• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Disclosure/PR
  • Freezer Meal Recipes
  • Freezer Meal Plans
  • Dump Recipes
  • Course Login

Freezer Meals 101

Less time cooking, more time living

pizza

Pizza Buns (a kid friendly freezer meal)

By Sharla

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-

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes Tagged With: kid-friendly, pizza

Pizza Casserole Crock Pot Freezer Meal

By Sharla

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.

Print
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

 

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer to Crock Pot Tagged With: casserole, pizza

Make Ahead English Muffin Pizzas

By Sharla

These make-ahead English muffin pizzas are perfect for school lunches. You can customize them for your child’s preferences. a mini pizza with a smiley face made out of green olives sits beside apple slices on a white plate that has an over-sized wooden fork resting on it with text that reads "Make Ahead English Muffin Pizzas" #freezermeals101 #makeaheadmeals #easypizzarecipeI remember making English muffin pizzas with my mom when I was growing up. It’s a tradition that I’ve passed down to my own children. I’ve also discovered that you can make them in large batches ahead of time and freeze them, making them perfect for packing for lunches.

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/M9PCawb_7xE” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>

Mini pizzas are so kid-friendly already, but I like to make them even more fun by adding little smiley faces or hearts with the toppings or by inviting my kids to top their own.close up of English muffin pizza with apples on the side Involving kids in making their own English muffin pizzas allows them to spend time building their confidence in the kitchen and also makes it more likely that they will actually eat their creations.

Make-Ahead English Muffin Pizzas:

Makes: 12 mini pizzas

Ingredients:

  • 6 English muffins, sliced in half
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 large bag shredded mozzarella cheese
  • additional toppings (see suggestions below)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375° and spray a baking sheet with oil or line the sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Stir the Italian seasoning into the pizza sauce.
  3. Slice each English muffin in half and place each half on the baking sheet. Spoon about 2 Tablespoons of sauce onto each of the English muffin halves before sprinkling with mozzarella cheese over them. Top with any of your favorite toppings.
  4. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pizzas are golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
  5. Once the pizzas are cool, place them into a large resealable freezer bag, removing the excess air before sealing. Freeze.
  6. Take out as many mini pizzas as needed. Reseal the bag and place it back in the freezer. Heat English muffin pizzas in the microwave or eat cold.collage of making English muffin pizzas, ingredients, on a baking sheet and on a plate with apples

English Muffin Pizza Topping Suggestions:

  • pepperoni
  • ham
  • fresh basil
  • pineapple
  • black olives
  • green olives
  • onions
  • mushrooms
  • green peppers
  • jalapēnos
  • spinach
  • cooked bacon
  • cooked sausage
  • browned ground beef
  • cooked chicken
  • capers

For the sauce, you can substitute pesto sauce or BBQ sauce if you prefer.

Other make-ahead lunch ideas:

Hot Roast Beef or Ham Sandwichesclose up of hot make ahead ham sandwich

Make-Ahead Mac and Cheeseclose up of a bowl and fork with make ahead mac and cheese

Print
Make-Ahead English Muffin Pizzas
Course: Lunch, Side Dish
Keyword: English muffin, pizza
Servings: 12 mini pizzas
Calories: 127 kcal
Ingredients
  • 6 English muffins sliced in half
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 large bag shredded mozzarella cheese
  • additional toppings (pepperoni, pineapple, black olives, green olives, mushrooms, ham, browned ground beef, onions, green peppers, etc.)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375° and spray a baking sheet with oil or line the sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Stir the Italian seasoning into the pizza sauce.
  3. Slice each English muffin in half and place each half on the baking sheet. Spoon about 2 Tablespoons of sauce onto each of the English muffin halves before sprinkling with mozzarella cheese over them. Top with any of your favorite toppings.

  4. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pizzas are golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

  5. Once the pizzas are cool, place them into a large resealable freezer bag, removing the excess air before sealing. Freeze.

  6. Take out as many mini pizzas as needed. Reseal the bag and place them back in the freezer. Heat English muffin pizzas in the microwave or eat cold.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes Tagged With: English muffin, pizza

Pizza Stuffed Chicken

By Sharla

This is an easy kid-friendly make-ahead meal that the whole family will love. Most kids’ ears perk up at the word “pizza” so this is a great recipe to get those reluctant chicken eaters on board!

a fork sits beside chicken topped with red sauce and a slice of pepperoni on a white plate with a piece of garlic toast on the side. The text reads "pizza stuffed chicken make ahead freezer meal" #freezermeals101 #pizzastuffedchicken #makeahead #chickendinnerI find that my kids also like food that’s stuffed with something. It’s almost like it contains a surprise so that’s another element of this dish that is appealing to the younger crowd.

As far as being appealing to moms, this dish can be made ahead and frozen until the day you want to serve it. While you’re at it, you might as well assemble several so that you have a few in the freezer ready to go. You’ll be glad you did.

The other thing about this pizza stuffed chicken recipe that appeals to moms is how few ingredients it requires. It’s an easy 5 ingredient meal that’s going to quickly become one of your go-to’s for busy weeknights.

Let’s get this show on the road and get right to the recipe!

Pizza Stuffed Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 3 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 30 pepperoni slices
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup prepared pizza sauce
  • salt and pepper

close up of pizza stuffed chicken with garlic bread on the side

Assembly instructions:

  1. Spritz a 9×13 oven-safe dish or 9×13 foil tray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Slice chicken in half horizontally through the thickness of the breast. Pound to ½ an inch thick. You can make this easier by placing chicken between sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper when pounding.
  3. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In the middle of the chicken, place four slices of pepperoni and about 1 Tbsp. of shredded mozzarella. Roll the chicken, tucking in the edges, and place in the baking dish or foil tray.
  4. Pour pizza sauce over each chicken breast. Top with remaining mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
  5. Place two layers of aluminum foil over the tray and seal the edges well.
  6. Label and freeze.

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Take the tray out of the oven. Thaw.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°. 
  3. Place the tray in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken breast) or until a meat thermometer reads 165°.

Serve with a salad and some garlic bread.

Check out these other make-ahead kid friendly freezer meals:

Pizza Tater Tot Casseroleclose up of pizza tater tot casserole with pepperoni and green onion on top

Turkey Sloppy JoesTurkey Sloppy Joe's with sides of fries, pickles and potato salad

KFC Style Chickenclose up of KFC style chicken

Print
Pizza Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: chicken, pizza
Servings: 6
Calories: 152 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless
  • 30 pepperoni slices
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup prepared pizza sauce
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Spritz a 9x13 oven-safe dish or 9x13 foil tray with non-stick cooking spray.

  2. Slice chicken in half horizontally through the thickness of the breast. Pound to ½ an inch thick. You can make this easier by placing chicken between sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper when pounding.

  3. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In the middle of the chicken, place four slices of pepperoni and about 1 Tbsp. of shredded mozzarella. Roll the chicken, tucking in the edges, and place in the baking dish or foil tray.
  4. Pour pizza sauce over each chicken breast. Top with remaining mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
  5. Place two layers of aluminum foil over the tray and seal the edges well.
  6. Label and freeze.
Cooking Instructions:
  1. Take the tray out of the oven. Thaw.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°.
  3. Place the tray in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken breast or until a meat thermometer reads 165°.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes Tagged With: chicken, gluten free, pizza

Instant Pot Pizza Casserole

By Sharla

I love recipes my whole family will eat. Pretty much anything with “pizza” in the title is a sure-fire winner! This Instant Pot Pizza Casserole is no exception. Freezer to Instant Pot Pizza Casserole #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #pastarecipes #instantpotrecipes #freezermealsMy kids like pizza casserole so much that I make several varieties of it so that I don’t get bored. They never seem to tire of it though!

We started with this crockpot pizza casserole and sometimes vary things with our Tater Tot Pizza Casserole.

close up of Instant Pot pizza casserole with pastaOne of my daughters prefers this version because of the beef in it. I, of course, like that it combines two of the easiest methods of cooking: freezer meals and the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe:

  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. butter
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 lb. garlic sausage, sliced
  • 2 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 jar pizza sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 25-30 slices of small pepperoni
  • 8 oz. uncooked pasta
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the day of cooking:

  • 1 cup water

Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the butter and olive oil.

Add the ground beef and sausage and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. Stir with a wooden spoon to break up the chunks of beef so that it cooks evenly.

Alternatively, you can brown the beef in a skillet.

Allow the meat to cool slightly. Place the cooked ground beef and sausage in a large resealable freezer bag.

Add the onions, garlic, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, pepperoni, and beef broth to the bag. In a medium-sized bag, add the pasta. Place the shredded cheese in another medium bag.

Take any extra air out of all three bags and close. Staple the bags together above the seal.

On the day of cooking:

Take the meal out of the freezer. Thaw. Place the contents of the large bag into the Instant Pot®. Add the pasta. Stir to make sure the pasta is covered with liquid. steps for making Instant Pot Pizza CasserolePut the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 8 minutes. Release the pressure and wait for the steam to completely stop before opening the lid. Stir in the shredded cheese. Allow it to sit for 1 minute before serving. close up of instant pot pizza casserole with cheese on topServe with garlic bread.

You might also be interested in these recipes:

Tater Tot Pizza Casserole

close up of tater tot pizza casserole

Pizza Buns

close up of pizza buns

Print
Instant Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Instant Pot Pizza Casserole
Servings: 8
Calories: 560 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. butter
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 lb. garlic sausage sliced
  • 2 tsp. garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 jar pizza sauce
  • 1  Tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 25-30 slices of small pepperoni
  • 8  oz. uncooked pasta
  • 2  cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • salt and pepper to taste
For day-of cooking:
  • 1 cup water
Instructions
  1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the butter and olive oil. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook about 4-5 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. Stir with a wooden spoon to break up the chunks of beef so that it cooks evenly.

  2. Alternatively, you can brown the beef in a skillet.
  3. Allow the meat to cool slightly. Place the cooked ground beef and sausage in a large resealable freezer bag.

  4. Add the onions, garlic, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, pepperoni, and beef broth to the bag. In a medium sized bag, add the pasta. Place the shredded cheese in another medium bag.

  5. Take any extra air out of all three bags and close. Staple the bags together above the seal.

On the day of cooking:
  1. Take the meal out of the freezer. Thaw. Place the contents of the large bag into the Instant Pot. Add the pasta. Stir to make sure the pasta is covered with liquid.

  2. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 8 minutes. Release the pressure and wait for the steam to completely stop before opening the lid. Stir in the shredded cheese. Allow it to sit for 1 minute.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Instant Pot Recipes, Freezer Meal Recipes Tagged With: casserole, Instant Pot, pizza

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

  • Freezer Meals 101
  • One Month of Freezer Meals No Repeats
  • Ground Beef Stroganoff Freezer Meal
  • BBQ Pulled Pork Freezer Meal
  • Easy Tuna Casserole Freezer Meal
  • Make Ahead Keto Meals to Get You Started

Categories

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in · Privacy Policy