If you’re craving a specific recipe but your fridge is offering slim pickings by way of fresh vegetables, fear not – there’s a plethora of meal ideas that are just as scrumptious and flavourful even when resorting to frozen veggies. From simple stir-fries and frittatas to pot pies and hearty soups, it’s easier than ever to sneak in some healthy veg to your meal repertoire.
Curry Chicken Pot Pie
That bag of frozen mixed veggies (carrot, peas, onion and celery) will come in handy as you’re cooking up this hearty curry chicken recipe topped off with a mouth-watering puff pastry. Can I freeze this? Find out how to freeze fruit, cheese, leftovers and more.
Easy Veggie and Ham Supper
Turn leftover cooked ham and pasta into a quick and easy weeknight meal you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner. (Psst, your family won’t even notice that the chunky mixed vegetables were from the freezer.)
Vegetarian Cauliflower Fried Rice
If slicing and dicing cauliflower florets feels like too daunting a task, rely on a bag of the equally delicious frozen variety. Bonus: the cauliflower makes for a healthier rice substitute while you recreate your favourite Chinese takeout dish.
Florentine Meatballs
Fun for the whole family, this easy meatball recipe leans on frozen spinach (nuked in the microwave), ground turkey and cheese for a delicious, moist and juicy dish.
Freezer Bag Chicken Curry Stir-Fry
With just a little advance prep, you can have a hearty Indian-inspired stir-fry ready on the table in a snap. Frozen peas, cauliflower and chicken are sealed together in an air-tight container and frozen, making it ideal for a hectic weeknight. Check out these refrigerator rules on how long leftovers (actually) last.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Up your comfort food game by adding onions, herbs and frozen butternut squash to this hearty dish that will simultaneously feel like a warm hug while curbing your carb kick. Check out these macaroni recipes to satisfy your pasta cravings.
Black Bean and Corn Veggie Burger with Sweet Potato "Bun"
These sizable veggie burgers are gluten-free, loaded with fibre, and a whole lot easier to make than you think. The sweet potato “buns” are a genius health hack while prep time is made easier by utilizing frozen veggies.
Healthy Spinach and Ricotta Pizza
This recipe calls for homemade pizza dough topped with (can’t-believe-it’s-frozen) baby spinach and creamy ricotta. So get the whole family involved in prepping this delicious, healthy pie recipe. Check out these budget-friendly pantry staples you should always have on hand.
Potato Nests with Peas, Ham and Cream Cheese
These bite-sized gems make for the perfect side dish and come together easily with simple, time-saving ingredients. Frozen hash browns are pressed into muffin tins while the crispy nests are filled with ham, cream cheese and frozen peas straight from your freezer. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Asparagus and Chicken Stir-Fry
This simple chicken-inspired stir-fry gets an additional flavour punch thanks to the addition of bright green asparagus. It’s so delicious, in fact, that your loved ones won’t even notice the asparagus was previously frozen. For more dinner inspiration, check out these easy freezer meals you can make ahead.
Chicken Ramen Noodle Dump Dinner
If you find yourself in a time pinch, this low-maintenance creamy casserole will become a family go-to. Jam-packed with flavour, this recipe transforms humble, dorm-friendly ramen noodles into a satisfying family-size meal. It’ll also give you the opportunity to put those frozen broccoli florets to use. Find more genius ways to hack a pack of ramen noodles.
Crusty Baked Shells & Cauliflower
Enjoy all the cauliflower au gratin goodness in one baked pasta dish. Make it easier on yourself and opt for frozen diced cauliflower to save you time and energy. Find more inspiration with these creative cauliflower recipes to satisfy your carb cravings.
Potato, Sausage and Broccoli Frittata
Bake up a scrumptious brunch with this tasty sausage and broccoli frittata. For a quick shortcut, reach into your freezer and grab a bag of frozen broccoli or onions and cut out the chopping process entirely. You can also test out these things healthy people eat for breakfast.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
If you’re feeling down or under the weather, few things are better than a warm bowl of soup. Enjoy all the rich, creamy flavours of this hearty soup by tossing in frozen butternut squash so you can enjoy it year-round. You can also try these healing ginger recipes for cold and flu season.
Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breasts
This surprisingly simple chicken dish is ready in less than 45 minutes. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying weeknight meal, save yourself some additional time by using frozen chopped spinach for the stuffing.