Freezer Friendly Recipes

One of the best ways to reduce food costs is to reduce food waste, and my favorite way to do this is to cook freezer-friendly recipes. Being able to stash my leftovers in the freezer means not having to eat the same thing for five days in a row and I love being able to reach into my freezer for an easy-to-reheat meal when I’m too tired to cook. Having a freezer full of pre-cooked single-portion leftovers makes life so much easier and keeps me from wasting money on take-out or delivery. If you also love this type of meal prep, we’ve got a massive list of our favorite freezer-friendly recipes for you, including breakfast recipes, soups & stews, main dish recipes, and dessert recipes. Enjoy!

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Breakfast Recipes

If mornings are difficult for you, I highly suggest meal prepping some breakfast items to stash in your freezer. Then, when you’re scrambling in the morning with your eyes half-closed you can just grab something out of the freezer, reheat it in the microwave while waiting for the coffee to brew, and breakfast is done! Here are our favorite freezer-friendly breakfast recipes:

Freezer Friendly Breakfast Burritos

A hand holding half of a breakfast burrito with the open cut side facing the camera.

Make ahead breakfast burritos are an easy reheatable and portable breakfast meal prep idea. Including options for vegetarian or other add-ins! BudgetBytes.com

4.87 from 22 votes

$11.29 recipe / $1.41 each Get the Recipe

Don’t waste time in the drive-through line, just pop one of these hearty breakfast burritos into the microwave and go! They’re customizable, totally filling, and perfect if you have a big appetite in the morning.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This cozy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal is the perfect hot breakfast for cool fall mornings, and it's great for meal prep, too!

4.76 from 37 votes

$5.92 recipe / $0.99 serving Get the Recipe

Oatmeal lovers unite! This Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal is so hearty and delicious! You can eat this hot or cold, alone or with milk poured over top. It’s definitely a step above your usual bowl of goopy oats!

Country Breakfast Bowls

One Country Breakfast Bowl in a glass container being eaten with a black fork next to a newspaper, coffee mug, and apple

Country breakfast bowls combine roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, salsa, and cheese for an easy freezer-friendly make ahead breakfast meal prep!

4.90 from 64 votes

$7.76 recipe / $1.29 serving Get the Recipe

If you love a savory breakfast, you’ll love these Country Breakfast Bowls. Full of roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa, it’s like a big diner breakfast but homemade!

Homemade Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Muffins

These homemade blueberry muffins are fluffy and moist with a deliciously crunchy crumble topping. They're freezer-friendly, too!

4.83 from 17 votes

$3.83 recipe / $0.48 each Get the Recipe

Skip the coffee shop muffins and make these incredible homemade Blueberry Muffins instead! You can make a whole batch for about the price of one muffin at a cafe and they freeze beautifully so you can enjoy one every day without them getting stale!

White Chocolate Strawberry Scones

Two strawberry scones on a plate with coffee and a bowl of berries on the side

These homemade White Chocolate Strawberry Scones are the perfect treat for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day or any other day of the year!

4.66 from 29 votes

$3.29 recipe / $0.41 each Get the Recipe

If you like a sweet treat with your morning coffee, these Strawberry White Chocolate Scones are to die for. Not to mention, they’re incredibly easy to make!

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

The rich and sweet flavor of banana bread infused into a healthy baked oatmeal. This Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal is perfect for breakfast meal prep!

4.89 from 98 votes

$3.24 recipe / $0.54 serving Get the Recipe

If you love banana bread but want something with a little less sugar and a little more balanced for breakfast, you have to try this Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal. It’s perfect to portion and freeze for a quick reheatable breakfast!

5 Ingredient Freezer Biscuits

Freezer biscuits brushed with melted butter.

5 Ingredient Freezer Biscuits are the fastest and easiest way to have fresh, warm, and fluffy biscuits for breakfast any day of the week.

4.92 from 47 votes

$4.14 recipe / $0.35 each Get the Recipe

Who doesn’t want fresh homemade biscuits on demand? These freezer-friendly biscuits are a breeze to make and then you can bake one, two, or however many you need at a time, straight from the freezer!

Veggie Packed Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

Baked freezer-ready breakfast sandwiches on a plate.

Meal prep six days of breakfast at once with these Veggie Packed Freezer Ready Breakfast Sandwiches to stay on track on those busy mornings!

4.80 from 49 votes

$7.52 recipe / $1.25 each Get the Recipe

Love egg mcmuffins but wish they had more vegetables? These freezer breakfast sandwiches are for you. It’s so easy to make a big batch that can feed you for weeks!

Soups & Stews

Soups and stews are made for meal prepping! They’re so easy to make, you get a lot of portions in one batch, and they freeze great. Just make sure to divide them into single portion containers before freezing so you can take one out at a time without having to thaw the whole pot.

Cabbage Soup

This delicious Cabbage Soup recipe is super healthy, chock-full of flavorful vegetables, and perfect for cold fall and winter days.

4.85 from 120 votes

$7.89 recipe / $0.99 serving Get the Recipe

If you want to get all of your daily veggies in one easy and delicious bowl, this cabbage soup is IT! It’s incredibly delicious, packed with nutrients, and will warm you up even on the coldest days.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla SOup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup offers a deep, comforting, smoky flavor with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

4.90 from 55 votes

$9.79 recipe / $1.63 serving Get the Recipe

Let your slow cooker do all the work with this zesty Chicken Tortilla Soup! Freeze this one without the toppings, then just add them to your bowl after reheating.

Tomato Lentil Soup

A bowl of tomato lentil sup with bread on the side

This tomato lentil soup is full of vegetables and herbs for a simple, flavorful, and warming winter soup. Makes great leftovers!

4.91 from 43 votes

$4.74 recipe / $0.79 serving Get the Recipe

Lentils are my go-to low cost source of protein. They’re easy to cook, filling, and go with so many different flavors. This hearty tomato lentil soup is packed with vegetables and will not leave you wanting!

Taco Soup

Easy Taco Soup

This easy Taco Soup recipe is a simple yet flavorful meal in a bowl featuring ground beef, beans, vegetables, and tons of tasty toppings!

4.88 from 8 votes

$11.84 recipe / $1.97 serving Get the Recipe

Taco Soup is such a classic comfort food, which makes it perfect to stash in your freezer. You’ll be so happy to find it waiting for you on days when you’re cold, tired, and hungry!

Chicken Stew

This chicken stew is a rich and hearty mix of tender chicken thighs, vegetables, and a light but flavorful herb-infused gravy.

4.88 from 178 votes

$12.22 recipe / $2.04 serving Get the Recipe

Chicken Stew is the ultimate comfort food and it’s definitely one that I’m always in the mood for. Having some of this stew stashed in the freezer means I will never go hungry!

Vegan Lentil Stew

A hand dipping a piece of bread into a bowl of lentil stew.

A rich and hearty medley of vegetables, lentils, and herbs makes this freezer-friendly Vegan Lentil Stew the perfect cold-weather comfort food.

4.89 from 193 votes

$5.08 recipe / $0.64 serving Get the Recipe

This Vegan Lentil Stew is just as hearty and comforting as beef stew, but 100% plant-based. If you want to keep your freezer stashed with cozy comfort meals, this one is it!

Chunky Lentil And Vegetable soup

Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup

This Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup is packed with hearty flavor, texture, and good-for-you vegetables!

4.92 from 151 votes

$5.24 recipe / $0.52 serving Get the Recipe

Soups and stews are a great way to pack extra vegetables into your daily routine and this chunky lentil and vegetable soup is one of the best. It’s so colorful, flavorful, and full of delicious textures! Keep this one in your freezer for any time you need to add a little variety to your diet.

Smoky Potato Chickpea Stew

This Smoky Potato and Chickpea Stew is a hearty and filling plant-based dish that will keep you full and warm this winter! BudgetBytes.com

This Smoky Potato Chickpea Stew is a hearty and filling plant-based dish that will keep you full and warm this winter!

4.92 from 125 votes

$5.74 recipe / $0.96 serving Get the Recipe

This Smoky Potato Chickpea Stew is truly a meal in a bowl because it’s packed with greens, starchy potatoes, and protein-filled beans, all in a delicious and flavorful tomato broth. This soup will sat-is-fy!

Pollo Guisado

Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

Side shot of Guisado de Pollo in a yellow bowl with a spoon in it.

Warm your bones and fill your belly with Pollo Guisado, a hearty Puerto Rican chicken stew packed with flavor that's easy to make and ready to devour in under an hour.

4.90 from 28 votes

$9.37 recipe / $2.34 serving Get the Recipe

If you want F-L-A-V-O-R then you need to keep this Puerto Rican Chicken Stew on hand in your freezer. It’s lip-licking good and will keep you full and satisfied!

Main Dish Recipes

If brothy soups and stews aren’t your thing, here are some classic main dish recipes that will fill you up and keep you satisfied! You can freeze them alone, or pair with some easy freezable sides to make an entire quick reheatable meal!

Classic Homemade Meatloaf

Classic Meatloaf

Side view of sliced meatloaf on a platter

This classic meatloaf recipe is just like the traditional meatloaf grandma used to make. Tender and juicy with the perfect tomato glaze!

4.79 from 171 votes

$9.56 recipe / $0.96 per slice Get the Recipe

Meatloaf will always top my list of freezer-friendly main dishes. it’s so satisfying and comforting, and the flavor never misses!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Stuffed Bell Peppers are a classic comfort food that’s hearty, filling, has incredible flavors, and can easily feed a large family.

4.67 from 83 votes

$12.21 recipe / $2.03 serving Get the Recipe

Stuffed Bell Peppers were made for meal prepping! They’re like an entire meal in one delicious little bundle, already pre-portioned and ready for stashing in the freezer!

Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun take on the classic Italian dish. Perfectly portioned for meal prep, customizable, and freezer-friendly!

4.75 from 68 votes

$12.26 recipe / $1.53 serving Get the Recipe

Lasagna roll ups are like perfectly portioned lasagna that is just waiting to be frozen for later! I’ve actually done a happy dance when finding some lasagna roll ups in the back of my freezer before. 😅

Classic Homemade Chili

Homemade Chili Recipe

Overhead view of a bowl full of chili with toppings and a spoon in the center.

This is the BEST homemade chili recipe is the ultimate comfort food and is made with simple ingredients like ground beef, beans, and tomatoes.

4.91 from 163 votes

$9.28 recipe / $1.55 serving Get the Recipe

I’m always in the mood for chili, so it makes sense to whip up a big pot of this and stash bowls of it in my freezer for later. Hearty, delicious, and filling. You can’t go wrong!

Bean And Cheese Burritos

Bean and Cheese Burritos

Perfect for stashing in the freezer, these Bean and Cheese Burritos will save you on busy weeknights!

4.89 from 36 votes

$6.93 recipe / $0.87 each Get the Recipe

Those little bean burritos you buy in the freezer aisle are so sad. Make your own bean and cheese burritos and stuff them with whatever your heart desires! Make them simple or stuff them to the brim, either way I promise they’ll be better than store-bought frozen burritos. ;)

Cabbage Rolls

These delicious Cabbage Rolls are stuffed with ground meat and rice then baked in a simple tomato sauce for an easy comfort meal.

4.75 from 8 votes

$15.49 recipe / $1.94 serving Get the Recipe

Cabbage rolls are the OG comfort food and they’re already perfectly portioned for freezing! And don’t forget to spoon some of that delicious sauce onto the cabbage rolls before freezing. ;)

Easy Homemade Meatballs

Meatballs in a pot of red sauce with a spoon holding two meatballs

These easy homemade meatballs are freezer-friendly and versatile. Keep a batch in the freezer for quick weeknight dinners later!

4.93 from 53 votes

$10.92 recipe / $1.82 serving Get the Recipe

You’ll never be left with nothing for dinner if you keep these homemade meatballs in your freezer! You can pop them straight from the freezer into a pot of sauce to reheat so you can have dinner DONE with no planning ahead. 🙌

Easy HOmemade Lasagna

Homemade Lasagna

This easy homemade lasagna recipe has layers of homemade meat sauce, tender lasagna noodles, and a rich combination of Italian cheeses!

4.74 from 15 votes

$14.96 recipe / $1.66 serving Get the Recipe

Okay, look. If you’re still buying frozen Stouffer’s lasagna you need to try making and freezing your own. This homemade lasagna is packed with so much more meat, cheese, and flavor than the kind you’d buy in the freezer aisle. Once you make it yourself you’ll never go back.

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Close overhead view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.

This delicious Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is an easy and versatile option for busy weeknight dinners, plus it's perfect for meal prep!

5 from 3 votes

$9.60 recipe / $1.60 serving Get the Recipe

If you have some of this crock pot salsa chicken in your freezer you can use it later to make burrito bowls, tacos, nachos, or more! It’s the ultimate flex ingredient to keep stashed in the freezer.

Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli is an easy last-minute dinner that you can make on busy weeknights with just a few ingredients and no planning ahead!

5 from 11 votes

$16.18 recipe / $2.70 serving Get the Recipe

If lasagna feels like too much work, this baked ravioli is what you need. It’s SO easy to make and has all the same great flavors as lasagna, and is just as perfect for portioning and freezing!

Cajun Sausage And Rice Skillet

Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

Side view of a skillet full of Cajun Sausage and Rice

This easy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is the perfect easy and filling weeknight dinner, packed with plenty of smoky-spicy flavor!

4.86 from 192 votes

$7.21 recipe / $1.80 serving Get the Recipe

Like a quickie version of jambalaya, this Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet delivers on the flavor without a ton of work! Talk about stocking your freezer without a lot of effort!

Easy Baked Ziti

Overhead view of baked ziti being scooped out of the casserole dish with a wooden spoon.

This Easy Baked Ziti recipe has layers of pasta, homemade red sauce with Italian sausage, and three types of melty cheese!

4.78 from 50 votes

$12.16 recipe / $1.52 serving Get the Recipe

I will never not want Baked Ziti for dinner, so it makes sense to keep portions of this stocked in my freezer at all times. I just can’t pass up that saucy, cheesy, meaty goodness!

Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet

It only takes one skillet and a few ingredients to make this incredibly flavorful and filling Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet.

4.83 from 112 votes

$7.09 recipe / $1.81 serving Get the Recipe

Take your typical rice beans and salsa meal up a notch with spicy chorizo and subtly sweet sweet potatoes! This one-pot Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet is made for freezing and will always be ready and waiting when you need a hearty meal.

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef

Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef is a hearty baked pasta made with lots of cheesy goodness and a beef marinara sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food!

5 from 1 vote

$17.13 recipe / $2.85 serving Get the Recipe

I will never tire of different variations of pasta, cheese, and sauce, and something about these big Stuffed Shells just makes it extra delicious. I love how the shells make it super easy to portion and freeze for later, too.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Seasoned chicken breast and tangy BBQ sauce are slow cooked until tender and delicious. Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, pizza, and more.

4.67 from 12 votes

$8.34 recipe / $2.09 serving Get the Recipe

Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches are only minutes away when you have some of this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken stashed in the freezer! Just reheat the chicken in the microwave then pile it onto a soft bun for the easiest, most delicious meal ever!

Black Bean Chili

This easy and comforting black bean chili is rich, full of warm chili spices, and fast enough to pull together on a busy weeknight.

4.75 from 95 votes

$9.19 recipe / $1.53 serving Get the Recipe

If having more than one type of chili stashed in my freezer is wrong, I don’t want to be right! This black bean chili is slightly lighter and zestier than a traditional chili, but every bit as freezer-friendly!

Slow Cooker Chili Rubbed Pulled Pork

Chili Rubbed Pulled Pork

Chili Rubbed Pulled Pork is a tender, juicy, and flavorful meat that can be used for tacos, nachos, burritos, salads, and more!

5 from 30 votes

$4.51 recipe / $0.75 serving Get the Recipe

Pulled pork goes with everything, so keeping some stored in your freezer is definitely a good move. Use it for burritos, nachos, tacos, soups, sandwiches, and more!

Southwest Chicken Skillet

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, this Southwest Chicken Skillet is it! Precooked chicken makes this dinner possible in about 30 minutes.

4.81 from 181 votes

$6.76 recipe / $1.69 serving Get the Recipe

Beans and rice, but make it better. Beans and rice is always a freezer-friendly meal, but for this Southwest Chicken Skillet, we add pulled chicken, tons of spices, salsa, and melty cheese on top.

Dessert Recipes

And you can’t forget about dessert! So many baked goods and desserts freeze beautifully, which is perfect if you live in a small household and don’t want to eat an entire batch of cookies or cake within a week. Just freeze the dessert in single portions so you can enjoy a little at a time for weeks to come!

Cranberry Orange Bread

Front view of a sliced loaf of orange cranberry bread.

This Cranberry Orange Bread recipe is a sweet dessert loaf featuring tart cranberries, sweet orange, and a citrus zest glaze.

5 from 10 votes

$5.91 recipe / $0.59 serving Get the Recipe

Cranberry Orange Bread is one that I look forward to all year long and since it freezes great I can enjoy this sweet and tangy dessert bread for months after cranberry season!

Texas Sheet Cake

A slice of chocolate cake being lifted out of the sheet pan.

Texas Sheet Cake might be the ultimate chocolate cake. It's incredibly easy to make and has a luscious buttery richness with a pure chocolate punch!

4.20 from 5 votes

$11.27 recipe / $0.75 serving Get the Recipe

We have some of this insanely good Texas Sheet Cake in the freezer at the Budget Bytes studio right now and let me tell you, I LOVE sneaking a little bite of it out of the freezer whenever that sweet tooth hits. I like to cut it into smaller bite-sized squares before freezing so I can have a little nibble here and there.

Lemon Pound Cake

This delicious, moist and easy lemon pound cake recipe is made with fresh lemon juice and zest, and perfect for dessert or paired with coffee or tea.

4.47 from 15 votes

$4.85 recipe / $0.40 serving Get the Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake is such a classic and the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, but it’ll cost you a few dollars per slice at a cafe! But you can make this simple dessert at home for pennies on the dollar.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This easy chocolate chip cookie recipe makes deliciously chewy cookies with crispy edges and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout.

2.50 from 2 votes

$4.58 recipe / $0.25 serving Get the Recipe

Cookies freeze great and these classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are no exception! Make a big batch, stash them in your freezer, then you can pop one in your lunch bag every day for weeks. It will be perfectly thawed by lunchtime!

Super Fudgy Homemade Brownies

Side view of a stack of fudgy homemade brownies.

These super fudgy homemade brownies are thick, rich, extra-chocolatey, and super moist. It's the ultimate homemade brownie recipe!

4.79 from 23 votes

$3.93 recipe / $0.44 serving Get the Recipe

These Homemade Fudge Brownies are another dessert that I love to cut into small bite-sized squares before freezing. They don’t freeze rock hard, so they’re great for grabbing a little nibble straight out of the freezer at any time.

No Bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars

These no-bake pretzel peanut butter bars are a ridiculously simple homemade version of your favorite peanut butter cups!

4.93 from 27 votes

$3.94 recipe / 0.16 per square Get the Recipe

Are you a Reese’s lover? Keep these Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars in your freezer! They’re like a homemade Reese’s cup with a crunchy pretzel topping!

Cranberry Orange Cream Scones

A hand taking one Cranberry Orange Cream Scone from the batch on a cooling rack.

These incredibly easy cranberry orange cream scones stir together in minutes and make the most delicious little companion for your morning coffee.

4.97 from 32 votes

$1.94 recipe / $0.11 each Get the Recipe

These soft and fluffy two-bite Orange Cranberry Cream Scones are the perfect little tread to enjoy with coffee. It’s so convenient to keep them stashed in a freezer bag so you can just warm one up in the microwave whenever you need a special little treat. :)