sheet pan

5 Make Ahead Freezer Meals for Busy Families

~ Carrie Tyler ~ Leave a comment

 

2 Bowls of Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Stew with sour cream and scallion slices as garnish and slow cooker pot in background. It's one of my Prepped Freezer Meal recipes and it's creamy, cozy, hearty, cheesy, and slightly spicy. All ingredients freeze raw, thaw, then cook in the slow cooker or in the oven. It's a stew because it's thick and hearty with bites of chicken, carrots, onion, chipotle peppers, cumin, garlic and tortilla chips that melt down to thicken this delicious stew.

All ingredients in a labeled freezer bag for Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Stew. It is one of my Prepped Freezer Meal recipes and it's creamy, cozy, hearty, cheesy, and slightly spicy. All ingredients freeze raw, thaw, then cook in the slow cooker or in the oven. It's a stew because it's thick and hearty with bites of chicken, carrots, onion, chipotle peppers, cumin, garlic and tortilla chips that melt down to thicken this delicious stew.

Make Ahead Freezer Meals can be a dinner saver for busy families!  You know those days that you are racing home from a late meeting or going from piano to gymnastics and not getting home with the kids until 7pm?  Well, Make Ahead Freezer Meals are great for those nights!  These are frozen meal kits where you put all of the raw ingredients into a freezer storage container or bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.  Then thaw the day before and either pour into the slow cooker the morning of or onto a sheet pan when you get home.  That’s it, one bag, one cooking vessel, one hot dinner ready to go!!!

“I feel like we are in a dinner rut with 3-4 easy dinners in the rotation”

Sound familiar?  Of course it does!  You are freaking busy!!!!  Do you have a job, kids, activities, or all of the above?  Yes!  You have LIFE going on!  So, you likely turn to what you know and what is easy when it comes to dinners.  However, if you spend 10 minutes throwing all ingredients in a freezer bag, you can try something totally new!!!  I have covered family-friendly flavors across Asian, Moroccan, Mexican, Italian-ish, and American cuisines.

These Make Ahead Freezer Meal recipes meet the most important criteria for busy families:

  1. EASY TO MAKE – Easy to new put the Make Ahead Freezer Meal together in 10 minutes
  2. NEW FAMILY FRIENDLY FLAVORS – the kids will enjoy them too!!
  3. BALANCED MEALS – with protein and veggies
  4. EASY TO COOK – Cooking is either done in a slow cooker so it’s ready when you are or takes 30 minutes on 1 pan in the oven.

Do you have a slow cooker?

Actually, just before I share the recipes with you, I wanted to make sure I shared what I used to cook many of them.  I absolutely love love love my easy and simple (and not expensive) Crock-Pot.  I have the 6-Quart version with 5 settings (low 4-hour, low 6-hour, high 8-hour, high 10-hour, and warm).You can order this today and have it in a few days to start your Slow Cooker Cookin’!

5 MUST-TRY MAKE AHEAD FREEZER MEALS

(Clicks links for full recipes)

1.  Sheet Pan Hoisin Chicken with Ginger & Red Peppers

Hoisin Chicken over rice on a plate with a fork. In back is pan with spatula. This Freezer Hoisin Chicken with Red Peppers, Carrots, Onions, Ginger, and Soy sauce is delicious and so easy to make. You get sweet and savory all in one dish and it's perfect for kids because it's sweet, not spicy at all. Just freeze ahead, thaw, then cook on a sheet pan!

All raw ingredients in freezer bag for Freezer Hoisin Chicken with Red Peppers, Carrots, Onions, Ginger, and Soy sauce is delicious and so easy to make. You get sweet and savory all in one dish and it's perfect for kids because it's sweet, not spicy at all. Just freeze ahead, thaw, then cook on a sheet pan!

This Make-Ahead Freezer Hoisin Chicken with Red Peppers, Carrots, Onions, Ginger, and Soy sauce is absolutely delicious and so easy to make. You get sweet and savory all in one dish and it’s perfect for families with kids because it’s sweet, not spicy at all. All ingredients go into a freezer bag, you thaw the night before, and then cook on a sheet pan…so EASY! Of course, you don’t have to freeze this, you can just make it, but let’s face it, we could all use some meals ready for us on those insanely, crazy, busy nights!

2.  One Pot Creamy Tomato Soup with Chicken and Spinach

Creamy Tomato Soup in a soup pot on napkin on counter with wood spoon on side. It has Ground Chicken and Spinach is creamy and chunky and has a ton of deep flavor. AND it is healthy! It uses all white meat ground chicken that you cook until it is incredibly browned for some serious flavor. Then tomato paste adds the flavor back drop for the soup and a flour roux plus broth creates the amazing creaminess! Finally Spinach is your veggie boost.

This Prep-Ahead Freezer Creamy Tomato Soup with Ground Chicken and Spinach is creamy and chunky and has a ton of deep flavor. AND it is healthy! It uses all white meat ground chicken that you cook until it is incredibly browned for some serious flavor. Then tomato paste adds the flavor back drop for the soup and a flour roux plus broth creates the amazing creaminess! Finally Spinach is your veggie boost. So delicious and so EASY!

3.  5-Ingredient Homemade Chicken Soup with Veggies

5-Ingredient Homemade Chicken Soup in a bowl with spoon and crockpot in background. This soup is thick, creamy, and hearty. It's filled with flavorful broth, meaty shredded chicken, and sweet bursts of bright veggies. You can prepare all of the ingredients ahead and freeze them until you are ready to cook. Then, thaw, pour into the Slow Cooker, set and forget.

5-Ingredient Homemade Chicken Soup ingredients in a labeled Freezer Bag. This recipe is thick, creamy, and hearty. It's filled with flavorful broth, meaty shredded chicken, and sweet bursts of bright veggies. You can prepare all of the ingredients ahead and freeze them until you are ready to cook. Then, thaw, pour into the Slow Cooker, set and forget.

This 5-Ingredient Homemade Chicken Soup is thick, creamy (but, no dairy!), and hearty. It’s filled with flavorful broth, meaty shredded chicken, and sweet bursts of bright veggies. But, this version is also the easiest ever because you prepare all of the ingredients ahead (even months ahead) and freeze them until you are ready to cook this wonderful meal. Then you thaw, pour all of the ingredients into the Slow Cooker, set and forget. Forget until those amazing and comforting aromas remind you that you have a Homemade Chicken Soup waiting for you!

4.  Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Stew

2 Bowls of Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Stew with sour cream and scallion slices as garnish and slow cooker pot in background. It's one of my Prepped Freezer Meal recipes and it's creamy, cozy, hearty, cheesy, and slightly spicy. All ingredients freeze raw, thaw, then cook in the slow cooker or in the oven. It's a stew because it's thick and hearty with bites of chicken, carrots, onion, chipotle peppers, cumin, garlic and tortilla chips that melt down to thicken this delicious stew.

All ingredients in a labeled freezer bag for Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Stew. It is one of my Prepped Freezer Meal recipes and it's creamy, cozy, hearty, cheesy, and slightly spicy. All ingredients freeze raw, thaw, then cook in the slow cooker or in the oven. It's a stew because it's thick and hearty with bites of chicken, carrots, onion, chipotle peppers, cumin, garlic and tortilla chips that melt down to thicken this delicious stew.

This Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Stew is creamy, cozy, hearty, cheesy, and slightly spicy. This Stew is a Prepped Freezer Meal recipe, which means it’s a great option to prep ahead and easily make for dinner on a busy weeknight. Ingredients freeze raw, thaw, then cook in the slow cooker or in the oven. It’s a stew because it’s thick and hearty with bites of chicken, carrots, onion, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for spice, cumin, garlic and lots of tortilla chips that melt down to thicken this delicious stew.

5.  Moroccan Chicken Chili with Chickpeas

Moroccan Chicken Chili in bowl over white rice with a dollop of Cilantro Lime Yogurt on top and in a bowl to the left. The slow cooker is in background with chili. Moroccan Chicken Chili with Chickpeas is loaded with comforting and healthy ingredients and spices. You get warmth from Ginger, Turmeric, Garlic, and Coriander. Then tons of hearty flavor from browned ground chicken and Shallots. And creaminess from the Carrots and Chickpeas. You can make it ahead and freeze it until you are ready to cook it!

Final labeled freezer bag of all ingredients for Moroccan Chicken Chili with Chickpeas is loaded with comforting and healthy ingredients and spices. You get warmth from Ginger, Turmeric, Garlic, and Coriander. Then tons of hearty flavor from browned ground chicken and Shallots. And creaminess from the Carrots and Chickpeas. You can make it ahead and freeze it until you are ready to cook it!

Moroccan Chicken Chili with Chickpeas and a Cilantro Lime Yogurt is loaded with comforting, healthy, and even healing ingredients and spices. You get the warmth from the Ginger, Turmeric, Garlic, and Coriander. Tons of flavor comes from really browned ground chicken and Shallots. And you get creamy heartiness from the Carrots and Chickpeas. Finally, you get the cool and tangy balance from the Cilantro Lime Yogurt. This Moroccan Chicken Chili has so many warm spices and flavors, it will become a favorite. I like to serve this over white rice, but you can definitely eat it by itself.

 

I hope you try these Make Ahead Freezer Meals and if so, please let me know what you thought in the comments!

😍 Carrie

Sheet Pan Dinner! Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli

~ Carrie Tyler ~ Leave a comment
Jump to Recipe

 

This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor that you really don’t need a sauce, but I’m a sauce fanatic!  So, to top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it’s a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Spoon drizzling crema over sliced Flank Steak with Potatoes & Broccoli on sheet pan. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Flank Steak sliced with Potatoes & Broccoli on plate with crema drizzled on top. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Flank Steak only takes minutes to cook on high heat and stays juicy and tender, so it’s super easy for a weeknight dinner.  Flank steak is also one of those cuts of meat that just keeps on giving.  If you buy a nice big 1.5-2 lb cut, season or marinade it, then simply cook it on the grill, under the broiler, or in the oven, you can easily make 2+ meals out of it, each very different from the other.  Check out these other Flank Steak Recipes.  Mediterranean Flank Steak with Feta & Kale Cauliflower Rice is another easy dinner if you prep the cauliflower rice a bit in advance.  It has tons of flavor.  Steak, Feta, & Crispy Onion Sandwich is piled high with flavors and texture, is messy, and ridiculously delicious!

Ok, back to this Sheet Pan Dinner Flank Steak Recipe!

Flank Steak sliced with Potatoes & Broccoli on sheet pan with crema drizzled on top. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

PREP-AHEAD TO MAKE YOUR FLANK STEAK RECIPE COOKING KIT

Spices in bowl for Flank Steak Rub. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

The Rub for this Flank Steak Recipe adds so much flavor!  Actually, it’s a wonderful rub for any steak or chicken so make more of it and save it for another meal!  It includes spices that you likely have on hand: Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, and Salt.  Make the Rub for the Flank steak, by adding all ingredients to a small mixing bowl, then stir to combine. Store in a plastic storage container or baggie.

Spices mixed in bowl for Flank Steak Rub. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

You can marinate the steak in the rub overnight or do this step right before cooking. If you want to do this the day before, then drizzle a tsp or so of the olive oil on the steak.  Then, rub all the seasoning mixture all over the steak on both sides. Place in a storage container, seal it, and store in the fridge.

Spices rubbed on raw Flank Steak Rub. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Clean the broccoli and cut off 5 cups of florets and top of the stems. I love to use the stems too as they are just as flavorful and have lots of nutrition so why waste them?

Raw Broccoli florets in a bowl on counter. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

You can cut the potatoes a day in advance and store in water in the fridge, but I would not do this more than 1 day ahead. You want to quarter the potatoes to roughly all the same size.

Raw Mini Gold Potatoes Cut and in water in a bowl. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Raw Mini Gold Potatoes Cut in hand over bowl. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Mince the garlic. Add the Sour Cream, garlic, and chives to a mini food processor and blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

COOK YOUR FLANK STEAK RECIPE

Preheat the oven to 400F degrees.  If you stored the cut potatoes in water, drain them and pat them dry with a clean towel.

To a large Sheet pan, add the broccoli and potatoes.  Drizzle or spray with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  I love my Sonica Organics Oil Sprayer for this because it is non-aerosol (no toxins and propellants) and is so easy to pump, then spray.  I spray the bottom of the pan, then the veggies.  Then rub it all around with your hands.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and again rub it all over.  Spread out into a single layer.

Spraying pan with olive oil for Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Raw Potatoes and Broccoli on sheet pan. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Place the vegetables in the preheated oven and roast them for 20 minutes.

If you marinated the steak in the rub overnight, pull it out and let it rest at room temperature while the veggies cook.  If not, then this is when you would do that step.

After 20 minutes, pull the veggies out and using a spatula, push them to the outside of the pan.  Place the rubbed steak in the center and put the pan back in the oven for 10 minutes.

Potatoes and Broccoli around the outside of a sheet pan. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Raw flank steak on sheet pan in center of potatoes and broccoli. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

After 10 minutes, change the oven setting to broil, move the pan up to the top broiler shelf and cook under the broiler for 5-7 minutes.  At 3 minutes, check to make sure the potatoes and broccoli are not burning and if they are, move the pan down a shelf.

Cooked Flank Steak with Potatoes & Broccoli on sheet pan. This recipe is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

Once the steak is done cooking, let the pan sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow the meat to finish cooking and the juices to redistribute.  If you cut the meat too soon, all of the good juices will be let out and the meat may be dry.

Slice and serve with the Garlic Chive Crema and Enjoy!   😍 Carrie

Flank Steak sliced with Potatoes & Broccoli on sheet pan with crema drizzled on top. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Flank Steak sliced with Potatoes & Broccoli on plate with crema drizzled on top. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Flank Steak sliced with Potatoes & Broccoli on sheet pan with crema drizzled on top. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!
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Sheet Pan Dinner! Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli

This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword broccoli, dinner, easy dinner, Flank steak, potatoes, sheet pan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

Flank Steak Rub

  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

All other ingredients

  • 1.25 lb Flank Steak 1-1.25 lbs is good
  • 20 oz Mini Gold Potatoes Small are fine to use
  • 5 cups Broccoli Florets and stems
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil for steak and veggies
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
  • 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic, minced
  • 4 Tbsp Chives, chopped

Instructions

Prep-Ahead

  1. Make the Rub for the Flank steak, by adding all ingredients to a small mixing bowl, then stir to combine.  Store in a plastic storage container or baggie.

    Spices in bowl for Flank Steak Rub. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  2. You can marinate the steak in the rub overnight or do this step right before cooking.  If you want to do this the day before, then drizzle a tsp or so of the olive oil on the steak and rub all the seasoning mixture all over the steak on both sides.  Place in a storage container, seal it, and store in the fridge.

    Spices rubbed on raw Flank Steak Rub. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  3. Clean the broccoli and cut off 5 cups of florets and top of the stems.  I love to use the stems in addition to the florets as they are just as flavorful and have lots of nutrition so why waste them?

    Raw Broccoli florets in a bowl on counter. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  4. You can cut the potatoes a day in advance and store in water in the fridge, but I would not do this more than 1 day ahead.  You want to quarter the potatoes to roughly all the same size.

    Raw Mini Gold Potatoes Cut in hand over bowl. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  5. Mince the garlic.  Add the Sour Cream, garlic, and chives to a mini food processor.  Pulse to blend until the chives are completely blended.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

Cook the Flank Steak Recipe Sheet Pan Dinner

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F degrees.  If you stored the cut potatoes in water, drain them and pat them dry with a clean towel.

  2. To a large Sheet pan, add the broccoli and potatoes.  Drizzle or Spray with Olive Oil.  Go light with the oil and then rub it all around with your hands.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and again rub it all over.  Spread out into a single layer.

    Raw Potatoes and Broccoli on sheet pan. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  3. Place the vegetables in the preheated oven and roast them for 20 minutes.

  4. If you marinated the steak in the rub overnight, pull it out and let it rest at room temperature while the veggies cook.  If you did not, then drizzle a tsp or so of the olive oil on the steak and rub all the seasoning mixture all over the steak now on both sides and set aside.  

    Spices rubbed on raw Flank Steak Rub. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  5. After 20 minutes in the oven, pull the veggies out and using a spatula, push them all out to the outside of the pan, making space in the center for the steak.  Place the rubbed steak in the center and put the pan back in the oven for 10 minutes.

    Potatoes and Broccoli around the outside of a sheet pan. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  6. After 10 minutes, change the oven setting to broil, move the pan up to the top broiler shelf and cook under the broiler for 5-7 minutes.  At 3 minutes, check to make sure the potatoes and broccoli are not burning and if they are, move the pan down a shelf.

    Raw flank steak on sheet pan in center of potatoes and broccoli. This Flank Steak Recipe with Potatoes & Broccoli is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  7. Once the steak is done cooking, let the pan sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow the meat to finish cooking and the juices to redistribute.  If you cut the meat too soon, all of the good juices will be let out and the meat may be dry.

    Cooked Flank Steak with Potatoes & Broccoli on sheet pan. This recipe is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  It has a flavorful rub and a tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema! 

  8. Serve with the Garlic Chive Crema and Enjoy!

    Flank Steak sliced with Potatoes & Broccoli on plate with crema drizzled on top. This is an easy and delicious Sheet Pan Dinner.  The homemade steak rub adds such wonderful flavor. To top this sheet pan dinner, you get this tangy, light Garlic Chive Crema!  Best of all, you only need 1 pan so it's a super easy clean up.  Easy and Delicious!