Freezer-Friendly Lunches That Save Your Mornings

Mornings can be a chaotic time, especially when it comes to preparing lunch for yourself or your family. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of getting everyone out the door on time, and lunch can often be an afterthought. However, with a little planning and preparation, you can create delicious and convenient lunches that can be frozen and reheated as needed. In this article, we’ll explore 8 freezer-friendly lunch recipes that are perfect for busy mornings.

These recipes are designed to be easy to make, freeze, and reheat, and they offer a variety of flavors and textures to suit different tastes. From classic comfort foods like pizza pockets and chicken taquitos, to healthier options like spinach and cheese calzones, there’s something on this list for everyone. By preparing these lunches in advance, you can save time and stress in the mornings, and ensure that you and your family are fuelled with nutritious and delicious food to take on the day.

Homemade Pizza Pockets

These homemade pizza pockets are a fun and easy lunch option that can be customized with your favorite toppings. They’re made with a simple dough filled with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of toppings, then baked until golden brown. The best part is that they can be frozen and reheated in just a few minutes, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 3 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings of your choice (e.g. pepperoni, bell peppers, onions)

Instructions

To make the pizza pockets, start by making the dough. Combine the warm water, yeast, and olive oil in a large bowl, then add the salt and flour. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth. Let the dough rise for 1 hour, then divide it into 6-8 pieces. Roll out each piece into a thin circle, then fill with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of toppings. Fold the dough in half to form a pocket, then bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, then freeze for up to 3 months.

Chicken & Broccoli Hand Pies

These chicken and broccoli hand pies are a delicious and healthy lunch option that can be made in advance and frozen for up to 2 months. They’re made with a flaky pastry crust filled with shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and a hint of cheese, then baked until golden brown. The best part is that they’re easy to eat on the go, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 2 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

1 package puff pastry, thawed
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1 cup steamed broccoli florets
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

To make the hand pies, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out circles of pastry using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass. Spoon a small amount of shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and cheese onto one half of each circle, then fold the other half over to form a triangle or square shape. Brush the edges with the beaten egg for a golden glaze, then bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Freezer Burritos

These freezer burritos are a convenient and customizable lunch option that can be made in advance and frozen for up to 3 months. They’re made with large flour tortillas filled with beans, cheese, and your choice of fillings, then wrapped and frozen. The best part is that they can be reheated in just a few minutes, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 3 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

10-12 large flour tortillas
1 cup cooked beans (e.g. black beans, pinto beans)
1 cup shredded cheese (e.g. cheddar, Monterey Jack)
1/2 cup diced cooked chicken or beef
1/2 cup diced bell peppers and onions
Salsa, sour cream, and avocado (optional)

Instructions

To make the burritos, start by cooking the beans and your choice of protein (e.g. chicken, beef) according to your preference. Then, warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the bean and cheese mixture onto the center of each tortilla, followed by any desired fillings (e.g. diced chicken, bell peppers). Fold the bottom edge up over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll the burrito up tightly. Wrap each burrito in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Baked Chicken Taquitos

These baked chicken taquitos are a delicious and healthier alternative to fried taquitos. They’re made with shredded chicken, cheese, and spices, wrapped in tortillas and baked until crispy. The best part is that they can be frozen and reheated in just a few minutes, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 2 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup shredded cheese (e.g. cheddar, Monterey Jack)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon paprika
10-12 corn tortillas

Instructions

To make the taquitos, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cheese, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Mix well to combine. Then, warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture onto the center of each tortilla, then roll up tightly. Place the taquitos seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Let cool, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Mini Lasagna Cups

These mini lasagna cups are a fun and easy lunch option that can be made in advance and frozen for up to 2 months. They’re made with layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese, baked in small cups until golden brown. The best part is that they’re easy to eat on the go, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 2 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

12-15 mini muffin tin cups
1 cup cooked lasagna noodles
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

To make the lasagna cups, start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, then cut into small pieces. Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce into the bottom of each muffin tin cup, followed by a piece of lasagna noodle, a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of cheese on top. Brush the edges with the beaten egg for a golden glaze, then bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

These stuffed pizza rolls are a fun and easy lunch option that can be made in advance and frozen for up to 2 months. They’re made with pizza dough filled with cheese, sauce, and your choice of toppings, then baked until golden brown. The best part is that they’re easy to eat on the go, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 2 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

1 package pizza dough, thawed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pizza sauce
Toppings of your choice (e.g. pepperoni, bell peppers, onions)

Instructions

To make the pizza rolls, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut into long strips, about 1 inch wide. Spoon a small amount of pizza sauce and shredded cheese onto the center of each strip, followed by any desired toppings. Fold the dough in half lengthwise to form a roll, then press the edges together to seal. Place the rolls seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Spinach & Cheese Calzones

These spinach and cheese calzones are a delicious and healthy lunch option that can be made in advance and frozen for up to 2 months. They’re made with pizza dough filled with spinach, cheese, and spices, then baked until golden brown. The best part is that they’re easy to eat on the go, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 2 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

1 package pizza dough, thawed
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

To make the calzones, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut into circles, about 4-5 inches in diameter. Spoon a small amount of spinach, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese onto the center of each circle, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the dough in half to form a half-moon shape, then press the edges together to seal. Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, then freeze for up to 2 months.

Cheeseburger Sliders

These cheeseburger sliders are a fun and easy lunch option that can be made in advance and frozen for up to 2 months. They’re made with small beef patties, cheese, and buns, then baked until golden brown. The best part is that they’re easy to eat on the go, making them a perfect option for busy mornings. You can make a batch on the weekend and freeze them for up to 2 months, then simply microwave or bake them as needed.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated American cheese
12-15 small hamburger buns
Letuce, tomato, pickles, and any other desired toppings

Instructions

To make the sliders, start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Form the ground beef into small patties, about 1-2 inches in diameter. Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each patty with a slice of cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through. Meanwhile, toast the buns on the oven by placing them on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Assemble the sliders by placing a cooked patty on each bun, followed by any desired toppings. Let cool, then freeze for up to 2 months.