As a busy parent, you are always looking for ways to make life easier. One way to do that is to have 10 healthy kid friendly freezer meals on hand.
This gives you the peace of mind of knowing that there is a nutritious meal available when you don’t have time to cook. Here are 10 healthy kid friendly freezer meals that your family will love.
My kids are always asking for snacks and it gets really expensive. I’ve been looking for some best kid friendly freezer meals to store so I can have something quick and easy to make for them.
I found some great recipes online and we’ve been having a lot of fun trying them out!
Is it healthy to eat frozen meals?
Frozen meals are a popular choice for those who want a quick and easy meal. But are they healthy?
According to Healthline, frozen meals can be a healthy option if you choose the right ones. Look for meals that are high in protein and fiber and low in sodium and fat.
Avoid meals with trans fats, which can increase your risk of heart disease. Frozen meals can be a convenient and healthy option if you make smart choices. Look for meals that fit your dietary needs and avoid those with unhealthy ingredients.
Introduction: childhood obesity rates in the US
One in three American children is obese. The rates of childhood obesity have more than doubled in the past 30 years. In the United States, the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012.
Among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, prevalence increased from 5% to 21% over the same period. There are many factors that contribute to childhood obesity. A major factor is the increasing consumption of processed and fast foods.
These frozen food for kids are high in calories and low in nutrients. They are also often high in sugar, fat, and salt. Another factor is the decrease in physical activity among children.
With the rise of technology, children are spending more time playing video games or watching television instead of being active outside. Finally, portion sizes have increased over time.
Freezer meals: a solution?
Freezer meals are a great way to have a healthy, kid-friendly meal on hand without having to spend hours in the kitchen. These 10 recipes can be made in an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, and can be easily frozen and reheated.
With a little planning, kids frozen dinners can be a lifesaver for busy families. Having a few instant pot freezer meals kid friendly on hand can make weeknight dinners a breeze.
These 10 recipes are all kid-friendly, so you can feel good about what your family is eating. And they’re all made in an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, so they’ll be on the table in no time.
10 Best Kid Friendly Freezer Meals to Store
When it comes to feeding our kids, we want to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong. But we also know that life is busy and sometimes we don’t have time to cook a healthy meal from scratch.
That’s where these 10 easy freezer meals come in! Just pop them in the oven or microwave, and you’ve got a delicious and nutritious meal that your kids will love.
- Chicken Nuggets: A classic kid favorite that you can feel good about serving! Look for a brand that uses all-natural ingredients and doesn’t rely heavily on breading.
- Mini Meatloaves: These individual meatloaves are perfect for portion control, and you can add in veggies like grated carrots or zucchini to sneak in some extra nutrition.
- Chicken and Rice Casserole: Chicken, brown rice, and veggies are all you need for a healthy meal that’s easy to prepare.
- Muffins: These muffins are orgnized with sugarand whole meat.
- Chicken Fajitas: Make this healthy meal with just chicken breasts, peppers and onions — and no tortillas.
- Fish Sticks: These fish sticks are baked instead of fried, which makes them a healthier option.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan: This chicken parmesan recipe is made in the slow cooker, so it’s easy to prepare a kid friendly slow cooker freezer meals and requires almost no cleanup.
- Meatball Subs: Make this family-favorite meal in the slow cooker for a delicious dinner that’s ready when you are.
- Chicken Teriyaki: This dish is full of flavor and can be made in just minutes. Simply cook the chicken in a slow cooker with some teriyaki sauce and rice. Once it’s done, let it cool and then freeze it in individual portions.
- Beef Stew: This hearty stew is perfect for a cold winter day. Simply brown the beef in a pan and then add it to the slow cooker with some carrots, potatoes, celery, and beef broth. Let it cook all day long and then freeze in individual servings for an easy meal later on.
Cooking for kids can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. These 10 easy kids frozen meals are healthy and kid-friendly, so you can feel good about what your little ones are eating.
From breakfast burritos to chicken nuggets, these dishes are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. And the best part is that they’re all quick and easy to prepare. Just pop them in the oven or microwave and you’re good to go!
So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of cooking for your kids, remember these 10 kids frozen meals. They’ll make your life a lot easier – and your kids will love them too!
10 healthy frozen kids meals recipes
As a working mom, I don’t always have the time to cook dinner every night. I have to rely on quick and easy kids frozen dinners that are also healthy for my family.
That’s why I love instant pot freezer meals kid friendly meals! I can make a big batch of something on the weekend, and then we have healthy frozen food for kids ready to go for the next few weeks.
Here are 10 of my favorite healthy freezer meal recipes:
1. Chicken Teriyaki Recipe
Smoke Breast Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken breasts
- 1/2 Cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Onion, diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce and olive oil.
- Place chicken breasts on the grill and cover with the sauce mixture. Grill for 10 minutes per side or oruntil cooked through.
- Remove from grill and let cool slightly before slicing into thin strips.
- In a large skillet,sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute longer or until spices are fragrant. Serve the chicken strips over the onion mixture.
Nutrition
2. Beef Stew Recipe
Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef stew meat, onion, carrots, celery and garlic in oil until the beef is browned.
- Add the broth, tomato sauce and oregano; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Stir in the pepper.
- Gradually stir in the flour until smooth; simmer for 5 minutes longer.
Nutrition
3. Turkey Chili Recipe
Turkey Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can red kidney beans
- 1 can corn
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the ground turkey until browned.
- Add in the canned tomatoes, black beans, red kidney beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream on top.
Nutrition
4. Muffins Recipe
Best Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon of oil or butter
- 2 tablespoons of milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.
- In another bowl, beat together the sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Add in the oil or butter and milk, and mix until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Do not overmix!
- Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter, and fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
5. Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 flour tortillas
- 4 cups salsa your favorite
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat up the olive oil and add in the chicken and onions. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are translucent.
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add this mixture to the skillet and cook for another minute.
- Warm up the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat. As they start to get soft, put them in a large bowl filled with warm water and let them sit for about 5 minutes so they can soften up some more.
- Assemble your fajitas by distributing equal amounts of chicken mixture among each tort.
Nutrition
6. Fish Sticks Recipe
Homemade Fish Sticks Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fish fillets such as cod or tilapia
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Season fish with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour and olive oil. Dip fish in the flour mixture until coated.
- In a shallow dish, combine bread crumbs and milk. Dip fish in the bread crumbs mixture until coated.
- Place fish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until fish is cooked through.
Nutrition
7. Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 can (14 ounce can) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker. Sprinkle with flour, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Pour milk over chicken.
- Add tomatoes and cheese; stir well.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker; shred using two forks.
- Return shredded chicken to slow cooker; stir well.
- Serve with parsley and basil leaves, if desired. It is an healthy kid friendly slow cooker freezer meals menu.
Nutrition
8. Meatball Subs Recipe
Meatball Subs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 6 hoagie buns toasted
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 ounces thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt and pepper.
- With your hands, mix well until ingredients are well combined.
- Shape mixture into 12 balls.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil.
- Add the meatballs and cook until browned on both sides.
- Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, cook marinara sauce until warmed through.
- To assemble subs, place 2 meatballs on each bun.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and serve immediately.
Nutrition
9. Mini Meatloaves Recipe
Mini Meatloaves Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, mozzarella cheese, egg, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- In a small bowl, combine flour and olive oil. Add to the beef mixture and mix well until blended.
- Spread the meatloaves into the prepared baking dish. Pour tomato sauce over top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through and golden brown on top.
Nutrition
10. Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts pounded thin
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- In a shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together the egg and olive oil. Dip the chicken nuggets into the egg mixture, then coat in the bread crumbs mixture.
- Place the chicken nuggets on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
The benefits of freezer meals for busy families
Assuming you would like 8 sentences in total:
Freezer meals are a godsend for busy families. By doing a little meal prep on the weekend, you can have healthy and delicious dinners ready to go during the week.
Simply pop a freezer meal into the oven or Instant Pot, and voila! Dinner is ready with minimal effort.
Not only are freezer meals convenient, they can also help you save money. By batch cooking and freezing meals, you can avoid expensive takeout or last-minute grocery trips. Plus, you’ll waste less food because you’re only making what you need.
So if you’re looking for an easy way to get dinner on the table during busy weeknights, give freezer meals a try. Your wallet and your family will thank you!
Planning and preparation: what you need to know
When it comes to freezer meals, planning and preparation are key. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have enough storage containers. You’ll need one for each recipe you plan to make.
- Decide what recipes you want to make ahead of time. Once you have your list, gather all the ingredients you’ll need.
- Pre-cook any ingredients that will require cooking before they can be frozen (e.g., meats, vegetables, sauces).
- Cool cooked ingredients completely before transferring them to storage containers. Hot food can cause freezer burn.
- Label each container with the name of the recipe, the date it was made, and any special instructions (e.g., thawing and cooking instructions).
Tips for success: make the most of your freezer meals
Cooking in bulk and freezing meals is a great way to save time and money. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your freezer meals:
- Plan ahead: take some time on the weekend to cook a few extra meals. This will save you time during the week when you’re trying to get dinner on the table.
- Use freezer-friendly recipes: not all recipes freeze well, so be sure to use ones that are designed for freezing. This will help ensure that your meals turn out delicious when you reheat them.
- Label everything: label your containers with the name of the dish and the date it was made. This will help you keep track of what’s in your freezer and make sure you don’t end up with any old, uneaten food.
What meals can I make ahead and freeze?
A good meal should be healthy, filling, and easy to make. But who has the time to cook a gourmet meal every night? If you’re looking for something quick and easy, try one of these recipes that can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Try a Vegetarian Burger: This delicious burger is made with black beans, quinoa, and roasted vegetables. It’s perfect for a quick dinner or lunch on the go.
Freezer Roast Vegetables Burger Recipe: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Simply roast your vegetables ahead of time, then freeze them in individual portions. When you’re ready to eat, just defrost and reheat.
What are the best dinners to freeze?
There are many great dinners that can be easily frozen and enjoyed at a later time. One of the best things to freeze is a roast. Roasts can be easily reheated and taste just as delicious as they did when they were originally cooked.
Another great option for freezing is vegetables. Vegetables can be used in a variety of recipes and are a healthy option for those looking for a quick meal.
Lastly, burgers are another great option for freezing. Burgers can be reheated and enjoyed with all of the toppings that you would typically put on them.
What should I stock my freezer with before baby?
Assuming you want tips for stocking a freezer before baby:
- First, figure out how much storage space you have in your freezer. This will help you determine how much food you need to make and freeze.
- Make a list of quick and easy meals that can be reheated. Examples include soup, chili, pasta sauce, casseroles, and individual portions of larger meals like lasagna or chicken pot pie.
- Choose recipes that can be made ahead in large batches and then frozen in smaller portions. This way you’ll have more variety and won’t get sick of eating the same thing over and over again.
- Consider making double batches of meals when you do cook so that you can freeze the extras for later. This is especially helpful if you’re short on time or energy after baby arrives.
What Family Meals Can I freeze?
When you think of family meals, you might not automatically think of vegan options. However, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious vegan meals that the whole family will enjoy!
Here are some great vegan family meal ideas that can be easily frozen and enjoyed later:
- Vegan Veggie Burgers – These burgers are packed with healthy vegetables and make a great option for a quick and easy meal. They can be Frozen in individual patties or as an assembled burger with all the fixings.
- Roasted Veggies – A simple roasted vegetable dish is always a hit in our house. We like to roast a variety of veggies, such as carrots, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and onions. Once they’re roasted to perfection, we just pop them in the freezer for later enjoyment.
