20 Easy Cheap Freezer Meals That Are $5 or Less

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The world has become so fast-paced, with many of us falling to the temptation and convenience of fast food and processed junk to relieve our hunger on a budget.

But what about our health?

This is where meal prep and cheap freezer meals come to the rescue – I love looking for cheap meals to freeze to save money on a monthly basis!

Making cheap yet healthy meals ($5 or less) like these is a great way to eat healthy while staying on a budget, especially for stay-at-home moms, but let’s not forget that cooking every day requires a lot of time and effort.

Instead, you can simply set aside one day of the week or month to do all the cooking at once. Cook everything in batches to freeze, portion them in containers, and heat them up when you’re ready to eat – it’s the perfect solution for those of you looking for cheap and healthy freezer meals to prep for the month!

If you don’t know what freezer meals to make, we share these 20 cheap make-ahead freezer recipes you can follow on a budget. And for a list of fresh and healthy ingredients, don’t forget to check out this healthy groceries list on a budget.

 

More cheap and yummy freezer recipe ideas for you:

• 20 Easy and Healthy Weeknight Dinners
• 15 Clean Eating Freezer Meals for New Moms
• 20 Easy and Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work
• 15 Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Busy Mornings

 

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Before diving into our selection of top budget-friendly freezer meals in this post, you might want to explore the frequently asked questions about maximizing the benefits of affordable and easy freezer dishes.

 

What meals are good to cook and freeze?

When my wallet’s running on fumes and my belly’s crying out for sustenance, my freezer is stocked with trusty lifesavers.

Freezing meals? Trust me, it’s a game-changer for both time and budget. And if you’re after my two cents on budget-friendly options, here’s what I’d recommend if you’re looking for cheap meals to cook and freeze:

First up, Chili – whether it’s meaty or lentil-loaded, this comfort dish never lets me down. Spaghetti Sauce? A classic! I make vats of it and freeze it for those “can’t be bothered to cook” nights.

And, oh, the magic of soups and stews! From lentil soups to hearty chicken stews, they’re like a warm hug on a cold day.

Casseroles are my lazy Sunday go-to, especially a cheesy lasagna. And don’t even get me started on meatballs – the ultimate versatile treat.

Bean Burritos are my quick lunch fix, and for a spice kick, I swear by curries.

My final tip is that good sealing is essential for your frozen meals. Always keep things airtight!

 

Do freezer meals save money?

Yes, freezer meals have been my secret weapon in the battle against overspending on food.

Think about it: by prepping in bulk, you can buy ingredients when they’re on sale and save a bundle. We’ve all had those days where the mere thought of cooking leads to expensive takeout.

With a freezer meal waiting at home, those costly food deliveries become a thing of the past.

And don’t get me started on waste! It’s like throwing money in the trash! With freezer meals, I’ve noticed a sharp decline in wasted, forgotten groceries. Oh, and did I forget to mention about the beauty of using seasonal produce? It’s both cheaper and fresher. Drawing from my own experience, I can confidently assert that freezer meals are not merely a convenience—they’re a frugal dreamer’s ticket to saving on food expenses!

 

How do you freeze meals in bulk?

Freezing meals in bulk has been one of my go-to strategies to keep up with a busy lifestyle while maintaining a budget.

When I decide on a bulk freeze session, I usually plan a hearty menu and then hit the stores, grabbing ingredients in bulk—always keeping an eye out for those special deals.

After cooking up a storm in the kitchen, I patiently wait for the food to cool. Then, it’s all about portioning. Whether it’s just for me or the whole family, I pack meals into durable freezer bags or containers.

A neat label with the meal’s name and freezing date helps keep things organized. Laying them flat in the freezer optimizes space.

And always, I make sure to use the older meals first, ensuring nothing gets left behind too long. It’s a routine that’s served me well over the years!

Now, here are some easy cheap freezer meals on a budget for you to try at home!

 

1. Instant-Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe

A filling lunch or dinner with a mere 5-minute prep time?

Make sure you get your protein and veggies for the day with the best Instant Pot recipes like this one!

You get an appetizing chicken salsa dish ready to be cooked to perfection in your Instant Pot.

 

2. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Meatless Mondays are made more enjoyable with this wholesome broccoli quinoa casserole! You’ll be surprised that, while it sounds expensive, the ingredients are fairly simple and affordable.

Even broccoli-hating kids (and adults) will appreciate this veggie-filled dinner. You can thank the cheese for that!

 

3. Budget-Friendly Freezer Smoothie Packs

No need to wake up extra early to chop your fruits and vegetables for the healthiest breakfast smoothies.

With these budget-friendly freezer packs, you just need to throw them in the blender with your chosen liquid and you’re good to go!

 

4. Cheap Freezer Whole Wheat Pancakes

Nothing like pancakes to start the day, and these whole-wheat pancakes will hit the spot. This is one of the perfect breakfast freezer meals with a fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavor!

 

5. Crock-Pot Lean Beef and Mushroom

Who said you must spend so much time in the kitchen to make a scrumptious dinner?

This tasty crockpot recipe gives you a tender, juicy beef and mushroom stew without the hassle! If you’re on a tight budget, you can use cheaper beef cuts and still get a soft texture, thanks to the Crockpot doing all the work.

Oh, you’ll also want to give these cheap Crockpot freezer dump meals a try!

 

6. Healthy Shrimp Stir Fry

This is a super quick recipe that trumps your local Chinese food joint. Prep your shrimp and veggies ahead to heat and serve over rice or noodles.

You might even want to use cauliflower rice to make it a lower-carb option, some people may not even notice the swap!

 

7. Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl

Say no to pricey burrito bowls from restaurants! Make your own to freeze in batches so you can have it as many times as you want without spending a dime.

This healthy burrito bowl is loaded with affordable ingredients like seasoned chicken, beans, salsa, cheese, Spanish rice, and whatever nutritious toppings you desire.

 

8. Keto-Friendly Pasta Noodles

Keto-friendly pasta noodles made of only three ingredients and NO eggs?

The secret is cheese, psyllium husk, and xanthan gum to emulate the texture of your favorite pasta noodles.

Use this in keto sauces like pesto, creamy mushroom, or carbonara to make it a complete meal! If you want to ditch the carbs or aim for a low carbs diet, check out these awesome and easy keto freezer dump meals so you can make ahead for the month!

 

9. Healthy Chicken Parmesan Casserole

When paired with whole-grain pasta or brown rice, you get a well-rounded and protein-filled meal without the extra work.

It takes 45 minutes to create an entire low-carb casserole to portion out and freeze so you won’t have to worry about what to have for lunch at work.

 

10. Cheap Vegetarian Enchilada

Vegetarian freezer meals exist and this vegetarian enchilada is the perfect example of that.

It’s stuffed with cheese and black beans for some protein. Moreover, you’ve got nutritious veggies like corn, bell peppers, and onions.

 

11. Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

You only need 15 minutes of prep time and your handy slow cooker to make a huge batch of these tacos to freeze for later.

Serve with soft taco shells and your zesty cilantro sauce, then enjoy taco nights with the family!

 

12. Budget-Friendly Frozen Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are the absolute best way to start your day.

You can customize the ingredient list according to whatever you have in the kitchen and add more healthy ingredients.

 

13. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Just a handful of simple ingredients will give you a filling casserole that anyone can create.

You can freeze these in resealable freezer bags to enjoy at least a week’s worth of dinners without hassling yourself to cook every day.

 

14. Cheap Freezer Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a kid’s ultimate favorite comfort food, and you can make a healthier version for their school lunches.

With easy recipe hacks, a serving of mac and cheese will have fewer calories but still tastes better than packaged versions.

 

15. Frozen Turkey Burgers

It isn’t the classic beef burger we know and love from our favorite fast food joints. But hey, it’s fewer calories and packed with protein.

Best of all, turkey burgers taste delicious and do the trick in satisfying our cravings, especially with the right sauce!

 

16. Blueberry Oatmeal Yogurt Pancakes

What better way to look forward to dreary mornings than with a tall stack of blueberry pancakes? These are made even healthier by using oatmeal for added fiber.

If you plan to make these pancakes in advance for meal prep, they can last for up to three months.

 

17. Veggie Packed Freezer Ready Breakfast Sandwiches

Just because you use fresh produce doesn’t mean it will spoil in the freezer. That’s why you can still meal prep and enjoy vegetarian meals like these breakfast sandwiches!

Each sandwich is filled with spinach and red peppers so you get your nutrients right after waking up.

 

18. Keto Chicken Curry

Can you believe this chicken curry has less than 3 grams of carbs?

Make this ahead so you’ve got a flavor-packed lunch or dinner to look forward to. If you can find keto-friendly naan bread, this is another excellent choice to complete the meal.

You can also say goodbye to high carbs with these cheap and easy keto freezer dump meals so you can plan and make ahead this month!

 

19. Zucchini Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups

No need to buy carb-loaded muffins in the store anymore, because you can satisfy your sweet tooth while still staying healthy.

Make breakfast time more enjoyable with these baked oatmeal cups. They are a grab-and-go option if you have no time to sit and eat.

 

20. Homemade Frozen Pizzas

Get the kids in on the fun by meal-prepping and making frozen pizzas together! You can save money and customize your pizzas to make them even healthier.