Hamburger Freezer Meals for Two (Or the Whole Family!)
Give yourself the gift of convenience with these family favorite hamburger freezer meals- from taco soup to meatloaf. Perfect for cutting down on grocery trips and saving time, these dinners are a lifesaver for busy days and for those of us that are just plain tired of cooking!;)
Why I love freezer meals – and you will, too!
When our kids were little, one of the biggest challenges I faced was that constant question nagging in the back of my mind every. single. day…
“What’s for dinner?”
I finally landed on a solution that worked like a charm. I would plan a menu once a month, go shop all the groceries for it, and spend a few mornings cooking it and tucking it in the freezer. (Here are some freezer meal cooking tips.)
Now that the kids are grown and I’m now cooking for two, I STILL struggle with that silly daily dinner dilemma.
So, I decided last month to try to modify the methods I used when I was cooking for a family, and modified the process for the two of us.
It worked so well, I did it again this month! Because, let’s face it, I’m tired of cooking after all these years. Personally, I’d rather spend a large chunk of time on it once a month to save time each day. It’s a system that makes my days seem so much more pleasant…
Freezer Meals for Two with Ease is All about the Packaging!
I finally figured out the secret for freezing meals in portions for two people- It’s all in the size of the dishes.
Just like when I was freezing meals for the whole family, I added dishes to my collection that would freeze well for a family of 5, I’ve now started to do the same – just in a downsized version!
The 2 superstars in my new freezer meals for 2 are these (The following are Amazon affiliate links for your shopping convenience.):
Pyrex 6 Cup dish with lid
We just purchased 2 of these to start our collection. They are the perfect size for casseroles, soups, or lasagna for two. The lid makes it so handy to stack in the freezer.
Ankor Hocking 4 3/4 cup
We have been using this size of baking dish for years now and love it for the 2 of us. We have a collection of 8 now! Again, the lid makes it so handy to stack in the freezer, and they are perfect size for the two of us.
I also use freezer ziploc bags in size large and if you prefer the reusable bags, you can find them here.
Hamburger Freezer Meals That Freeze Well
Here are the hamburger freezer meals that I’ve used over the years. I’ve used these recipes over and over again and they freeze so well.
01
Freeze Ahead Lasagna
This freeze ahead lasagna was always a hit when our kids were home and we love it, too!
To freeze for a family
Freeze in 9×13 inch pans, covered tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.
To freeze lasagna for two
Layer each recipe in 4 – 4 3/4 cup dishes (The Ankor Hocking set above) – making it 4 meals for two.
02
Taco Soup
Taco soup is similar to chili – but has Mexican taco seasoning. Served with tortilla chips & grated cheese, it’s a hit!
To freeze for a family
Combine all the ingredients together, simmer for a few minutes, let cool completely & freeze in a large zip-top bag.
To freeze taco soup for two
Cool completely and divide each batch into 2 large freezer bags.
03
Meatballs
Meatballs are so convenient to have handy in the freezer. Use with spagetti sauce over pasta, make with sweet & sour sauce over rice, or homemade barbecue sauce over mashed potatoes.
To freeze for a family or for two
Freeze individual meatballs on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Remove when frozen and place in zip-top bags. Take out the amount you want to cook for each meal (4 per person, generally) when you want to use them.
04
Meatloaf
Meatloaf is one of America’s all time favorite comfort food! Served with any kind of potatoes, it is a family favorite.
To freeze for a family
Pack the meatloaf into one loaf pan and flip onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Flash freeze for a few hours and then package in a large zip-top bag.
To freeze for 2
Form one meatloaf recipe into two small loaf shapes and freeze on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Then package in a zip-top bag.
05
Bacon Wrapped Individual Meatloaf
Bacon wrapped individual meatloaf is such a fun freezer friendly recipe – and is even perfect for guests!
To freeze for a family or 2
Freeze individual bacon wrapped mini meatloaves on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Remove when frozen and place in zip-top bags. Take out the amount you want to cook for each meal when you want to use them.
06
Oven Baked Hamburger Steak
Also known as “poor man’s steak”, this oven baked hamburger steak recipe is a favorite of our whole family. Tip: If you don’t want to see the oatmeal in them, put the “add ins” in the blender first.
To freeze for a family or 2
Freeze individual hamburger steaks on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Remove when frozen and place in zip-top bags. Take out the amount you want to cook for each meal when you want to use them.
07
Classic Chili
Having a batch of classic chili in the freezer is perfect to pull out for a chilly day! I like to let it heat up all day long in the slow cooker. It smells so warm and comforting…
To freeze for a family or 2
After combining all the ingredients, let the chili cool completely and package in one zip-top bag for a family or in 2 zip-top bags for 2.
08
Hamburger Barley Soup
Hearty and full of flavor, hamburger barley soup is delicious dinner idea for the cool days of Fall & Winter.
To freeze for a family or 2
After combining all the ingredients, let the chili cool completely and package in one zip-top bag for a family or in 2 zip-top bags for 2.
09
Tater Tot Casserole
Kids & adults both love tater tot casserole! Topped with tater tots and cheese, it’s a layered casserole dish that freezes beautifully.
To freeze for a family
Follow the recipe and freeze in a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
To freeze for 2
Layer the ingredients in 2 of the 6 cup casserole dishes or 4 of the 4 cup casserole dishes (pictured above) – depending on the serving sizes you prefer.
For More Tips and Ideas for Freezer Meals, You Might Like:
- A simple guide for preparing freezer meals
- Answering questions for make ahead meals to freeze
- This shopping list printable was made specifically to help with grocery shopping and freezer meal planning.
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