Here is a round-up of some yummy recipes that you can make ahead on Saturday or Sunday that will feed your family all week long. You can also freeze them to use later in the week or throughout the month. Saving money and time during the week is something I really try to do! That’s why we mostly cook at home. But in busy seasons, or seasons where we have sick kids, or we’re sick, or life just happens (tired, unexpected emergencies, etc.) it’s always good to have food in the freezer that is ready to go, comforting and delicious that the whole family loves & will enjoy. I know that sounds unattainable BUT it’s not. It’s possible to be that prepared - YES it is! It is possible to have comforting food in the freezer and fridge ready to go so you don’t have to think about meals or spend time making meals during the day. Here are some I found and am adding to my list to make ahead, my plan is to double each recipe when I make it so that I have one for the freezer and one for now. Stocking the freezer with yummy meals for those unexpected times & to make life easier for my future self. That brings so much comfort. Let me know which one sounds yummy to you!

Broccoli Beef Braids courtesy of Taste of Home

This sounds delicious and a great option for the freezer & what’s for dinner tonight. PLUS budget concious. I would probably use 2 lbs of beef per bread and do frozen broccoli. Doubling this recipe and freezing one for another day. I think everyone in my family would enjoy this too!

Broccoli Beef Braids

Make-Ahead Spinach Mushroom Egg Sandwiches courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

SUCH a great idea to make-ahead breakfast sandwiches. You can easily swap the ingredients in these for whatever your family enjoys! These would be great for my family. During the week I always struggle with quick, nutritious and yummy breakfast choices. I’ll be adding this to my rotation from now on. Easy enough to make weekly because I would need to pre-make 20 to fill my family for the week. Such a great idea too to use up that overwhelming amount of eggs we get from our chickens in the warmer months too!

Make-Ahead Spinach and Mushroom Egg Sandwiches

Big-Batch Meatballs

Definitely something I used to do, that I stopped doing because I guess I got busy but making a huge batch of meatballs and freezing them is such a great idea. Love this recipe! You can make your own sauce or use your favorite store-bought or Italian store bought sauce! We love Rao’s and I usually buy it at Costco because it is the most economical way to buy! Try this recipe & let me know if you like it! I don’t use a meatball mix, I usually do venison or regular beef when I make my meatballs! I would freeze them in a plastic bag laid flat so none of the meatballs are on top of the other! You don’t have to defrost before heating, you can just heat them up in the sauce. YUM!

Big Batch Meatballs

Chicken Pot Pie courtesy of Ree Drummond

I love a good pot pie. If I were making this and wanted to make it super simple for myself I would use store-bought crust and rotisserie chicken and frozen mixed veggies. BOOM super easy chicken pot pie. I love a good homemade crust and it’s not too hard to make homemade crust but if you are making big batches of this it might be easier to use the premade stuff. There are some good quality ones out there now a day too. BUT it is definitely more economical to make your own. Anyway, the frozen veggies are definitely the best way to do the veggies in here! Double the recipe and make some for your fridge & your freezer! I would cook it, then freeze it in the dish & defrost before reheating!

Chicken Pot Pie

Freezer Bag Chicken Fajitas courtesy of Food Network

Chicken Fajitas are super easy to make, but I love the idea of making it ahead and just heating it back up in the cast-iron. Such a great idea for a quick & delicious weeknight meal! I would definitely double this recipe since it can be for lunch or dinner!

Freezer Bag Chicken Fajita Stir-Fry

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup courtesy of Pinch of Yum

This is an Instant Pot recipe but I would totally just make this on the stove or slow cooker since I don’t have an instant pot. I would also double and add in 3lbs of chicken. Split into two freezer bags to freeze the whole serving or just freeze half the soup. Another trick, use frozen rice, and/or frozen or dehydrated mushrooms (we just got a huge thing of dehydrated mushrooms from Costco so yummy & make a great addition to a stock!) Great idea for a cozy dinner!

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup

Air-Fryer Chicken Bites courtesy of SkinnyTaste

Love the idea of making healthy chicken nuggets, and this is like the adult version. Also, my kids LOVE it when I make chicken like this. PRO TIP: You don’t need an air fryer. DID YOU KNOW that if your oven has the ‘convection’ setting it is just like an air-fryer? The hot air moves throughout the oven just like an air-fryer does. I am a fan of using what I have and less is more in the kitchen. So I really try not to purchase extra tools and gadgets in my kitchen because they truly just take up space. So instead of an air fryer for this recipe try making it in your oven on the convection setting OR just turn the heat to 375 for 20 mins. YUM!

Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Cups courtesy of Skinny Taste

I love the idea of making these and freezing them individually wrapped in saran wrap so that I can grab & go when we want these. My kids would also LOVE this recipe. Especially if I added chocolate chips (mini of course!). Try them out!

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Bites

Cool-Ranch Shredded Tacos courtesy of Family Freezer

OMG these sound delicious. I love that they are made in the crock-pot once they’re ready to be made, but I love that she includes a recipe to freeze, then make in the crockpot. Such a great idea! Her website has a lot of great recipes too. This would not be a quick make & bake because tacos require some assembly & fresh ingredients but they would be yummy and require very little additional work!

Cool-Ranch Shredded Tacos

Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole courtesy of the Seasoned Mom

Love this recipe for a quick and satisfying freezer meal / make ahead meal! You can easily sub the chicken for beef, venison, or tuna!

Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole

Freezer Breakfast Burritos by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Freezer Breakfast Burritos

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies by Real Food Dieticians

Such a yummy idea packed with nutritious ingredients but it’s a cookie. Satisfying & good for you! The kids would LOVE these. Freeze in parchment paper and a plastic bag!

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies