Want to simplify the busy back-to-school season? Here are 101 healthy meals that you can make ahead of time and then store in your freezer, refrigerator, or pantry. Almost none of them require any cooking ahead of time, so they’re very quick and easy to make. Yay!
What do I consider healthy?
- Lots of fruits and veggies
- As many homemade foods as possible
- Delicious food that keeps us away from the drive-thru
I’ve made almost all of these recipes myself, so I’m adding my notes below. Enjoy, Friends!
101 Healthy Make-Ahead Meals for Back-to-School
Breakfasts
- Freezer Smoothie Packs from Live Simply
- Overnight Oats in the Crockpot
- Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Burritos (I’ve made hundreds of these over the past 3 years)
- Freezer-Friendly Waffles
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits (make ahead of time and store in the refrigerator)
- Vegetable and Egg Muffins from Averie Cooks
- Freezer-Friendly English Muffin Breakfast Sandwiches from Damn Delicious
- Fruit Kabobs (store in the fridge)
- Freezer-Friendly Ham and Veggie Quiche
- Make-Ahead Egg and Potato Bowls from Thirty Handmade Days
- Freezer-Friendly Bacon Maple Muffins
- Freezer-Friendly Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (our fave!)
- Freezer Pancakes from The Lazy Mom’s Cooking Blog
- Sausage and Cheese Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
- Freezer-Friendly Banana Oatmeal Blender Muffins
- Freezer-Friendly Vegetarian Crockpot Coconut Curried Lentils (my kids aren’t a fan, but I love this recipe)
- Breakfast Biscuits
- Baked Strawberry Donuts
- Healthy Breakfast Cookies from Raising Generation Nourished
- Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
- Freezer Ham and Cheese Eggo® Sandwiches (yum, yum, yum)
- Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets (genius)
- Jars of Homemade Pancake Mix
- Refrigerator Overnight Oats
- Make-Ahead Freezer Baked Oatmeal (awesome recipe)
- Taco Sweet Potato Egg Bake
- Ham and Broccoli Egg Bites
Lunches
- Mini Ham and Cheese Sandwiches (store in the fridge 3 days or freezer 1 month)
- Salad in a Jar
- Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls (YUM)
- Non-Sandwich Lunch Box Ideas for Kids
- Freezer-to-Microwave Burger burritos
- Freezer-Friendly Bean and Cheese Burritos
- Freezer-Friendly Black Bean Salsa Quesadillas
- Hard-Boiled Eggs (store in the fridge and pair with veggies and fruit)
- Crockpot Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Pizza Kabobs
- Kid-Friendly Wraps from Super Healthy Kids
- Homemade Hot Pockets (I make these all the time)
- Homemade Healthy Lunchables
- Homemade Burrito Bowls (made with leftover chicken, rice, veggies, etc)
- Frozen PB&J Sandwiches (I eat these for breakfast too)
- Cold Lentil Salad with Cucumbers and Olives
- Pita Pizzas (freeze and then heat in the microwave)
- Mexican Turkey Tortilla Roll-Ups from Once a Month Meals (freezer-friendly!)
Dinners
(I’m including a ton of crockpot recipes because they’re super easy and can be prepped ahead of time and frozen in gallon-sized plastic freezer bags)
- Crockpot Chicken Curry
- Honey Dijon Chicken (from my CROCK’D Slow Cooker Freezer Meals eBook)
- Crockpot Cranberry Pork Roast
- Crockpot Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Crockpot Turkey and Black Bean Chili
- Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole (from The Country Cook)
- Crockpot Shredded BBQ Chicken
- Crockpot Meatball Veggie Soup (OUR FAVE!!)
- Crockpot White Chicken Chili (from Money Saving Mom)
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas (also great cooked in a pan on the stovetop)
- Crockpot Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks
- Crockpot Beef and Barley Stew (from Live Simply)
- Crockpot Beef Roast and Carrots
- Crockpot Mushroom Spinach Stroganoff (super yummy veggie recipe)
- Crockpot Greens & Beans
- Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki
- Crockpot Cranberry Chicken
- Crockpot Thai Peanut Chicken (from Mommy’s Fabulous Finds)
- Crockpot Turkey, White Bean, and Kale Soup
- Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
- Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken (only 5 ingredients!)
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Cornbread Casserole
- Crockpot Sweet and Sour BBQ Meatballs
- Crockpot Red Pepper Chicken
- Crockpot Ginger-Peach Chicken
- Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken (from Damn Delicious) – AKA the best chicken crockpot recipe ever
- Crockpot Ham and Potato Soup
- Crockpot Italian Wedding Soup
- Crockpot Southwestern Pork Chili
- Crockpot Cabbage Casserole (one of our favorites)
- Crockpot Hawaiian Pork Chops
- Freezer Skillet Steak Fajitas
- Freezer Skillet Veggie Lo Mein (LOVE this recipe)
- Freezer-to-Skillet Gnocchi and Swiss Chard
- Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Pesto Meatballs (freeze for the oven)
- Freezer Oven Sausage Stuffed Peppers (super yummy and easy)
- No-Bake Lasagna with Baby Spinach
Snacks
- No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
- Small Bags of Homemade Trail Mix (perfect for the bus or car)
- Fresh Fruit (wash and add to small containers or snack bags)
- Mini Babybel Cheese
- Mozzarella String Cheese Sticks
- Cubed Cheddar Cheese (in containers or snack bags)
- Leftover Soup in a Thermos (try this easy & healthy crockpot recipe)
- Little Containers of Hummus and Dippers
- Easy Strawberry Fruit Leather from Wellness Mama
- Homemade Fruit Snacks
- Butterfly Snacks (use cheese cubes instead of goldfish crackers)
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Bites (these are super delicious)
- Homemade Granola
- Almonds and/or Cashews (pre-portion in containers or bags)
- Pre-portioned Bags/Containers of Baby Carrots and Ranch Dressing
- Coconut Mango Freeze Pops (dairy-free)
- Easy Refrigerator Pickles from Live Simply (look for the little cukes at ALDI)
- Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce
- Cinnamon Apple Chips (homemade or store-bought)
Amazing !!! Thanks a lot Kelly ?
I’ve planned my meal prep session next week, this will give me more inspiration !
This is great! Thank you so much for the wonderful tips and freezer ideas:)
Taryn, you’re so very very welcome. Enjoy!
This is so perfect! Thanks for all your work!
Kelsey, you’re welcome!! Enjoy.
[…] Link: 101 Healthy Make-Ahead Meals for Back-to-School […]
thanks it’s very good work and you should do efforts like this.