Freezer Meals 101

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Freezer Meal Recipes

Easy Tuna Casserole Freezer Meal

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I know that tuna isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, a good tuna casserole with noodles is totally comforting food. This make-ahead classic recipe is so easy. steaming hot noodles, sauce, green peas in a baking dish. Text reads "Make Ahead Tuna Casserole"

I know canned tuna sometimes gets a bad rap, but this dish is actually really tasty. And it’s super economical so it’s a great budget meal. I always make several at one time to freeze as that way, I can buy cans of tuna in bulk when they are on sale. This saves even more time and money.

Can you freeze tuna casserole?

Yes, tuna casserole freezes beautifully! Tuna noodle casserole can be frozen 3 ways. 

  1. Freeze the mixture WITHOUT the noodles and then cook the noodles on the day of serving and add them together before baking. This is my preferred method because it ensures the best texture consistency of the noodles.
  2. Cook the noodles to slightly under where you want them cooked, drain and mix into the rest of the mixture before freezing. Then thaw and bake.
  3. Make the full recipe including the noodles and bake and then freeze. Then thaw and reheat. This is my least favorite method as there is the risk of the finished casserole being overcooked or being somewhat dried out. 

Make-Ahead Tuna Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2x 6 oz. cans flaked tuna, drained
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 2x 10 oz. cans cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
  • 1 tsp. pepper

For cooking day:

  • package of egg noodles

Assembly instructions:

  1. Mix everything together in a large bowl.
  2. Put mixture into a large resealable bag.
  3. Remove the excess air and seal. Lay flat and freeze.

freezer bag filled with tuna casseroleCooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Cook egg noodles according to package directions to al dente.
  3. Mix the noodles with the contents of the freezer bag.
  4. Put in a casserole dish and bake in a 425° oven for 20-30 minutes.

collage of tuna casserole in a freezer bag and in a casserole dish

Serve on its own or serve alongside a salad or steamed broccoli.

Leftovers can be placed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Variations for tuna casserole:

  • Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs or Panko bread crumbs combined with a bit of melted butter on top of your casserole. 
  • Top with french fried onions.
  • Use frozen mixed vegetables in place of the peas.
  • Crush potato chips to create a crispy topping. 

This easy tuna casserole recipe is included in our Family Favourites Freezer Meal Plan along with other easy recipes, prep lists, shopping lists, and printable labels.

Print
Make-Ahead Tuna Casserole
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: tuna, tuna casserole
Servings: 6
Calories: 651 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2 6 oz. cans flaked tuna drained
  • 1/4 cup onion chopped
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 10 oz. cans cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup red pepper chopped
  • 1 tsp. pepper
For cooking day:
  • 1 package of egg noodles
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Mix everything together in a large bowl.

  2. Put the mixture into a large resealable bag.

  3. Remove the excess air and seal. Lay flat and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Cook egg noodles according to package directions.

  3. Mix the noodles with the contents of the freezer bag.

  4. Put in a casserole dish.

  5. Bake at 425° for 20-30 minutes.

Some of our other family-friendly freezer meals:

Chicken Asparagus Bakeclose up of chicken asparagus bake with riceCrock Pot Pizza Casseroleclose up of crockpot pizza casserole with pasta

Easy Beef Hashscoop of beef hash casserole with cheese on top

Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

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Lunch doesn’t get any easier than this 3 ingredient Instant Pot vegetable soup recipe. There are lots of ways to personalize this simple vegetarian soup. yellow corn, green beans, orange carrots in a red broth. Text reads "Freezer to Instant Pot Easy Vegetable Soup" #freezermeals101 #vegetablesoup #vegetarianfreezermeal #instantpotsoup #easyvegetarian

Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Soup Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups mixed frozen vegetables (your favorite mixture)
  • 1/2 cup tomato passata
  • 3 cups water, or more if you like it more liquidy

Assembly instructions:

  1. Place all the ingredients in a large resealable freezer bag. Squish to combine well.
  2. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Instant Pot cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place the bag ingredients into your Instant Pot. 
  3. Secure the lid and set it to the soup setting for 8 minutes.
  4. Use the natural or quick release.
  5. Serve. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chili flakes if desired. 

collage of Instant Pot at various stages of making Vegetarian soupYou can adapt this recipe in so many different ways. It’s extremely versatile!

Here are just some ideas of things you can add to this recipe:

  • caramelized onions
  • minced garlic
  • sundried tomatoes
  • diced tomatoes
  • macaroni noodles (be sure to add more water if you add noodles or cook them separately before adding)
  • seasonings (paprika, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, etc.)

close up of Instant Pot vegetarian soup

What is tomato passata?

Tomato passata is essentially strained tomatoes. It’s a tomato puree that has had the seeds and skins strained out. If you can’t find any passata in your local grocery store, you can purchase it here or you can substitute canned tomato puree. 

Print
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
 
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: soup, vegetable soup
Servings: 4
Calories: 78 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 cups mixed frozen vegetables
  • 1/2 cup tomato passata
  • 3 cups water (more if you like a thinner broth)
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. Place all the ingredients in a large resealable freezer bag. Squish to combine well.

  2. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.
Instant Pot cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place the bag ingredients into your Instant Pot.

  3. Secure the lid and set it to the soup setting for 8 minutes.

  4. Use the natural or quick release.

  5. Serve. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chili flakes if desired.

Try some of our other freezer to Instant Pot soups:

Instant Pot Tomato Soupbowl of tomato soup with the Instant Pot nearby

Bone Brothketo bone broth made in the Instant Pot in a bowl

Beef Taco Soupbowl of Instant Pot beef taco soup

No-Bake Cranberry Pistachio Energy Balls

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These no-bake cranberry pistachio energy balls are a great way to start the day. They are a healthy on-the-go breakfast or snack. Since they can be made ahead and frozen, they are good to have on hand for busy families.two energy bites on a striped towel with the dough in the background. Text reads "Cranberry Pistachio Energy Balls" #freezermeals101 #energyballs #cranberrypistachio These no-bake cranberry pistachio energy balls are easy to make and can be stored in the freezer. The recipe is also very forgiving and can be adapted according to your preferences.

Cranberry Pistachio Energy Balls Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dates
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup raw pistachios
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup currants
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cups instant oats

collage of cranberry pistachio energy balls on linen and in a bowlDirections:

  1. Add the dates, cranberries, and shelled pistachios to a food processor. Roughly chop.
  2. Transfer to a bowl.
  3. Add the salt, maple syrup, and honey and mix well.
  4. Mix in the chia seeds, currants, and brown sugar.
  5. Stir in oats and mix very well with a sturdy wooden spoon.
  6. Place the bowl in the fridge for about an hour to firm up the mixture. This will make rolling it into balls
    much easier.
  7. Remove mixture from the fridge. Roll into 1” balls. You can use a 1-inch cookie dough scoop to help make them more uniform if you wish.
  8. Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the freezer or the fridge.

collage of ingredients and steps to make cranberry pistachio energy ballsThis recipe will make about 15 energy balls. You can double or triple the recipe if you’ll be storing them in the freezer as they freeze well for 3 to 6 months. 

close up of a couple of cranberry pistachio energy ballsCranberry Energy Bites Variations:

  • substitute raisins or chopped dried apricots for the dried cranberries
  • if there is a nut allergy in the family, omit the pistachios
  • substitute hemp seed for the chia seeds
Print
Cranberry Pistachio Energy Balls
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Keyword: energy balls, no-bake
Servings: 15 energy balls
Calories: 220 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dates
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup raw pistachios shelled
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup currants
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 cups instant oats
Instructions

  1. Add the dates, cranberries, and shelled pistachios to a food processor. Roughly chop.

  2. Transfer to a bowl.

  3. Add the salt, maple syrup, and honey and mix well.

  4. Mix in the chia seeds, currants, and brown sugar.

  5. Stir in oats and mix very well with a sturdy wooden spoon.

  6. Place the bowl in the fridge for about an hour to firm up the mixture and making rolling into balls easier.

  7. Remove mixture from the fridge. Roll into 1” balls.

  8. Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the freezer or the fridge.

Check out some of our other easy on-the-go make-ahead breakfasts:

Make-Ahead Everything Bagel Muffinsbowl full of everything bagel breakfast muffins

Scrambled Egg Bitessomeone holding a scrambled egg bite with a bite taken out of it and strawberries on the plate below

Cherry Muffins with Crunchy Toppingclose up of a cherry muffin with crunchy topping that has a bite taken out of it showing the cherries inside

Pizza Buns (a kid friendly freezer meal)

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Cheesy pizza buns are about as kid-friendly a freezer meal as you can get. You’ll be surprised how easy they are to make at home. These can be made as a freezer meal, creating an easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love.cheesy chunky topping on bread. Text reads "Pizza Buns freezer meal" #freezermeals101 #makeahead #pizzabuns My kids love pizza in pretty much any form. In an attempt to keep them fed but not have the same thing every day, I’ve come up with a lot of variations over the years such as our Crock Pot Pizza Casserole, Tater Tot Pizza Casserole, and Pizza Stuffed Chicken.

This recipe can be adapted to include your favorite pizza toppings such as:

  • pineapple
  • cooked bacon
  • cooked chicken
  • spinach
  • banana peppers
  • or whatever you like best. close up of pizza buns fresh out of the oven

Pizza Buns Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup ham, cubed
  • 1/4 cup salami, sliced or chopped
  • 1/4 cup pepperoni, sliced or chopped
  • 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 213 mL jar pizza sauce
  • optional: 10 oz. can mushroom pieces, drained

For cooking day:

  • buns

Assembly instructions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and place them in a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Remove excess air and seal.
  3. Lay flat and freeze.

freezer bag filled with ingredients to make pizza bunsCooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Cut buns in half and place them on a baking sheet.
  3. Spoon mixture on top of each bun half and bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

collage of pizza buns in a freezer bag, on a baking sheet and on a plate with a fork cutting into it

Print
Pizza Buns
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pizza buns
Servings: 6
Calories: 485 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup ham cubed
  • 1/4 cup salami sliced or chopped
  • 1/4 cup pepperoni sliced or chopped
  • 1/2 cup green pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 213 mL jar pizza sauce
  • 10 oz. can mushroom pieces drained (optional)
For cooking day:
  • buns
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and place in a large resealable freezer bag.

  2. Remove excess air and seal.
  3. Lay flat and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Cut buns in half and place on a baking sheet.

  3. Spoon mixture on top of each bun half and bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

Check out some of our other pizza inspired make-ahead recipes:

Pizza Stuffed Chickenclose up of pizza stuffed chicken with a bun on the side

Instant Pot Pizza Casseroleclose up of Instant Pot pizza casserole with noodles, topped with cheese

Tater Tot Pizza Casseroleclose up of tater tot casserole in the pan

Slow Cooker Pizza Casserolekid-

Ham and Potato Casserole (freezer meal)

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Looking for a way to use up a leftover ham? This casserole works beautifully for that. It is a simple and inexpensive ham and potato casserole that’s very family-friendly. And it can be made as a freezer meal. white plate with cheesy potato cubes topped with red ketchup. Text reads "Ham and Potato freezer meal casserole" #freezermeals101 #freezermealcasserole #hamandpotato Tossing this into a freezer bag is so quick. If you have a lot of leftover ham after Thanksgiving or Easter, you can make several of these casseroles to freeze. 

Using frozen hash browns is a much faster way to throw together a meal with potatoes and they work better in a freezer meal. This is a trick I also use in our Beef Hash.

Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups frozen hash browns (cubes)
  • 1 1/2 cups cubed ham (I use black forest ham, but you can also use leftover ham from a holiday meal if you have it)
  • 1/2 cup onions, chopped
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 10 oz. can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • salt and pepper to taste

Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube the ham. Chop the onions. Grate the cheese.
  2. Add all ingredients to a large resealable freezer bag. Squish to combine the ingredients well.
  3. Remove excess air and seal. Freeze.

close up of freezer bag with ham and potato casserole Cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
  3. Dump the bag ingredients in. Bake at 375° for 50-55 minutes.

collage of ham and potato casserole in a freezer bag and in bowlsMost of my kids like to squeeze some ketchup on top of theirs. You can eat it plain, with ketchup, or with hot sauce. 

This is one of those recipes where you can’t really go wrong. You can change it up by adding a different type of cheese, topping it with breading or adding your favorite seasonings.close up of ham and potato casserole with a drizzle of ketchup

Print
Ham and Potato Casserole
Course: Main Course
Keyword: casserole, ham, potato
Servings: 4
Calories: 391 kcal
Ingredients
  • 4 cups frozen hash browns cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups cubed ham
  • 1/2 cup onions chopped
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 10 oz. can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube the ham. Chop the onions. Grate the cheese.

  2. Add all ingredients to a large resealable freezer bag. Squish to combine the ingredients well.

  3. Remove excess air and seal. Freeze.

Cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.

  2. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.

  3. Dump the bag ingredients in. Bake at 375° for 50-55 minutes.

You might want to try these other family-friendly freezer meals:

Easy Beef Hashclose up of a spoon scooping out some easy beef hash with cheese melted on top

Chicken Asparagus Bakeclose up of chicken asparagus bake with rice

Cheesy Tater Tot Chicken Casseroleclose up of a scoop of tater tot chicken casserole with strings of cheese