Easy Freezer Meals for Families

Make stocking your freezer with easy meals you can serve up in minutes so much easier with this list of easy freezer meals for families. There are options for main dishes, as well as a few of my top toddler meals, to reduce the cost of groceries and maximize your food prep efforts.

Whether you’re a regular fan of meal prep and meal planning or you are new to the idea as a way to simplify feeding your family, these easy freezer meals are here to help! They are recipes that freeze particularly well—and can be eaten once thawed or can be quickly reheated. They work as family meals, postpartum freezer meals, and also easy toddler meals.

There are options here including pasta, pizza, comfort food like soups and stews, burritos, casseroles, and more so you can choose what you prefer.

And there are plenty of options with and without meat, and to add flavor from sausage, ham, garlic, ground beef, and more.

Best Freezer Molds

Here are the storage containers I use most often for storing easy freezer meals for families.

Anyday Freezer Molds: They come in two sizes—the ½ cup shown above and a smaller 2 tablespoon size. The food releases easily, the lid snaps on easily, and they are easy to clean.
Souper Cubes: This company makes amazing freezer containers in a range of sizes. I love the 1-cup tray (it comes with a lid). These are a go-to stackable freezer container.

Silicone Ice Cube Tray: This ice cube tray comes in a 3-pack, has a removable lid, and has 24 cubes per tray. It’s perfect for storing portions of pesto and other sauces, baby food, leftover smoothie, and more.

Ziploc Freezer Bags: Standard plastic freezer bags from the grocery or big-box store are a great option for freezing food. I particularly like how easy it is to store food flat, remove all the air with a straw, and seal and stack in the freezer.
Ziploc Freezer Containers: These large containers are a great option for storing full batches of pasta, soup, and chili freezer meals for your family.

(There are more options in my top freezer containers, and my Ultimate Guide to Freezing Food has everything you need to know about how to freeze specific foods, too.)

Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!

Best Freezer Molds
One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Veggies)
Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough
Vegetarian Bean Chili
30-Minute Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
Easy Red Lentil Soup
Easy Marinated Chicken Tenders
Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with Sweet Potato)
Homemade Broccoli Tots
Homemade Veggie Nuggets (with 3 Veggies!)
Vegetarian Rice and Beans Burritos
Easy Breakfast Burritos
Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies
Easiest Homemade Uncrustables
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Tips for Success

Hands holding bowl of mac and cheese over pan.

One-Pot Mac and Cheese

This is my favorite easy mac and cheese recipe since it takes the same amount of time to make as boxed mac and cheese, yet I can make it from basic pantry staples.

One-Pot Mac and Cheese

The method for this creamy and cheese One Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is streamlined to cut down on dishwashing—and to ensure the easiest method to the yummiest dish!

One-Pot Mac and Cheese

Cheesy Broccoli Rice

With nutrients, creamy texture, and ultimate cheesiness, this one-pan dish is a great vegetarian main or an easy side dish. You can make Cheesy Broccoli Rice ahead of time and heat it up in the moment.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice

Transform five simple ingredients into the yummiest one-pan dish with this Cheesy Broccoli Rice recipe. It works as a vegetarian main dish or as a side dish.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice

pizza rolls recipe on wire rack on counter.

Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Veggies)

This Pizza Rolls recipe is one of those foods that I like to have on hand for nights when there are activities and commitments since they are so easy to make ahead, warm up, and serve.

Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Veggies)

This Pizza Rolls recipe is packed with nutrition—and even greens!—but the cheese and silly spiral shape makes them much more appealing to toddlers and big kids. Be sure to grease your pan well and roll the dough up fairly tightly around the fillings for best results. (But it's okay if they don't look perfect when they go into the pan!)

Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Veggies)

Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough

We are always looking for easy pizza recipes for kids, and this dough recipe is officially our favorite. It’s made with a base of Greek yogurt for moisture and protein and comes together so darn fast.

Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough

Amazingly tender and fast, this Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough is the easiest pizza dough ever. There's no yeast, so it doesn't need time to rise—and yet it bakes up perfectly. Use for personal pizzas, a big pizza to share, or pizza rolls—all in about 20 minutes!

Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough

Veggie chili in pot and two bowls with cheese.

Vegetarian Bean Chili

I love to make a big batch of this chili to serve for dinner and to have stashed in the freezer for a future easy meal. (Or to share with another family as part of a Meal Train.)

Vegetarian Bean Chili (Big Batch)

When serving this to a little one, I like to drain off much of the broth. This makes it a little easier (and less messy) for them to eat. If your family likes spice, add in a dash or two of cayenne pepper.

Vegetarian Bean Chili (Big Batch)

vegetarian bean chili in bowls on table.

30-Minute Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

This Vegetarian Black Bean Soup has an easy method and is filled with nutritious ingredients and meat-free protein. And it’s possible to add the ingredients to a pot quickly with the shortcut options that reduce chopping.

30-Minute Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

You can serve this soup chunky or pureed smooth, according to what your family might prefer. There's also a slow cooker option if that's more your speed! Try it as a dip for little kids if they're not into a full bowl.

30-Minute Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Easy Red Lentil Soup

This golden soup is one of my very favorites to make and share with my family. It’s super comforting but also light and not too rich—which is such a nice combination in the colder months.

Easy Red Lentil Soup

With plant-based protein and Vitamin C-rich veggies, this brightly flavored Red Lentil Soup—with sweet potato, ginger, and coconut— is a perfect fast family dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.

Easy Red Lentil Soup

Easy Marinated Chicken Tenders

I love that this recipe results in chicken that’s flavorful and tender, there are easy flavor variations, and you can make it ahead of time and stash it in the fridge or freezer—or make it in the moment in less than 15 minutes start to finish.

Easy Marinated Chicken Tenders

With a super simple method and three flavor variations, you can make the most tender, delicious Marinated Chicken Tenders in the air fryer or oven to share with the kids. One of the easiest chicken recipes for kids, ever!

Easy Marinated Chicken Tenders

Chicken nuggets on baking sheet after cooking.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with Sweet Potato)

I know many kids love chicken nuggets, and these are a great option for easy meals that are filled with nutrients, including protein. And this homemade version also has sweet potato, for more flavor and nutrition.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with Sweet Potato)

Crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, these Homemade Chicken Nuggets are both easy and delicious. You can prep the sweet potato up to 5 days ahead if that's easier for you, too. Try serving these with ketchup, ranch, or marinara sauce.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with Sweet Potato)

Homemade Broccoli Tots

Broccoli tots are a staple of the freezer aisle, but making them at home is as simple as blending up ingredients and baking the tots. I do sometimes love paying for convenience, but I also love turning basic ingredients into this delish toddler meal.

Homemade Broccoli Tots (Better Than the Freezer Aisle!)

Crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, these tots are a seriously fun way to serve broccoli. You can cook the rice up to 5 days ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to bake the tots.

Homemade Broccoli Tots (Better Than the Freezer Aisle!)

veggie-nuggets-with-ketchup-on-blue-plate

Homemade Veggie Nuggets (with 3 Veggies!)

These Veggie Nuggets have a similar texture to Chicken Nuggets, boast a nice dose of vegetables, and include whole grains. Plus, they are an easy food for toddlers to eat, especially when dunked into ketchup, ranch, or another favorite dipping sauce.

Homemade Veggie Nuggets (with 3 Veggies!)

I like to prep the veggies and rice ahead of time so that the process of making the nuggets is a little quicker. You can of course do it all at once though!

Homemade Veggie Nuggets (with 3 Veggies!)

Vegetarian Rice and Beans Burritos

This is a budget-friendly family dinner that tastes delicious and is easy to put together. It checks all the boxes in my book! And since my family loves Mexican flavors and black beans, these Rice and Bean Burritos are one of our go-to Tuesday night dinners.

Vegetarian Rice and Beans Burritos

You can make and serve these at the same time, or prep them ahead of time and warm up quickly for an easy meal. You can vary the beans in these simple burritos. Serve them with salsa and/or sour cream.

Vegetarian Rice and Beans Burritos

Easy Breakfast Burritos

These easy burritos are so straightforward to make and are one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast options. I love that I can make a pile of them at once and store them in the fridge or freezer to warm up on future days.

Easy Breakfast Burritos

With just 4 simple ingredients, these easy Breakfast Burritos can be made ahead and reheated, or made in minutes and served right away. They're a protein-packed breakfast to share with the kids.

Easy Breakfast Burritos

Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies

Rich in protein and fats that toddlers need, eggs are a wonderful toddler food. You can make a batch of the egg muffins one day and keep them in the fridge or freezer until you need them.

Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies

These tender Egg Muffins are packed with protein and vitamins—and can be made ahead of time! Add any veggie you like, whether carrots, butternut squash, broccoli, or spinach.

Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies

Easiest Homemade Uncrustables

I love this method so much because you can decide exactly what to put inside, they’re crazy fast, AND they freeze beautifully.

Easiest Homemade Uncrustables

You can make one sandwich at a time, or make a batch of a few to stash in the freezer. Adjust this as needed for your preference.

Easiest Homemade Uncrustables

Frequently Asked Questions

Which containers are best to freeze entire meals in?

Large Ziploc, Gladware, or OXO containers or freezer bags work well for a variety of. meals.

What recipes are good to cook and batch freeze?

Pasta, casseroles, lasagna, instant pot or crockpot chicken or beef, soup, chili, and nuggets and tots are some of my favorite foods to cook fully and freeze.

What should I avoid freezing?

Fresh uncooked vegetables like lettuce, foods you aren’t sure your family will eat, and foods that are past their expiration dates.

Best Tips for Success

Go to each individual recipe for tips on freezing. Generally speaking you should allow any cooked food to cool fully, then place into an airtight storage container or freezer bag (sealed with as much air removed as possible), and then freeze for up to 6 months.
To warm food from frozen, heat directly in the microwave or air fryer. Or, thaw overnight in the fridge or directly in a lunchbox in the case of sandwiches.
Only freeze foods you are confident your family will eat. And try to eat what you have before you make a bunch more to help limit the potential for food waste.