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Meal Prep Ideas For Your Freezer That Can Be Made in Under 30 Minutes

Rice bowl in a brown dish with a 2-cup Souper Cubes tray on the right hand side.
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    Rice bowl in a brown dish with a 2-cup Souper Cubes tray on the right hand side.

    There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long day of work and having nothing prepared for dinner. If meal planning and making a new meal from scratch every night stresses you out, we have the perfect solution for you: delicious recipes that are freezer friendly.

    In this article, we’re sharing 30 freezer-friendly meal prep recipes that you can batch cook and freeze. PS: We included a key freezing method at the end of the article that you don't want to miss–so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom!

    Vegetarian Freezer Meals

    Soup in a bowl on a plate with a piece of bread.

    These meal ideas are perfect for vegetarians or those craving a delicious meatless meal.

    1. Creamy Potato Leek Soup

    There's nothing better than making a one-pot dish with very few ingredients that flawlessly comes together to create one easy and comforting meal. With potatoes, cream, leeks and spices, this creamy potato leek soup is a crowd pleaser.

    2. Instant Pot Mexican-Style Brown Rice and Bean Bowl 

    Use your Instant Pot to make Mexican-style rice and beans that are quick to make, packed with flavor, and easy to freeze! We love adding fresh toppings like grilled chicken, salsa, sour cream, guacamole and crumbled tortilla chips after reheating it for additional freshness and crunch.

    3. Rustic Vegetable Soup

    Use your Instant Pot again to make this white bean, tomato, and vegetable soup. It’s versatile—use up any veggies in the fridge—and freezes beautifully. Before serving, we like to give the soup a little more pizzaz by adding parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

    4. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

    Another favorite soup that is easy to make and freeze is this vegetarian tortilla soup. Made with a variety of hearty veggies, this soup has a prep time of 5 minutes and takes only 10 minutes to cook.

    5. Golden Soup 

    This vegan golden soup recipe is truly golden thanks to the addition of turmeric. To get creamy without cream, cauliflower and cashews are simmered until soft then blended into a smooth soup that is truly delicious. Batch cook and freeze this soup for a perfect easy dinner meal. 

    6. Instant Pot Curried Carrot Lentil Soup

    This easy-to-make curried carrot lentil soup is a must-try. In just 15 minutes, you can batch cook this delicious meal and freeze it in your preferred portions. When you're ready to eat your soup, simply pull it out of the freezer, reheat it and top it with sliced almonds as a tasty garnish.

    7. Easy Baked Beans

    In just 30 minutes, you can make baked beans with half the sugar as those from a can.  Making a big batch, then freezing in portions means you’ll only cook once but enjoy these as a quick side dish anytime you’re in the mood for summer flavor. We like this recipe because it’s flavored with maple syrup and BBQ sauce. 

    8. Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Loaded with veggies and extra cheesy goodness, this mac and cheese is a perfect make-ahead dinner to prep and freeze. The best part? It can be made in just one pot, noodles included, making it easy to prep and clean up!

    9. Cauliflower Soup

    Easily make this creamy cauliflower soup with cream, roasted cauliflower, and cream cheese. Simply batch cook and freeze this soup for up to 6 months in your favourite freezer-friendly container. This recipe also includes guidance on making this delicious cauliflower soup with vegetarian and dairy-free ingredient substitutions.

    10. Asparagus and Lemon Pasta

    When you’re craving pasta, you’ll want to have asparagus and lemon pasta in your freezer. In just 30 minutes, you can batch cook this citrusy meal that features crispy asparagus, cream sauce, peas, and pasta noodles. Freeze it for up to 6 months, and enjoy it when your cravings spike!

    11. Make-Ahead Lasagna Recipe

    This freezer-friendly make-ahead lasagna is perfect for a comforting, individual portioned meal.  After freezing, all you need to do is throw it in an oven-safe baking dish and cook it for 35 minutes.

    Meat-Based Freezer Meals

    Frozen spaghetti on a table.

    For all the meat lovers, these recipes are for you!

    12. Instant Pot Spaghetti

    If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe, you’ll love this instant pot spaghetti. This classic ground beef and noodle meal is one of the best recipes to have readily available in your freezer. 


    13. Chicken Soup with Mushroom Dumplings 

    You can't go wrong with this chicken soup with mushroom dumplings recipe. This meal freezes well and is perfect for your last-minute dinner plans.


    14. Instant Pot Sneaky Veggie Chili 

    Enjoy this comforting veggie-loaded chili any night of the week! Made with ground beef, ground turkey, carrots, zucchini, peppers, jalapeno, and tomatoes featuring unique flavor with chili powder, cumin, and oregano, you’ll want this instant pot veggie chili readily available in your freezer at all times.


    15. Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Chili Recipe

    If you’re looking for a delicious hearty dinner that the entire family will love, this BBQ chicken chili is perfect. Filled with green and red peppers, beans, and rotisserie chicken, make this chili recipe your next meal to batch cook. 


    16. Creole Chicken and Sausage

    This delicious freezer-friendly recipe is for you if you're a creole chicken lover. With sausage, beans and peppers, all simmered in spicy tomato sauce, you can't go wrong with batch cooking and freezing this one-of-a-kind recipe.


    17. Chicken Orzo Soup

    If you're an orzo lover, this tasty recipe is for you! With juicy shredded chicken, tender orzo pasta, and a hearty broth, you can't go wrong prepping and freezing this soup.


    18. Individual Freezer Meatloaf

    This individual freezer meatloaf is perfect for a one-size portioned meal. This delicious recipe is a must-try if you're making dinner for yourself. After preparing your meatloaf and freezing it, throw it in the oven for an easy and yummy dinner.


    19. Sausage and Rice Casserole

    If your least favorite part of batch cooking is cleaning, you'll love this one-pan recipe. This Italian sausage and brown rice casserole is perfectly complemented by rice and peppers, making for a well-rounded meal to combat your dinner cravings.


    20. ​​Homemade Hamburger Helper

    Inspired by the classic Hamburger Helper, this homemade version will give you those nostalgic feelings while enjoying a delicious homemade meal. If you're looking for comfort food to stock your freezer, homemade hamburger helper should be your new go-to.


    21. Instant Pot Goulash

    In less than 20 minutes, you can make this tasty homemade goulash from scratch. With tomato sauce, ground beef, and macaroni, you’re sure to find comfort in this meal. Make this dish, throw it in your freezer-safe container, and pull it out when you're looking for a delicious, easy meal.


    22. Sriracha Hoisin Ground Pork Bowls 

    This sriracha hoisin ground pork recipe is easy to make, takes 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, and is a guaranteed family favorite. Batch cook this meal, freeze it for up to 6 months, and eat it any night of the week! 


    23. Chicken Stroganoff

    This recipe screams three words: fast, filling, and delicious. Featuring five ingredients, ground chicken, mushrooms, flour, egg noodles, and greek yogurt, you can't go wrong with this comfort food.


    24. Instant Pot Bruschetta Pasta 

    Having your freezer stocked with prepped meals is one thing, but having it stocked with batches of bruschetta pasta is even better! Made in only one pot, you’ll love this delicious cooking and eating this meal. 


    25. Tuscan Pasta

    Packed with delicious flavor, this Tuscan pasta only takes 20 minutes to throw together and freezes exceptionally well. With creamy, cheesy sauce, tomatoes, and chicken, this is a meal you’ll be thankful you have readily available in your freezer. 


    26. Chicken Stew

    This chicken stew is a delicious meal loaded with protein and veggies that your entire family will enjoy. Made in one pot, you’ll love batch cooking this meal, especially with the quick and easy clean-up. 


    27. Ukrainian Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

    After trying this once, you’ll want to have these unstuffed cabbage rolls easily accessible in your freeze. Taste the same goodness of traditional cabbage rolls without excessive time or energy! Make this recipe the next time you batch cook and freeze it for a delicious meal.


    28. Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup 

    If you love meals that you can throw in your instant pot, let cool, and throw into your freezer, you need to try this freezer-friendly creamy chicken fajita soup. 


    29. Sausage Ragu Polenta Bowls

    This sausage ragu polenta bowl comes together quickly and easily while freezing great! It only takes 30 minutes to make this delicious meal, and it can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. 


    30. Sriracha Fried Rice

    Another fried rice recipe, because you can never go wrong with having easily accessible fried rice in your freezer. Easily made with rice, eggs, chicken, peas, and a sriracha twist, this recipe will make your batch cooking clean up fast and easy!

    How Souper Cubes Can Make Your Make-Ahead Freezer Meal Prep Fast and Easy

    1-cup Souper Cubes trays with a frozen rice bowl and a cooked rice bowl in a brown bowl on the left hand side.

    Now you have 30+ ideas on what you can batch cook for your weekly meal prep. Before clicking off of this article, there is one thing that will make your batch cooking and thawing process MUCH easier: Souper Cubes®!

    Souper Cubes® are convenient freezer meal prep containers available in ½ cup, 1-cup, and 2-cup trays, allowing you to store your delicious meals in your desired portions. Built with durable silicone, a stackable steel rim, and a BPA-free plastic lid, these freezer trays won't spill, don't have odors, and freeze food in perfect portions. Stack your Souper Cubes until frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months, then thaw your prepped meals for a delicious dinner your family is sure to love.

    If you’re looking for more make-ahead meals, we have a variety of freezer-friendly recipes you need to try! Make your meal prepping easier with Souper Cubes products.

    We would love to hear your ideas or better yet, post a photo of your cubes organized in our Freezer Meals & Recipes Facebook Group!


    Souper Cubes frozen sauce
    Happy Freezing!

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