Beef Stew Freezer Meal Make Ahead
Kat Teutsch
Your freezer is not just the land where old food goes to die. Stocking it with make-ahead meals helps save yourself time (and money!) on those busy nights when it's hard to get a good meal on the table.
If you're always in a rush to get a good meal on the table during the week, then you might want to consider whipping up any of these delicious, freezer-friendly dishes during your weekly meal prep. This way, you always have a speedy midweek meal at the ready. (Did we mention it makes clean up a breeze, too?)
Stocking your freezer with make-ahead meals can also help cut dollars from your monthly grocery bills. You can shop the sales, then turn those ingredients into future dinners. Ground beef is on sale? Buy a few extra packs and turn it into freezer-friendly meatballs. Chicken thighs are cheaper when you buy them in bulk? Spring for the bigger package and slow cook a big batch of white chicken chili or chicken noodle soup to freeze. Have leftover pasta? Don't throw it out—simply turn it into a delicious casserole that's destined for the freezer.
So go ahead and embrace your freezer and these delicious, crowd-pleasing make-ahead meals. Your future self will thank you!
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Turkey Bolognese
Bolognese is simmered low and slow to create a thick and hearty, sauce, so the next time you slave over a pot, make it a double (or triple!) batch to freeze for later. Let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze up to three months.
When you're ready to use it, let thaw in the fridge overnight, then heat on the stove with freshly-made pasta.
Get the recipe.
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Crunchy Tortilla Fish Sticks with Purple Cabbage Slaw
Fish sticks are even better from the freezer! Coat tilapia in the crusted chips (do not cook), then freeze until firm and transfer to a freezer-safe container up to three weeks. When ready to eat, bake from frozen, adding 10 to 15 minutes to the cooking time.
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Turkey Meatballs
While your hands are already messy, mix up a big batch of these make-ahead meatballs, then cook them and freeze up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then warm with marinara in a sauce pan.
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Smoky Shredded Beef Burritos
Finally, a freezer make-ahead meal that's ready in literally minutes, all thanks to your microwave! Freeze foil-wrapped burritos up to three weeks. To reheat, simply remove foil and microwave until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
Get the recipe.
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Vegetable and Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells
Cheesy, gooey, saucy stuffed shells make the ultimate weeknight meal! To make and freeze them ahead of time, prep them as directed, but do not bake. Cover with foil and freeze up to 2 months. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown.
Get the recipe.
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Greek Turkey Burgers
Save yourself both time and money by buying ground turkey in bulk to form these flavor-packed patties, then freeze them between layers of wax paper up to 1 month. Cook from frozen at 425°F until warm and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
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Baked Broccoli and Chicken Casserole
Try this easy trick when making casseroles to freeze: Line your casserole dish with foil, leaving a 3-inch overhang on two sides. Fill the dish with the prepared mixture and freeze until just firm. Then use the overhangs to lift the casserole out of the dish in one piece. Wrap in plastic, then foil, and freeze up to two months. When ready to cook, remove the plastic and foil and transfer it right back to the dish before baking.
Get the recipe.
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Open-Faced Pork Meatball Sandwich
Stock your freezer with meatballs for an easy pasta or sandwich any night. Freeze the cooked, un-sauced meatballs up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then warm with marinara in a sauce pan.
Get the recipe.
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Quick Pork Ragu with Ravioli
Buy ground pork on sale on in bulk, then freeze this ragu for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a large saucepan, covered, on medium, about 10 minutes (if it starts to dry out, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or chicken broth).
Get the recipe.
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Black Bean, Corn, and Spinach Enchiladas
Time for a freezer fiesta! Assemble enchiladas as instructed (leave off the cheese on top since it may get watery), and cover casserole dish with plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze up to three months. To bake, remove plastic wrap, sprinkle with cheese, cover with foil again, and bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes, or until heated through.
Get the recipe.
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Curried Lentil Soup
This veggie-packed lentil soup is easy to make ahead. Double the recipe, then freeze up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat, covered, on medium, adding more water or chicken broth if it seems too thick.
Get the recipe.
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Vegetarian Chili with Wheat Berries, Beans and Corn
Sometimes, just a little prep is all it takes for the perfect freezer-friendly meal. Mix all the raw ingredients (except the beans and corn) in a resealable plastic bag. Freeze the bag up to three months. To cook, place the frozen chili mixture in a slow cooker and cook, covered, eight to nine hours on low, then finish the chili as directed.
Get the recipe.
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Slow Cooker Asian Pork Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
Make a big batch of this Asian-inspired pulled pork, then transfer the shredded meat and the cooking liquid to freezer bags, making sure to leave at least 1 inch at the top of each one since the mixture will expand as it freezes. Freeze up to three months, then thaw in the refrigerate overnight before heating up on the stovetop.
Get the recipe.
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Stewed Pork and White Beans
This freezer-friendly meal is a bowl of cozy comfort. For an even faster fix, freeze it in single portions up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm in a medium saucepan, adding more chicken broth or water if the stew seems dry or too thick.
Get the recipe.
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Hungarian Beef Stew
Tender chunks of beef and a thick, flavorful sauce make this a make-ahead meal to look forward to. Freeze this stew for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat, covered, on medium, while your pasta cooks.
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Zesty Pork and Slaw Sandwiches
Pulled pork is an easy thing to make in big batches. Stock it into your slow cooker, then transfer the shredded meat and the cooking liquid to freezer bags, making sure to leave at least 1 inch at the top of each one since the mixture will expand as it freezes. Freeze up to three months, then thaw in the refrigerate overnight before heating up on the stovetop.
Get the recipe.
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Meatless (but you'd never know it) Chili
This veggie-packed slow cooker chili is easy to make in multiple batches. Freeze up to three months, then thaw in the fridge overnight before heating on medium until warm.
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Mediterranean Chicken Galette
This galette is made from refrigerated, rolled pie crust, which easily freezes once baked. Freeze it until firm on a sheet tray, then wrap in plastic and foil. To reheat, remove the plastic (not the foil) and heat in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes, then uncover and cook an additional 15 minutes until crust is crisp.
Get the recipe.
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Pesto Salmon Burgers with Asparagus and Tomato Salad
Beef and turkey burgers aren't the only things you can freeze! Form salmon patties like these ahead of time and freeze for up to 1 month. Cook from frozen at 425°F until warm and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
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Red Wine Beef Ragu
Brisket ragu is easy to make in big batches and easy to freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a large saucepan, covered, on medium, about 10 minutes.
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Balsamic Meat Loaf with Garlicky Beans and Greens
Stock your freezer with these balsamic mini meatloaves. Divide the meat mixture among four pieces of foil and shape into loaves. Freeze in a resealable bag for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Place the loaves on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake and glaze as directed.
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End-of-Summer Pork Ragu
Keep dinnertime delicious and low stress with these easy pork ragu. Freeze it up to three months, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat in a large saucepan, covered, on medium, about 10 minutes.
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Meat Loaf with Roasted Green Beans
This weeknight staple can be a great frozen make-ahead option. Just make double the mixture, and shape, wrap in foil, and freeze (unbaked) in a resealable bag up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake and glaze as directed.
Get the recipe.
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Salmon Cakes with Spring Green Salad
These fresh salmon fillets are a delicious freezer staple. Simply form the salmon mixture into patties and freeze on a lined baking sheet. Wrap each cake individually in plastic, then freeze up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before frying.
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Slow-Cooker Smoky Split Pea Soup
This hearty soup recipe is very versatile; feel free to load up with additional root veggies before freezing it for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat, covered, on medium, adding more water or chicken broth if it seems too thick.
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Chicken and Barley Stew
Unlike chicken noodle soup, which surprisingly doesn't freeze that well (pasta tends to get mushy when thawed), chicken and barley is a delicious freezer staple and can be stashed away up to three months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight then warm in a medium saucepan, covered, on medium, adding 1/2 cup broth or water to the pan if necessary.
Get the recipe.
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Ham, Cheese, and Cauliflower Galette
Bake up this easy store-bought pie crust galette, then freeze it until firm on a sheet tray, and wrap in plastic and foil. To reheat, remove the plastic (not the foil) and heat in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes, then uncover and cook an additional 15 minutes until crust is crisp.
Get the recipe.
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Freezer Vegetable Lasagna
Here's a trick for freezer-friendly casseroles like lasagna: Assemble it in a foil-lined casserole dish, then freeze it until firm and remove the foil-lined lasagna for easy storage in the freezer up to two months. When ready to cook, remove the foil and return it to the casserole dish.
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Roasted Cauliflower Pizza
Pizza is so easy to make ahead of time and stock in your freezer for a super simple dinner (or midnight snack!). Once cool, wrap it and freeze it up to one month. Thaw in the fridge overnight then pop in the oven at super high heat until crisp.
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Turkey Sloppy Joes
Mix up a big batch of Sloppy Joes to thaw and top on toast for a delicious dinner anytime you want! Freeze up to three months, then thaw in the refrigerate overnight before heating up on the stovetop.
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Source: https://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/g2711/make-ahead-meals/
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