in the cooler for the drive there and then on the day you want to serve it, throw it in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe:

  • 5-7 lb. pork shoulder or butt
  • 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 can (11 oz.) chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
  • 2 cans Dr. Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. Place the pork in a large resealable bag.
  2. Toss in the chopped onion, can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour in 2 cans of Dr. Pepper soda pop, holding the bag up to prevent spills.
  4. Remove the excess air, seal the bag, and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place in the crock pot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
  3. Shred and serve on buns.

Check out some of our other freezer to slow cooker meals:

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Black Beans and Corn

Freezer to Slow Cooker Beef  Stew

Easy Beef Dip

Print
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Keyword: pork
Ingredients
  • 5-7 lb. pork shoulder or butt
  • 1 large onion coarsely chopped
  • 1 can 11 oz. chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
  • 2 cans Dr. Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Place the pork in a large resealable bag.
  2. Toss in the chopped onion, can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour in 2 cans of Dr. Pepper soda pop, holding the bag up to prevent spills.
  4. Remove the excess air, seal the bag, and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place in the crock pot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
  3. Shred and serve on buns.

Make Ahead Mac and Cheese

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Who doesn’t love a good mac and cheese?! It’s the ultimate in comfort food. But sometimes after a hard day when the craving hits, I don’t have it in me to actually cook. That’s what’s so awesome about this Make Ahead Mac and Cheese! It’s ready to go whenever you need it.

I suggest making several of these recipes at once. That way, it’s the same amount of work, but you’ll have several in the freezer ready for whenever that mac and cheese craving hits.a baking dish with cheesy baked macaroni and cheese in it and one scoop missing while a blue plate is filled with macaroni and cheese nearby with a fork on the side of the plate. The text reads "Make Ahead Mac and Cheese"All of my kids love macaroni and cheese which is another reason that I like having some of these in the freezer ready to go.

Around here, we eat mac and cheese as a meal (with loads of hot sauce!), but you can also serve this as a side dish.

Make Ahead Mac and Cheese Recipe:

  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 
  • 1 1/2 cups macaroni noodles, cooked
  • 5 Tbsp. butter 
  • 3 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, melt 3 Tbsp. butter.
  2. Add the flour and stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned.
  3. Pour in the milk and whisk.
  4. Add the salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble.
  5. Slowly stir in both types of cheese (saving a little bit of the cheese to sprinkle on top later) and the last 2 Tablespoons of butter and whisk until smooth and melted.
  6. Add the noodles once the cheeses have melted and mix well. 
  7. Pour into a foil baking dish or a large resealable freezer bag. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. If using a foil dish, top with two layers of aluminum foil. If using a freezer bag, remove excess air and seal.
  8. Freeze.

Cooking instructions:

  1. Take tray or bag out of the freezer. Thaw.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°.
  3. Bake in an oven safe baking dish for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Serve and enjoy! 

Check out some of our other make ahead pasta dishes:

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake

Irresistible Chicken Pasta Bake

Instant Pot Pizza Casserole

Print
Make Ahead Mac and Cheese Recipe
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese
Ingredients
  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese shredded
  • 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups macaroni noodles cooked
  • 5 Tbsp. butter
  • 3 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. In a large skillet, melt 3 Tbsp. butter.
  2. Add the flour and stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned.
  3. Pour in the milk and whisk.
  4. Add the salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble.
  5. Slowly stir in both types of cheese (saving a little bit of the cheese to sprinkle on top lateand the last 2 Tablespoons of butter and whisk until smooth and melted.
  6. Add the noodles once the cheeses have melted and mix well.
  7. Pour into a foil baking dish or a large resealable freezer bag. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. If using a foil dish, top with two layers of aluminum foil. If using a freezer bag, remove excess air and seal.
  8. Freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Take tray or bag out of the freezer. Thaw.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°.
  3. Bake in an oven safe baking dish for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

Hawaiian Chicken in the Instant Pot

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Another day, another easy Instant Pot recipe! This Hawaiian Chicken has some unique flavours. It can be served on its own or over top of rice or pasta.

a white bowl sits on a marble surface. In the bowl is an orangey red stew with chunks of red pepper, pineapple, and chicken visible. The text reads "Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken"Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, and cut into pieces
  • 20 oz. can pineapple chunks in juice, reserving 2 Tbsp. of the juice
  • 1 red bell pepper, cubed into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 purple onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp. ground ginger
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ⅓ cup hoisin sauce

For day of cooking:

  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Assembly Instructions:

  1. Cut the chicken, red pepper, and onion.
  2. Place all the ingredients EXCEPT the 2 Tbsp. pineapple juice (and cornstarch) into a large resealable freezer bag. Squish to mix. Remove the excess air and seal.
  3. Pour the pineapple juice in a small or medium resealable freezer bag. Seal and staple the bags together above the seals.
  4. Freeze.

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Take the bags out of the freezer to thaw. Dump the contents of the large bag into the Instant Pot.
  2. Cover the pressure cooker and set the valve to sealing. Cook on “manual” or “pressure cook” for 5 minutes. Allow it to release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release to remove the remaining pressure.
  3. Remove the lid and turn the pressure cooker to “sauté.”
  4. In a small bowl, stir together the pineapple juice from the smaller bag and 2 Tbsp. of cornstarch to create a slurry. When well mixed, pour into the pressure cooker and stir gently to combine. Allow the chicken to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
  5. Serve over rice or noodles.

Be sure to check out some of our other Freezer to Instant Pot Recipes:

Instant Pot Italian Chicken and Veggies

Country Style Ribs in the Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Turkey Sloppy Joes

Print
Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs. chicken thighs boneless, skinless, cubed
  • 20 oz. can pineapple chunks in juice reserving 2 Tbsp. of the juice
  • 1 red pepper cubed into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 purple onion cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ tsp. ground ginger
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
  • ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
For day of cooking:
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
Instructions
Assembly Instructions:
  1. Cut the chicken, red pepper, and onion.
  2. Place all the ingredients EXCEPT the 2 Tbsp. pineapple juice (and cornstarcinto a large resealable freezer bag. Squish to mix. Remove the excess air and seal.
  3. Pour the pineapple juice in a small or medium resealable freezer bag. Seal and staple the bags together above the seals.
  4. Freeze.
Cooking Instructions:
  1. Take the bags out of the freezer to thaw. Dump the contents of the large bag into the Instant Pot.
  2. Cover the pressure cooker and set the valve to sealing. Cook on “manual” or “pressure cook” for 5 minutes. Allow it to release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release to remove the remaining pressure.
  3. Remove the lid and turn the pressure cooker to “sauté.”
  4. In a small bowl, stir together the pineapple juice from the smaller bag and 2 Tbsp. of cornstarch to create a slurry. When well mixed, pour into the pressure cooker and stir gently to combine. Allow the chicken to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
  5. Serve over rice or noodles.