Quick Takeaways from easy kid friendly freezer meals
- Maximise your freezer space to save time and reduce weeknight dinner stress.
- Batch-cooking ensures you always have healthy, kid-approved meals ready in minutes.
- The secret to freezer prep success is knowing exactly which recipes freeze and reheat well.
If you aren't already utilising your freezer to its full potential, it's time to start. This wonderful kitchen appliance lets you prep delicious, nutritious meals when it suits your schedule, so they are ready to simply defrost and serve when you are short on time. While the convenience is unbeatable, the real trick is knowing what actually survives the freeze-thaw cycle without losing its flavour. We've done the research for you and rounded up the most popular, highly-rated make-ahead freezer meals that your kids will genuinely love.
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1. Vegetable lasagne
Make this veggie lasagne ahead of time and freeze the whole thing for an easy, scrumptious dinner. Or slice and freeze for lunches and on-the-go meals.
Recipe Source: Taste.com.au
2. Peanut butter chicken
Peanut butter, chicken and coconut milk make for a sweet, tangy burst of flavour. Even the kids will ask for seconds. Make a large batch and freeze leftovers for lunch.
Recipe Source: BBC Good Food
3. Sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry
This veggie curry by Jamie Oliver is hearty, high in fibre and full of antioxidants. It’s also cheap and easy to make. Freeze leftovers in individual bags for easy lunches. Here are a few more ideas in case you struggle like us: "Lunch box Ideas: Cheap and Healthy Lunchbox Fillers for Kids"
Recipe Source: Jamie Oliver
4. Instant Pot Shredded Beef Fajitas
Try freezer fajitas next time you’re craving meat that’s on the table in minutes. Place all ingredients in a 4L bag and freeze for at least 12 hours before thawing and popping in the Instant Pot.
Recipe Source: Happy Money Saver
5. Cottage pie
We love how easy this cottage pie comes together. There’s a lot of ingredients, but it’s just a matter of mixing everything together and letting the oven do the rest. Bake right away or store in the freezer.
Recipe Source: BBC Good Food
6. Five-a-day tagine
Sweet and spicy tagine serves up a day’s worth of nutrients from veggies. Double or triple the recipe and freeze the portions.
Recipe Source: BBC Good Food
7. Beef and bacon pasta bake
We love freezer-friendly casseroles. This one is meaty, hearty and cheesy…guaranteed to please the pickiest eaters. Enjoy it for an entire week by doubling the recipe and freezing.
Recipe Source: The Organised Housewife
8. Lamb rissoles
When everyone’s hungry and you want something that’s ready in a flash, try these lamb rissoles. Make a large batch and freeze to save even more time. Serve with prepared gravy and steamed veggies.
Recipe Source: The Organised Housewife
9. Easy freezer meatballs
Freezer meatballs are a kitchen staple. All you need is mince, spices and bread crumbs. Triple the recipe and stock in the freezer so you’ll always have something tasty for sandwiches, pasta or eating alone.
Recipe Source: Happy Money Saver
10. Classic chunky fishcakes
Fish cakes are kid friendly and as easy as 1-2-3. Use your favourite fish (we like salmon) to make a big batch, freeze and defrost as many as you need.
Recipe Source: BBC Good Food
11. Chicken and veggie stir fry
Make this for stir fry night or whenever you’re too busy to spend hours in the kitchen. Great for making ahead…put the blanched veggies and cooked chicken in zip-top bags and store for up to 2 months.
Recipe Source: Super Healthy Kids
12. Skillet honey lime tilapia
Fish fillets in marinade can be frozen for weeks. This recipe calls for tilapia but feel free to substitute any fish. We like to separate family-size portions in freezer bags for easy thawing.
Recipe Source: Fabulessly Frugal
13. Tomato broccoli mozzarella pasta casserole
Hide the broccoli in this pasta casserole to fool veggie haters. It’s like a healthier version of pizza that’s irresistible to kids. You can assemble the ingredients together in the baking pan and freeze ahead of time.
Recipe Source: The Kitchn
14. Mexican fish stew
A healthier alternative to beef stew, Mexican fish stew is perfect for busy nights. No need to thaw already frozen fish, just mix everything in freezer bags and defrost as needed.
Recipe Source: Food Network
15. Easy eggplant parmesan
For no-meat Mondays or any day you feel like eating more veggies, make this freezer-friendly easy eggplant Parmesan. Instead of pasta, use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to make it even healthier.
Recipe Source: The Live In Kitchen
If you're looking for more ways to stretch your grocery budget, check out our favourite cheap family meals in 20 Cheap meal ideas to feed your family
Wrapping up weeknight dinners doesn't have to be a daily battle. By stocking your freezer with these kid friendly freezer meals, you're giving your future self the ultimate gift of time, energy, and peace of mind. Whether you spend a Sunday afternoon batch-cooking or simply double your family's favourite recipe during the week, a little prep goes a long way. Clear out some space in your freezer, grab the storage containers, and start making those chaotic evenings a breeze!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do kid friendly freezer meals last in the freezer? Generally, most cooked make-ahead meals will maintain their best quality and flavour for 2 to 3 months. To keep your freezer organised and avoid freezer burn, always label your containers or ziplock bags with the recipe name and the date it was made.
What is the best way to reheat frozen meals? For the best texture and flavour, it's usually recommended to thaw your meals overnight in the fridge before reheating them in the oven, slow cooker, or microwave. However, many liquid-heavy meals like soups, stews, and some casseroles can be reheated straight from frozen—just be sure to add extra cooking time!
What ingredients should I avoid putting in freezer meals? Not everything survives the freeze-thaw cycle. Avoid freezing meals that rely heavily on raw potatoes (they get mushy and grainy), mayonnaise, sour cream, or watery vegetables like lettuce and cucumber. Stick to robust casseroles, stews, meats, and baked pastas for the best results.
What are the best containers for freezing food? To maximise space, heavy-duty freezer bags are fantastic because they can be laid flat to freeze and then stacked like books. For casseroles and bakes, use airtight glass or BPA-free plastic containers, or line a baking dish with foil before adding your food (once frozen solid, you can lift the foil block out, wrap it tightly, and put the dish back in your cupboard!).
