What is best to freeze meals in?

Zip-top bags are great for freezing food because it's easier to get all the air out of them than it is with rigid containers. And zip-top bags have an added space-saving benefit: You can stack them, if you lay them flat to freeze first.

How do you freeze meals in advance?

To prepare a meal for the freezer, you'll want to fully prepare it ahead of time. Be sure to let it cool fully, and then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Date it, pop it in the freezer , and it'll be ready to go in a pinch! Most freezer meals keep for around 2 months.

Do you cook freezer meals before freezing?

If you're not planning on eating a meal before you pop it in the freezer, leave it a little 'al dente' so when you reheat the taste and texture will be perfect . For foods like lasagna or casseroles, don't bake the dish after assembly. Freeze raw and then you can cook fresh when you're ready.

What cooked foods freeze well?

Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cooker soups and stews , and more. You guests will never guess that you just popped that Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole out of the freezer.

How do you freeze meals in Ziploc bags?

Freeze Foods Flat for Smart Storage Here's the scoop: freeze them flat. Get yourself some sturdy zip-top freezer bags and fill them up. Press out as much air as you can, place the bags on a baking sheet or the floor of your freezer, and freeze.

What vegetables freeze well?

You can freeze almost anything. The best vegetables to consider are corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, squash and winter greens such as spinach, kale, chard and collards . Onions, peppers, celery and herbs can also be frozen.

Can mashed potato be frozen?

Yes! Prepare your mashed potatoes ahead of time, ready for when you need them. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container . Check out the full recipe for reheating instructions (you can reheat your mashed potatoes from frozen)!

Frozen rice can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months and still be tasty. After that it loses flavor and dries out but won't be unsafe to eat. An airtight container is your best defense against losing quality so vacuum sealing is great if you have that tool in your kitchen.

You can! Just make sure to cool the spaghetti completely before freezing, transfer properly in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label it with the date. Can you freeze cooked pasta with sauce? You can, but if possible, it is best to freeze the sauce and pasta separately for best texture.

Is it better to freeze food in glass or plastic?

FOR STORING LEFTOVERS IN THE FRIDGE & FREEZER: GLASS For storing food in the fridge or freezer, glass, particularly OXO's set wins . The containers are freezer-safe so the glass won't break, leakproof with a tight seal (no mysterious liquids sticking to your refrigerator shelves!), and easy to clean.

What is the best system to freeze food in?

Zip-Top Freezer Bags And I do mean everything. Even liquidy things like soup or chicken in marinade can be frozen in freezer bags. Lay the filled bags on a tray in the freezer to be sure that they freeze flat and don't wrap around wire shelving.

What is the best container to store food in the freezer?

Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.

Can you freeze meals in Ziploc bags?

I generally use quart-sized Ziploc freezer bags . Don't overfill the bags: Liquids expand as they freeze, so be sure to leave a little extra room to account for this. In a quart-sized bag, I usually put only two to three cups of food.

20 Vegan Freezer Meals to Make Ahead (2024)

by Alena Schowalter

January 5, 2023

Jump to Recipe

These family-friendly vegan freezer meals are perfect for making ahead of time for those busy moments! Find ideas for breakfast, dinner, and more.

No need to opt for takeout during busy weeknights or reach for store-bought waffles in the morning!

This collection of freezer-friendly vegan recipes, from soups and casseroles to pasta and baked goods, will make eating homemade meals so much easier.

So get out your bags and containers and dive right into the recipes!

20 Vegan Freezer Meals to Make Ahead (3)

free 7-day vegan meal plan

Your next week of eating is planned out with these quick and delicious vegan bowls, meal prepping steps & full grocery list.

Easy Vegan Freezer Meals

Vegan Sweet Potato Waffles

Love breakfast, but hate waking up early to make something nice to eat? Make mornings a breeze by prepping and freezing sweet potato waffles. These deliciously fragrant waffles freeze perfectly and can be easily reheated in the toaster – 5-star breaky in minutes!

Easy Vegan Chow Mein Noodles

Instead of speed dialing for Chinese takeaway, prep your freezer with healthy homemade chow mein noodles! This recipe uses authentic flavors like soy sauce, ginger, and garlic to create a sauce that coats every noodle perfectly.

The Best Chili Sin Carne

A wonderfully easy and filling dish that incorporates tons of fresh vegetables. Made from budget-friendly ingredients and fragrant spices, this dish goes great with various meals – try it paired with rice or cornbread!

Satay Sweet Potato Lentil Curry

Creamy, flavorful, and oh-so-comforting: you’ll love this satay sweet potato curry with hearty lentils! It’s ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep.

Creamy Vegan Potato Broccoli Casserole

Not your grandma's casserole! This healthy, oil-free, and gluten-free dish will warm your house with nostalgia. The starchy potatoes absorb a decadent cashew cream sauce, creating layers of guilt-free comfort –it tastes great reheated!

Enchiladas with Pumpkin and Black Beans

Photo Credit:thestingyvegan.com

Using only nine ingredients, whip together a tray of enchiladas perfect for reheating. This freezer-friendly recipe is made from simple and affordable ingredients. Pumpkin and creamy black beans make the filling seasonal and the whole dish comes together in less than 20 minutes!

Hearty Lentil Ragù

Photo Credit:www.thevegspace.co.uk

Ditch your canned tomato sauce! Instead, make a batch of this delicious and sophisticated lentil ragù as a versatile dinner option. Earthy mushrooms and hearty lentils combine with aromatic red wine for meaty depth that goes great with pasta, bread, rice, or potatoes!

Vegan Puff Pastry Pie

Photo Credit:www.thevegspace.co.uk

Preparing this crowd-pleasing vegan puff pastry pie takes only a few minutes. Stuffed with a mixture of stewed vegetables in a creamy vegan sauce, the casserole is carefully wrapped in vegan puffed pastry. Then, when the time is right, take it out from the freezer and pop it into the oven!

Spicy Thai Curry Corn Soup

Photo Credit:simple-veganista.com

Try this zesty Thai-inspired soup that entices all taste buds. Sweet corn that mingles with lively ginger and red chili flakes — the heat is cut by fresh lime juice and decadent coconut milk. The soup is loaded with vegetables, making it great for a healthy, tasty, lazy dinner!

Vegan Jackfruit Taquitos

Photo Credit:cadryskitchen.com

Pop a batch of these "make ahead" taquitos in the oven for an effortless and fun lunch or dinner! These Mexican-inspired taquitos feature pulled jackfruit with aromatic spices as a savory filling and goes great with fresh guacamole.

Tuscan Kale & White Bean Stew

Photo Credit:www.simplyquinoa.com

Make a big batch of this Tuscan stew! Loaded with vitamins and filling white beans, the soup is kicked up a notch with a generous portion of nutritional yeast, giving a "cheesy" depth to the broth – so delicious!

Vegan Quinoa Casserole

Photo Credit:www.simplyquinoa.com

Perfect for cold winter nights, this easy-to-prep and freezer-friendly quinoa casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Fluffy quinoa is dotted with broccoli and baked with a cashew cream sauce until golden brown and delicious. Substitute broccoli for your favorite vegetables!

Meaty Vegan Lasagna

Photo Credit:jessicainthekitchen.com

Turn your kitchen into an Italian Trattoria by making this simple meaty vegan lasagna — layers of pasta blanket, a stringy "cheese," marinara sauce, and beyond-meat crumbles. The dish bakes into a golden, bubbling perfection!

Chickpea Peanut Stew

Photo Credit:www.emilieeats.com

If you love peanut butter but want to try something other than a pb&j, this chickpea peanut stew is perfect. A generous glob of peanut butter thickens the stew and adds a creamy, nutty depth to the dish!

Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burgers

Photo Credit:www.emilieeats.com

Stock your freezer with these homemade burger patties. Loaded with vegan protein and fiber they are an easy dinner the whole family will enjoy. These delicious burgers come together in a few minutes and freeze great for months!

Hungarian Carrot Stew

Photo Credit:greenevi.com

This vibrant orange stew bursts with vitamin A and aromatic spices. It's fantastic for a chilly winter evening and goes excellent with a slice of crusty bread. Make ahead and enjoy reheated!

Green Curry Fried Rice

This flavor-packed fried rice is made in 1 pan and ready in 20 minutes. The perfect way to use up leftover rice and freezes well!

One-Pot Teriyaki Tofu and Rice

Photo Credit:www.mydarlingvegan.com

Relish a flavorful dinner weeks from now with this freezer-friendly teriyaki tofu and rice recipe. Incredibly versatile, a mixture of vegetables combined with tofu, rice, and tangy teriyaki in minutes. Pop in a sealable container, freeze, and enjoy reheated.

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

Photo Credit:www.mydarlingvegan.com

Craving eggplant parm? Circle cuts of floured eggplant are baked until crispy and generously coated in marinara and freshly made vegan mozzarella – make an extra tray to freeze!

Winter Vegetable Minestrone Soup

Photo Credit:laurencariscooks.com

Fill your tummy with this warm winter minestrone. Packed with garden vegetables, fresh herbs, spaghetti, and beans, this soup will remind you of summer in every bite. So take advantage of summer produce and freeze the soup to enjoy in the winter!

Easy Vegan Baked Oatmeal

Photo Credit:dailydish.co.uk

Looking for a healthy breakfast that you can enjoy for the next 6 months? This simple baked oatmeal recipe featuring banana and chocolate chips is outrageously delicious and perfect for stocking your freezer with individual servings!

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30 Vegan Winter Recipes

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20 Vegan Freezer Meals to Make Ahead

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

These family-friendly vegan freezer meals are perfect for making ahead of time for those busy moments! Find ideas for breakfast, dinner, and more. The following quick and easy tomato soup is perfect for freezing!

Ingredients

Easy Tomato Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 28-oz cans chopped tomatoes
2 cups water
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
5 tablespoons vegan cream (coconut, soy, or almond)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and onion. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Turn the heat down to high and bring to a boil, then let the soup simmer for 10 minutes.
Use an immersion blender to create a smooth tomato soup if wanted or leave it chunky!
Enjoy with fresh basil and some bread or crackers.

Notes

Use smoked or hot paprika instead of sweet paprika if wanted!
You can omit garlic or onion.
Any leftovers can be stored, once cooled, in the fridge for 3 days.
Find more vegan freezer recipes in the article above.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: ¼ recipe
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 189Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 130mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 6gSugar: 13gProtein: 5g

Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated automatically, their accuracy is not guaranteed. Just focus on whole plant-based foods and eat until satiety!

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Meal Prep Beginner Recipes Dinner Family-Friendly

20 Vegan Freezer Meals to Make Ahead (26)

Alena Schowalter is a Certified Vegan Nutritionist who has been a vegetarian since childhood and vegan since 2012. Together with her husband, she founded nutriciously in 2015 and has been guiding thousands of people through different transition stages towards a healthy plant-based diet. She’s received training in the fields of nutrition, music therapy and social work. Alena enjoys discussions around vegan ethics, walks through nature and creating new recipes.