Our collection of 30+ freezer meals are budget-friendly and made from basic ingredients… pastas, lasagne, soups, slow cooker meals, vegetarian options, quiches, tarts and more!
Simple Family-Friendly Freezer Meals
All of the freezer meal recipes in this collection are perfect for the entire family… from fussy toddlers to hungry teenagers, busy parents to grandparents looking to prepare some meals ahead of time.
We’ve included:
- tips for freezing each recipe
- simple substitutions (if you don’t have access to certain ingredients)
- serving suggestions
Plus scroll down to the bottom for our 10 top tips on freezing meals!
Simply click on any of the images to be taken directly to the full printable recipe (they’re all FREE).
Basic Freezer Meals
Oven Baked Chicken Parma Balls
Freezing tips: These yummy little balls can be prepared, cooked with the tomato sauce and cheese and then frozen (ready to be defrosted reheated!). Alternatively, you can freeze the chicken balls uncooked and then cook them once they’ve defrosted.
Substitutions: Substitute the chicken mince for turkey, beef, lamb or pork mince. To save time, use a jar of store-bought tomato pasta sauce instead of making your own.
Serving suggestions: Serve with pasta, mashed potato, polenta, salad or vegetables.
Egg & Bacon Pie
Freezing tips: Bake the pie and then allow to cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and cover in foil before freezing. Alternatively, cut into individual slices and freeze in sealable plastic bags or an airtight container (use a sheet of baking paper to divide each layer when placing into a container).
Substitutions: Use ham instead of bacon or omit entirely for a vegetarian option. Add vegetables such as mushrooms, capsicum, asparagus, leftover roast vegetables, sliced tomato… anything you have lying around!
Serving suggestions: Serve with chips and salad.
Beef Lasagne
Freezing tips: This lasagne can be cooked and then frozen in individual portions (in either an airtight container or sealable plastic bags). Alternatively, you can cook and freeze the beef sauce and then use it at a later date to make lasagne or spaghetti bolognese.
Substitutions: Substitute the beef mince for lamb or pork mince. Add in a layer of baby spinach or roasted pumpkin.
Serving suggestions: Serve with vegetables or salad and wedges/chips.
Noodle & Beef Chow Mein
Freezing tips: Cook and then freeze in an airtight container. Allow to defrost in the fridge before reheating.
Substitutions: Switch the beef mince for chicken, pork, lamb or turkey mince. Mix and match with any vegetables you have on hand. Replace the Singapore/hokkien noodles with 2 minute noodles or spaghetti.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with extra vegetables or a salad.
Freezing tips: I recommend preparing the beef mixture, forming into should patty-shaped burgers and then freezing them un-cooked. When ready to use, allow the patties to defrost in the fridge and then cook on a frying pan, grill or BBQ.
Substitutions: Switch the beef mince for chicken, pork, lamb or turkey mince. This mixture can be made into large burger patties or rolled into smaller meatballs.
Serving suggestions: Serve with your favourite burger toppings.
Tuna Pasta Casserole
Freezing tips: Prepare and cook the casserole in the oven. Allow to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container/s. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave when needed.
Substitutions: Switch the tin of condensed soup for 300ml cooking cream and thicken the sauce with a 1 tablespoon of cornflour. Replace the tinned tuna with salmon, bacon or leftover cooked chicken. Use absolutely any vegetables you like.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with garlic bread and salad.
Cheesy Macaroni & Vegetable Pasta Bake
Freezing tips: Prepare and cook the pasta bake in the oven. Allow to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container/s. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave when needed.
Substitutions: Use any vegetables you like. Replace the ham with bacon or omit entirely for a vegetarian option. Macaroni can be replaced with any type of short pasta (penne, spirals etc).
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with garlic bread and salad.
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Freezing tips: Prepare and cook the pasta dish. Allow to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container/s. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave when needed.
Substitutions: Add bacon for an extra delicious flavour! Add any extra vegetables you like. Substitute the spirals for any type of pasta you like.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with garlic bread and salad.
Turkey & Vegetable Meatballs
Freezing tips: These meatballs can be frozen either cooked or uncooked. If freezing them once cooked, allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave or oven. If freezing them uncooked, allow to defrost and then cook as per the recipe.
Substitutions: Substitute the turkey mince for chicken, beef, lamb or pork mince. Use any other grated vegetables you like.
Serving suggestions: Serve the meatballs on their own, with rice and salad, in wraps, or with pasta and sauce.
Zucchini Slice
Freezing tips: Cook according to the recipe, allow to cool completely and then freeze in an airtight container. Add a layer of baking paper between each of the slices when freezing.
Substitutions: Replace the bacon with ham or omit entirely. For an extra veggie-boost, add some grated carrot.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with a salad.
Corn Fritters
Freezing tips: Cook according to the recipe, allow to cool completely and then freeze in an airtight container or in individual sealable bags. Allow to defrost before serving. These can be eaten cold or warmed up.
Substitutions: Replace the tinned corn with frozen corn kernels. Replace the mozzarella with cheddar or tasty cheese. Alternatively, check out our zucchini fritters and cheesy quinoa, sweet potato and zucchini fritters recipes.
Serving suggestions: Serve the fritters on their own or with homemade tomato and avocado salsa, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce.
Oven Baked Thai Chicken Meatballs
Freezing tips: These meatballs can be frozen either cooked or uncooked. If freezing them once cooked, allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave or oven. If freezing them uncooked, allow to defrost and then cook as per the recipe.
Substitutions: Substitute the chicken mince for pork mince.
Serving suggestions: Serve the meatballs on their own, in wraps with salad or lettuce cups.
Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
The slow cooker is perfect for making family dinners than be be frozen… plus, slow cooker recipes call for cheaper cuts of meat, making these recipes budget-friendly too.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Freezing tips: Cook the pork according to the recipe and then allow to cool completely. Divide into airtight containers and freeze. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave.
Substitutions: Replace the pork fillet with pork shoulder.
Serving suggestions: Serve in burgers, on pizza, in wraps or toasted quesadillas.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken
The perfect family dinner could not be any easier to make… and it’s a guaranteed winner with the whole family! Creamy, full of flavour and ‘oh-so-delicious’.
Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Pasta
Freezing tips: Cook the beef ragu according to the recipe and then allow to cool completely. Divide into airtight containers and freeze. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave. Cook the pasta when ready to serve.
*Please note: you can cook the pasta at the same time as the ragu and freeze both together, however, I find the beef reheats better on it’s own and then served with freshly cooked pasta.
Substitutions: Replace the beef chuck roast with beef brisket or beef solar blade (the cheaper and fattier cuts of beef work best).
Serving suggestions: Serve with pasta, on top of mashed potato or polenta and with a side of vegetables or salad.
Slow Cooker Roast Beef
Freezing tips: Cook as per the recipe and once cooled, freeze the beef and vegetables in airtight containers. Alternatively, cook only the beef roast and freeze then serve with freshly cooked roast vegetables when needed.
Substitutions: Substitute the beef chuck roast with beef brisket.
Serving suggestions: Serve with roasted vegetables or mashed potato. Alternatively, serve the meat in sandwiches or rolls with gravy!
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Freezing tips: Cook the beef stroganoff according to the recipe and then allow to cool completely. Divide into airtight containers and freeze. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave. Cook the pasta when ready to serve.
*Please note: you can cook the pasta at the same time as the stroganoff and freeze both together, however, I find the beef reheats better on it’s own and then served with freshly cooked pasta.
Substitutions: Substitute the rump steak for blade, scotch fillet or sirloin steak. Use any type of pasta you like.
Serving suggestions: Serve with pasta, on mashed potato and with cooked vegetables.
Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
Freezing tips: Cook according to the recipe, allow to cool completely and then freeze in airtight containers. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Substitutions: Add extra vegetables if you like.
Serving suggestions: Serve with grated cheese, sour cream and chopped spring onions. For a more filling meal, add a side of steamed rice.
Vegetarian Freezer Meals
Whether you’re vegetarian or just don’t have any meat on hand… here’s the perfect freezer recipes for you!
Pumpkin & Spinach Lasagne
Freezing tips: Allow the lasagne to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. If you prefer, you can cut the lasagne into individual slices before freezing.
Substitutions: Add any extra vegetables you like – roasted sweet potato is also delicious! To save time, use a jar of store-bought tomato pasta sauce rather than making your own.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with garlic bread and a side salad.
Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni
Freezing tips: Allow the cannelloni to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. If you prefer, you can cut the cannelloni into individual portions before freezing.
Substitutions: For an extra veggie-boost, add cooked and mashed pumpkin to the mixture. Use fresh lasagne sheets or cannelloni shells.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with garlic bread and a side salad.
Creamy Cheesy Vegetable Quinoa Bake
Freezing tips: Allow to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container (or individual serve containers).
Substitutions: Use any vegetables you like.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own, or add a side of meat (if not vegetarian).
Roasted Pumpkin, Caramelised Onion & Feta Tart
Freezing tips: Allow to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container (or individual serve containers).
Substitutions: Replace the puff pastry with shortcrust pastry or homemade pastry (simply omit the sugar for a delicious savoury homemade pastry in this recipe). Replace the pumpkin with sweet potato or any other roasted vegetables. Omit the caramelised onion if you don’t have any available. Replace the feta with grated cheddar/tasty cheese if needed.
Serving suggestions: Serve on it’s own or with a side salad.
Freezer-Friendly Soups
Our veggie-packed soups are the perfect cold and flu busters!
Freezing tips for ALL of these soup recipes: Cook according to the recipe, allow to cool completely and then freeze in airtight containers. Allow to defrost before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Serving suggestions for ALL of these soup recipes (unless otherwise specified): Serve with crusty buttered bread.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Substitutions: Add any extra vegetables you like.
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup
Substitutions: Use either chicken breast or chicken thighs or omit entirely for a vegetarian soup. This soup can be made on the stove-top or in a slow cooker.
Serving suggestions: Serve with sour cream, slices of avocado and tortilla/corn chips.
Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Soup (Hug In A Mug!)
Substitutions: Use either chicken breast or chicken thighs or omit entirely for a vegetarian soup. Use any vegetables you like.
Zucchini Soup
Substitutions: You can replace the cream with extra milk.
Chicken & Corn Soup
Substitutions: Replace the can of corn kernels with frozen corn. You can use cooked and shredded chicken breast, chicken thighs or leftover roast chicken.
Serving suggestions: Serve with extra soy sauce and chopped spring onions (optional).
Tomato Soup
Substitutions: If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, you can use an extra 400g tinned tomatoes.
Pea & Ham Soup
Substitutions: Add extra vegetables if you like.
Potato & Leek Soup
Substitutions: Use any type of potato you like. Cooking cream can be replaced with thickened cream. Omit the bacon if preferred.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Substitutions: Omit the bacon if preferred.
Roast Pumpkin Soup
Substitutions: Add sweet potato for an extra veggie-boost. Use any type of pumpkin (kent, butternut etc).
Serving suggestions: Sour cream and chives
10 Tips For Freezing Meals
Here’s some of my top tips for freezing meals:
- Use airtight containers or sealable plastic bags (like glad bags)
- Remove the air from plastic sealable bags before sealing (to avoid freezer burn).
- Alternatively, wrap slices, quiches and pies etc in one layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil
- Allow meals to cool completely before freezing.
- Freeze meals in the portion-size that you will need (i.e. if you’re cooking for just 1 -2 people, divide the meal into several smaller containers before freezing).
- Allow frozen meals to defrost in the fridge before reheating (this does not apply to soups that can be reheated directly from frozen).
- If you’re short on time, you can defrost frozen meals in the microwave before reheating properly.
- Label your freezer meal containers so you know what they are (once frozen, it can be tricky to tell what a meal is!). Also include the date that they were frozen.
- When you add new meals to the freezer, place them at the bottom and move the older meals to the top.
- Keep a list of what’s in your freezer so you know exactly what meals you have available.
Freezer-Friendly Lunch Box Recipes
Now that we’ve got family dinners that can be frozen sorted, check out my entire collection of freezer lunch box recipes… including our most popular muesli bars, muffins, scrolls, cookies, loaves, breads and savoury snacks.
Check out all of the recipes here
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