Assemble one or several of these freezer casseroles when 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 freezer casserole into a bubbly, comfort-food feast. With these ready-to-make meals, you can welcome new neighbors, help a family who just had a baby, stock up for a party on your calendar, or be prepared for a hectic week ahead.
Deep-Dish Cheeseburger Pizza Casserole
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 and Parmesan deliver on the pizza promise. (Psst ... this crowd-pleasing casserole can be frozen for up to three months.)
Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli
Have a couple of 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.
Make-Ahead Korean-Inspired Chicken with Broccoli
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 of basic chicken and rice. Frozen broccoli rounds out the well-balanced meal, which can hang out in your freezer for three months.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
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 one month.
Make-Ahead Sausage, Mushroom, and Polenta Bake
Mexico meets Italy in this fresh jalapeño- and sausage-spiked freezer 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.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
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!"
Rolled Lasagna Florentine
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 up to two months frozen when sealed well and stored correctly, this is one of the best casseroles you can freeze for a quick-fix family dinner.
Cajun Pasta
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-fried 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 two months.
Make-Ahead Black Bean Lasagna
Deliciously decked out with black beans (naturally), peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh cilantro, this vegetable casserole tucks away in the freezer for up to one 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.