Better Homes And Gardens Old Time Beef Stew Recipe

Sausage and Squash Lasagna

Credit: Iain Bagwell

The holiday season is here, and as you know, it's about to get B-U-S-Y. With school activities, family visits, holiday work parties, and countless other events, your fall and winter schedule will fill up fast. But just because you've had something penciled in for months doesn't mean that plans don't change. These freezer recipes are here to save you when plans shift this holiday season. Surprise visit from the neighbors? Set out some appetizer meatballs you had stocked up in the freezer. Kids decide to have company spend the night after the football game? Grab some homemade enchiladas or sloppy Joes from the freezer. Dinner plans canceled? No worries—a homemade dinner is in the freezer. Whether you prep make-ahead freezer meals or freeze leftovers from a big dinner, these delicious dishes are here for you. Recipes that freeze well, like hamburger steak, baked ziti, or chicken pot pie, are great to have on-hand all holiday season. Of course, comforting fall soups are some of the best freezer recipes for cold nights, and it wouldn't be winter without a cozy beef stew night. Casseroles are always an easy option to freeze, and with casseroles that freeze well like turkey-noodle-poppyseed casserole and creamy chicken Alfredo casserole, you can feed any crowd that comes through your door. Whether for dinner-party company or a normal weeknight meal, have these freezer recipes waiting for when your schedule gets turned around this holiday season (and believe us, it will).

Italian Casserole

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole

This casserole recipe, sent to us by Mrs. Harland J. Stone from Ocala, Florida, and published in the November, 1990, edition of Southern Living, is one of our forever-favorites. When you're ready to eat, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator, and let sand at room temperature 30 minutes.

Southern Wedding Soup

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Southern Wedding Soup

We added fresh greens and pork meatballs to this comforting soup that's ready in just 45 minutes. You can easily freeze the soup and meatballs for this Italian-American dish, just wait to prepare the noodles before serving.

Sausage-and-Grits Quiche

Credit: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Sausage-and-Grits Quiche

Video: Sausage-and-Grits Quiche

Whether you have breakfast for dinner, Saturday breakfast for the family, or brunch for holiday company, a delicious quiche is a staple to have ready in the freezer, and it can stay there for up to a month. Thaw in refrigerator 24 hours. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes, and bake as directed.

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Sausage

Even the pickiest eaters will love this baked pasta dish.

Smoked Chicken, Squash, and Rice Soup

Smoked Chicken, Squash, and Rice Soup Recipe

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Smoked Chicken, Squash, and Rice Soup

This one-pot soup is filling but light in flavor. Our test kitchen recommends buying the chicken from a local barbecue joint (sans sauce) for the best smoky flavor, but rotisserie chicken from the grocery store or even leftover roast chicken would work for this recipe. This soup would freeze well, aside from the fresh avocado—don't slice it up until you're ready to serve.

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken

There's no better time to use your slow cooker than the busy holiday season, and this barbecue chicken with homemade sauce will be a crowd favorite for a last-minute lunch or post-football game dinner. If you're making ahead, cool the chicken completely once cooked and freeze in an airtight container up to three months.

Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

Ground Beef Recipes: Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

This hamburger steak recipe would be acceptable for company but easy for weeknights. To save, wrap each uncooked patty individually in plastic wrap, place in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw frozen patties in refrigerator 8 hours and proceed with Steps 2 and 3 of the recipe.

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

One of your favorite pasta dishes got a comforting casserole redo that's perfect for family dinner. Leave off the fresh basil until you serve.

Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

Video: Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

People have the habit of stopping by for longer than you expect around the holidays. If your church friends say they're going to stop by to exchange gifts, you'll want to have something out. These sweet-and-sour meatballs are an ideal bite-sized appetizer to have on hand for times when you get surprise company. These meatballs can be cooked and frozen without the sauce, so thaw and reheat with sauce when you're ready. This recipe has a high yield, so you don't have to thaw them all at once.

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole Recipe

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Published in Southern Living in November, 1990, we'll never tire of this casserole recipe that's made with readily available (and possibly in-your-pantry) ingredients. Thaw assembled casserole in the refrigerator 24 hours and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before following baking instructions.

Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms

Slow-cooker soups will always be there for us in the cold winter, and this one is filled with good-for-you ingredients. Cool completely post-slow cooker before freezing.

Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

Video: Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

Southern comfort just like Mama made. Meatloaf will always be on our weeknight recipe rotation. Line loaf pan with enough foil to close over the top. Press meat loaf into pan; close foil, and place in freezer for several hours or overnight. Once frozen, remove from loaf pan. Seal tightly with foil, label, and freeze. On cooking day, remove the foil, and place frozen loaf in loaf pan to thaw and bake.

Green Chile-Turkey Soup with Hominy

Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Mini Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Recipe: Green Chile-Turkey Soup with Hominy

This Tex-Mex soup will be a refreshing change from classic chicken noodle this fall and winter. Simply freeze in zip-top plastic freezer bags and reheat on low. Just before serving, stir in cilantro and lime juice for a dose of extra fresh flavor.

Greek Meatballs with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce and Rice

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Greek Meatballs with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce and Rice

Meatballs are perfect for the freezer because you can take out the exact number you need and still leave more for later. These Greek meatballs are delicious served over rice with our cucumber-yogurt sauce, as shown, or stuffed into warm pita bread with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and cucumber-yogurt sauce for a yummy, fresh lunch that's better than a plain turkey sandwich.

Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

We can't make it through the winter months without craving a warm bowl of vegetable beef soup, and this 45-minute recipe is the easiest way to satisfy us. Freeze in meal-size portions in large zip-top plastic freezer bags. Fold top edge down, and place the bag in a large glass measuring cup to stabilize the bag while filling; freeze up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw soup in fridge overnight, and simmer over low, stirring occasionally.

Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

We don't think anything has ever tasted worse after adding bacon, and this chicken pot pie recipe is no exception. You can freeze the filling in zip-top freezer bags and assemble the pot pies when you're ready to bake, freeze the assembled, uncooked pot pies, or freeze the cooked pot pies after completely cooled.

Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

Video: Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

With these rich enchiladas, your family can have Mexican night any night. If you're having company, enchiladas are the perfect excuse to make the night a fiesta. Don't forget the margaritas!

Sausage and Squash Lasagna

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Sausage and Squash Lasagna

You probably have tons of lasagna recipes, but have you ever made one in the slow cooker? Let us tell you—it's so easy and just as delicious. Although you can freeze the entire lasagna dish together, one of the easiest ways to freeze and reheat lasagna is already cut into individual servings. Let the lasagna cool completely after cooking, and chill it in the refrigerator until set (overnight if you have time), so that it's easier to cut without falling apart. Cut into individual serving pieces, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and place wrapped pieces in a zip-top freezer bag.

Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Gnocchi is a great pasta replacement, and this 30-minute recipe is so easy. Simply freeze in a zip-top bag and reheat in the skillet. This recipe would be delicious topped with grilled chicken or the pasta sauce of your choice.

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
This 30-minute, vegetarian pasta bake is a great option if you're sick of pastas with red sauce. It can stand alone or as a side with a protein. Watch our video tutorial for the easiest way to freeze casseroles before freezing this pasta bake.

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

We love to make anything in our cast-iron skillet, especially comfort classics like mac and cheese. This is a great dish to have in the freezer for the kids. Freeze in lidded bakeware for easy transport between oven, freezer, and fridge.

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

We never thought we could make a delicious Bolognese in just 25 minutes, but with a doctored-up jarred sauce (don't tell Mama), anything is possible. Spaghetti is a no-fail option for kids and adults alike. Store in airtight containers or zip-top freezer bags.

Peppered Beef Soup

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup

This beef soup is rich, filling, and just what you need sitting in your freezer for a cold winter night. Freeze in an airtight container up to three months. Add a bit of canned broth when reheating to reach desired consistency.

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

Video: Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

If the kids are having overnight company, this slow-cooker recipe is to the rescue. Budget-friendly with a high yield and guaranteed to be a hit, keep these stacked up for nights you didn't make a dinner plan. To freeze, let meat cool completely. Place in zip-top plastic freezer bags; lay bags flat, and stack in freezer. Freeze up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or defrost in the microwave.

Easy Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Easy Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie

Individual servings are perfect for nights when you don't know how many family members will be attending dinner until the last minute. Freeze chicken mixture and biscuits in separate zip-top freezer bags, assemble, and bake when you're ready.

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