Favorite Chicken Potpie
Chock-full of poultry, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe for easy chicken pot pie makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other in the freezer for a busy night. This is the best chicken potpie recipe to have on hand when company comes over. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California. Freezer Meal
Prep Tip: For the best results, freeze unbaked chicken potpies. That way, the pies will be able to cook through without burning the crust. Get more tips for freezing food.
Lasagna Casserole
All the traditional flavor of lasagna, with none of the fuss. We've simplified the layers in this lasagna casserole so the dish comes together more quickly.Steakhouse Soup
Enjoy a steak dinner in a bowl with this super simple, hearty steak soup. Because of the chili powder and cayenne pepper, it packs a little heat, but the recipe can easily be adjusted if you’re cooking for young ones. —Erica Schmidt, Kansas City, Kansas. Freezer Meal Prep Tip: To keep your food safe, defrost your meals in the refrigerator overnight, rather than defrosting it on a kitchen counter. Keep your freezer in tip-top shape with this easy freezer organization hack.Zucchini Pizza Casserole
A hearty tomato-meat sauce, garden-fresh zucchini and oodles of cheese make this zucchini pizza casserole the ultimate family-friendly dinner recipe.Forgotten Jambalaya
During chilly times of the year, I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, TexasCheck out more of our delicious and budget-friendly slow cooker recipes.
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois. Freezer Meal Prep Tip: Good cooks like to keep some go-to meals on hand that don’t require a special trip to the store. Keep chicken breasts in the freezer and you’ll always be ready. New to meal prepping? Stock up on these ingenious meal prep products you’ll actually use.Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce
My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, ArizonaAsian Chicken Thighs
The thick, tangy sauce makes this dish one of my favorite Asian chicken recipes. Serve the chicken over long grain rice or with ramen noodle slaw. —Dave Farrington, Midwest City, Oklahoma. Freezer Meal Prep Tip: Yes, you can prep rice in advance! Read up on 3 easy ways to reheat rice the right way.Our Best Freezer Organization Tips
Let’s face it, the back of your freezer likely isn’t sparking much joy. Between the half-empty ice cream boxes and that casserole dish from who-knows-when, we could all use a helping hand maximizing the room in our trusty freezer. Luckily our Test Kitchen has a few tricks that they’ve learned over the years. Check them out.
The Best Shepherd’s Pie
Our top-rated shepherd's pie recipe delivers a cozy, filling, homestyle dinner that never disappoints.Slow-Cooker Beef Barbacoa
I love this beef barbacoa because the meat is fall-apart tender and the sauce is smoky, slightly spicy and so flavorful. You can have a soft taco bar and let people make their own—or offer mouthwatering Mexican pizzas or rice bowls. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida. Freezer Meal Prep Tips: Make things a little easier on yourself and follow these wonderful big-batch meal prep tips from one of our writers.Sweet-and-Sour Meat Loaf
My husband and I like basic, hearty meat-and-potatoes meals. The sweet-and-sour flavor adds a deliciously different twist to this longtime standby. —Debbie Haneke, Stafford, KansasSouthwestern Pork Chops
This recipe came out of necessity! I love to cook but hate to grocery shop, and one day I found myself with nothing but some pork chops, canned black beans and canned tomatoes. This is the dish I came up with, and my husband loved it.—Vicki L. Blaine, Plymouth, Michigan. Freezer Meal Prep Tips: Make sure your food is protected with these tips for keeping freezer burn at bay.Burritos
Packed with beans, your choice of protein and a myriad of other potential fillings, this easy burrito recipe is your launchpad to unlimited flavor combinations.Pepperoni Pan Pizza
I’ve spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they’re paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida. Freezer Meal Prep Tip: You’ll definitely want to read up on these meal prep tips from The Pioneer Woman.Stuffed Chicken Rolls
Just thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, FloridaFive-Cheese Ziti al Forno
After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own homemade version—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this and freeze the second one for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, CaliforniaMozzarella Baked Spaghetti
This satisfying easy baked spaghetti recipe comes together and will please everyone at your table. Add a salad and breadsticks, and dinner’s done. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Freezer Meal Prep Tip: It’s usually cheaper to buy cheese in blocks rather than already shredded. Purchase large quantities of cheddar, Monterey Jack and mozzarella, then use a food processor to shred it yourself. Store the shredded cheese in the freezer so you have it when you need it. Here are more foods that freeze surprisingly well.Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
I got this easy chicken cordon bleu recipe from a friend years ago. I freeze several half recipes in disposable pans to share with neighbors or for when I'm pressed for time myself. —Rea Newell, Decatur, IllinoisSlow-Cooker Minestrone
This slow-cooker minestrone soup recipe offers all the comfort and deliciousness of a homemade soup. It's incredibly easy to make and requires very little attention once it's in the slow cooker. How's that for a great meal idea?Penne and Smoked Sausage
This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, CaliforniaSouthwestern Casserole
I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasSlow-Cooker Chuck Roast
Packed with tender beef and vegetables and served in a rich gravy, this slow-cooker chuck roast is a hearty, delicious dinner any night of the week.Chicken Noodle Casserole
Everyone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, ArkansasBavarian Pot Roast
Since all my grandparents were German, it's no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, OhioLuau Pork Lettuce Wraps
I first made this recipe when our family took a trip to a beach house in Florida. On my night to cook, I did a luau theme and used this recipe as the appetizer. These are still a favorite today! —Joyce Conway, Westerville, OhioBest Lasagna
What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken
This dish needs just 15 minutes of prep, so you'll be out of the kitchen in no time. The delicious low-fat chicken gets even better with a garnish of reduced-fat sour cream and fresh cilantro. —Brandi Castillo, Santa Maria, CaliforniaMini Barbecue Meat Loaves
Cheesy, tangy, and super juicy, these mini loaves are a total treat.Saucy Chicken Thighs
Everyone raves about how sweet the sauce is for these slow-cooked chicken thighs. They’re such a breeze because they simmer away while you do other things. They’re ideal appetizers, but you can also add your favorite side for a nice meal. —Kim Puckett, Reagan, TennesseeTaco Stuffed Shells
Here's a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it's also lower in fat. It's a great family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, OhioThree-Cheese Turkey Manicotti
This is my husband’s favorite dish. He always requests it, even for holidays! You’ll love the variety of cheeses and spices that jazz it up. It’s restaurant-quality, but at a quarter of the price! —LuAnne Wallace Bennett, Powder Springs, GeorgiaPizza Casserole
Baked pasta meets oven-ready pizza in our pizza casserole that provides a delicious dinner for tonight and an effortless freezer meal for later. We'll show you step-by-step how to make this freezer-friendly casserole recipe.Spicy Bean and Beef Pie
My daughter helped me come up with this recipe when we wanted a one-dish meal that was different than a casserole. This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish. —Debra Dohy, Massillon, OhioChicken Tortilla Casserole
Chicken tortilla casserole is a favorite comfort food dinner. The lasagna-like recipe is super versatile, too!Italian Stuffed Shells
A dear friend first brought over this stuffed shells recipe. Now I take it to other friends' homes and to potlucks, because it's always a big hit! —Beverly Austin, Fulton, MissouriSausage & Kale Lentil Stew
I made a pot of this awesome soup when visiting my sister and her family. Now, I’ll bring it along when I stop by or pack up a few frozen containers for my nephew, who appreciates a home-cooked meal while he’s off at college. —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New YorkHere’s everything you should know when freezing soup!