These easy make ahead freezer meals are perfect for busy families, to gift to new moms or even to feed a crowd at a party or a funeral. Several of these casseroles are healthy with gluten free and dairy free options. They incorporate beef, sausage, pepperoni, ground turkey and chicken. We’ve even included a few Mexican dishes and one that includes everyone’s favorite: tater tots! Make large batches of these recipes to stock your freezer or eat the casseroles for dinner tonight.
Getting Started with Make Ahead Casseroles for the Freezer
If this is your first time making meals for the freezer, don’t be intimidated. With a few tips and supplies, you’ll be on your way to a fully stocked freezer.
Helpful Supplies
- Disposable casserole dishes – we’re all about the environment, but when it comes to freezer casseroles, these disposable containers are a no brainer. You can stack them easily in the freezer, they can go directly into the oven, and if you’re gifting a casserole to a friend or new mom, then you don’t have to worry about getting your dish back. (And you can always wash and reuse them!) These are the dishes that I use.
- Plastic wrap – Air is not your friend when it comes to properly storing food in the freezer. By placing a layer of plastic wrap on the top of your dish before it goes in the freezer, you decrease the risk of freezer burn. I like to use Press & Seal.
- Heavy duty tin foil – your disposable casserole dishes will come with plastic lids, but nothing beats heavy duty tin foil. You can cover your dish (it goes on top of the plastic wrap) and then use a Sharpie to write important information on the top (like the name of your dish, baking instructions and the date that you made it.) This is what I use.
- Sharpie – for labeling your freezer meal.
Helpful Tips
If this is your first time making freezer meals, don’t panic. With a few advance preparations, you’ll have your freezer stocked in no time.
Plan ahead – Make a list of the recipes you’d like to make and create a master grocery list. (Don’t forget to purchase your freezer meal supplies that I mentioned above.)
Batch your cooking – You may find that it’s a lot faster (and easier) if you choose recipes that all have the same main ingredient – like chicken or pasta. That way you can cook your base in bulk and just add different ingredients to make your different meals. (Here are five recipes that all use shredded chicken as the base.)
Make room in your freezer – This may seem like a no brainer, but before you make 10 casseroles to put in your freezer, make sure you have room in your freezer for 10 casseroles!
Grab a friend – cooking days are always more fun when you have a friend in the kitchen. You can split the cost of the ingredients and each take home half of the casseroles. Or each of you can provide the ingredients for a few recipes and split the casseroles at the end.
I’m sharing my family’s very favorite comfort food recipes – including some healthy options for dinner. Whether you’re making meals for the freezer or just looking for a recipe to eat for dinner tonight, you’re sure to find something you’ll love on this list. (They’re also perfect for busy sports nights!)
Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Casserole (Gluten and Dairy Free Option)
This casserole is a dream. When your family is hungry and ready for hardy soul food, this is your new go-to. We have this at least once a month. You can create two freezer meals out of this recipe, or you can cook up both pans to feed a crowd. My growing kids cannot get enough of this pizza casserole!
Grab the recipe here.
Freezer Chicken and Crescent Roll Casserole
Ever have one of those days when you need a homerun dinner to feed your hangry crew? For us, that is usually called Thursday. This creamy dream of a dish combines crescent rolls with tater tots, egg noodles and shredded chicken to make a dinner that everyone will eat and eat and eat and eat. Bonus! This recipe makes two full casseroles.
Grab the recipe here.
Mexican Lasagna Casserole Recipe (Gluten and Dairy Free Option)
This dish features delicious, bold flavors that are SUPER satisfying for the entire family. With less than 10 ingredients, it can be made in minutes. And while we are featuring gluten free and dairy free ingredients, you can easily make this will FULL gluten and FULL dairy. It’s completely up to you and your dietary needs.
Grab the recipe here.
Pasta Chicken Alfredo Freezer Casserole
Only SEVEN total ingredients! This is comfort food like no other dish. Creamy, flavorful and 100% kid approved. Gooey, cheesy pasta with chunks of tender and delicious chicken surrounded by penne pasta = a meal that everyone in the family will love!
Grab the recipe here.
Freezer Taco Rice Casserole (Gluten and Dairy Free Option)
We love taco night, just like the rest of the world, but sometimes we need our food t have more FOOD in it. With growing kids and busy schedules I need a dish that incorporates the deliciousness of tacos with the hardiness of a casserole loaded with carbs and protein. This is that dish.
Grab the recipe here.
Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole
Nothing warms the home and soul like a robust chicken noodle soup when it becomes a CASSEROLE. This dish is sturdy enough to stand alone, or be served with a warm bread and side salad.
Trust me, it gets into all the nooks and crannies and leaves the family completely fulfilled!
Grab the recipe here.
A few More of our Favorite Casserole Recipes to Freeze
Amazing Potato Bacon Egg Casserole – A delicious potato bacon egg breakfast casserole recipe that is a crowd-winner and can be prepared ahead of time! Freezer-friendly.
Freezi Ziti –A great freezer casserole of ziti pasta with meat sauce and lots of cheese. A great winter meal that freezes perfectly!
Freezer to Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup –Yum! Add the ingredients to your crockpot or assemble ahead of time and freeze.
Broccoli Quinoa Casserole –I love quinoa. I have been experimenting with it not only for savory dishes like this Broccoli quinoa casserole but for sweet dishes as well. This dish even freezes well!
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole –an easy baked pasta casserole that is family friendly and freezer friendly meal!
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole –Freezer Friendly Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole — this recipe is hands down one of our very favorite. It’s easy to whip up, it’s frugal, and it freezes well!
Jambalaya Freezable Casserole –The ULTIMATE New Orleans Dish gets an easy freezable casserole look. LOADED with Chicken, Sausage and Cup after Cup of vegetables! Easy, Fun to serve and always DELICIOUS!
Chicken Spaghetti –The Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Spaghetti — one of our favorites for an easy freezer meal!
Baked Shrimp Scampi –Baked shrimp scampi….truly amazing! Can be used as a freezer meal, too!
Teriyaki Chicken Casserole – a freezer friendly casserole with teriyaki chicken, broccoli, fried rice and extra sauce… delicious!
Casseroles Make Great Gifts!
These meals are perfect for gifting to friends. Click here to see all of my tips on gifting foods to friends.
Looking for More Casserole Ideas?
Here are a few of our favorite casserole recipes (in addition to these!)
Breakfast Casserole Recipes
Paleo Casserole Recipes
Healthy Casserole Recipes
Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
