16 Make Ahead Crock Pot Recipes

Crock Pot Freezer Meals
Recently I stumbled across Organizer By Day's 20 Crockpot Meals Each Under $7. My oven was out of action for a few months and, in that time, I fell in love with my crock pot. However, the idea of having everything ready ahead of time and just having to throw it in there was a very appealing idea! I decided that I absolutely had to try this. I borrowed quite a few of her recipes and modified most of them to my liking.

If you're going to do all the prep for this all at once, I suggest doing it on a day when you have 6 to 8 hours to spare. Of course, I was alone with a three year-old and other distractions, so it might only take 4 to 6 hours for someone with less distractions and/or a little help from a significant other or older children.

Note the yield amounts please. These recipes will feed a maximum of 6 single servings, with a few exceptions. As suggested by Organizer By Day with her recipes, I added extra meat to some to make it more probable to feed my family. We are a family of four; two adults and two small children. If you're feeding a very small household, you can divide most of these recipes in half when you freeze them and make two meals.

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Crock Pot Freezer Meals
Crock Pot Freezer Meals

Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2-3 hours on high; 4-6 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 2-6 hours, depending on desired cooking temperature.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef, cooked & drained
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 lb green beans
  • 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) cream of mushroom
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 21 oz bag of tater tots

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef and drain.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Cheesy Hashbrowns & Smoked Sausage

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-5 hours.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 14-16 oz smoked sausage, uncooked & chopped
  • 2 cans (approximately 10.5 oz each) cheddar cheese soup
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 lbs frozen, shredded hashbrowns
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp paprika

Instructions

  1. Chop smoked sausage.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Chunky Chicken Noodle

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5-6 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 5-6 hours.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) broccoli soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 lb bag frozen, mixed vegetables
  • 1/2-1 lb egg noodles (cooked separately)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag, except noodles.
  2. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.
  3. Cook noodles separately and add to the chicken mixture just before serving.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2.5-3.5 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 3-6 hours, depending on preferred cooking temperature.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp seasoned salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  2. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Scallop Potatoes & Chicken

Details

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired cooking temperature.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4-5 potatoes, sliced
  • 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) cream of celery
  • 1 soup can of milk
  • 1 1/2 cups velveeta, cubed
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Slice potatoes.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

White Chicken Chili

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-5 hours.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings (~1 cup each)

Ingredients

  • 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 can great northern beans, drained
  • 1 can chopped green chilis, drained
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp corn starch
  • 4 tsp cumin
  • 4 tsp chili powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Drain chilis and beans.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese

Details

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-5 hours.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups shredded cheese
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 14-16 oz smoked sausage, uncooked & chopped
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Chop smoked sausage.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.
  4. Day of, spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray
  5. liberally
  6. and check macaroni at 4 hours.

Loaded Potato Soup

Details

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2-4 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 2-4 hours.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings (~1 cup each)

Ingredients

  • 6-8 large, russet potatoes, baked
  • 12 bacon slices, cooked & chopped
  • 2/3 cup butter
  • 2/3 cup flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
  • 1/2 cup velveeta, cubed
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 can (approximately 10.5 oz) cream of potato
  • 1 lb precooked ham, chopped

Instructions

  1. Peel potatoes, if desired
  2. Bake and chop potatoes.
  3. Cook bacon and chop.
  4. Cube velveeta.
  5. Chop ham (may substitute 1 lb smoked sausage)
  6. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  7. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Chicken Fajitas

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired temperature.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 green peppers, sliced or chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 taco seasoning packets
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Cut green peppers however you prefer.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Pot Roast

Details

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired temperature.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lb beef roast, cubed
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 5 potatoes, cubed
  • 3-4 carrots, sliced
  • Seasonings

Instructions

  1. Cut roast and vegetables.
  2. Season however desired.
  3. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  4. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Chili

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired temperature.
  • Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, cooked & drained
  • 1 can light red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can chili beans
  • 1-2 cans mushrooms, drained
  • 1 can tomatoes
  • 2 small cans tomato sauce

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef and drain.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-6 hours.
  • Yields: 8-10 sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground beef, drained
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef and drain.
  2. Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  3. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.
  4. Serve on rolls, buns, or bread.

Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low (DO NOT THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 7-9 hours.
  • Yields: 8-10 sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 lb pork
  • 1 can root beer
  • 1 bottle BBQ

Instructions

  1. Combine pork and root beer in freezer bag.
  2. Label and freeze until desired day to cook.
  3. When finished: remove, drain, and shred pork.
  4. Combine shredded pork and BBQ and serve.
  5. Serve on rolls, buns, or bread.

Meatballs

Details

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-9 hours on low (THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 9-10 hours.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground turkey
  • 4 oz bread crumbs (or 1/3 cup oatmeal)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 3 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp diced garlic
  • Tomato sauce

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients, except tomato sauce.
  2. Roll into golf ball sized meatballs.
  3. Label and freeze, preferably in tupperware, until desired day to cook.
  4. Put meatballs in crock pot and fill with desired tomato sauce roughly half way.
  5. Cook as directed.

Turkey Loaf

Details

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2.5-3.5 hours on high or 5-7 hours on low. (THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-9 hours, depending on desired cook temperature.

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 8 oz mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 ground turkey

Instructions

  1. Cook garlic for 1 minute in oil.
  2. Add mushrooms, salt, and pepper for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Mix ketchup and Worcestershire in a bowl and add mushroom mixture. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Combine milk and bread crumbs and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
  5. Combine both mixtures and add in egg and turkey.
  6. You may freeze until ready to cook. Thaw before cooking in slow cooker.

Man's Meat Loaf

Details

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2.5-3.5 hours on high or 5-7 hours on low (THAW FIRST.)
  • Total Time: 4-8 hours, depending on desired cook temperature.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 bag croutons, crushed (can completely substitute with oatmeal if desired)
  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Combine ground beef with ketchup, BBQ, and Worcestershire sauces.
  2. Mix in egg, oatmeal, and crushed croutons.
  3. You may label and freeze until desired day to cook. Thaw before cooking.


And even more preparation pictures!
Crock Pot Freezer MealsCrock Pot Freezer Meals

11 comments :

  1. Oh, my goodness, you must have felt such a sense of accomplishment, getting a lot of meals into the freezer! I love the selection, too- some of these I would never have thought of preparing in the crock pot! Thank you for sharing this at Treasure Box Tuesday! :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! As mentioned, I got a lot of the ideas from Organizer By Day. However, I didn't grab all her recipes because many, many crock pot recipes are chicken based and I wanted plenty that weren't. I'm already working on some more. It feels really great to have to cook only 1 or 2 nights a week. I'm very busy!

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  2. Omg this post was perfect for me!!! I even bookmarked it! I needed some recipes that were easy and I could just throw in the crock pot! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Sounds delicious and very healthy!

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  4. Anonymous2/01/2014

    I love crockpot meals .I haven't tried to freeze any. I think it would save a lot of time.

    Michelle F.

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  5. Awesome! I am definitely going to need to make some meals ahead of time. I will be super busy next week.

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  6. Anonymous2/02/2014

    Doing something like this has been on my list for quite some time. I have to just pick a day and DO IT. Plus make sure I have everything I need for that day. I pinned this so I could go back and find it. We'll be converting anything to gluten free that needs it, but this looks amazing. Thanks!

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  7. That is an awesome idea! Why have I never thought of that? Maybe I like to complicate my life lol

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  8. i love crockpot recipes, Im bookmarking this page!!

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  9. I love using my crockpot. We should definitely swap recipes sometime!

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  10. I love using my crockpot. Thank you for the meal ideas.....

    Oh my, is that your cat on the countertop.? LOL

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Thanks so much for commenting! I read all comments and try to reply to as many as possible. I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by! Have a great day!