There’s something so wonderful and welcoming about coming home after a busy day, knowing you have a well-stocked freezer and can just pull out a casserole to reheat for dinner.
You’ve already done the hard work of making the meal. Now you just get to enjoy the benefits of your prior planning.
Below are 32 recipes that you can double and freeze—one batch for tonight’s meal and one batch for another night.
Freezing and reheating casseroles: Casseroles can all be frozen as one large casserole or individual portions wrapped tightly in foil. Reheat casseroles covered loosely with foil in a 350°F oven; individual portions are best unwrapped and reheated in the microwave.
Freezing and reheating soups and stews: Soups and stews can also be frozen in batches or individual servings. Reheat over low heat on the stovetop or in 1- to 5-minute intervals in the microwave, stirring between each.
1. Classic Meatloaf
With a mix of ground beef, pork, sausage, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic, there’s plenty of flavor in this traditional dish. Get out a bigger bowl for the mixing and a second loaf pan to bake the extra, and you’ve got two dinners ready in the time it takes you to set the table and prepare a tossed green salad.
2. Deep-Dish Bacon and Cheddar Quiche
Contributor Sally Vargas says, "If you have an instant-read thermometer, it should register from 165 to 170 degrees. Once it gets into the 180-degree range, the custard will be overcooked."
3. Baked Ziti
Sometimes it’s nice to have the taste of lasagna without the mess of lasagna. It’s also nice an extra tray of pasta in the freezer for times when you don’t want any mess at all. This baked ziti is for those times.
4. Easy Rice and Bean Burritos
Contributor Thao Thai says, "I choose the larger size of tortillas for a more filling take, though you can use smaller fajita-style tortillas if you’re looking to make snack-sized portions. Just adjust your ingredient ratios accordingly!"
5. One-Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
The beauty of this soup is that everything comes together right in the pot and finishes at the same time. The chicken poaches in the broth, becoming juicy and tender and making the broth extra flavorful. Double it up and freeze the rest.
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