10 Freezer Meals for New Parents (and Anyone Who Needs a Break)
Freezer meals that reheat well and can be eaten one-handed: burritos, soups, pasta bakes, meatballs and breakfast sandwiches.
Whether you are stocking your own freezer before a baby arrives or filling a friend's, the best freezer meals have three things in common: they reheat well, they can be eaten with one hand, and they come portioned and labeled.
Pack them like a pro
- Cool completely before freezing, in shallow containers so it chills fast.
- Freeze flat in zip-top bags, then stand them up like files.
- Label each one with the name, date and reheating instructions: tired brains will thank you.
- Portion small. Single servings and family trays both have their place.
Most cooked dinners are best within 2 to 3 months. See how to freeze and reheat dinners safely.
Bean, rice and cheese burritos
- 10 large tortillas
- 2 (15-ounce) cans refried beans
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 3 cups shredded cheese
Fill, roll tightly and wrap each in foil. Reheat from frozen at 375°F for 30 to 40 minutes, or unwrap and microwave.
Baked ziti
- 1 pound ziti
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara
- 15 ounces ricotta
- 2 cups mozzarella
Assemble in a foil pan but do not bake. Freeze, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake covered at 375°F until 165°F in the center.
Turkey meatballs
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
- 2 garlic cloves
Bake at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes to 165°F, cool and freeze on a tray, then bag. Reheat in sauce.
Chicken tortilla soup
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups broth
Cook, cool and freeze in 2-cup portions with headspace. Reheat to a rolling boil.
Breakfast sandwiches
- 12 English muffins
- 12 eggs
- 12 slices cheese
- Ham or cooked sausage patties
Bake the eggs in a sheet pan, cut into rounds, assemble and wrap individually. Microwave from frozen.
Beef and bean chili
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 (15-ounce) cans beans
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
Simmer, cool fast in shallow containers and freeze in portions. Reheat to a rolling boil.
Chicken pot pie filling
- 3 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3 cups broth
- 1/2 cup milk
Freeze the creamy filling. To serve, thaw, top with puff pastry or biscuits and bake at 400°F until golden and 165°F inside.
Lasagna soup
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups broth
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken
Freeze the soup without the noodles; cook the noodles fresh when reheating so they do not go mushy.
Muffins and banana bread
- Your favorite banana bread or muffin batter
Bake, cool, slice and wrap individually for snacks during night feeds.
Slow cooker meal kits
- Raw meat and chopped vegetables
- Sauce or seasoning
- Freezer bags
Freeze each dinner in a bag, then thaw it in the fridge overnight before it goes in the slow cooker.
Questions, answered
What meals freeze best?
Soups, chili, stews, burritos, meatballs, casseroles and pasta bakes freeze well. Creamy sauces can separate a little, and crisp foods soften.
How long do freezer meals last?
Frozen food stays safe at 0°F, but for best quality eat most cooked dinners within 2 to 3 months.
What is a good meal to bring to new parents?
Something that reheats in one dish and can be eaten with one hand, like burritos, soup or a pasta bake, delivered in a disposable pan with reheating instructions on the lid.
