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)
Yum! I hope these ideas help simplify your fall. XO, Kelly