22 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals You’ll Be Glad to Have on Hand

We’ve all been there: those days when there’s no time to cook from scratch (or you're feeling kinda lazy)—but the idea of takeout or fast food just isn’t an option either. Instead of settling for a bowl of cereal or a cold-cut sandwich, turn to your freezer. With just a little bit of planning and meal prep you can easily stock it full of dishes that everyone in the family will love—and that are ready with almost no work at all. Plus, since some of the cooking was done in advance, cleanup is easier, too! One of our favorites? This stir-fry-inspired take on pasta primavera. We skip the pasta but keep all the iconic flavors. Just serve with crusty bread for soaking up all the delicious sauce.

Chicken thighs are the ideal slow-cooker meat because they emerge tender and juicy, even after hours of cooking. The sauce is a guaranteed kid-pleaser: Rich, sweet and low on spice and tang. Make a couple of batches to keep in the freezer for busy weeks when you know you'll have limited time for meal prep.

Not only does this easy, 30-minute meal freeze well, but you can cook it straight from the freezer — no thawing needed. Just be sure you assemble it in an oven-proof, disposable aluminum pan when you make it.

We've turned the classic spinach and mushroom omelet into a delicious breakfast sandwich that you can enjoy anytime. The trick is to bake the "scrambled" eggs in the oven, and then cut out rounds for each sandwich that you can then freeze.