Stock the freezer with these recipes, and you’ll never be unprepared for dinner.
These meal ideas don’t skimp on flavor and taste and are just as yummy when re-heated.
Easy Chicken And Dumplings
This favorite Southerncomfort foodis always welcome at our dinner table.
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Start with deli-roasted chicken and combine it with cream of chicken soup and chicken broth.
Use canned biscuits to make this dinner even more straightforward.
Chicken And Sausage Jambalaya
This creole dinner will spice up your weeknight.
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Your proteins might vary depending on your preferences and can include ham, turkey, oysters, or shrimp.
It’s perfect for chilly nights.
Eggplant Rollups
This low-carb Italian dish will satisfy your lasagna cravings.
Credit: Greg DuPree
Slice salted eggplant into strips to remove all the excess moisture.
This vegetable-based lasagna will be your favorite new Italian dinner.
Wait until you are ready to serve to top this dish with breadcrumbs.
Credit: Greg DuPree
Use bacon, fresh chives, andhot sauceto flavor it to your preference.
Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
This pasta bake will be your kids' favorite way to eat their veggies.
With just a bit of sauteing and stirring, you’ll be ready to enjoy this cheesy pasta dish.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele
Try topping with chopped pecans for some extra texture.
Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder
This delicious slow-cooker chowder makes use of fresh summer corn.
Placing these toppings on last helps preserve the herb’s freshness.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
Baked Potato Soup
Have fun creating a personalized toppings bar to accompany this baked potato soup.
To make things easier, cook the potatoes in the microwave first to help soften them.
Layers of sauce, spinach, cheese, and chicken add to one delicious dish.
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Meatloaf is a classic dish.
Substitute celery for carrots or bell peppers if you want some variety.
Bacon-And-Cheddar Grits Quiche
Breakfast for dinner is easy with make-ahead and frozen casseroles like this one.
Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Start with a “crust” of cheesy grits and add thick slices of bacon.
We recommend pairing it with a homemade margarita, especially after a long day.
Before cooking the meat, trim off any excess fat because it is not required.
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This versatile recipe simmers the beans all day and pairs well when poured over fluffy rice.
Sliced green onions are perfect for garnishes.
you might substitute smoky shreddedBBQ brisketor pulled pork instead of chicken.
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The two types of cheese blend seamlessly with the tortilla and filling mixture.
This one will become a family favorite in no time.
Be ready to freeze an extra batch.
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Cheese Dreams
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
How about an appetizer for dinner?
These cheese dreams will fill that noshy craving and might just be enough to get you through the evening.
Make these cheesy treats the day before and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 weeks.
Credit: Alison Miksch
If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer; increase the bake time by 10 minutes.
Once covered tightly with foil, these casseroles freeze well unbaked for up to 1 month.
Thaw overnight in refrigerator and bake as directed for a satisfying midweek meal.
Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Once you’ve nailed the formula, this will be one of your most tempting make ahead meals yet.
A trio of cheese ensures there will be more than enough melted comfort in every bite of this casserole.
Greek Meatballs are also a great option if you are taking a dish for a party ongame day.
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Be extra prepared with your make and freeze plan.
This is one of those standbys that is a satisfying crowd pleaser.
Keep it in mind for larger potlucks or a game day celebration.
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All of that hard work will pay off when you pull this out and let the thaw begin.
Be sure to share this at a potluck and at your annual family get-together.
Your serving dish will be plenty clean by the end of the night.
Credit: Greg Dupree
Think of the many ways you could serve this traditional and delicious approach to ground beef.
Our version here is only the beginning.
What variations would you attempt to make it your own?
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To freeze, prepare the recipe up to baking.
Freeze the chili in smaller portions to speed up thawing.
Use mild sausage if your crowd doesn’t like the heat.
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Dinner has never been easier.
Extra Easy Lasagna
No-boil noodles trim the prep time for this dish.
Freeze the leftovers in small portions to make reheating easier.
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Make this recipe in advance and freeze it without baking it.
Steam the tamales and let them cool before storing in a resealable plastic bag and freezing.
Assemble the casserole and freeze for up to two months.
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Thaw in the refrigerator the night before baking.
It can be made ahead and frozen for up to three months.
Add 10 to 15 minutes to the cooking time.
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Don’t add the noodles before freezing or the soup will turn mushy.
Add noodles into the soup during reheating.
You are just about to make a tasty impression on a big crowd.
Credit: Greg DuPree
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Prepare the pork tenderloin with spices, wrap it with bacon, and freeze.
Thaw and prepare according to the recipe when you’re ready to cook.
With 25 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a delicious slice of bacon-wrapped pork.
Credit: Will Dickey
Want a dessert to pair with that frozen dinner?
Here are some delicious make-ahead,freezer-friendly dessertsperfect for the holiday season.
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Credit:Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
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Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
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Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
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