Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cook today and have dinner ready to go all month long.
Fool your crowd into thinking you spent all day at the stove with these easy, freezer-friendly dishes.
Serve it in a bread bowl for an extra touch.
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No one at the dinner table will ever suspect you were thawing this out just hours beforehand.
It’s hearty, flavorful, and oh-so comforting.
Cheesy Sausage-And-Croissant Casserole
Alison Miksch
This cheesy, gooey casserole is always a hit.
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It’s sort of like a savory breakfast bread pudding made with croissants and sausage.
If your crew isn’t fond of hot sausage, feel free to use a milder variety!
Eggplant Rollups
This tasty lasagna-like dish is an excellent low-carb option for satisfying your Italian food craving.
Credit: Greg DuPree
It’s easy to fix and perfect for a make-ahead meal.
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
Let the slow cooker do the work.
Freezing creamy corn chowder is a great way to preserve summer’s fresh corn.
Credit: Greg DuPree
see to it youfreeze this properlyso you don’t sacrifice any flavor.
Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings are a Southern classic.
Make an extra batch and freeze it for a ready-to-eat weeknight meal.
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On your busiest day of work, you will be so happy you thought ahead.
Deb Wise’s Tamale Pie Mix-Up
This recipe takes a modern twist on a classic tamale pie.
Have it ready to go in your freezer for an impromptu fiesta night.
Credit:Alison Miksch
All you oughta figure out iswhich margarita to pair it with.
The flavor trifecta of bacon, tomato and cheddar will have you making this again and again.
And when someone requests a special occasion pie, will you surprise them with this savory treat?
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We recommend serving them with fresh avocado and a margarita.
It doesn’t get better than that.
Once thawed for a delicious dinner, you will be so pleased with how your effort satisfies.
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New Tuna Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole has been a Southern favorite for years.
This is tuna casserole, reinvented and it deserves a place on your table.
Leftovers don’t really exist when this dish is made available.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
A trio of cheese ensures there will be more than enough melted comfort in every bite of this casserole.
Your friends and family will truly enjoy the thought you put into making this lovely entree.
Sausage And Grits Quiche
Thaw food in the refrigerator.
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The science behind a slow, even thaw preserves flavor and texture.
You’ll be impressed by this clever, simple spin on a traditional quiche.
Meatball Pasta Bake
Orange juice is the surprising ingredient that gives this pasta dish a bright flavor.
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Not only that, but orange zest is also used.
Instead of coming across as an unusual choice of flavors, it absolutely works.
When dinner hasn’t been planned, pull out as many servings as you need.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
A sweet and tangy soy and vinegar balance makes this dish impossible to resist.
You will be asked many times over how you achieved such deliciousness.
All you’ll have to do is thaw it in the fridge and reheat before serving.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
This becomes easier to execute the more you make it.
What are you waiting for?
Quick Beef Chili
You will have this bean-free chili made and in the freezer in no time.
Credit: Greg Dupree
This chili uses the shoulder tender beef cut, and the results are terrific.
Once thawed and reheated, we recommend serving with green onions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
The cheese-filled tortellini that is at the heart of this meal makes it one of our best casseroles.
Credit: Greg Dupree
Reserve the cheese, crackers, and pecans until just before serving.
You are about to find out just how accurate that description is.
Vegetable Beef Soup
Comforting, hearty soup can get an entire family through chilly weather.
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Be sure you have plenty of saltines on hand to pair with your bowl.
Freeze meal-size portions of any soup in zip-top freezer bags and you’ll thank yourself later.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Chicken Alfredo is loved by many for a reason.
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together with the comfort of mac and cheese.
And your unplanned dinner night just got a lot easier.
Chicken Andouille Gumbo
Stock your freezer with this classic Southern dish.
Credit: Greg Dupree
Use empty cereal boxes to save space.
Line an upright box with a zip-top bag (like lining a trash can).
Fill, then seal the bag and freeze flat while still in the box.
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Once frozen, remove the bag from the box and stack.
Cover casseroles tightly with foil, and freeze unbaked up to one month.
Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
Credit: Hector M. Sanchez
(Casserole may also be baked frozen.
Plan to double the baking times.)
you’re free to make and freeze the meatballs in advance.
Credit: Photo: Melina Hammer
If you want to freeze the soup as well, just leave out the pasta.
you might prepare that when you’re ready to serve the soup.
Freeze assembled, unbaked casserole up to one month.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
Thaw in fridge overnight.
Let stand 30 minutes; bake as directed.
Gathering to make tamales en masse is a holiday tradition.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Start your own tradition this holiday season with this recipe, which comes with a make-ahead freezer option.
To freeze unbaked casserole, prepare as directed, omitting Parmesan cheese.
Cover tightly, and freeze.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
Bake, covered, at 350 for 50 minutes.
Uncover; sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.
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Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
Can’t decide between pizza night and pasta night?
Have the best of both worlds with this kid-friendly supper!
Freeze the unbaked casserole up to one month.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; let stand 30 minutes at room temperature and bake as directed.
Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion Mushroom Gravy
Hamburger steak is the ultimate ground beef Sunday supper.
This simple, easy dish brings us right back to Grandma’s table.
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner
To make ahead, proceed with Step 1 as directed.
Wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap, and place in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag.
Freeze up to 3 months.
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Thaw frozen patties in refrigerator 8 hours; proceed with Steps 2 and 3.
Especially convenient to bake when you haveleftover hamto throw in a casserole, this dish is easy and delicious.
Thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then bake at 400 for 35 to 40 minutes.
Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson
you’re free to freeze the meatballs before or after cooking them, too.
No one will even realize a dish this hearty is meatless.
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Credit: Southern Living
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Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Credit: Southern Living
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