Freezer Meals 101

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casserole

Pizza Casserole Crock Pot Freezer Meal

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If you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal that kids will actually eat, this is it. Pizza casserole can be made ahead and then cooked in the slow cooker that day. red sauce and pasta being scooped out of slow cooker. Text reads "Pizza Casserole freezer to slow cooker" #freezermeals101 #pizzacasserole #crockpotdinner #slowcooker #makeaheadCrockpot pizza casserole is an extremely family-friendly freezer meal. It has the flavors of pizza in a pasta dish. So if your family likes pizza and likes pasta, it’s guaranteed they will be fans of this dish. 

I find that with my kids, pretty much anything with “pizza” in the name or that has those flavors is sure to be a hit. That’s why our regular recipes include things like Tater Tot Pizza Casserole, Pizza Stuffed Chicken, Instant Pot Pizza Casserole, and of course this Crockpot Pizza Casserole.

Pizza Casserole Recipe:

  • 2 cups ham, cubed
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup Mozza cheese, shredded 
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 28 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups small pasta

Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube ham, shred cheese and chop vegetables.
  2. Place the pasta in a medium-sized resealable bag and seal.
  3. Put ham and cheeses into a large resealable freezer bag.
  4. Mix together the other ingredients in a bowl and pour over the ham and cheese.
  5. Seal the bag and staple the pasta bag to it above the seal.
  6. Freeze.

collage of pizza casserole in the freezer bag, being scooped out of the crock pot and on a plateCooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on low.
  3. Cook the pasta on the stovetop according to the package direction.
  4. Drain pasta and stir into the casserole before serving. 

a scoop is getting lots of noodles from the pizza casserole to servePizza casserole variations:

You can add a can of sliced mushrooms if you like mushrooms.

If your family isn’t a fan of ham, you can substitute sliced pizza pepperoni for the cubed ham. 

Try this recipe using different shapes of pasta. We often use small shells, but sometimes serve it with rotini, penne, or macaroni noodles.close up of pizza casserole with lots of noodles and topped lightly with cheese

What to serve with pizza casserole:

  • tossed green salad and breadsticks or garlic bread
  • raw vegetables

This recipe as well as others are featured in our Kid-Friendly Freezer Meal Plan which also includes shopping lists, prep lists, and printable labels. These plans make getting dinner on the table so easy.

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Pizza Casserole
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Instant Pot Pizza Casserole, pasta, pizza
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 283 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2 cups ham cubed
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green pepper chopped
  • 28 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups small pasta
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube ham, grate cheeses, chop vegetables.

  2. Put the pasta in a medium-sized resealable bag.

  3. Put ham and cheeses into a large resealable freezer bag.

  4. Mix together the other ingredients and pour over the ham and cheese.

  5. Seal the bag and staple the pasta bag to it.

  6. Freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on low.

  3. Cook the pasta on the stovetop according to the package direction.

  4. Drain pasta and stir into the casserole before serving.

Check out these other kid-friendly freezer meals:

Tater Tot Crockpot Casserole with Beef and Veggiescrockpot of tater tot casserole with beef and veggies

Taco Sloppy Joesdishes with ingredients to make taco sloppy Joe'sMini Meatloavesplate with a meatloaf muffin whole, drizzled in BBQ sauce and one cut up, with orange pepper strips on the side

 

Family-Friendly Beef Hash (freezer meal)

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Looking for a family-friendly easy recipe? This Beef Hash is so easy to make and a big hit with kids. It uses frozen hash browns, so it saves a step on prepping the potatoes and is so fast to throw together.

pot with ground beef and hash browns. Text reads Beef Hash freezer meal casserole" #freezermeals101 #beefhashcasserole #freezercasserole #makeaheadI know this recipe is super simple, but the best-tasting recipes usually are. I think that’s what makes this such a big hit with kids.

Beef Hash Recipe:

  • 1 1/2 lbs. browned ground beef
  • 500 grams frozen hash browns*
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp. dry onion soup mix
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • dash pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

*This amount is the equivalent of half of a 1 kg bag, so if you are making two of these recipes at once, just buy one large bag and split it between the two bags.collage of beef hash casserole in a freezer bag, in the skillet with a spoon lifting some out and on a plate with cheese and ketchup on top

Assembly instructions:
  1. Brown beef.
  2. Place cooked beef in a large resealable freezer bag. Add the frozen hash browns, minced onions, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, and pepper.
  3. Squish to combine. Remove excess air and seal.
  4. Put the shredded cheese in a medium freezer bag. Seal. Staple the bags together above the seal and freeze.
Oven Cooking Instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Bake at 350° for one hour, topping with grated cheese for the last 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Cooking Instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 2-4 hours, topping with cheese in the last 20 minutes.

beef hash casserole close up with cheese and ketchup on it

Most of my kids like to top their beef hash with ketchup. I prefer hot sauce or salsa. Either way, this is sure to be a family-friendly meal everyone will enjoy.

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

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Beef Hash
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, casserole
Servings: 6
Calories: 368 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 lbs. browned ground beef
  • 500 grams frozen hash browns
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp. dry onion soup mix
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • dash pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Brown beef.

  2. Place cooked beef in a large resealable freezer bag. Add the frozen hash browns, minced onions, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, and pepper.

  3. Squish to combine. Remove excess air and seal.

  4. Put the shredded cheese in a medium freezer bag. Seal. Staple the bags together above the seal and freeze.

Oven Cooking Instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Bake at 350° for one hour, topping with grated cheese for the last 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Cooking Instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 2-4 hours, topping with cheese for the last 20 minutes.

You may be interested in these other family-friendly freezer to crockpot meals:

Tater Tot Casserole with Beef and Veggiesclose up of tater tot casserole with beef and veggies, topped with cheese

Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Chicken Casseroleclose up of cheesy tater tot chicken casserole being scooped from a dish

Taco Sloppy Joesplate of taco sloppy Joe's with side dishes of salsa and sour cream

Southern-Style Ground Beef Casserole (freezer meal)

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Not only is this southern-style ground beef casserole an all-in-one dish, but it’s also a freezer meal so this is about as easy as dinner gets! It includes ground beef and vegetables and if you want, you can top it with cheese.large pot filled with food topped with melted cheese and white ladle. Text reads "Southern Style Ground Beef Casserole" #freezermeals101 #southernstyle #beefcasserole #freezercasserole #makeahead I love a good all-in-one casserole. As a busy mom, it’s so nice for supper to be as easy as possible. One dish means fewer dishes! And I’m all about making clean-up as fast as possible.

Southern-Style Ground Beef Casserole Recipe:

  • 1 lb. browned ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 3/4 cup green pepper, chopped
  • 15 oz. can kernel corn, drained
  • 14 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce*
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • optional: shredded cheese (cheddar or tex mex)

*Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce if you want to make this gluten-free.

collage of southern-style beef casserole in a freezer bag, with a scoop in a skillet and on a plate with cheese on topAssembly Instructions:

  1. Brown ground beef. Cool slightly and then add to a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Add the chopped onion, diced green pepper, corn, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
  3. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.
  4. If you want to serve with cheese, place shredded cheese in a medium freezer bag, seal, and staple above the seal to the larger bag.

southern-style beef casserole in a bowl, topped with cheeseStovetop Cooking Instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Heat in a pan until the desired temperature is reached. Cook on low in crockpot for 3-5 hours.
  3. If you want, you can top with shredded cheese before serving.

Crock Pot Cooking Instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Cook on low in Crock-Pot® for 3-5 hours.
  3. If desired, top with cheese before serving.

plate with southern-style beef casserole, topped with cheese and a serving bowl full besidesIf you want, you can set out salsa, hot sauce, Thai Sweet Chili sauce, or ketchup. Some of us like to eat this plain while others (ahem…my kids!) like to slather it in the sauce of their choosing.

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Southern Style Ground Beef Casserole
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, casserole
Servings: 6
Calories: 214 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground beef browned
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 3/4 cup green pepper chopped
  • 15 oz. can kernel corn drained
  • 14 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • optional: shredded cheese cheddar or tex mex
Instructions
Assembly Instructions:

  1. Brown ground beef. Cool slightly and then add to a large resealable freezer bag.

  2. Add the chopped onion, diced green pepper, corn, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.

  3. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

  4. If you want to serve with cheese, place shredded cheese in a medium freezer bag, seal, and staple above the seal to the larger bag.

Stovetop Cooking Instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Heat in a pan until the desired temperature is reached. Cook on low in crockpot for 3-5 hours.

  3. If you want, you can top with shredded cheese before serving.

Crock Pot Cooking Instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Cook on low in Crock-Pot for 3-5 hours.

  3. If desired, top with cheese before serving.

Check out some of our other make-ahead casseroles:

Chicken Cordon Bleu Slow Cooker Casserolechicken cordon bleu being lifted from a dish with lots of cheese stretching from it

Stuffed Pepper Casseroleclose up of stuffed pepper casserole in an oven-safe dish

Beefy Rice Casseroleclose up of a bowl of beefy rice casserole with tomatoes

Freezer to Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe

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This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a really simple recipe that you can go from the freezer to the crockpot. Those are my favourite kind of crockpot meals! You’ll find the end result is cheesy and gooey. It’s sure to become a new family favourite.

The nice thing about making this as a casserole is that you get all the same flavours without the finicky work. Traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu includes a crispy coating on the chicken, so I used boxed stuffing to create that same concept but without all the work of breading the chicken.white oval casserole dish heaped with stuffing and chicken and strings of melted cheese with text that reads "Freezer to Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu" #freezermeals101 #chickendinner #makeahead #cordonbleuchicken #chickencordonbleu

We love hearty, family-friendly meals that can be made ahead and cooked in the Crock-Pot like our Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole, Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Chicken Casserole, or Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore.close up of chicken cordon bleu casserole in the crockpot being lifted with a fork

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 16 oz. deli ham
  • 10.75 oz. can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 box of instant stuffing
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided

Assembly Instructions:

  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Place it into a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Melt the butter. In a small bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup with butter and milk.
  3. Pour half of the soup mixture over the chicken.
  4. Cut the lunchmeat into bite-sized pieces. Add half of the ham on top of the chicken.
  5. Top with 1 cup of Swiss cheese.
  6. Add ½ the box of stuffing on top of the cheese.
  7. Layer the remaining ham, cheese and stuffing into the bag.
  8. Pour in the rest of the soup mixture.
  9. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal.
  10. Put the remaining 1 cup of Swiss cheese in a medium freezer bag. Seal the bag and staple it to the large bag above the seal.
  11. Freeze.collage of chicken cordon bleu casserole in the crockpot and in a bowl

Cooking instructions:

  1. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump into the slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 4 hours.
  4. Top with remaining Swiss cheese in the last 30 minutes.

Being able to skip the steps of stuffing and breading the chicken saves a lot of time. It allows you to introduce your family to the flavours of chicken cordon bleu in an easier more mom-friendly way.

Additional tips for this recipe:

As with all freezer meals, it takes almost no extra time to make several bags of this at once to stock up your freezer or to keep some and gift some. This makes a wonderful gift for a new mom or someone going through a hard time.

If you prefer not to make this as a freezer meal, simply layer the ingredients directly into the slow cooker and follow the rest of the instructions.

Swiss cheese has a strong flavour. If you absolutely cannot stand it (but I suggest that you try it once in this recipe because it really does blend well with the other flavours), you can substitute provolone or mozzarella.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French
Keyword: chicken, chicken cordon bleu
Servings: 6
Calories: 467 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
  • 16 oz. deli ham
  • 10.75 oz. can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 box of instant stuffing
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese divided
Instructions
Assembly Instructions:

  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Place it into a large resealable freezer bag.

  2. Melt the butter. In a small bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup with butter and milk.

  3. Pour half of the soup mixture over the chicken.

  4. Cut the lunchmeat into bite-sized pieces. Add half of the ham on top of the chicken.

  5. Top with 1 cup of Swiss cheese.

  6. Add ½ the box of stuffing on top of the cheese.

  7. Layer the remaining ham, cheese, and stuffing into the bag.

  8. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal.

  9. Put the remaining 1 cup of Swiss cheese in a medium freezer bag. Seal the bag and staple it to the large bag above the fold.

  10. Freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump into the slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 4 hours.

  4. Top with remaining Swiss cheese in the last 30 minutes.

What side dishes go with Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole?

Since this particular casserole includes the stuffing mix, you don’t necessarily need another carb like rice, potatoes, or bread, but you will want to serve this with vegetables or a salad to round this out to be a balanced meal.

Some specific side dish ideas:

close up of chicken cordon bleu casserole in a bowl with garnish

Check out these other family-friendly freezer to crockpot meals:

Tater Tot Casserole with Beef and Veggiesclose up of tater tot casserole in a crockpot with cheese

Rustic Crock Pot Beef Stewclose up of rustic crockpot beef stew with meat and carrots

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatorea spoon is lifting chicken cacciatore from a crock pot

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

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This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole can be served immediately or it can be made ahead and frozen. It includes carbs, protein, and vegetables, making it a full meal.

Enjoy this real food healthy freezer meal. This dish is certainly “fancy” enough to serve company, but also make a nice weeknight family meal.

white baking dish with rice, carrots, celery, chicken in it. The text reads "Chicken Wild Rice Casserole" #freezermeals101 #chickendinner #chickencasserole #makeaheadIf you want to add some holiday flair to this meal to serve it at Thanksgiving or Christmas, stir in some dried cranberries after baking. It will add in some festive flavor as well as seasonal color.

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 5 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 5 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 4 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
  • 4 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • non-stick cooking spray

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
  2. Prepare the baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.
  3. Add the rice and broth into the prepped baking dish.
  4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
  5. Bake at 350° for 1 hr and 15 minutes.
  6. Check on the rice and when it is almost done, add the melted butter into a small saucepan. Heat on medium while you add the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning.
  7. Stir to mix. Cook for one minute. Then begin to slowly add the milk while whisking. This will form a thick and creamy sauce.
  8. Remove the baking dish of rice from the oven once it is done. Carefully remove the foil. Add the chicken and the sauce, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
  9. Return casserole dish to the oven. Increase the heat to 450° for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.
  10. Optional: Top with chopped fresh parsley. collage of chicken and wild rice casserole ingredients, in the casserole dish and cooked

Freezer cooking instructions:

  1. Prepare the dish as per the instructions above up until #9. After adding the chicken and sauce to the rice, cover the dish with two layers of aluminum foil. Freeze.
  2. Thaw. Bake in a preheated 450° oven for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.
  3. Optional: Top with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Print
Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
Course: Main Course
Keyword: casserole, chicken, wild rice
Servings: 6
Calories: 319 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 5 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 5 celery stalks sliced
  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 lb. chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cubed
  • 4 Tbsp. butter melted
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
  • 4 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • non-stick cooking spray
  • fresh parsley optional
Instructions
Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

  2. Prepare the baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.

  3. Add the rice and broth into the prepped baking dish.

  4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

  5. Bake at 350° for 1 hr and 15 minutes.

  6. Check on the rice and when it is almost done, add the melted butter into a small sauce pan. Heat on medium while you add the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning.

  7. Stir to mix. Cook for one minute. Then begin to slowly add the milk while whisking. This will form a thick and creamy sauce.

  8. Remove the baking dish of rice from the oven once it is done. Carefully remove the foil. Add the chicken and the sauce, stirring to combine all thee ingredients.

  9. Return to the oven. Increase the heat to 450° for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

  10. Top with fresh parsley before serving if desired.

Freezer cooking instructions:

  1. Prepare the dish as per the instructions above up until #9. After adding the chicken and sauce to the rice, cover the dish with two layers of aluminum foil. Freeze.

  2. Thaw. Bake in a preheated 450° oven for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

  3. Top with fresh parsley before serving if desired.

Check out these other make-ahead recipes:

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bakeclose up of chicken and broccoli Alfredo bake

Beefy Rice Crock Pot Casseroleclose up of a bowl of beefy rice slow cooker casserole

Pastitcio Baked Pastacasserole dish with Pastitcio baked pasta covered in cheese