90 Cheap and Healthy Freezer Meal Recipes That Save Time and Money (2024)

FAQs

Does making freezer meals save money? ›

I have found that eating home-cooked vegetable-filled meals is not only healthier for me and my family, but also cheaper. Having a well-stocked freezer saves even more money by removing the temptation of takeout. It also saves prep, cooking, and cleanup time during the week so you can enjoy time with your family.

Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cooker soups and stews, and more. You guests will never guess that you just popped that Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole out of the freezer.

Affordable – Frozen foods are lower in cost-per-serving and have a longer shelf-life than refrigerated or fresh foods.

While some frozen meals can be very cost-effective, others may be more expensive than cooking the same meal from scratch. If you're cooking a meal for multiple people, you may find it's cheaper to buy the ingredients separately than to purchase enough frozen meals for everyone.

Can You Freeze Anything for Meal Prep? The short answer is that pretty much any food can be frozen. The US Department of Agriculture explains that you can freeze almost any food, except eggs in their shell and canned products. However, you may not want to eat every food after it has been frozen.

Best Choices for Make-Ahead Freezer Meals

Tops on the easy-to-freeze list are all kinds of casseroles, meatballs, meatloaf, pasta sauces, and soup, stew, and chili recipes. A smart way to stock your freezer with make-ahead meals is to double a recipe to make a big batch and freeze half for later.

Schmidt tells us that, for best results, you can keep mashed potatoes in "a freezer set to 0°F or colder" for "up to one year." At this temperature and for this length of time, frozen mashed potatoes can be thawed and reheated without losing texture or flavor (and without risking the transmission of foodborne bacteria) ...

What dinners freeze well? ›

Soups, stews, lasagna, empanadas, and pie dough are some of our favorites to freeze—check out more ideas below.

If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged. If freezing longer than two months, over wrap the porous store plastic packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or place the package inside a freezer bag.

Ground meats are the most robust. They've got high moisture, soft texture, and portion with ease. Stew and Braising Cuts (chuck, shank, shoulder, rounds) and other “low and slow” cuts do great but remember to portion these cuts before freezing, you'll need a hacksaw to cut through a chuck roast until fully thawed.

“If you're wasting the food you buy, you're wasting money,” says Helen White, the environmental charity Wrap's special adviser for household food waste. “Frozen food lasts longer, you can use the amount you need when you need it and, in some cases, it's cheaper.”

You're also committing to how much it costs to run! In this guide, we're going to look at how you can calculate the energy that your freezer uses. A freezer is a wise investment for your home, helping you save money on your food expenses when used properly.

The best containers for freezing food

The key to ensuring your food tastes great after it's thawed is how you store it: Food stays freshest when it's frozen in airtight containers and thick, durable wrappings. The biggest enemies of frozen foods are air and ambient moisture.

The short answer is no, frozen meals are not bad for you. In fact, they can be a healthy and convenient option when you're short on time or don't have access to fresh ingredients.