Freezer Casserole Recipes That Make Weeknight Dinners So Much Easier

Butternut Squash Mac Cheese
Photo: Andy Lyons

Assemble one or several of these freezer casserole recipes on a day you have an extra chunk of time and put them on ice to turn to on a busy day. Then you're just a thaw-and-bake away from turning that freeze-ahead casserole into a bubbly, comfort food feast. With these freezer casserole meals, you can welcome new neighbors, help a family who just had a baby, prepare for an upcoming party, or prep ahead for the next week of meals.

01 of 09

Deep-Dish Cheeseburger Pizza Casserole

Deep-Dish Cheeseburger Pizza Casserole
Jacob Fox

On those nights when your family can't decide on hitting the drive-through for burgers or ordering a pizza, this freezer casserole recipe will keep the peace. And it will keep you all healthy—each serving is just 381 calories, including the pizza dough, sausage, beef, and cheese! Ketchup, mustard, and pickles lend burger flavor, while pizza sauce, dough, and Parmesan deliver on the pizza promise. (Psst ... this crowd-pleasing casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months.)

02 of 09

Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli

Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli
Peter Krumhardt

Have a couple cans of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup stocked in your pantry after green bean casserole season? Use them to lend a cozy kick to the traditional dinner combo of chicken and broccoli. Start the make-ahead freezer casserole on a bed of seasoned rice, then pile on a combination of Italian-seasoned chicken, garlic, mushroom soup, and broccoli. The wholesome meal can be frozen for up to 3 months.

03 of 09

Make-Ahead Korean-Inspired Chicken with Broccoli

foil pan and open pan of Korean chicken with broccoli
Jason Donnelly

In other freezer-casserole-recipes-that-taste-like-takeout news, we're wild about this Korean-inspired feast. Chili-garlic sauce, toasted sesame oil, and fresh ginger majorly turn up the flavor volume on basic chicken and rice. Frozen broccoli rounds out the well-balanced meal, which can hang out in your freezer for 3 months.

04 of 09

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Butternut Squash Mac Cheese
Andy Lyons

Mac and cheese recipes are among the best casseroles to freeze. This creative version is a delightful, fall-inspired variation of the theme. Studded with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and butternut squash, the freezer-ready classic lets you enjoy your favorite winter produce well into spring. So build it all, save for the buttery crouton topping, then freeze for up to 1 month.

05 of 09

Make-Ahead Sausage, Mushroom, and Polenta Bake

Make-Ahead Sausage, Mushroom, and Polenta Bake
Jason Donnelly

Mexico meets Italy in this fresh jalapeño- and sausage-spiked freeze-ahead casserole. A generous sprinkling of smoked provolone tops this easy, cheesy make-ahead freezer casserole. At the same time, splashes of whipping cream and white wine lend complexity and richness. You'll melt for the deliciousness—and the fact that it can be frozen for up to a month.

Buy It: Pyrex 3-Quart Baking Dish with Cover ($16, Bed Bath & Beyond)

06 of 09

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Andy Lyons

Trust us: Even the veggie-averse picky eaters will adore one of our favorite vegetable casseroles to freeze. Layer on the carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, and peppers, then add a bubbly blanket of melty mozzarella. The roasted vegetables stand in for the meat in this marinara sauce-slathered dish, which makes for a "really tasty, filling, and nutritious" dinner, according to one BH&G fan. "It makes a lot, so we got two meals out of it. This is a wonderful way to cut down on meat and still get to eat lasagna!"

07 of 09

Rolled Lasagna Florentine

Rolled Lasagna Florentine
Karla Conrad

Take your taste buds on a trip to Florence. This rolled lasagna is smothered in a savory blend of ground beef, sweet tomatoes, and shredded Italian cheese. Frozen spinach and a carton of lush ricotta make up the distinctly creamy filling. Since it lasts for up to 2 months frozen when sealed well and stored properly, this is one of the best casseroles you can freeze for a quick-fix family dinner.

08 of 09

Cajun Pasta

Cajun Pasta
Jason Donnelly

Pass the hot sauce, please! Heat up a lazy night at home with oven-ready Cajun pasta featuring crispy bacon, fiery paprika, and a sizzling slew of stir-fry veggies. Assemble the panko-topped make-ahead freezer casserole on a weekend when you have 30 minutes to spare, and it can chill out for up to 2 months.

09 of 09

Make-Ahead Black Bean Lasagna

Make-Ahead Black Bean Lasagna
Blaine Moats

Deliciously decked out with black beans (naturally), peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh cilantro, tuck away this vegetable casserole to freeze for up to 1 month, so you'll be less than an hour away from a fiesta. It features layers of garlicky noodles, crisp veggies, and lush cream cheese. Yes, please! As it bakes, shake up a batch of homemade margaritas, and everyone will be salsa dancing on their way to the table.

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