13 Healthy Freezer Meals To Stock In February For Busy Nights

February gets busy fast, so it helps to have a few healthy dinners ready to pull from the freezer. These meals are simple to prep ahead and easy to cook on a weeknight when time is tight. Stock a mix of soups, sheet pan dinners, and skillet kits so you can rotate flavors without extra work.

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Ginger Soy Chicken Stir Fry Kit

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This freezer kit cooks fast and tastes fresh, which makes it a strong choice for busy February nights. The ginger and soy sauce combo gives you that cozy savory flavor without needing a long ingredient list. It is also easy to stretch with extra frozen vegetables or an extra cup of rice.

You’ll need 1 and a half pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs thinly sliced, 3 cups mixed stir fry vegetables, 1 third cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.

Prep time is about 15 minutes to portion everything into a freezer bag and freeze it flat. To cook, thaw overnight, heat a large skillet over medium high heat, and sauté the chicken 5 to 6 minutes, then add the vegetables and cook 4 to 5 minutes more. Stir the sauce again so the cornstarch is mixed in, pour it into the pan, and simmer 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and thick.

Baked Ziti With Hidden Veggie Sauce

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This baked pasta feels like comfort food, but the sauce sneaks in extra vegetables without making dinner feel like a project. It is filling, family friendly, and easy to portion into smaller freezer meals. It also reheats well, so it works for nights when you need leftovers ready to go.

You’ll need 12 ounces ziti or penne, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small onion diced, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup finely grated zucchini, 1 cup finely grated carrot, 1 jar 24 ounces marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta, 1 and a half cups shredded mozzarella, 1 quarter cup grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1 half teaspoon salt.

Prep time is about 20 minutes plus 30 minutes to bake. Cook pasta until just barely tender, sauté onion and garlic 4 minutes, add zucchini and carrot 3 minutes, then stir in marinara and seasoning. Mix pasta with sauce, dollop ricotta, top with cheeses, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, cool, then wrap tightly and freeze.

Beef and Broccoli Freezer Stir Fry Kit

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This freezer kit turns into a quick skillet dinner with a glossy sauce and tender beef. Broccoli keeps its bite when cooked fast, and the sauce tastes like takeout without the heavy feeling. It is a good one to keep on hand for nights when you want dinner in one pan.

You’ll need 1 pound flank steak thinly sliced, 3 cups broccoli florets, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 third cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic minced, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger.

Prep time is about 15 minutes to assemble and freeze. To cook, thaw, then sear beef in a hot skillet 3 to 4 minutes, add broccoli with 2 tablespoons water, cover 3 minutes, then pour in sauce and simmer 2 minutes until thick.

Veggie Packed Breakfast Burritos

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These burritos make mornings easier and also work as breakfast for dinner. Eggs, beans, and veggies make them filling and balanced. They reheat well, so they are great for quick meals all month.

You’ll need 10 large eggs, 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed, 1 cup diced bell pepper, 1 cup baby spinach chopped, 1 cup shredded cheese, 10 medium flour tortillas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 half teaspoon salt, and 1 quarter teaspoon black pepper.

Prep time is about 20 minutes plus 10 minutes to cook the eggs. Sauté peppers 5 minutes, add spinach until wilted, scramble eggs, stir in beans and cheese, roll into tortillas, then wrap and freeze, and reheat in the microwave 2 to 3 minutes or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 18 to 22 minutes.

White Chicken Chili With Cannellini Beans

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This chili is creamy without being heavy, and it has a mild heat that works for most families. Cannellini beans make it thick and filling, while green chiles add a gentle kick. It is a great freezer meal because the flavors blend as it sits.

You’ll need 1 pound cooked shredded chicken, 2 cans 15 ounces cannellini beans drained and rinsed, 1 can 4 ounces diced green chiles, 1 small onion diced, 2 cloves garlic minced, 3 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 half teaspoon salt.

Prep time is about 10 minutes if the chicken is already cooked, plus 20 minutes to simmer. Combine everything in a pot, simmer 20 minutes, cool, then freeze, and when reheating add a splash of broth if it thickens too much.

Lentil Bolognese Sauce

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This sauce is rich and savory, and it feels like comfort food even though it is mostly plants. Lentils hold their shape and make the sauce hearty enough for pasta, baked potatoes, or lasagna. It freezes beautifully in small portions for fast meals.

You’ll need 1 cup dried brown lentils rinsed, 1 onion diced, 2 carrots diced, 2 celery stalks diced, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and salt to taste.

Prep time is about 15 minutes plus 35 to 40 minutes to simmer. Sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in oil for 8 minutes, add tomatoes, broth, lentils, and herbs, simmer 35 minutes until thick, then cool and freeze in two cup containers.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Freezer Bake

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This casserole has the classic stuffed pepper flavor without the extra steps. It is filling, kid friendly, and easy to portion. It is also a great way to use up rice and veggies you already have.

You’ll need 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey, 1 onion diced, 2 bell peppers diced, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 cups cooked brown rice, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 half teaspoon salt, and 1 cup shredded cheese.

Prep time is about 20 minutes plus 25 minutes to bake. Brown the meat with onion 7 minutes, stir in peppers, garlic, tomatoes, paste, rice, and seasoning, spread in a baking dish, top with cheese, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, cool, wrap, and freeze.

Salmon Patties With Corn and Peas

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These patties are quick, protein packed, and a nice change from chicken dinners. Corn and peas add a little sweetness and color that kids usually like. They freeze well and reheat in a skillet without drying out.

You’ll need 2 cans 6 ounces salmon drained, 1 egg, 1 third cup breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 half cup corn, 1 half cup peas, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Prep time is about 15 minutes plus 10 minutes to cook. Mix everything, form 8 small patties, pan cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, cool fully, freeze on a tray, then store in a bag and reheat in a skillet 3 minutes per side.

Coconut Curry Chickpeas With Veggies

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This meal is creamy, warming, and simple, and it freezes well for quick dinners. Chickpeas make it filling and the curry flavor keeps it from feeling boring. Serve it over rice or with warm pita on the side.

You’ll need 2 cans 15 ounces chickpeas drained and rinsed, 1 can 13.5 ounces coconut milk, 2 cups mixed vegetables like cauliflower florets and sliced carrots, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 half teaspoon salt.

Prep time is about 10 minutes plus 20 minutes to simmer. Sauté garlic and ginger in oil 1 minute, stir in curry powder, add chickpeas, coconut milk, veggies, and salt, simmer 18 to 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender, then cool and freeze in single meal portions.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Freezer Bag

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This soup is cozy, filling, and easy to pull together on a busy night. It has shredded chicken, beans, tomatoes, and warm spices that taste even better after simmering. It freezes well and makes great leftovers for lunch.

You’ll need 1 pound cooked shredded chicken, 1 can 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed, 1 can 15 ounces corn drained, 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 cup salsa, 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder.

Prep time is about 10 minutes to portion it into a freezer bag, then freeze flat. To cook, dump into a pot with the broth and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or cook on low in a slow cooker 4 to 6 hours, then top bowls with crushed tortilla chips and a squeeze of lime.

Turkey and Spinach Meatballs With Marinara

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These meatballs are light but still hearty, and they work for pasta night, subs, or rice bowls. Spinach adds color and extra veggies without changing the classic flavor. The sauce freezes right alongside them for an easy dinner later.

You’ll need 1 pound ground turkey, 1 cup finely chopped spinach, 1 egg, 1 third cup breadcrumbs, 1 quarter cup grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 half teaspoon garlic powder, 1 half teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 3 cups marinara sauce.

Prep time is about 20 minutes plus 15 minutes to bake. Roll 16 to 18 meatballs, bake at 400°F (205°C) for 15 to 18 minutes, cool, then freeze in a container with marinara and reheat on the stove for 10 to 12 minutes until hot all the way through.

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetables

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This is the kind of dinner that feels fresh even when it comes from the freezer. Lemon, garlic, and herbs keep the flavor bright while the veggies make it a full meal. It works well with rice, quinoa, or a simple side salad.

You’ll need 1 and a half pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper sliced, 1 zucchini sliced, 2 tablespoons olive oil, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 half teaspoon salt, and 1 quarter teaspoon black pepper.

Prep time is about 15 minutes to portion the raw chicken and vegetables into freezer bags with the marinade. For cooking, thaw overnight, spread on a sheet pan, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 22 to 28 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are browned at the edges.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

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This chili is thick, satisfying, and packed with fiber, which makes it a strong freezer option. Sweet potatoes add a gentle sweetness that balances the spices. It tastes even better after a day or two, so it is great to make ahead.

You’ll need 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced, 1 onion diced, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cans 15 ounces black beans drained and rinsed, 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt to taste.

Prep time is about 15 minutes plus 25 to 30 minutes to simmer. Sauté onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes, add everything else, simmer 25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender, then cool and freeze in two cup portions for fast reheating.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.