As great as it would be to spend our weeknights creating super intricate, Martha Stewart meals, it just isn’t always possible. Kids, work, activities, and just plain tiredness have a tendency to keep busy families from being able to not only enjoy dinner together, but eat as many home-cooked meals as they’d like as well. If the weeknight food slump is hitting your family especially hard, here are a few great recipes that can be made ahead of time and stored safely in your freezer.
Source: thepioneerwoman.com
1. Freezer-Friendly Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a delicious dish that embodies all the greatness of old-school dinners. Mashed potatoes, vegetables, meat, and cheese all combine together in a dish that is equal parts hearty and simple. This shepherd’s pie recipe can be prepped and completed in under 45 minutes, frozen for later, and stored for up to two months.
Find more delicious, comforting recipes at The Pioneer Woman.
Source: againstallgrain.com
2. Primal Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These stuffed sweet potatoes may look like they fit in on a slightly health-conscious game day table, but they also make one awesome dinner item. Slightly sweet and a little savory too, this unlikely combination is surprisingly delicious. For maximum effect, combine with a quick side or two when you’re ready to serve them.
Find great recipes, cool cookbooks, and great buys at Against All grain.
Source: damndelicious.net
3. Broccoli Chicken Mac and Cheese
If you’re suffering from the curse of picky eaters as well as a lack of time, this recipe is the perfect solution. Homemade macaroni and cheese is mixed with two different types of cheeses, broccoli, and juicy chicken breasts. The entire recipe takes about 20 minutes to complete and is completely freezer-friendly.
Damn Delicious is full of great, simple recipes.
Source: somethewiser.danoah.com
4. Muffin Tin Meatloaf
This definitely isn’t the meatloaf your grandmother used to make. Unless, of course, she was crazy about her muffin tins. A delicious but simplistic meatloaf recipe is popped into a greased muffin tin to create these single serving, freezer friendly loaves.
From healthy breakfasts to decadent desserts, Some The Wiser has it all.
Source: themagicalslowcooker.com
5. Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken and White Bean Soup
You can’t go wrong with good soup, especially during the fall and winter months. Filled with white beans, chicken, vegetables, and Tuscan-inspired spices, this soup is anything but ordinary. Once prepped, the soup can be stored in a simple Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to a month.
Find more recipes for your handy slow cooker at The Magical Slow Cooker.
Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com
6. Creamy Spinach and Cheese Green Chile Enchiladas
These delightfully creamy enchiladas are a fun take on the traditional Mexican dish. Covered in delicious melted cheese, enchilada sauce, and green veggies, this dish is fully vegetarian and fully delicious.
Get more healthy, kid-friendly recipes at Two Peas & Their Pod.
Source: kristineskitchenblog.com
7. Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders
These cheesy tenders are a great break from the traditional deep fried dish. Juicy strips of chicken are covered in parmesan and Panko bread crumbs then baked to perfection. These tenders are delicious, healthy, and incredibly easy to make.
Kristine’s Kitchen has tons more great, family-based recipes.
Source: iwashyoudry.com
8. Freezer Friendly Baked Ziti
Creamy layers of melted cheese, pasta, herbs, and sausage make up this awesome dish. This ziti does take a little bit of time to prepare, with all of its elements, but it cam be split into two different portions to be served twice and frozen for a great length of time.
Find chocolatey desserts and savory dinners at I Wash You Dry.