Find the best Easy Gluten-Free Freezer Meals and make ahead sauces that are guaranteed to take the stress out of meal prep with healthy recipes the whole family will love!
What Are Freezer Meals?
Freezer meals are just what they sound like! They’re meals that are made ahead of time (or leftover) and stored in the freezer. Think of the tv dinners you’ll find at your local grocery store. But, they don’t have to be full of processed foods and mystery ingredients!
We love to make our own better-for-you versions right at home. They have all of the convenience you love but none of the unnatural added ingredients you don’t. Seriously, they’re a lifesaver when it comes to meal prep!
Healthy Freezer Meals
Just because food is frozen doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. In fact, in some cases, it might even be better for you than the fresh version!
This is because fruits and veggies are frozen at the peak of their ripeness, meaning they retain their vitamins and nutrients. Meanwhile, depending on the season, fresh produce is picked, processed, and transported all before it is stocked on your grocery store shelf. As a result, it can lose quite a bit of its nutritional value by the time they get to you!
For the best healthy freezer meals, we use a variety of fresh and frozen fruit and veggies paired with high-quality proteins and carb sources to keep you nourished.
We’re all about reducing our waste, and some of the best ways to do that are by blanching your vegetables and freezing your produce and prepared meals before they go bad! Not only is this a great way to extend the shelf-life of your favorite foods, but it can also help preserve the nutrients too.
Not All Foods Freeze Well!
Unfortunately, not all foods can be frozen and thawed to their former glory. Therefore, it’s just as important to know what you can’t freeze as it is to know what you can. Luckily, the list is short! In general, foods that contain a high water content and are delicate once cooked should not be stored in the freezer.
This includes items like:
- Cabbage
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes
- Egg Whites
- Milk Sauces (like gravy)
- Mayo
- Jelly
For a more complete list, keep reading here!
Our Favorite Freezable Foods
Check out a few of our favorite foods to keep on hand for healthy freezer meals, and find our best tips to help your produce last longer.
For more freezer friendly foods and tips keep reading here!
Best Containers for Freezer Meals
The most important factor when it comes to picking the perfect containers for healthy freezer meals is moisture. If it gets into your food, it can result in freezer burn which causes meals to become tough and rubbery, and nobody wants that!
For the best results, we opt for the following options.
Reusable Silicon Bags
We love silicon these bags, because they allow us to squeeze out more moisture than we can with rigid containers. Plus, they take up less space so you can fit even more meals into your freezer!
Leak Proof Glass Containers
Glass containers like these are perfect for cooking in bulk. Pack in all your favorite proteins, casseroles, sauces, and more! They seal perfectly, stack well, and are a breeze to wash. Even better, they won’t leach out toxins like some plastic options do!
Our Top Gluten-Free Freezer Recipes
To keep our meal prep as simple as possible, we like to start with basic flavors and sauces. Then, all you have to do is add a few ingredients, and dinner is served! For this reason, we always have a sauce or two on hand. Take a look at a few of our favorites below, and keep reading to find out how to use them!
Freezer-Friendly Sauces
Keep these gluten-free sauces on hand to spice up all your favorite meals!
Nomato Sauce (Tomato Sauce Alternative)
This recipe tastes just like marinara but is dairy free, nightshade free, and anti-inflammatory, too!
Homemade Cilantro Pesto
Given a boost of flavor with fresh cilantro, this sauce is a fun take on traditional recipes! Dip, dunk, and drizzle it over pasta, eggs, and more!
Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
This homemade alfredo sauce is made without dairy or nightshades and is full of hidden veggies.
Tip – If freezing before using, skip adding the salt until you reheat, and adjust the seasonings once reheated.
Homemade Sriracha
Simple, fresh, and nourishing, this will become your new favorite hot sauce! Drizzle it over eggs, stir-frys, soups, and everything in between.
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Made with simple ingredients and ready in 5 minutes, this red pepper sauce is perfect when paired with pasta, meat, seafood, and veggies.
Tip – It’s best to freeze this sauce separate from the pasta and add it all together when you’re ready to serve!Â
Note: The key to creating homemade sauces that pack a heavy punch of flavor is to use fresh herbs! But don’t worry. You don’t have to run to the store right before you want to cook. Instead, extend the shelf life of your herbs with these easy preservation methods.
Vegetarian Freezer Meals
Plant-based eating doesn’t have to be bland or boring! Let us show you how we use a variety of sauces to make the best gluten-free freezer meals without meat.
Spaghetti Squash Pasta
Whip up this recipe in the oven or Instant Pot for a tasty low carb pasta alternative. It pairs well with any sauce, but we toss it together with our Nomato Sauce for a meal so good you won’t believe it’s not real spaghetti!
Vegan Mushroom Meatballs
In Pepper Sauce – Gluten-free and meatless, these meatballs are ready in just under an hour and provide just a bit of heat for a meal you’ll love. Don’t Forget! You’ll want to keep the sauce separate from the meatballs when freezing.Â
No-Yeast Pizza Crust
Whip up this pizza dough, and make it your own with whatever sauce you like best. Nomato sauce, alfredo, pesto …they all work!
Meat & Seafood Freezer Meals
Tired of dry and boring meat? Spice it up with these saucy recipes!
Note: For the best results, let your meals and sauces thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo
We took this classic comfort food and made it gluten-free, vegetarian, high protein, and dairy free to fit all your needs. Tossed with our creamy alfredo, it’s loaded with veggies, too!Â
Honey Sriracha Meatballs
Everyone’s favorite appetizer, these meatballs are made with whole food ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes.Â
African Peanut Stew
A unique recipe, this stew is packed full of warm flavors, is dairy free, and even has a vegetarian option, too!Â
CrockPot Shrimp Tacos
Cooked long and slow, these shrimp are extra tender and bursting with Mexican-inspired flavor.Â
Freezer Meals for Breakfast
We’re all about sauces, but there’s so much more you can freeze! Some of our favorite freezer meals include:
Sheet Pan Chocolate Protein Pancakes
This recipe is not only packed with protein but is also gluten-free, made without flour, and keto friendly!
Tip – Freeze the batter, or reheat cooked pancakes in the oven at 300° Fahrenheit until warm.Â
Orange Coconut Muffins
Dairy-free and made with a boost of protein, one bite of these muffins will transport your tastebuds to a tropical island. Tip – Store these muffins in the freezer for up to 4 months.Â
No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bites
We have these balls on hand at all times for quick snacks perfect for on the go.
Tip – These balls can be frozen for up to 6 weeks. We just recommend letting them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften!Â
Example Freezer Friendly Meal Plan
Now that you have all our favorite freezer meals, we thought we’d give you an example meal plan It’s a full day of eating you can prep in advance!
Breakfast: Sheet Pan Protein Pancakes
Lunch: Crock Pot Fire Roasted Shrimp Tacos with Gluten-Free Tortillas
Snack: Gluten-Free No Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
Dinner: Spaghetti Squash Pasta with Vegan Meatballs
These are really awesome tips and ideas! Thank you so much!
What an awesome collection! I can’t wait to make my way through this list!
YUMMY!!!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe! I’ve heard about your blog a couple of times and will now spend my afternoon reading 🙂
Ah, these freezer meals are such a great idea! I love freezing fruits like overripe bananas and blueberries as well as chopped kale, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, and so much more. The almond butter jelly bars though–definitely have to whip those up someday!
Thanks, Cassie! Yes, having those items ready at the go in your freezer is so helpful! Ahh, those almond jelly bars are a favorite around here! Hope you get a chance to make them!
I made these last night and they were amazing! Definitely adding them to the rotation!!
I’d be happy to try everything on this list!! They all look so good!
I think you’re gonna like it, friend!
What a great time saver plan, and the ideas are fantastic! I never realized that eggs can be frozen until I read your post. Interesting!
So glad, thank you! Yes, such a huge time saver, especially if your family goes through egg dishes like ours does 😉
This is so great for summer! Can’t wait to give some of these a go.
I think you’re going to love it, Lex!
The link for the printable PDF version of all the recipes included in this meal plan did not work for me. Love your recipes.
Just emailed you the PDF and updated link. Let me know if you got it! 🙂
Yes to freezer meals!! and I love all of these tips on eggs!!
Thanks Alice! Let me know if you try any!
What a delicious list of freezer meals Lindsay! Can’t wait to get a few of these on our menu!
Thanks Mary Ann! Let me know if you do!
I always assumed frozen eggs wouldn’t quite work, but it looks like I’m wrong. I can’t wait to try these, all so helpful and they look delicious!
It’s a total game changer for sure! Let me know what you think!