Here's a scenario: Your day absolutely blew. You want to treat yourself to some take-out, but it's rent week and yikes, the bank account is looking slim. There's food in the fridge, but the thought of prepping and then cooking and then cleaning isn't exactly the "relaxing" night of sinking into the couch that you had in mind. But wait! You look in the freezer, and there's a tray of food you can throw in the oven or reheat on the stove (and OK, fine, that'll dirty a dish or two, but we're not judging you for letting 'em sit in the sink overnight).
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The night is saved, and who's there to thank but Past You, who so kindly planned ahead and saved your sad ass from spiraling?Take a day to do some serious cooking, and this can be you! As many of us learn as kids, the freezer is where the fun stuff lives, like ice cream, chicken nuggets, pizza, pizza bagels, and pizza rolls. While, sure, we still keep some cartons and bags of those snacks around just in case, we've also learned that the freezer is the place for a stockpile of big batch, home-cooked treats that will impress Future You with your foresight.From stews to baked pastas to crispy fritters, here's some inspiration for what to fill your freezer with—other than chicken nuggets, of course.Stews and the freezer are a perfect match. This vegetable-filled version will cure what ails you, whether it's an illness, a gnarly hangover, or just a lousy day.
Easy Okra Stew Recipe
Easy Red Chili Recipe
Chili is another freezer classic, and we love this beef version with no beans for filler. Just don't forget to make a warm, fresh batch of rice when you're ready to eat.
Easy Beef Stew Recipe
Once you've browned your beef and mushrooms, this beef stew recipe is pretty hands-off, which makes it even easier to double the batch and ensure you'll have plenty for now and plenty for later.
Goulash and Potato Dumplings Recipe
If you thought classic beef stew was peak comfort food, then get ready to have your mind blown: Goulash is like the best beef stew, but with mashed potato dumplings to make it even better.
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Baked Bolognese Recipe
Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Recipe
Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup Recipe
Kare Kare Recipe (Filipino Oxtail and Peanut Butter Stew)
Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Pork Cottage Pie Recipe
Chile Con Carne Colorado-Style Burritos Recipe
Oh, to be a beef-filled burrito snugly covered in a blanket of warm cheese. If you can't join 'em, you might as well make them—the result is almost as comforting.
Potato Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale Recipe
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Spaghetti Pie Recipe
The move with this baked pasta recipe is to slice the spaghetti pie before putting it in the freezer. That way, you can reheat just one slice at a time.
Easy Zucchini Pesto Recipe
It's way too easy to end up with too much basil and zucchini, especially in the summer. Turn them into an easy pesto when they're at their peak and freeze it, and you'll enjoy summer's bounty for much longer.
Garlic Scape and Radish Focaccia Recipe
Focaccia's one of the easiest breads you can make at home, and if you can't finish the whole tray when it's warm and fresh, save it sliced in the freezer for all your future sandwiches.
Jamaican Beef Patty Recipe
Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Stromboli Recipe
Why bake a blah pre-made pizza when you can bake off a homemade stromboli stuffed with all your favorite things? We love spicy sausage and broccoli rabe, but you do you.
Chickpea Fritters Recipe
You might think that fried things taste best if served immediately, but if you fry and then freeze these chickpea fritters, they'll crisp up again when reheated in a pan full of oil or in a hot oven.