Freezer meals for two are perfect for newlyweds, empty-nesters, and everyone in between. It is a great way to save money and time with perfectly-portioned meals. These recipes also are great for quick breakfasts, lunches, and dinners when everyone needs to eat at different times!
Taking time to cook every single day requires a ton of time especially when you are only cooking for two people but when you have a freezer stashed with perfectly-portioned food, mealtimes are a breeze!
It makes all the difference and it saves you money in the long run. No more wasting food when you make a big pan of lasagna or enchiladas. Freeze it and eat it over the next couple of months.
HOW DO I MAKE FREEZER MEALS FOR TWO PEOPLE?
Many of the freezer meals featured on my site can be made for two! So that takes most of the guesswork out of it for you! When you’ve found a freezer meal you love and want to try for your next date night or meal for two, look at the servings sizes outlined in the recipe and then divide the recipe into smaller portions, label it, and date it. Simple, right?
Not sure where to start? Almost all of my recipes from my 15 Actually Easy Freezer Meals (Seriously!) can be divided into smaller amounts, making them perfect for freezer meals for two!
TIPS FOR PACKAGING FREEZER MEALS
- For casseroles or enchiladas, rather than making the casserole in a large 9×13, get two 8×8 foil pans and split up the meal between the two. Make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly. What’s great about foil pans is they’re cheap and they can be used time and again, if they’re cleaned and cared for properly.
- Soups, chilies, and stews are easy when making freezer meals for two because you can split the soup into freezer bags however you want. Split it up into individual portions, split it in fourths, or split it in half—whatever makes the most sense depending on the size of the recipe. You can also use mason jars, plastic containers, glass containers – as long as they are freezer-friendly. It will say on the package!
- Crockpot meals are a little more difficult because for a slow cooker to cook the food properly, it needs to be at least half full, though some require that they are three-quarters full (check the cooker’s user manual to be sure). If it’s not full enough, your food will get dried out and burned. So for freezer crockpot meals for two, make sure you’re using the right size of slow cooker, such as a 3.5 or 4-quart slow cooker rather than a 6-quart slow cooker. You could also cook your meal and after it cools, split up the meal into smaller portions and freeze it.
- If you are making items like chicken strips or hamburgers, freeze them first in single layers on a cookie sheet for a couple hours and then add then into a resealable freezer bag so they are easy to grab as many as you need at a time.
- Breakfast sandwiches and burritos work well when you wrap them individually in foil.
HOW LONG DO FREEZER MEALS LAST?
When it comes to how long your recipe may last in the freezer, each make-ahead freezer meal will have the recommended freezer time in the original recipe. Good news! Most of the freezer meals on my site should last about 3-6 months, but for the absolute best taste, I suggest eating them within 3 months.
FREEZER MEALS FOR TWO
Breakfast Freezer Meals
1. Breakfast Burritos
2. Bakery Style Muffins
3. Sausage McMuffin Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches
4. Smoothie Packs
5. French Toast Sticks
6. Breakfast Bowls
Main Freezer Meals
7. Homemade Hot Pockets
8. Chicken Noodle Soup
9. Mini Naan Pizzas
10. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
11. Pulled Pork Sliders
12. Easy Chicken Burrito Recipe
13. Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken
14. Mini Chicken Pot Pies
15. Homemade Lasagna
16. Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps
17. Creamy White Enchiladas
18. Beef and Broccoli Teriyaki
19. Sloppy Joes
20. Homemade Pizza Pockets
21. Orange Chicken
22. Oven-Baked Chicken Strips
23. Chicken Cordon Bleu
24. Meatball Subs
25. Pesto Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
26. Quinoa Burrito Bowls
27. Instant Pot Shredded Beef Fajitas
28. Homemade Chicken Taquitos
29. Ravioli Lasagna
30. Cilantro Lime Chicken
31. Slow Cooker Boneless Pork Ribs
32. Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Soup
33. Garlic Lime Chicken Kabobs
34. Homemade Chicken Wings
35. Balsamic Rosemary Chicken
36. Baked Chicken Pesto Alfredo
37. Chicken Burrito Bowls
38. Spicy Honey Chicken Drumsticks
39. French Dip Sandwiches
40. Tuna Casserole
41. Cheesy Pizza Tortellini Bake
42. Creamy White Chicken Chili
43. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
44. Stuffed Shells
45. Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos
46. Chicken French Dip Sandwiches
47. Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
48. Garlic Chicken Pasta
Dessert Freezer Meals
49. Apple Crisp
50. Chocolate Chip Cookies
51. Mini Cheesecakes
52. Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
53. Brownie Bites
54. Ginger Molasses Cookies
What are your favorite freezer meals? Do you have any recommendations for those making freezer meals for two? I’d love to hear about it in the comments on Instagram.
LEARN MORE FREEZER MEALS TIPS
- The 5 BEST Reusable Freezer Bags of 2022
- 13 Simple Tips to Prevent Freezer Burn
- How to Prevent Freezer Burn
- Freezer Meal Tips for Beginners
- 10 Awesome Ideas for Organizing Your Freezer Meals
- The Best Food Freezer Containers for Freezer Meals
- My Favorite & Must Have Freezer Meal Supplies
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Carol Z. says
I just found your website tonight while looking for freezer meal “kit” recipes…and the ones you share sound so easy and yummy. I can’t wait to try them. My hubby can cook some basic meals but is “recipe illiterate.” I am excited to try what look like easy to prep recipes and start a new routine.
And I love the idea of giving the gift of quick meals with real, healthy food. A co-worker just announced that she is expecting. She loves to cook but being their first one, I know the routine can be a challenge. I will be testing these recipes, not only to help out with my crazy routine, but also plan to give a special gift of more time with their new one and each other.
Vera Moore says
I never knew about adding a bit of water over fresh produce before freezing though…thanks, great tips here! I don’t like to buy frozen meats, un-thaw and then refreeze, but I will use meat that has come home and gone into the freezer for making meals later and re-freezing the finished product. I too notice no difference in using frozen veggies to making freezer meals. There are only two of us, but I use my 7 qt crock a lot to make huge meals and divide for the freezer in freezer bags. I haven’t tried meals in bread size foil tins or muffin tins yet and can’t wait to get started with some of these ideas!
Dee A.(Andy) Jacobs says
You said above “My rule of thumb for freezer meal cooking is something should only be frozen once, so don’t use already frozen ingredients to begin with.”
I have been using frozen vegetables in my crockpots and freezing individual portions. Is the twice froze a medical necessity or just an opinion.
Thanks for clearing this up.
Karrie says
This is just my opinion, it not a necessity. I prefer to only freeze something once, but I have frozen and refrozen things before. The difference is probably just more in my mind LOL. I haven’t really noticed a huge taste difference.
A Fan says
Thank you so much for this. My mother and I were hoping to find easy recipes for freezer bag meals since she got two jobs recently. She’s been very tired most of the time and usually doesn’t make food unless it’s the weekend.
Michelle says
My word since I started cooking 40+ years ago, because I am lazy and have other stuff to do, is to cook once then eat 3-4 meals no matter size of family. You have the mess anyways and the stove/oven heated so make enough to make extra and freeze. Save money, time, and cleanup and know what is in your food.
Frozen veggies I use, better tasting and not so mushie as canned and not so much waste as I shop only once every three weeks. I use fresh but do not limit myself to just fresh as the old budget sometimes does not match the produce season. So I have a variety of frozen veggies/fruit to throw into whatever chemistry mix I desire for meals, I have never had a problem. However, I do put the unused frozen produce into a plastic container with lid, place a bit of water on top or 100% fruit juice/broth, and then wax or foil over that, then lid to prevent freezer burn.
Do the same with meat leftovers; for example, I cook up a big batch of chicken/pork/beef then chop cooked meat for containers for whatever mixture I want; same with sauces. I have ready quick frozen ingredients for any day of the week or I just not feeling good.
One consideration: season simple and add different seasons later upon heating up that way you are not obligated to one taste style when making dishes.
Happy eating.
Tisha Newbold says
Thank you so much for this post. I have been wanting to do freezer meals for a while but with it only being my husband and I, I didn’t want to make such big batches. Today I used a bunch of you recipies plus a couple others I found and now I have 15 meals in the freezer and a roast for french dip for tonight in the crock pot now, with the leftovers i am going to try the beef and barley stew that you have on your site. Thanks again.
Happy.MoneySaver says
So glad you like them!
CTY says
I started freezing for 2 in bread loaf pans ever since I read Liz’s comment. I don’t use the foil pans though, I use stainless steel loaf pans that I got at the dollar store. At a $1 each–they do cost more–but they won’t ever wear out. If foods get stuck on, I just soak them for a bit and they clean right up. When they are empty they stack very nicely.
I have a question about slow cooking for two. You warn that the crock must be 50-75% full to avoid burning the food. I was wondering if you could get around this by adding small whole potatoes on top. The potatoes could be for lunch or dinner the next day. Or maybe place whole boneless chicken breasts on top and then dice or shred & freeze them for another day.
sheryl says
finally. a blog with USEFUL info for low income seniors.most I’ve seen assume you have a high paying job.even tho I’ve been cooking like this for 50 years,some of your recipes are new to me.thanks!
Bonnie K (BornInaZoo) says
I cook for 1. So when I do freezer meals they get portioned into 2-person sized meals. I undercook anything planned for the crockpot. The dollar store always has containers that perfectly fit into my 1.5-quart crockpot. They take up a lot more freezer space than baggies … but so much more convenient. A quick thaw to get it out of the container in the morning & then toss it in the crockpot. Depending on the soup/casserole it is ready by lunch or dinner.
lj says
Thank you for the info on meals for 2. There is just me but that means I get twice the meals.
Lainee says
I just joined your blog – what a great site! When I make soups to freeze, I will place the soup in freezer bags, flatten them ou
t as much as possible and remove the air. I freeze these on a cookie sheet. When solid, they will stack standing sideways in my freezer! Saves space!
Karrie says
I do that too Lainee – great minds I tell ya, great minds. 🙂
Mike Jones says
Great ideas,
I have just started ten hour days after working many years at 8 hours it cuts my time caring for my disabled wife.
This will be a real life saver.
Karrie says
Thanks Mike, I appreciate your comment.
Liz. beasley says
When I am making fm for 2 I tend to use tin foil bread loafs pans, or plan on trying the large muffin tins, next time around! We love doing lasagne, Tator tot casserole, shepherds pie, chicken enchiladas (red, white, chicken and beef =4 varieties) potato casserole, teriyaki chicken, shish kabobs, taco meat, BBQ pork and chicken, chicken and rice casseroles!
Karrie says
That’s a great idea Liz, to use the bread loaf sizes.
Lori says
That is a great idea.
Betty819 says
Liz, your comment gave me some fresh ideas..I use those mini meat loaf pans for the two of us, but I would have never thought of using the large muffin pans..you can buy disposable ones in grocery stores or Dollar Stores.. We recently ate at Chix Fillet(?)and had just chicken salad sandwiches. It came in a nice container with lid so I bought it home, washed it up. Figured it would be good to use for Freezer meals..would line the container with foil, and put casserole or meat in the foil till it was frozen, then put in freezer ziploc bags, then I’d have the carry out container to do more meals. My dear MIl used to keep a Tupperware container in her freezer, and if she had any left over veggies, she would throw them in there, if there wasn’t enough to save for another meal. When the container in freezer was full or 3/4 full, she’d make home made vegetable soup and she made the best! I just started one of those soup containers a few nights ago, when I had left over green beans, about 1/4 c. leftover, so I’ll keep adding to it.
When you’re making a crockpot of chili, save out some to add to hot dogs, freezing in maybe 1/2 c. portions. Nothing like a good beef hot dog, with homemade chili and onions and mustard.
what kind of shish kabobs do you make? Do you prepare them on grill outdoors on in oven? Would love to have a recipe for those. We live in a Sr. Citizens community and not allowed to have grills, so mine would have to be cooked in oven. What kind of potato casserole do you make?
Kay says
George Forman style grill can be used inside and make wonderful grilled foods. They come in sizes. The size I bought is just big enough for 2 chicken breasts.